(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

A distant scream echoed from below. It was an incoherent sound, perhaps a
woman's name filtered through the depths of cruel green waters.
I ignored it.
Chapter 54
The cold night air muted the stink and the smog somewhat. Stepping out
from the ramshackle hut I breathed a sigh of relief at seeing Morte bobbing
happily right at the door.
"Morte!"
"If this the part where I cry your name and we hug, can I do it with Annah
instead?"
"How do yeh even get a chance to take a breath when yer talking so much?"
she growled and flicked her tail.
"I stopped breathing the first time I saw you, fiendling."
I chuckled, "We're just glad to have you back."
"Ach. I'm not, don't yeh speak fer me."
I was going to be squeezed between quick-witted yammering on one side,
insults spat in a tongue-curling brogue on the other. I smirked. For the
moment, at least, it was a good place to be again.
"I don't suppose you learned anything at Lothar's? Or did you spend all that
time chattering?"
"Hey! Chattering's my best trait." Morte rattled his teeth for a moment,
then 'grinned.' "Eh? Eh?"
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