“Three?” Andy asked Thailyn as he and Pisha joined the others. Pisha blushed and Thailyn grinned. “He was showing off,” Pt’this claimed. “He’s always been a show off.” “Only the second was showing off. The third was a surprise. I hadn’t thought it was possible,” Thailyn admitted, still looking smug. He and Pisha had mated the night before and Thailyn had given off three mating cries. “You woke Nas,” Sapphire said. “Sorry.” Mishtali smiled. He was happy his son had a new mate. He looked over his family. He remembered when he was young. Before he had met Shay, the council worked him so hard each day he was exhausted when he got home. He never had the energy to socialize or make friends. He’d wondered if he’d ever have a chance to meet someone. Fortunately, she came to the council for help. When he was captive, he doubted he’d ever see any of them again. John had kept him going. Now, not only was he with his mate again, they had more children, grandchildren, and even a great-grandchild. That great-grandchild was currently covering her dad’s eyes while he covered hers to protect them from the flash. Once all the kids’ eyes were covered, he closed his own and activated the taki-sphere. When he opened his eyes, he saw the beach he had played on so many times as a child. His grandparents had lived near here. He’d stayed with them while he learned to control his magic. He let out a cry to let the sentries know they were there. One came quickly. The others joined him a moment later. “Thailyn, what’s the meaning of this? Why did you bring so many here?” The first demanded as one of the others started checking them for illnesses. Mishtali growled and took dragon form. “I am the head of this family. Questions can be directed to me. And we came, because this was once home.” “Mishtali?” One of the others guessed. None were anyone he recognized. “Yes.” “Sorry. We didn’t recognize you. Thailyn, we’ve met.” “Please, come with us. We ask you to stay in the visitor’s huts until we can talk to the council.” “Will they fit?” The third sentry asked. “We’ll make do,” Mishtali assured them. “We thought you might ask that and came prepared.” “Good.” They settled in and around the huts. It wasn’t long before the council came. Mishtali had expected it to take a while. They didn’t like outsiders and they didn’t like him. He and Shay were waiting for them in true form. The others were in two-legged form. Ann had made a charm for those who didn’t speak Tricot. “Mishtali, Shay, welcome back,” Trellen said. “We hadn’t expected it to take so long for you to return,” Shilish added. He glanced at Thailyn as if he hadn’t passed on Mishtali’s messages. “Things didn’t go as expected.” Mishtali brushed it off. “And what about these people you brought? It was one thing for you to send those who were dying for help. But these are all healthy.” “They’re my family. You don’t expect me to leave them behind. Do you?” “They are not all your family,” Fiormi insisted. “They are. Pisha is Thailyn’s mate and their son is Ruzi. Pt’this was Mirimar’s mate. Sapphire is now his mate. Four of the children are theirs. Remtani is Jaidu’s mate. Andy is Ann’s mate. Nim is Pt’this is brother and Jo is his mate. Kory is their son.” “He’s not related to Pt’this.” Nim growled. “He became my brother when his own family died.” “You sent me to find the Baj-tisk. These are the Baj-tisk,” Shay pointed out. “My father was born here. I wanted to see his homeland,” Nim explained. “Your father?” “His name was Cormeliona. I don’t know his parents’ names, but he had a brother named Dentrias.” The council looked at each other. “You mean the Dentrias that died in the war? Your dad was a baby when they left?” Nim nodded. “He was. I don’t know many details. The couple who raised him died before I was born.” “We’ll see what we can learn for you,” Trellen offered. “Where are the rest of the Baj-tisk?” Rilmos demanded. “In Menthanla. That’s become their home. You’re getting upset about a handful of outsiders. There’s a whole clan back there. What would you do if they all came back?” Ann asked. “And who is this?” Junvas asked. “My daughter, Annlnna,” Thailyn said. “The one that was here before?” “Yes.” “Why is she still so pale?” “It’s just the way she is. It’s nothing to worry about.” “Like your grandfather?” “There was nothing wrong with my dad,” Mishtali insisted. “And there’s nothing wrong with Ann,” Tercala added. “It obviously runs in the family,” Shilish claimed. “You, her, the little one.” “Why do you even care?” Ann asked. “It isn’t contagious.” “It spreads through bloodlines.” “I already have a mate. But what difference does it make? It’s just a color. Do you avoid reds, or blues?” “Of course not. But to have a bunch of dragons who can’t cast would be a disaster,” Shilish insisted. Ann chuckled. “Who says we can’t cast? I cast.” Shilish waved her off. “Sure, levitate and flame. Even humans can do that.” Ann looked to Mishtali. He didn’t like the look in her eyes. “Easy, Ann,” Andy warned, taking her hand. “Something simple,” Mishtali agreed. Ann nodded and transported herself and Andy behind the council. “Is that enough?” Ann asked. “And you?” They turned to Tercala. “I can do the same as my niece.” “I can’t cast yet,” Cari announced. “I’m too little, but I’m going to be strong like Mom and a healer, like Grandpa.” Mishtali wondered about that. Yes, her grandfather was a healer and it ran in Shay’s family, but it wasn’t common, often skipping enough generations that it was either forgotten about or assumed to be bred out. Thailyn’s healing surprised them and when it turned out how strong he was, it was a shock. If Cari turned out to be a healer too, they’d better be prepared. Tercala picked up Cari. “The Baj-tisk have no problems with us and we aren’t staying, so it shouldn’t matter to you how strong we are. We only wanted a chance to meet relatives here.” The council looked at each other, clearly talking telepathically. Finally, Trellen nodded. “Welcome, Mishtali, it’s good to see you covered from your ordeal. We’re glad to see you well.” “Thank you.” Mishtali knew Trellen was sincere. He’d been the only council member who didn’t connect Mishtali’s dad’s weakness with Mishtali. “Maybe, with as large of a group as you have, your family should visit here,” Fiormi suggested. Mishtali nodded. “It would probably be best. Not all of us can fly and coordinating transporting large groups can be tricky.” “It appeared you all transported here,” Junvas pointed out. “It was a charm.” “There’s a charm that can do so many? You can make something like that?” Junvas asked. Mishtali glanced at his mate. He never needed the bond or telepathy to know what she thought. “I didn’t make it. Immortals had attacked Menthanla and other immortals came to help fight them. They made it and left it with the dragons there.” “Immortals?” Shilish asked. All of the council looked alarmed. “Not all are like what you’re used to,” Ann said. “Like most races, some cause trouble, some try to help.” “The original ones that came here weren’t looking to cause trouble. They left once they saw the problems. Others came to try to continue,” Mishtali told them. “How would you know?” Fiormi demanded. “Because I met the one who started it. And I met the one who wouldn’t stop. He was the one to whom I was captive. He told me what happened and the woman who started it told me more. Over five thousand years later, she’s still being supervised, and that came from their senate.” “And you trust them? Could it be a ploy?” Shilish pressed. “I trust them about as much as I trust you. None of this is news to you. I’ve worked for you and so did my dad. We know you have records confirming this and have hidden it from the people.” The council was taken aback. “I can’t say I agree with that, but I have no intention of telling anyone. I’ve known for over two thousand years and never said anything.” “What were you doing going through our files?” Fiormi demanded. “I wasn’t. Neither was my dad. We were in the next room while you were discussing it. Junvas’s voice carries. We couldn’t help but overhear.” There was more telepathic conversation. Something was decided, but they didn’t say more on the matter. “It’s good to see you again. We have other business. Enjoy your stay,” Rilmos said. With that, they left.