A shame the Morrígan didn’t take Pyrrhus sooner. Achilles feels guilty for thinking this, but the boys speak fondly of this place. Children who suffered the same violence and misery, protected by adults who wouldn’t fear or exploit them. Pyrrhus would have been less lonely, less misunderstood.

But he’s still curious about Ember.

“I’ve been told Miss Ember has deadly weapons called guns. She must be a veteran of war as well?” The stories he’s hearing about this woman—both maternal and martial—are seemingly at odds. It reminds him of Medea—mother and wife, but capable of ruthless violence.

“What does Lamb do here? Does he help take care of you?” Achilles asks before he decides to simply pose the most pressing question: “Does he appear to be happy?”