"What?" asked Ina.
"It might be nothing," said Kier, his hands in the pockets of his jacket. "But I might have to go prepare for a very difficult story. I'm going to have to ask two questions before I go, though. One is very simple. The other one might get me eaten."
"Again with that?" said Peppermint.
"Athyn," Kier turned his attention to the Femage. "Was it my brother who sent you? My big brother."
"Yeah," said Athyn still clinging to the wall.
"Thought so. Now, Ina," Kier looked at the Witch, "I might be absent for a week. Perhaps a bit more."
"What about it?" asked Ina.
"Can I take Peppermint with me?"