Back in the barracks, Makile still couldn’t sleep. The young soldier couldn’t help but look at the tanned skin on top of his head, that makeshift roof that rippled red, to the rhythm of the waves of magic that emanated from Deadly. They were like monsters, moving shadows that crawled to try to attack him. Enemies lurking in the dark, waiting for the slightest inattention to jump at his throat. And the anxiety-filled climate of the camp didn’t help the boy rex.

  He turned over on his bunk, groaning because of his uncomfortable hips. For him, who was used to sleeping on a soft mattress in his big house in the capital, this st season spent on the road had been a real ordeal. He missed the satin sheets, his soft and comforting pajamas, his feather-filled pillows, and especially his father’s stories. His eyes fell on S’rinj, the forty-year-old had already fallen asleep again after rolling onto his stomach, one leg hanging out of bed. Oddly enough, despite his rather rge nose, he wasn’t snoring at all. That role was taken by Icy, whose wings fluttered with each of his breaths, filling the silence of the night with guttural sounds, coos, grunts, and the rustling of feathers. A concert that could have woken up even a dzimdad, however sleepy it might be.

  In a desperate attempt to take his mind off things, the young boy mentally reviewed everything he had learned that evening. This special family was not known outside the army because it did not appear in official reports, and mentioning it to anyone outside was forbidden. The soldiers knew of its existence but avoided it, never conversing with its members, whom they found strange. Probably because of the diversity of races present there. Also, Icy, Deadly, and S’rinj were sometimes given special missions that required special skills or increased stealth, and there was no way they were going to tell anyone about it. In the hierarchy, they were above the command generals. Which meant that, if they needed to, they technically had the right to requisition a regiment without the agreement of its knight. For the commands it must be another story, no one could ask for access to a thousand men for no reason, not even Drought.

  For a second, Makile imagined Icy commanding troops. The bodar would probably give ridiculous orders, like organizing a games tournament. The boy stifled a ugh. He had been afraid at first, but ultimately his comrades in arms were not so terrible. Even Deadly, as frightening as she was, had a tender touch when it came to Icy. And although she was constantly bickering with S’rinj, there was an almost filial bond between them. Like a father and daughter.

  His thoughts absorbed him all night, so much so that he jumped when movement was heard in the tent. He looked up in time to see S’rinj, his face dazed, slowly sitting up in his bunk. His complexion was slightly gray, paler than usual, and his wrinkles seemed all the more visible. The physicist fumbled for his boots at the foot of his bed, put them on without even bothering to put on his stockings, then grabbed his cloak that was casually lying on a wooden chair. He threw it over his shoulders and headed toward the tent opening dressed like that. Half-naked, in just a tunic, with shoes and enough fabric on his shoulders to hide his buttocks. The image was enough to make him ugh, and Makile had to bite his cheeks until they bled to restrain himself.

  - The animal has left the den. I repeat, the animal has left the den…

  It was Icy's voice, still half-asleep and weak. The bodar straightened up, cracking his back loudly, his long white hair streaked with blue forming a solid halo above his head.

  - I need to stretch, my wings are all mush…

  - Move away properly this time, if you destroy our tent by stretching again, I’ll eat you.

  Deadly had spoken this time. Unlike the other two, she seemed perfectly lucid. Maybe she was a morning person. The pacle jumped out of bed and began to dress carefully, putting on her uniform, her cape, and even attaching her belt and epaulettes in pce. She then trotted towards the exit of the tent, dragging Icy with her.

  When they had all left, Makile got up too. He could feel from his stiff movements that this sleepless night was not welcome, but he still had to do his best. He dressed meticulously, even trying to comb his tangled hair, then headed to the trines. It wasn’t yet a busy time of day in the camp, so he didn’t have to wait long before he could relieve himself. After that, he headed to the dining area. The other three members of his family were waiting for him there, a piece of bread with a bit of cheese pced in front of each of them.

  - I told you he was awake !

  - I didn’t notice anything…

  - You never notice anything in the morning, Uncle. You might as well be blind.

  This time, it was Deadly who was teasing S’rinj by tapping his nose repeatedly. But the physicist seemed even grumpier than the pacle this morning.

  - A cigar… My kingdom for a cigar…

  Icy searched the man's pockets, but he found nothing.

  - You don't have any more? You usually always stock up.

  S'rinj dropped his head on the table, in a shock that made the whole construction vibrate and Makile jump.

  - I finished my stock... I thought I had calcuted correctly... Normally the delivery of the packages is today...

  The little human slid into the chair opposite Icy. He tried to be discreet so as not to disturb the discussion, but the bodar had already noticed him and was starting to take a pack of cards out of his pockets. While he was distributing cards to him without even asking his opinion, the little feathered man took the opportunity to ask him questions.

  - What did you ask for in your packs, Makile ? Before I always asked for dice and cards, but then I had too many and Deadly burned them... So I'm not allowed to have more than ten dice and three packs of cards. So I ask for nice food instead.

  The young boy looked at his cards, not knowing what game they were going to py, while biting into his piece of hard cheese. The taste, enhanced by a diet consisting mainly of survival rations for an entire season, was very strong but divine.

  - Nothing special. This is my first campaign, I don't know what would be useful to me, so I asked my father to prepare the packages.

  Icy froze, a look of deep shock on his face.

  - But… You dzimdad brain, packages aren’t meant to be useful ! They’re for comfort !

  S’rinj looked up.

  - He’s not wrong, kid. The point isn’t for war to be beyond the realm of capability. We’re offering you something to cheer you up and live properly. You should take advantage of it. In any case, if you’re not in good spirits or if you’re not comfortable, you risk screwing up on the battlefield.

  Even Deadly seemed to agree. Makile nodded, the two men’s words made sense. He should pay a little more attention to himself, for the good of his country. Once he had swallowed his piece of bread and cheese, he was able to concentrate on Icy’s cards again. The bodar had just pced two red suns and one eye closed. The game was looking bad for the young boy.

  - You're not very good at pying the Dryer game, are you ?

  Icy teased him, ying down card combinations just a little better than Makile's, as if to taunt him each time. The little human scratched his head furiously, thinking about his options, but he was stuck.

  Interrupting their face to face, Drought arrived at the table. The general was as usual magnificent, a ray of sunshine on this day that began under a gray sky. The makeup on his face was basic, but the yellow and white arabesques always had a mystical effect on his ochre skin. He wore on this day a magnificent gold jewel, which hung from his nostril then ran along a thin chain to his right ear.

  - I see we're having fun early in the morning, he said cheerfully.

  Deadly pushed herself aside, leaving a spot on the small bench she occupied.

  - They were discussing the packages. The old man has withdrawal symptoms.

  Indeed, S'rinj had his head down again, his face against the table. From a distance, he looked dead. Drought chuckled and patted the physicist's curly hair.

  - Hold on, the delivery was deyed because the convoy was attacked by a group of raptoriks in the desert. They'll be here tomorrow. But if you can't wait...

  The pacle rummaged in his purse and pulled out a small cigar. It was much smaller than the ones S'rinj was used to smoking, but the sight of it suddenly pulled the forty-year-old out of his torpor. He jumped on the general's neck.

  - Oh great lord, I will worship you all my life !

  He began a dance of joy in his chair, raising the cigar as if it were a precious and blessed object. Then he sat back down religiously, brought the object to his lips, and gnced at Drought. The tter, just as theatrically, snapped his fingers to make a tiny fme appear that flew to S’rinj’s face. As smoke began to emerge from the cigar, the physicist took a deep breath before exhaling for long seconds, a beatific smile on his face. Deadly looked at him with an air of both disillusionment and disgust.

  - And you wonder why you’re still single, uncle ?

  The man burst out ughing. He had already regained some color, and his wrinkles seemed less deep than when he woke up.

  - That’s my line !

  The physicist and the young woman began to bicker, as usual. On the other side of the table, Icy was once again showing his cards to a distraught Makile.

  - How is it possible that you always draw exactly what you need to beat my hand ?

  - I believe in the soul of cards, kid, I'm their friend !

  The bodar was squirming and humming on the bench, and the little human didn't know what to do. If he didn't quickly draw a phoenix, it was over for him.

  Drought was watching the game with great interest. It was often said that watching someone py was observing their true personality. In this sense, he was curious to know what Makile was really like. Was he a sore loser ? Someone who was hiding his face in disillusionment ? Or on the contrary someone who had his feet on the ground and thought logically ? The general was eager to find out.

  The young boy took a deep breath, said a little prayer to Héliote, then drew. He slowly turned the card over. A phoenix ! His cry of joy echoed throughout the camp as he brought the card down on Icy’s hand.

  - Ha ! Did you see that ? I’m also the cards’ friend !

  He danced on his chair, letting his joy explode. Drought approached Icy to whisper in his ear :

  - You let him win on purpose, didn’t you ?

  The bodar simply answered with a wink. Of course Icy would never lose.

  When everyone had eaten, and Makile finished celebrating his victory, they headed to their respective tents. Deadly and S’rinj left to go and wash up in one of the streams that served as a bathtub, and Icy suggested to Makile that they go and train a little. The two men took their respective weapons, an iron bow for Icy and a longsword for Makile, and marched towards the gates of the camp. Outside, against the walls, a field had been set up for the soldiers. There were wooden dummies, targets, and other equipment made from whatever could be found. There were even riders stretching their beasts' legs.

  Icy greeted the troops who were already there. There were about a hundred of them sweating on this cool morning, the ambient humidity finishing to soak their clothes. Each of them seemed formidable, muscur from toes to neck, and gave off an explosive force. “Luckily I’m in their camp,” thought Makile. If he had been a samalta, he would probably have fled.

  The young boy ran to join the bodar. The tter had started his warm-ups, moving his immense wings to warm the muscles of his back, and leaning back so hard that his head almost touched his calves. The young soldier watched, open-mouthed.

  - I didn’t know you were so flexible…

  Icy straightened up then bent forward, his knees straight.

  - It’s because I’m a bodar, I have small bones.

  - What does that mean ?

  He cleared his throat, then sat cross-legged.

  - When the bodars arrived in Ektrikesadelf, it was… How many… Maybe three eras ago ? The first thing people did was cut them into pieces to see how they worked. And they discovered some very interesting things ! For example, our bones are less strong than yours, lighter, thinner. So they are lighter to fly with. But we break things easily, so it’s a good thing we are also more agile.

  He scratched his chin as he answered, as if it were a boring story. Makile, for his part, was outraged.

  - Wait… We opened bodars ? Just like that, just to see what it does ?

  Icy shrugged.

  - That’s how men have always done it. Do you seriously think that no one has ever opened the belly of a pacle or a samalta ? Or even of another human ? How do you think you learn medicine ? To cure something and solve problems, you have to know how it works. That’s all.

  Believing that the discussion was over, the little white-haired man stood up and trotted towards the targets. Makile didn’t move, struck by this truth. Yes, it was logical in a way, you couldn’t cure something you didn’t know. But opening someone’s belly…

  He suppressed an urge to vomit. This shouldn’t become a habit, especially since much more terrible things probably awaited him during this campaign. The young soldier put down his belt to which his sword was attached, and began to warm up as well. He didn't have time to think, he had to do his best for his nation that was in danger. Buoyed by this idea, and already imagining his exploits on the battlefield, he redoubled his efforts for his training.

  Icy had flown over the field, his iron bow in hand. The targets on the ground were banal, simple, he knew he could hit them with his eyes closed. But he still had to stay active, if he did nothing he would get fat. At that moment, a projectile passed him at high speed. He turned his head to discover another bodar, bow in hand, who seemed as bored as he was. His iridescent bck feathers shone in the middle of the white clouds, and a thick gray fringe hid his eyes to the point that one wondered how he could aim.

  - Icy, I'm bored...

  - I know, Dash...

  The two men looked at each other with sad pouts, their wings beating in unison to keep them at the same altitude.

  - Will you be my moving target ?

  The offer was very tempting for a bodar. It was a very fun game where you got shot at while trying to hide among the clouds. Icy had to fight his instincts very hard to decline the offer.

  - I don't have the permission to get hurt right away, the general is going to need me...

  Dash shrugged.

  - Well, if you want I'll be the target !

  The bodars looked at each other with stars in their eyes. Icy drew his bow, ready to shoot.

  - I'll give you five seconds !

  The man with the bck wings didn't need to be asked twice and made a squeak like a bird chirping, before diving towards the ground.

  - One...

  Tilting to the side, he turned before touching the ground and took support on it to unch himself again. The soldiers all around stopped their movements, looking up at the sky to observe the scene.

  - Two…

  Dash flew up at breakneck speed, the wind whistling through his feathers and the clouds breaking like waves against his skin.

  - Three…

  He pushed past the cottony yers, seemed to touch the sun for a moment, then let himself fall back. Despite his hair in front of his face, a big smile could be seen on his face.

  - Four…

  The bodar writhed, throwing his legs out to the side to spin even more, his wings slicing through the air and maniputing it at will.

  - Five !

  The air vibrated as the arrow was propelled towards Dash. It narrowly missed him, hitting one of the feathers that crimped his neck. He lost his bance for a moment, but recovered quickly enough to dive back to the ground. Icy was exulting. In his eyes there was a glint filled with primal instinct. It was such a fun game.

  He grabbed another metal arrow from his quiver, and drew his bow again. Although he followed Dash with his eyes, aiming at a bodar in full acrobatics was not easy. But he knew he would succeed, he had confidence in his abilities.

  - This time, you are mine !

  He let go of the arrow which flew at lightning speed, and came to embed itself in Dash's buttock. The tter screamed, paralyzed by the pain, and fell into the void. But this was just a game, not a real hunt, so Icy put away his quiver and smmed his huge wings, propelling him towards the ground. He caught his comrade before he nded on the training ground, and set him down gently on the damp earth. The injured bodar whimpered as he pulled on the arrow.

  - You pulled way too hard ! I can't get it out ! I think it went into my bone...

  Without taking offense, Icy grabbed the projectile and pulled sharply. It dislodged itself from Dash's buttocks with a sucking sound that echoed throughout the training ground. Around them, all the soldiers had stopped their activities and were looking at the two winged humanoids. Some seemed jaded, used to this kind of scene, but others - mainly the young ones who participated in the ost - had a deeply shocked look. This was also the case for Makile. He approached the two bodars at a run, his brow furrowed and his jaw clenched.

  - You are absolutely crazy, Icy ! Why did you do that ?

  The little white-skinned man shrugged without saying anything. It was the injured bodar who intervened.

  - Why are you scolding him ? We had fun !

  Dash turned to Icy, his pupils dited.

  - Can we do it again ? This time you pull a little less hard, huh ?

  - No ! Makile protested, That's out of the question !

  He was fuming, his rosy face slowly turning red.

  - You hurt yourself, you almost killed yourself, and you find it funny ?

  Icy straightened up this time, and bared his teeth at the young human.

  - We're bodars, kid. It's our instinct, that's how we work. If you want to make fun of us, or talk trash behind our backs, you're welcome to ! You just have to imitate the entire troops. But don't stop us from doing what we want. We are adults, not children to protect.

  With that, the bodar made a sign to his friend and the two flew away, kicking up dust and clods of earth. Makile remained there, silent, thinking about the bodar’s words. He didn’t like that. Getting hurt in the ranks of the army, pying dangerous games while you’re at war… It wasn’t right.

  Pulling him out of his reverie, a tiny little girl tugged at his sleeve. She couldn’t have been older than him, and the single horn on her forehead was the size of his little finger. She was a pretty pacle with indigo hair, whose curls waved in the wind.

  - Excuse me… Hum… You used to train with Regiment Four of Commander Tibug’s infantry… But now you’re not there anymore…

  Makile scratched his head. If he had seen this girl before, he would remember. He gnced behind her and noticed a group of humans and pacles talking quietly as they watched them. They had probably sent her to ask the question. The young soldier smiled at the little girl.

  - I was integrated into another family, so I will no longer train with the regiments.

  The little girl grabbed her tunic and twisted it between her fingers, her head lowered.

  - Are you… in the family of the crazy ones ?

  - Excuse me ?!

  Makile’s excmation made her jump. She began to shake uncontrolbly, her fingers still clenched on her clothing.

  - Yes, you know… The pacle and the bodar who are much too close for it to be natural… And the terrifying physicist… They say he cuts people up… They are with General Drought, the one who can burn everything if he is angry… The soldiers say that when they are together, they develop new methods of torture for the enemies…

  Her stammering was charming, but the young human saw in the eyes of this pacle that this bundle of nonsense was very real for her. And it was all the more distressing. Makile shook his head, outraged by this completely false representation of his companions.

  - This is nonsense… Deadly is sometimes scary, very often in a bad mood, but she is very careful with her comrades. She has a lot of kindness in her. And Icy is a bodar, yes, but he is the only one I have seen who has so much intelligence, and who can refrain from pying for the good of his nation. And S’rinj does not cut people up ! He's a very good person who's a bit like a father figure. As for Drought…

  But he quickly realized that the girl wasn’t listening to him. She was looking at him with much harder eyes, all shyness gone.

  - So it’s true… You’re with them…

  Before the boy could protest, she had left to join the group. He watched her walk away with a disillusioned look. So that was it. What he had seen, the stares, the other soldiers who didn’t approach his family… Just because of stupid rumors. And no one could expin the truth because the others weren’t listening. It was sad and distressing.

  - Hello again, kid !

  Deadly trotted up, followed by S’rinj. The pacle’s hair was still damp, but the fur on her legs was much shinier than before. Instead of being the color of ash, it shone like silver.

  - Did you get a little practice? You don’t look like you’ve been sweating much.

  S’rinj sat down on a log not far away. Makile looked at him for a moment, thinking back to the conversation he had just had with the unknown girl, then answered his question.

  - To be completely honest, I didn’t get much practice…

  He then began to tell the story of his morning. Icy and his strange game that hurt his friend, as well as the strange interaction with the little pacle. The physicist listened in silence, his eyes unfocused as if he were lost in thought. Deadly, at his side, was fuming. The cheerful look she had had when she came back from her bath had completely disappeared.

  - I’ll have a word with them about it…

  When she started to walk away, Makile ran to intervene.

  - No, don’t tell them anything ! It’s okay, I swear. I was just surprised because I didn’t expect everyone to see you that way.

  Deadly raised an eyebrow. She didn’t believe it for a second. And the more she saw his lips pinch, the more she watched his little fingers clench on the red suspenders, the more she wanted to go and rip the heads of the morons who were watching them a little further away, a disgusted and boastful look on their faces. It was stronger than her.

  A fp of wings raised the dust. She turned around quickly, just in time to see Icy nd quietly near them, the bow still in his hand.

  - Ah, you’re here ! Have you finished your bath ?

  The pacle felt her blood boil and grabbed the bodar by the colr, grabbing tufts of white and blue hair in the process.

  - Why did you talk to the kid like that ? He doesn't know anything and he's not used to war, obviously your games shock him ! Have you got no idea how to be nice, kind, and considerate, at least once in your life ?

  The bodar began to stammer.

  - No, but it's just that... I didn't want to... He...

  It was S'rinj who stepped between the two, blowing the thick smoke from his little cigar in both of their faces.

  - Let's calm down. You're both in a bad mood as far as I can see, so there's no point in arguing now. We'll talk about it ter. First, we'll do our morning training, then we'll start a normal, quiet day. Is that okay ?

  Everyone nodded, even Makile. It was strange for him that S'rinj gave an order, but he didn't take offense. Each of them returned to their training, Deadly sat and made her horns glow, Icy flew through the air, S’rinj practiced self-defense with another soldier, and Makile waved his sword. The four of them didn’t speak to each other again for the rest of the morning.

  ***

  - Are we going to continue to ignore each other or are we going to do something ?

  The whole family was gathered at the table, but the atmosphere was gloomy. Makile was stirring his spoon in his soup without eating it, and even Icy had his dice neatly stored in his purse, and the cards in the pocket of his uniform jacket. He almost looked normal. Deadly, true to herself, was casting murderous gnces around her. She looked around for the group from the training ground, but didn't see them anywhere. It was S'rinj who had spoken, cheerful as usual, who had already finished his bowl and was starting his second cigar lent by Drought.

  - It's noon and you've been working your butts off all morning, aren't you hungry ?

  The answer was weak, a few spoons were shoved into mouths, but nothing more. It was at that moment that Drought trotted up to them, his meal in his hands. Makile nearly choked.

  - Hello ! How was your morning ?

  - We're a little tired, we've been training a lot !

  The physicist smiled as if nothing had happened. And the general, probably out of politeness, imitated him.

  - Oh really ? Honestly, I suspected that about Makile, but I didn't know you'd get straight to training ! When you've just arrived on a battlefield, you generally prefer to rest rather than rush straight into physical work !

  The pacle sat down opposite to Deadly. He stretched for a long time, cracking his shoulders and back, then happily started on his soup. Makile coughed discreetly, trying to dislodge the piece of root he had swallowed the wrong way. He then straightened up and regained his seriousness, then quickly finished his meal.

  - What are we doing this afternoon ? Is there a task for us ?

  Drought finished his bowl before answering.

  - The third command, the one under General Tibug, managed to catch an important prisoner, from what I was told. Your mission, as I presented it to you…

  He gave them a knowing nod.

  - Can be completed with that. S’rinj will just have to verify what was said for this afternoon. Then you will prepare to unch the operation at dawn. Clear ?

  - Crystal clear !

  They had answered at the same time, and Makile felt his heart tighten. Once again, a thought struck him: He was now part of this family. But this happiness was also accompanied by a bitter taste, when he thought back to the little girl who had spoken to him on the training ground. No one had spoken about it all morning, but the young man's stomach was boiling, his muscles tense, he had to let out what was inside him.

  - Concerning what happened earlier, he began, I just wanted to...

  But Deadly's murderous gaze ordered him to be silent. He lowered his head, dejected. Against all expectations, it was Drought who came to his aid.

  - What happened this morning ?

  S'rinj dismissed the question with a wave of his hand.

  - Nothing important, believe me. He's just a young boy who's not used to the customs of the battlefield.

  But Makile didn't want to keep quiet anymore. Buoyed by his idol's interest, he raised his voice a little, just enough to drown out the physicist's words without attracting too much attention from the other soldiers.

  - A girl came to talk to me.

  The general's eyes widened.

  - That's pretty positive ! If you decide to marry her, will you introduce me ?

  The young soldier's ears turned red.

  - No, not at all ! Well... Yes, I'll introduce you to her, but... No, that's not the point !

  He began to stammer, to Icy's snickers. The tter seemed to gradually regain his radiance, as if chaos was his driving force. Makile ended up spping himself on the cheeks to regain his composure, then continued.

  - She told me some not very nice things about this family, and I understood that S'rinj, Icy, and Deadly were discriminated against.

  Silence fell very quickly. Not only at this table, but also at the neighbors, a sign that the discussion had been louder than expected. Makile blushed even more. He lowered his head, trying to make himself as small as possible. On the contrary, Drought straightened up and looked around him, daring anyone to make a comment. Finally, the conversations resumed in low voices, then little by little the usual atmosphere of enthusiastic meals was restored.

  The general scratched his head, ruffling his fiery hair. Finally, he let out a long sigh and mumbled.

  - Yes, I suppose it must be shocking for someone who is not used to it...

  He thought for a few seconds then sighed again and began to expin, in the tone of a tutor.

  - Among soldiers, and especially in the Fire Empire, there is a lot of... Let's say "separation". Between csses, first of all, you've probably noticed that some of your comrades wear jewelry like earrings to show that they are noble, but also between the different races. The humans are mostly part of the infantry regiments and riders of war animals, the pacles are mostly part of the magical attack regiments, the bodars are mostly part of the air attack regiments... In short, there is very little mixing. So obviously, a family like yours gets people talking. A lot, even.

  Drought crossed his arms, thinking for a few moments. S'rinj took the opportunity to take over.

  - Let's not lie to ourselves, they know we work with the boss, so they think he's showing favoritism. That's the biggest reason. Because humans working with pacles or bodars, it's not super rare either. I just think they're riling each other up by spreading stupid rumors. That's why we shouldn't worry about it.

  He turned a questioning look towards Deadly and Icy who just nodded, not without a certain disgust or animosity. Obviously, the whispers didn't please them any more than they did Makile. He nodded, trying to understand.

  - I see. It's true that in the capital too, there are preconceived ideas about the different races. I too had strong opinions, even if my father accustomed me to the presence of other races, because of his work. But here... if they know we're doing important work, why do they act like that ?

  Icy shrugged.

  - I want to ask you : Why are these people in the army and not in a library or educating kids ? Because they're not the ripest apples in the basket.

  Deadly stifled a little ugh that she disguised as a coughing fit. But the bodar's remark wasn't wrong. The young boy ended up shrugging his shoulders as well, a little dejected.

  - It's still sad to have a bad reputation when you're doing your best for the nation.

  The bck-haired pacle raised an eyebrow.

  - Said the one who always calls me "The reincarnation of the goddess of death".

  Makile blushed again, and twisted his fingers around his suspenders.

  - Sorry...

  Deadly waved his apologies away.

  - Okay, is the subject closed ? Because if so, and since only S’rinj has work this afternoon, the washerwomen need help. Icy and I have until dawn to keep busy.

  AmbreaTaddy