Seeing Aisijin's frightened expression, Ruger did not quite know what to say. He regularly used Spirit Fur Nourishment on these fellows, too. Although nowhere near as often as he cast it on himself, it still left their fur glossy, silky, and beautiful, even imparting a little spirituality. Their old troubles with shedding were long behind them, yet Aisijin still instinctively reacted with exaggerated alarm. Even after all these years, that fear remained deep in her bones.
When a Kobold's fur grew coarse and dull, with severe split ends and shedding, it usually indicated dire circumstances: injuries, insufficient food, weakness near death, and so on. Shedding was normal, but shedding in such a startling fashion, and in such quantities, had truly frightened Aisijin. Even Big Silly Hum, who had been wholly absorbed in his task moments before, kept glancing over.
"I think... we should wake her up and give her something to eat." Aisijin looked at the large platter of spicy meatballs in sour broth, then at the Beast-Eared Witch lying on the floor.
"You're right, but I don't think Miss Shedding is in any condition to be woken at will."
Ruger walked over helplessly and crouched down, lifting the Beast-Eared Witch's arm to show Aisijin. The moment he let go, her arm dropped, and she showed no sign of waking.
Seeing this, Aisijin stopped insisting. She gave the Beast-Eared Witch a regretful look and carried the platter to the dining table.
The solidified spell, Boundless Cage, was just like a real cage. It had remained in place for the past two days, seemingly an eternal, unbreakable prison.
Ruger stood, glanced at the boneless Invader, and turned toward the dining table.
One step, two steps, three steps.
He stopped, turned back again, and raised an eyebrow.
"I think you'd best stop