into the dimmer corners of the temple and settled comfortably onto his shoulder. Just then, a nearby voice broke the silence, "Baruch, chaver, the bird should leave. It’s too disrespectful towards Adon Diurnix."

"You're right, Tabitha. Thank you," Baruch's voice, though humble, carried a note of disappointment. The kind-faced horned man gently cupped the small forest creature that now used him as an improvised perch. "You shouldn't be here. Not now."

With a soft, reluctant sigh, Baruch released the bird. Her wings flapped louder and more furiously than usual, her shrill chirps echoing through the temple as she flew away. If she could speak, her words would undoubtedly have been filled with curses and insults.

Leaving the warm, comforting radiance of the temple beh...

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