Deglan looked over at her, still distracted and cast a few more glances back at the girl before answering. “Never told me her given name. Red Caps did for her family. I think she saw it happen. I call her Blink.”

“She is adorable.”

A self-conscious smile split the gnome’s face, and they both turned back to watch as Blink chased Muckle around the ruins with the dogs. Sir Corc was deep in conversation with the other goblin, the one Deglan called Curdle. Bantam Flyn sat upon some rubble, completely detached.

“Those coburn,” Deglan pointed with his chin. “Knights?”

“The older one is,” Rosheen replied. “Sir Corc. Order of the Valiant Spur. The other is his squire.”

“Bad blood between them,” Deglan stated.

“Flyn is learning the sobering effects of shame,” Rosheen said sadly.

Deglan squinted at the group and clicked his tongue. “A seer. A Jester. Two trained coburn. Madigan Sure Finder.”

“Formidable company.”

Deglan nodded. “And they are all kittens compared to that.”

Rosheen did not bother looking at the Forge Born. Its very presence was already making her head ache. Deglan must have noticed her wince.

“I have a remedy for the pains,” he said, starting for the ruined building. “Let me fetch my satchel.”

Ever the healer.

The goblin seer pulled Deglan aside when he reappeared and the two spoke briefly. Nodding, Deglan looked up and waved her over.

Time to talk.

They all gathered inside the ruin so that the tumbled walls might mask the fire that Madigan had kindled before drawing off to a far corner with his dogs. Rosheen saw the little girl Blink was also with them, and watched as Deglan went to pull her away, leading her closer to the fire before sitting down with the child in his lap. Sweat and Panic watched her go, noses sniffing, but Madigan’s eyes were cocked in the opposite direction.

Indifferent, Sure Finder?

Rosheen was relieved to see the Forge Born had not moved from his silent vigil. Muckle flopped down heavily by the fire, while Flyn leaned against the wall near the hole that was once the entrance. Sir Corc stood further in, arms crossed. Rosheen fluttered over to Deglan and kissed Blink lightly on the nose.

“Hello, sweet one,” she said, and the chubby cheeks creased with delight. “May I sit with you?”

Blink nodded, eyes wide, and Rosheen settled down in her lap, smiling to herself as she felt a finger slide gently, curiously down her wing. The pale goblin approached the fire, the shadows settling deeply in his wrinkled face.