They'd come back from the foundry in a tired, dust-streaked clump, and by the time they'd crossed into the courtyard the lamp in the corridor window was already burning.
That was how Mod realized the evening had progressed further than she'd thought. The courtyard still felt like late afternoon, but the light said otherwise.
Hild sat on the low section of wall near the eastern side of the courtyard. She still wore her work clothes, and a dried streak of clay crossed one knee. She'd been there long enough to look comfortable.
Beadu occupied her normal place near the garden corner, sitting cross-legged with a cloth bundle in her lap. Something warm from the kitchen was inside.
Leof stood near the far wall, turning a pebble over in one hand without seeming to notice she was doing it.
The garden section nearest Beadu was, technically, thriving. The plants had gone colors that drew the eye for all the weird reasons, and looking straight at them took more effort than looking away.
