Dahlia stayed in Nezpot for three grueling days of tending wounded folk, burying the dead, and burning stacks of goblin bodies. She and Hunter caught snatches of conversation with each other during meals, but most of the time he was busy with Sergeant Workman, Captain Rudd, and the few other officers who were helping put Nezpot into some kind of order. Finally, on the last night she meant to stay in town, she found Hunter in the palace kitchens.
He was sitting on a bench next to Chekwe. The scarred little greenie had both arms in slings and was leaning over a bowl of broth, slurping straight from the bowl. A tiny black kitten was perched next to Chekwe’s head, and it too was lapping furiously at the broth.
Dahlia caught Hunter’s eye, gave the kitten a meaningful look of disgust, and shru
