Bragi had placed the message in the Prophet and Post Office, and thus on said afternoon he could already start to see delighted parties approaching. The sky was cloudy but dry, and the sun was warm but not blazing — the perfect weather for kitten cuddling. Bragi had used a short picket fence to close off an area in the front garden, and sat there with the kittens now, smiling as they mewled and frolicked on the grass. They were eight weeks of age; old enough to be adopted. Their mother, Maid Marian, lay asleep in a sunbeam.

I wish you all a lifetime of sunbeams and happy families, he thought fondly as he stretched to stroke the one furthest away. He would miss the little tykes.