As they turned their backs, they heard what was said in an instant; the only colored part of their chalk-white faces was their lips, which were beginning to turn purple.
"My Lord, the orders of Lord Kasper!"
The response to the words tumbling with difficulty from those lips was a solid slap. The man in the green robe was not joking around.
"What I say goes!"
The Vice Head of the Botanical Division spat on the ground behind the rapidly fleeing group; the two girls and Nalt were right beside him.
"Kids, stay by my side for now!"
Unable to stop their bodies from trembling, the trio didn't, or couldn't, ask what would happen next. For now, Cantankerous Hanry's protection was a small patch of shade found by someone roasting under the scorching sun; even if it wasn't a permanent solution, it salvaged the situation.
