Chapter Twelve
COOK’S KITCHEN
With the spinners Banga and Kira beside him, Huldar took the last step home and squinted through thick mist at the warmth of their marquee. Daric’s dome was holding up well and had made a great difference to their level of comfort.
“Quiet tonight,” Banga remarked.
“Little wonder,” Huldar murmured. From outside, the mood was hard to decipher, but there was more than a whiff of fear.
Huldar pushed aside the door. Andel and Sari sat at their usual place by the fire. Andel returned his smile brightly, but grief whispered like smoke from the well of her soul.
Behind the kitchen bench, Tam and Shen, the Host’s head cook, were deep in conversation. Tam took a sprig from Shen’s hand and said something about it.
“The Host might have to start cooking for themselv
