“Yes, there’s nothing safer than fighting!” Orfeus said. She was tired, bone-deep tired, and wouldn’t mind a wash. But she needed to climb higher in the Order. Fight harder. Never stop to think. “I need to get better, Wolf. You can’t exactly help me do that if you won’t even look me in the eye to argue—hey!”

Faol paid no attention at all, walking over to the sink at the corner to dampen a cloth. Orfeus still had her knives; she could try stabbing him in the back right now, if she wanted to live an even shorter life than she would already.

Someone swaggered in and called, “You two! You’re missing the feast!”

By his build, this was the Shark, short and wiry, though she hadn’t seen him with his mask off before. He had brown skin and hair and a short fuzz of beard on his good-natured face.

“Feast?” Orfeus said, a little puzzled. She tucked her knives back away.

The Shark threw a look at the Wolf, then widened his eyes at Orfeus. “She hasn’t even brought you to the feast?” he said.

Faol turned, and Orfeus tensed, ready for his anger. But beneath his mask there was nearly a smile. She wouldn’t have known from his voice, still harsh as ever as he said, “We’ve been busy.”

Orfeus considered. “I could eat,” she said. She brazened forward, ready to brush Faol aside to reach the basin, but he stepped well clear before she could even get close.

She cleaned her face. “Wolf?” the Shark said.

Orfeus straightened. Faol shook his head. His hair was damp, tousled into spikes. “I have work still to do.”

The Shark saluted, grinning. “We’ll save a steak for you, brother.” He nodded at Orfeus encouragingly, and she followed him to the mess hall.

She stopped at the doorway and blinked. The tables were piled high with food, and hunters lined the long benches, talking and laughing, only twenty or so but enough to fill the room with chatter and noise.

The Shark didn’t pause, striding forward, so Orfeus followed in his wake. “We haven’t really been introduced,” the Shark said, with a laugh. “I’m Tai. Orfeus, right?” He settled down and tugged a plate towards him.

“Oh, so we do still get to have names,” Orfeus said, settling down. She glanced around. “Guess we get a lot of gifts and tribute, huh?”

“Enough to feed us in style each night,” Tai said, passing her a plate piled high with a whole ham.

She stared at him. “You eat like this every night?”

He poured juice into his cup and winked. “Hey, it’s a hard job.”