“I saw you die!” Chuktik cried.  He leapt to his feet and wrapped her in a hug that made his ribs scream.  He winced and pulled away at once.  “I saw you fall.  The tower…”

“I wasn’t in the tower, Chuktik.”  Claktiss shook her head.  “Fat old Dolik’cha sent me to the larder for eggs.”

His first instinct was to laugh, then he realized it was Dolik’cha he’d seen fall with the tower.  “I’m sorry.”  He lowered his chin in shame.  “She was a good trainer.”

“She was a foot on my tail,” she said harshly.  “But she didn’t deserve that.”  She lifted his chin with one paw.  “Kikt’ch’chet?”

“Died on...

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