“Welcome,” she told the goblin, even though she wasn’t sure that he would actually be welcome here, according to Mother or Father. But just at that moment, on that particular morning, it would be okay with her if goblins stole away the Snotfish and forced him into a hundred years of servitude, doing whatever goblins made stolen children do.

The goblin introduced himself. “I am the First Player of an acting troupe,” he said, “the finest in all of Zombay.” (Kaile couldn’t tell if he meant that the troupe was the finest in the city, or that he was.) “We would be honored to perform for the entertainment and delight of your patrons. All the payment we ask is a hot meal, and whatever donations we earn from the crowd. There will be music, and mummery, and even masks.”

Kaile imagined what her mother’s reaction to this might be, and then tried not to imagine it. “I’m sorry,” she told the goblin. “This isn’t really the best day for a show. And the last time we had actors performing in here, the Guard tried to arrest them all. They broke furniture, and our oven. We had to spend days carrying clay up from the riverbanks to patch the oven.”

The goblin made a sympathetic noise. “And what became of those unfortunate performers, do you know?”

“I don’t,” said Kaile. “One escaped through the kitchen. All the others were escorted out the front.”

“I see,” the goblin said. “I am merely curious about the fate of our predecessors. But I can assure you that my troupe has license to legally perform, without fear of harassment or arrest.” He paused. “Well, truthfully, without fear of arrest. We are sometimes harassed, but we have very little fear of arrest. Hardly so much as a tremor of fear.”

He smiled bravely, as if to show his courageous willingness to put on a show for the Broken Wall despite whatever dangers it might bring.

Kaile smiled back at him, but she also shook her head. Mother would bake her into a pie, and do it badly, and then throw the pie away as guzzard-feed. “We really couldn’t,” she told him. “Not today. Maybe another time.”

The goblin nodded. “I understand, of course,” he said, and swept off his hat to bow again.

Astonishing things fell out of the hat.