Thailyn entered the council chamber and waited to be addressed. “Thailyn, have you been down to the cabins?” One of the council members asked. “I have. All are well. I’ve done what I can until the potion is ready.” “Can you tell us anything? Only two speak Tricot and neither is fluent. Communication has been difficult.” “They’re Baj-tisk. The dragon-man was Miri’s mate, Pt’this. We taught him a little. The half-dragon woman is my daughter.” “You said she died,” another member reminded him. “I’m shocked too. I was told she was dead. No one could find any sign of her. But that is her. I know my own daughter. I’ll get details when she’s stronger.” “And who are the others?” “Pt’this’s new mate, their baby, and Annlonna’s mate.” “Can you heal them?” “I believe so.” “Will the potion be done in time?” “I’ll get it started as soon as I leave here.” “Very good. We won’t keep you.” “There is something else they told me. My dad is still alive.” “Mishtali? What happened?” “I don’t know the details. He sent some letters and requests they get sent out.” “Why didn’t he come with them?” “He’s recovering from an injury. Again, I don’t many details, only someone tried to clip his wings.” One member tipped his head and raised an eyebrow. “And they were healed?” “There are healers there that can do amazing things. They might not be equal to my strength, but they find other ways to get the job done.” “Some of the things you’ve done lately?” “Yes.” He hesitated. “Is there something else?” One guessed. “Would it be alright if Somin takes some of my cases? I’d like to be able to spend more time with the last of my family, especially if some of them might not make it.” “You said you thought you could heal them.” “I do, but with as long as they’ve been infected, it will be difficult. If I could have come sooner, it would be better.” “You were called days ago.” “Should I leave one patient to die to help another? If you would insist potion makers get trained, that accident wouldn’t have happened.” “We’ll consider it,” one assured him. “We’ll find someone to care for your other patients,” another promised. "Thank you. I know there are a few who I still need to help. I won’t abandon them.” “Good to hear. Go, start the potion.” Thailyn nodded and left. *** “Who’s in here? Don’t touch anything,” Somin called as the elder healer entered the potions room. “Oh, Thailyn, sorry. We had everything set up for you so we’ve been keeping others out.” “I saw. Thanks.” Thailyn set down his work and turned to his old teacher. “Have you been treating the outsiders?” “I have.” “And you didn’t think to tell me one was my daughter that I thought had died?” “I wasn’t sure she was your daughter. I could tell she was related to you, but I didn’t know how. I chose not to tell you because I knew you were busy with that accident. You needed to stay and help the injured, but you’d want to help your daughter. You’d be distracted and it would cause delays. The others and I made sure the spores didn’t spread. “Will you be able to help them?” “I’ll do everything I can.” “If the potion doesn’t work, there is an alternative, but it’s very risky. They might not survive. The council won’t approve it.” “Like that’s stopped me before. What is it?” “Inducing fire death.” Thailyn growled. Somin nodded. “I know. It most likely would kill them. It’s a last resort, a desperation option. If you had a choice between one hundred percent chance of death, or a ninety percent, which would you choose?” Thailyn nodded. “I’d already thought of it. It’s not a good option. But I will do everything else I can to save them first.” “Of course. And I’ll help any way I can.” “Do not mention this option to them. I’ll give them a super dose of the potion first. The dragon man is Pt’this, Miri’s mate. He lost his twin brother and mom to fire death. The loss destroyed his family and he was all but abandoned. If he even gets a hint of an idea we’re thinking of infecting his infant son, he’ll go mad dragon and destroy everything in the southern region before he calms.” “He’s unstable?” “He’s been through a lot, too much. I told you what he went through after the war. Add his family’s deaths and the loss of his mate and nephew. It’s understandable.” “What about Ann? I read some injuries from her that I can’t imagine how she survived. I’ve told the other healers not to discuss them. I get the feeling they were inflicted deliberately.” “They were,” Thailyn admitted. “She was abducted by an immortal who did that to her. It was all I could do to heal her.” “But she’s okay now?” “She has nightmares. Her mate is helping her with that.” “Good. Where is he from? I read strange things from him.” “They didn’t say, only that it was someplace far off. It’s where Ann ended up when she disappeared.” Somin nodded. “You just got her back. We’ll keep her around for you.” “Thanks.” Somin paused as he was leaving. “You said the dragon man is your brother. When you returned here, you said he hated you. Is there going to be a problem?” “No. We’ve worked it out for now. He knows he needs me to save his baby, so he’ll put the past aside. We’ll talk more later.” “Will you go back when they leave?” “No. I have responsibilities here. But I don’t think I’ll take on and new cases. When these are done, I intend to leave. I’m not losing any more time with Ann, or my dad.” “Mishtali’s alive too?” “He is. And he says my mom is too.” “Then you need to go back. It’s been five hundred years since you saw them. I’ll work you out of the rotation and find other teachers for your pupils.” “Thank you.” “And I’ll let you continue with the potion.” “Thanks.”