Page 93 of Beyond the Cottage

The flare of hope on the woman’s face pained Ansel, and so did the burden it placed on Gretta. There was little chance the missing friend lived. Though justice was likely all they could offer these people, he was suddenly glad they’d come to put the witch down.

Tadpole and Heron approached Gretta.

“We got garden duty before supper,” Tadpole said. “After, we expect to hear all about your Hag Hacker adventures.”

Gretta smiled. Tadpole clapped her back, and Heron shyly patted her shoulder. They hied off through another tunnel.

“I bet you’d like to get settled in,” Lil said. She pulled the curly-haired woman to her side, and draped an arm across her shoulders. “This is River. She’ll show you around.”

“Where will we be spending the night?” Gretta asked.

“We’ll make room for you in our community sleeping chamber.”

“Communitysleeping chamber? As in all of you?”

“It’s real friendly, munchkin, like a slumber party. You’ll love it.”

The look on Gretta’s face indicated she would not, in fact, love it.

Ansel shared the sentiment. “Considering she’s your honored guest, we insist on private quarters.” He glanced at Gretta and added, “Separatequarters.”

Lil shrugged. “Suit yourselves. Won’t be nothing fancy, though. River, please take…hey, what are your names, anyway?” When they responded, she continued, “Take Ansel to the loot room and Gretta to the armory.”

“I’d be happy to,” River said.

“I better check on things,” Lil said, sighing as if the world would fall apart without her. “After supper, we’ll do it up proper.”

Lil was gone before Gretta could ask what ‘doing it up proper’ meant. River gathered bedding from a nearby trunk and handed them each a lantern. She led them through another tunnel, this one thankfully broad and well-lit by torches.

“So,” River said. “Where do you two come from?”

“The capital.”

“Antrelle.”

“Citypeople. We don’t get many visitors this far out, but we’re thrilled to have you. Tonight will be a celebration!”

Gretta and Ansel exchanged a look. It had been a long day on top of a long week.

“We appreciate it,” Gretta said. “But you don’t need to put yourselves out on our account.”

River waved her hand. “It’s no trouble at all, we’ll take any opportunity to celebrate. As the goddess teaches, we work hard but seize our pleasures. Speaking of.”

They came upon a couple in the tunnel, and Gretta stumbled a step.

A man with yellow braids leaned against the granite wall, back arching, white robes pooled at his feet. A pink-haired woman knelt before him with his cock so far down her throat, it was a wonder she could breathe.

River brushed her fingertips along the woman’s shoulder blades as they passed, and Gretta gave the couple one last ogle as they rounded a corner.

“Guess you’re not a shy lot,” she said, a bit breathless.

“We believe our bodies are a gift from the goddess and that love should be freely shared.” River’s smile brightened. “Just wait until we start celebrating.”

Gretta glanced at Ansel. Jaw tight, he kept his eyes fixed straight ahead.

“I take it you aren’t all related?” Gretta asked.

“Not by blood, but we are a family.”

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