Shunati entered the bar room hoping for a cup of coffee before starting his shift. He saw Crito talking with Chapado and almost left. But Crito saw him. “Shun.” As always, Crito was in his armor but he had taken off what he worried might damage the chairs. “How’s Ruzi?” Crito asked as Shunati poured his cup. “The potion is helping his eyes. It’ll be a few days before we can see how well it does.” “Good. Morina talked the senate into having our soldiers help look for his dad too,” Chapado said. “How did she manage that?” Crito asked. “Have you met my sister? She’s almost as manipulative as Ann. She rarely fails in her missions so she has some influence with the senate. She pointed out that it was when our people attacked the palace that he had escaped. And it was just a simple keep your eyes open and report assignment. The senate agreed and also asked the soldiers to detain the man if found.” “The elves are looking, the Ertonians are looking, Rejenn has his network looking. I believe even the Yarb army is looking. How is this man avoiding so many?” Shunati asked. “The world is bigger than you realize,” Chapado said. “There are many kingdoms you have no contact with. Plus, there are unsettled areas.” “It seems hopeless,” Crito said. “How long does Ruzi have?” Shunati shrugged. “There’s no way to tell. If it wasn’t for this potion, I say he had maybe another year. He has longer now, but until the potion does its job, we can’t tell how well he’s doing. Maybe he won’t need more. Maybe he’ll only gain another few years.” “If his eyes start to fail again, can you make more of the potion?” “I saved what we didn’t use and preserved it so we can use it again. But neither of us knows if it will be effective the second time.” “How much longer until Pisha’s healed?” Chapado asked. Shunati shrugged. “It’s hard to tell. Thailyn pushes himself as much as he can, but he can’t heal like he used to.” “It’s too bad there isn’t a potion to help him,” Crito said. “There is a potion, and he takes it. It’s why he can still heal it all,” Shunati said. “I know a healer that I wonder if she could help,” Chapado said. “She was an unreadable and quite good. But I haven’t seen her in thousands of years. I try scrying her sometimes, but it’s been unsuccessful.” “Would she help?” Crito asked. Chapado nodded. “She liked helping. Besides, he’s my family.” “How is he related to you?” Chapado grinned. “You mean besides being adopted by his granddaughter?” “Yes.” “Nim is my minla, like an adopted son. I helped raise him. Nim claimed Pt’this as a brother long ago. He kept it quiet because of his reputation, but it’s official. The Baj-tisk recognize it.” “But Pt’this married Nim and Jo. Relatives can’t do that,” Shunati protested. “That came up when it came out what Nim had done. Since Remtani was at the wedding, he claimed he oversaw it. There have been other times when someone who wasn’t qualified to officiate a marriage spoke for someone who was. Both Emeton and the council agreed the marriage is binding. “But that’s how I’m related to Thailyn, through his sister’s husband’s brother.” “Do Ertonians recognize such a relation?” “Not normally. They only do because I do, and in legal matters, it might be different. But they do recognize him as my son. It’s probably more like a foster son.” “Do you have any shepol, Shun?” Crito asked. Shunati shrugged. “The royal family, especially Bacna and Ann. Caring for them like I did left an impression. Crito nodded. “I can see where that would be the case.” Shunati refrained from asking Crito the same question. Even if there was someone, Crito wouldn’t admit to it. He seemed to shun family for some reason. He rarely had any relationships. Shunati glanced at Chapado. Maybe he shouldn’t get in the way of that relationship before it even developed. Crito could use more friends. Shunati sighed. “I should get on duty. I don’t want to push Mila’s generosity.” Crito chuckled. “She misses it here.” Shunati nodded in agreement. Mila did enjoy healing. But she was getting too old. She retired but would come back to help when he or Thailyn had to leave for a while. He wondered if he could talk Norka into hiring another healer. “It’s not long before I have to be down there anyhow.” Shunati finished his coffee and put the cup with the other dirty ones. In the hall, he glanced back at Crito and Chapado. At least Crito was willing to have friends.