“Why?” In the face of danger, it was typical for Simna’s tone to turn belligerent. “Don’t the locals like company? Who are you, anyway?”
“I’m the town monitor. As for my fellow citizens, they’re an intemperate lot at best. Never know how the individual members of such a mixed bunch are likely to react in any given situation. There’s folks here who’d like to talk to you, some who might invite you in for a game of cards or bowls, but most would probably prefer just to tear you limb from limb.”
“Hungry?” Hunkapa Aub asked.
The lizard nodded. “Or just surly. Or wanting the exercise. Even established locals have to watch their step. The fiends among us are no respecters of residency. Skawpane’s a popular place among the damned and doomed.”
“Which are you?” Hunkapa inquired innocently.
“The downtrodden. In fact, things have been so bad hereabouts lately that I’m thinking of taking off for open country. You get tired of looking over your shoulder every minute. Trying to make a living in the midst of unrelenting demoniac anarchy takes a toll on one’s health.”
Holding firmly to his spear, Ehomba watched as a pair of blue demons with four legs and long, warty snouts crossed the street in front of them. They were trailed by three magnificently ugly but well-dressed miniature versions of themselves. Much to their parents’ satisfaction, the young demons fought continuously among themselves. Darting in and among the impish offspring was a small, yapping bundle of thorns that had feet but no legs. Or head.