“Is Lyni still gone?” Fria asked. Darina nodded. “He’s going to be gone for quite a while this time.” He was shedding and didn't like talking about it but Fria would ask a bunch of questions if she knew, so Darina decided not to tell her. “Why don't you go to Dragon’s Wine tonight? I'm doing good. Lyni just treated me last week and Darkham treated me today.” “Are you sure?” Darina asked. Fria had been having more problems lately. “Of course I am.” Fria frowned. Darina nodded. “Maybe you can find a man who’ll actually marry you.” Fria muttered. “Mother!” “I'm kidding, though I would feel better if Lyni did marry you. I'm not gonna live forever. I want to know you'll be taking care of.” “Mom, I can take care of myself.” Fria nodded. “I can still worry. It's a mother's right. You go see your friends.” **** “Kith!” Darina cried as she entered the room in. “You're back! How are you feeling?” She hugged him. “I'm good. It's good to be back. My aunt and uncle were driving me rocky. My aunt wouldn't stop gossiping long enough to let me sleep unless Ti was there.” “Ti? Is that her new gossip buddy?” Kith nodded. “He's a good kid.” “So what was your uncle doing?” “He kept at me to move back to Baj-tisk.” “Have you thought about that?” “You mean so he can complain more about my drinking?” Kith frowned. “You wouldn't have to live with them. You could get your own cave.” “I can't. I'm not Baj-tisk. The Council won’t allow outsiders have their own caves. I'd have to live with them. He’d drive me completely rocky if I did that. He was even on me for not going to the Nadal's memorial. I’d never even met her and Bob said I had to stay in Baj-tisk.” “Wait, Queen Nadal died?” Kith frowned. “You didn't hear? She died last week in childbirth.” “How's the baby?” “They're doing fine.” “They? Twins?” Kith nodded and smiled. “A boy and a girl.” “How's King Emeton doing?” “He's upset by it all but he's better than when Trilla died.” “But now he's alone with five kids rather than three. He's not planning on getting married again, is he, not right away at least?” Kith shook his head. “He said he wasn't ever going to marry again.” But something in his eyes told Darina he didn't believe that. “Where's Ty?” Kith asked. “Working. She had an early job. I think she's coming later.” “You help me stay sober until she gets here, okay?” “Okay. Why?” Kith never wanted to stay sober. “I have to go to Sen-gan soon pay my respects. I want her to come with me.” “Why?” Darina's eyes narrowed. He never took his friends to Sen-gan. “Maybe my uncle will leave me alone.” “Ty would just join in, and you know it.” “Prince Tolin needs her help.” “How can a prince need a thief's help? He needs something stolen?” “Maybe. Prince Tolin is the prince general. Part of his job is palace security. But he wasn't raised to be general. He was raised to be the king so he’s struggling. I thought a thief could give him suggestions to make it more difficult to break in.” She eyed him skeptically but nodded. “If nothing else, it'll do her good to get out of town.” Kith nodded. “Right.” “You know, at first I thought you were going to say you are thinking about courting her.” Darina told him. “Me and Ty? No. She's more like a sister to me.” Kith laughed but it sounded forced. “Vor,” he called. “Can I get some rum?” “No, Vor. He can't.” Darina called too. She turned to Kith. “You said not to let you get drunk tonight.” “Here.” Vor poured him a glass of Erulian wine. This way you don't get drunk.” “Thanks,” Kith said. “Kith, you’ll find someone.” Darina assured him. “But you might want to think about sobering up first.” Kith growled. “Don't you growl at me. I'm speaking from experience. You don't know what it's like watching a loved one drink himself to death. I do. And my dad didn't drink anywhere near as much as you.” Kith sighed. “I'm sorry. I just spent how many months listing to my uncle nag me about it. I’ll see if I can't get sober once I get back.” “Kith!” Slippurse called. “Oh, it's good to see you.” He turned to give her a hug. “I missed you guys too.” “I'm glad you're back. Been getting tired of drinking alone.” Kith frowned. “Alone?” He turned to Darina. “Where you been?” “Taking care of my mom. She started deteriorating again.” “I'm sorry. Maybe I should stay and help you out.” “Stay? Where are you going?” Slippurse asked. “Sen-gan for a few days. Pay my respects.” “Respects? Did someone die?” Slippurse asked. “Didn't anyone hear the news?” He frowned. “Vor!” He called the elf back. “Didn’t Shunati tell you Nadal died?” “She did?” Vor frowned. “I haven’t talk to him in several days. What happened?” “Problems during childbirth. The twins are fine.” “Twins?” Slippurse smiled. Kith nodded. “A boy and a girl. Looking forward to seeing them.” “They must be adorable.” Slippurse sighed. “You want to come with me and see them?” Kith offered. “Me?” Slippurse raised her eyebrows. “Sure. You might keep my uncle from pestering me while I'm there.” “Not from what I remember about him.” “You could help Prince Tolin improved palace security.” “Sounds like you're grasping for excuses.” Slippurse laughed. “I just don’t want to go alone.” “Take Vor. He's known there already.” She suggested. “Known? Nobody knows me there. Everybody thinks I'm Shun. I need to get a sign. ‘I’m not Shunati.’ Besides, I have to work.” “You're the only one without set hours.” Kith told so Slippurse. “You mean without a job.” Slippurse frowned. “You work just as hard as any of us. But you can't steal anything while we're there. There is no way you could break out of the prisons there.” “Is that a challenge?” She grinned. “No, a warning. You want to try to break out of the prison, talk with Tolin. I'm sure he'll be interested in knowing if Menthanla's greatest thief can do it.” “I like a challenge. If it won’t get me in trouble, all the better.” “You'll come?” She shook her head. “What would I wear? All my clothes are secondhand.” “That doesn't matter. No one cares.” Kith assured her. “Ask Vor.” “Vor?” She looked up. Vor shrugged. “If I dress in Elven fashion, I get some strange looks but if I dressed like this, no one cares. They’re too busy trying to get me to heal them.” “Well…” Kith turned to her. “From what Pt'this says, Kith can be quite the peacock when he’s there. He’ll help you pack.” Vor assured her. “Kith, a Peacock?” Slippurse looked intrigued. “This I've got to see.” “If you want to see me in court dress, you need to come with. I don't have any of that here in Thager.” Kith declared. “How long would we be gone?” “Just a few days. I need to get back to work.” Slippurse nodded. “For a few days.” Kith grinned. “Great. We’ll leave the day after tomorrow. I’ll help you pack tomorrow. I need to scry Sen-gan and let them know to clean another guestroom.” He started towards the door. “And tell them to hide the alcohol.” Tylan called after him. Kith nodded. “They do that anyhow.” He called back. “Well, if I'm going to Sen-gan, I need to see my fence. I’ll see you two tomorrow.” Slippurse left too. Darina laughed. “Does Kith have feelings for her?” She asked Vor. “Kith and Ty? No. Definitely not.” He shook his head. “He just seems very eager for her to join him.” Vor shrugged. “The palace can be a bit hollow if you don't know anybody.” “Kith knows people there. He's lived there.” Darina pointed out. “It’s Slippurse that won't know anyone.” “She knows Kith and chances are Pt'this will talk Kith into bringing Mirimar from Baj-tisk. Mirimar will love Tylan.” “Really?” “A new person to gossip with? Of course.” Vor nodded. “Poor Ty.” Vor just laughed. **** There was a flash. Darina spun around. “Thailyn!” She threw her arms around him. “Ow, careful. I'm still tender,” he said. He hugged her carefully. “It takes a few days for my new skin to get used to touch.” He kissed her. “Though I must say, it's never felt more enjoyable to be touched right after.” “Is that a good idea?” She asked knowing what kind of touch he was thinking of. “Oh definitely not.” He pulled away. “Let me get out of these clothes.” “Darina.” Kith's voice came. She looked up and saw Kith and Slippurse in the vanity mirror. Thailyn stepped behind the vanity. She smiled as much at his surprise as her delight in seeing her friends. Where is he? Thailyn mouthed. “Kith, Sli... Tylan, how's Sen-gan?” “Pretty good. How is your mom doing?” Kith asked. “She has good days and bad days. The bad days are starting to outnumber the good ones again. I’m looking into hiring a nurse to watch her. It’s getting too much for the neighbor lady who helps me with her.” “Sorry to hear that. We wanted to let you know we’re saying a few days longer. Then we’ll be there to help.” Tylan told her. “You didn’t get arrested, did you?” “No,” Tylan frowned. “I don’t get caught. Oh no. Thailyn mouthed, shaking his head exaggeratedly. Darina tried to ignore him. “But I’ve been good too.” Tylan continued. “The only stealing I’ve done was as a test for Prince Tolin.” “So you are having a good time?” Darina smiled. “Tylan is. I’m working. She’s been playing in the nursery.” Kith grinned. “You’ve been in the nursery too.” Tylan insisted. “And how many guys have you slept with?” Darina asked. “None.” Kith insisted. Thailyn’s eyes grew wide until he realized Kith was joking. “I told you, dragons don’t do that.” “I was talking to Tylan.” Darina frowned. She knew he was joking but she was uncomfortable when he joked about sex. “Just one.” Tylan told her. “One? The men there more reserved?” Darina teased. Thailyn rolled his eyes. Darina needed to stop looking at him. “They are now.” Kith grinned. “I don’t think any other guy in Sen-gan is going to sleep with her.” “Why? What happened?” Darina was curious. “Perhaps I’ll let Tylan tell you, but don’t take too long. I can’t hold the spell forever,” Kith said and left. “Tylan, what happened? Who did you sleep with?” Darina asked once he was gone. “King Emeton.” Tylan admitted. “You slept with the king?” Tylan nodded. “I didn’t know he was the king at the time. And now, he wants to marry me.” “Congratulations.” Darina smiled. “I’m not marrying him. Are you crazy?” “Why not?” She didn’t know the man, of course, but Kith always spoke highly of him. “I’m a worthless, broken down tramp. He doesn’t love me. He already he married one woman he didn’t love. The next is not going to be me.” “Did he say he didn’t love you?” Darina challenged. “No. He said he does.” “But you don’t believe him?” Tylan shook her head. “Why?” “Who’s going to love me?” “Did you tell him about Ceebo?” Tylan nodded. “And what did he say?” “He wants to have him arrested. I said there was no point. After all, it’s not like he made me do anything.” “No, he just conned you.” He was already in prison. She and Kith had made sure of that. “No. It was my choice, my stupid choice.” “But King Emeton knows and he still wants to marry you?” Tylan shook her head. “He proposed first. Once I told about Ceebo, he changed. He hasn’t said he no longer wants to marry me but before, he was always holding my hand or trying to kiss me and proposing. Since I told him, he stopped all that.” “Give him a chance. Maybe he just needs to adjust.” “We’re staying until the end of the week. Then he can forget about me.” “Tylan, do you love him?” “It doesn’t matter.” Thailyn raised an eyebrow and started around the vanity. Darina shook her head slightly. Slippurse didn’t notice. “I didn’t ask if it mattered. Do you love him?” “Yes.” “Then give him a chance.” “I loved Ceebo and I gave him a chance and look what happened.” “King Emeton is not Ceebo.” “No, but he still doesn’t love me.” Kith returned. “Sorry, ladies, I need to end the spell now.” “Give him a chance.” Darina encouraged. “We’re only here for the week. I’ll see you when we get back,” Tylan said. “We’ll talk later,” Kith told Darina. “You look tired. Get some rest.” Darina nodded. “You too.” Kith ended the spell. “He was drain already?” Thailyn frowned. “With his family? His family was one of the strongest in Baj-tisk.” Darina shook her head. “He's not drained. He's going to scry me again in a little while. Talking after a rest is a code. We've been trying to help Slippurse for years. Sometimes we needed to talk in front of her or Ceebo so we came up with codes. You might want to stay out of sight.” “How long have you been helping her?” “We met shortly after she came to Thager. She was only 17.” “And you think it's good that she's sleeping with the king?” “Approve? No. But I doubt he'd hurt her. And if they get married, that would be good. She needs a family. She's been alone too long.” Thailyn nodded. He continued changing, still staying out of sight of the mirror. “How long can you stay?” Darina asked. “A couple of days. Then I need to check on my patients. My skin should be okay by then.” Darina watched him as he changed. His skin looked a little raw, like the skin under a blister. “Does it hurt?” She asked. He shook his head. “It itches when it's happening. Now, my nerves are very sensitive. All sensation is magnified. The skin is a little delicate so I have to be careful what I wear. I should probably sleep on the floor.” “You can have the bed. I'll take the floor.” Darina offered. “You do realize I sleep on the ground most nights that I'm not here, right?” Before she could respond, Kith appeared. “I thought you were telling me you’d scry again.” She told him. “Did she really sleep with the king?” Kith nodded. “She did.” “That was your goal, wasn’t it? I doubted that story of her helping the prince general.” Behind the mirror, Thailyn raised an eyebrow and frowned. He, like all dragons didn’t approve of people sleeping around. The idea that a dragon might have set it up made it worse. Kith grinned. “She has been helping Tolin but I did want them to meet. I wanted to them to marry, not just sleep together.” Thailyn relaxed a little. “But he’s as bad as she is.” Kith continued. “The only reason why he hasn’t slept with more women is because there’s a law that states the royal family is supposed only sleep with their spouse. Between my drinking and my bout with Makalito and all the potions they had me on for that, I forgot how we couldn’t leave him and Trilla alone for more than five minutes and before he met her…” He shook his head. “Let’s just say, if it wasn’t for that law, he’d have more than five kids.” Darina frowned. “He would not. Even Tylan’s not that bad.” Kith shrugged. “It’s just one more way they’re similar.” “But he no longer wants to marry her.” Darina pointed out. Kith frowned. “She told you that?” Darina nodded. “She said since she told him about Ceebo, he’s been different.” “He’s just slow down. He’d really been pushing to get married. When he realized how much she’d been hurt, he decided she needed more time to trust him. He does love her and is still planning to court her. He’s already been looking for an excuse to go to Thager.” “And she’d love to be a mom to all those kids.” Darina smiled. Kith nodded. “She loves them too. She has been spending a lot of time in the nursery and the kids love her. Remmy’s asked her to stay several times. Bacna even smiled at her.” “He’s the one with all the problems?” Kith nodded. “But he’s making progress now, even in just these few days. And Irkali lets her hold her and she doesn’t let anyone but Emeton and the nurse hold her.” “Maybe tomorrow you should scry your aunt and see if she could help.” Darina suggested. “My aunt’s here. She has been advising them.” “Okay, well, we can’t force them. Don’t let her avoid him but let them move at their own pace.” Kith nodded. “And stay sober so you can make sure she doesn’t sleep with someone else and ruined it.” “She already tried that, with Tolin. He didn’t agree of course.” “Good. Keep an eye on her.” “I will, but I’m going to have to go. I don’t have much energy left.” “Did you have to work today?” She knew he would sometimes take work home and use his magic or fire breath to work the metal. Kith nodded. “Most of it.” He’d be tired. He often used a magical shield to protect himself from burns. “I’ll let you go then. I see when you get back. And I let the others know you’ll be late getting back.” “Thanks. See you later.” He ended the spell.