“Upper Earth bird--sticks its head in the ground--probably wondering why we’re trapped here. No wonder last night I dreamt I was an ostrich again.” Ayletha leaned against the rough cavern wall, arms cradling the heavy bundle as she waited for the acolyte to arrange bunting.

May patted the embers off the child’s jumper and sent him on his way before turning back to the row of azaleas. The red eyes appeared in the bush followed by a menacing rumble. Undaunted, May thrust her arms, elbow deep, into the foliage and dragged out the hissing Hell Cat. She tucked it under her arm and headed back into the workshop.