"You're a friend," Rhiow said firmly. "I would have done everything to help you even without the Oath."

She ducked her head, her ears going out sideways. Wizards on Earth didn't generally get thanked - for anything. Feline wizards were like Manhattan's subway workers; desperately needed, keeping things running smoothly, but completely invisible nine times out of ten. And if commuting wizards did notice them, it was probably because something had gone wrong that they needed to fix.

"I didn't do it for the thanks, is what I'm trying to say," she muttered. "Or for any kind of reward. Not that I'm ungrateful."