Thailyn sat in the testing room, resting. Because of Cari’s uniqueness, they’d asked him to help. He was at as much of a loss as everyone else. He’d had no idea that augmenting healing was possible. Of course, there were no Augmenters on Tricon. The ones here had hidden themselves for so long and some still did even after so many opening up about it and classes being offered. The tests were taxing and he’d overexerted himself. The bout it caused was pretty bad. Caltan had been able to help using Cari to prevent feedback shock. He was better, but he knew his limit. He needed to rest before going home. If he tried to walk that far, he’d restart the bout and damage his heart. Mishtali came in and sat down. “How are you doing?” “I just need to rest a bit.” Mishtali nodded. “Don’t make things worse. Would you like me to take you home?” Thailyn shook his head. “I’m not ready to be touched. Reading you would not be good.” “You’re wearing your gloves. I have mine. Two layers of protection used to do well for you.” “You think you can transport me through two layers of silk?” “I didn’t get the title of world’s strongest mortal mage for backing down.” Thailyn nodded. “If you can do it through three layers, I’ll let you.” He covered his gloved hand with his cloak. Mishtali took it and transported him home. “Where are Pisha and Ruzi?” His dad asked. “Ruzi’s probably next door. Pisha has a session with Wench.” Mishtali frowned. “What about supper?” Thailyn shrugged. “I’ll start something after I’ve rested.” “Come eat with us. Your mom still cooks like she’s feeding an army.” Thailyn smiled and nodded. He didn’t spend enough time with his parents. “We can join you.” “Good. I’d like to talk with you anyhow.” Thailyn frowned. “The last time we talked over dinner, I found myself pledged.” “It’s nothing like that. I told Dae to send Ruzi to us for dinner and I’ll get Pisha from the barracks when she’s done. She isn’t ready to walk that far.” “She can transport, Dad.” “She can? Good. Can you make it, or do you want me to transport you again?” “I don’t want you to overdo it. Give me time and I can make it.” Mishtali rolled his eyes. “Overdo it. Give me your hand.” Thailyn reached for him through the cloak and Mishtali transported him the few blocks to his parent’s house. “Thailyn.” His mom smiled. “I’m glad you came. Ter said he’d bring Pisha when she’s done. Ti said Ruzi and Lamdi are helping Feena with homework.” Thailyn nodded. “They’re talking about a study group.” “Dinner won’t be ready for a bit. Why don’t you two go relax in the sitting room?” “Ruzi’s a good kid,” Mishtali told him as they went. At least he could walk that far. Thailyn nodded. “Thanks.” “You’ve done a good job with him.” “I can’t take much credit. I’ve only been his dad for about five years.” “Yes, but you chose to be his dad and made those five years mean something.” Thailyn was surprised at his dad’s words. “And you put him before you. You easily could have lost him by healing his mother, but you didn’t worry about that. You did what was best for the boy. I want to tell you that I’m proud of you but I worry you’ll have another bout.” “What?” Thailyn frowned, his father’s words not registering. “I so very seldom tell you that and I worry about the shock. And I’m sorry.” Shay brought Thailyn a cup of chamomile and lavender tea to help his heart. She left the pot. “I’m sorry that I’ve been so hard on you,” Mishtali continued. “You never met my dad, but you’ve heard the stories about how he was treated because of his weakness. My mom was a very proud woman and she pushed me to prove the family wasn’t ruined by him. I could never show any weakness. I always had to be the best. “I pushed you and Miri not just to do your best, but always to try to exceed it. And I was as bad as any two-leggers in the process. I was too hard on you when you made mistakes. I never told you if you did well. Shades, I wouldn’t forgive you for not raising Ann.” “I don’t know that I should be forgiven. I know I couldn’t have raised her alone in the condition I was in, but I made so many bad choices.” “I know. But you did your best considering. You were trying to look out for so many but didn’t have anyone to help you. And you had to keep hidden from the council. “I’m sorry, Thailyn. I’m sorry for how hard I was on you. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed someone. I’m sorry we didn’t leave and find your mom.” “You would have left Pt’this? They were talking about killing him if he didn’t get control.” “No. I should have brought him with us. But my pride got in the way. I wanted to show the council here I could do what they thought was impossible. I kept expecting them to treat us the way the Tricot one did. Now, because of me, neither council will accept us.” He paused to pour his son another cup of tea. “Because of you?” Thailyn raised an eyebrow. “I was the one who almost got himself banished for using unapproved healing methods. And I was the one who lost his temper and caused the inquisition and caused us to be late.” Mishtali shook his head. “I spoke with John about the inquisition. The official reason might have been suspicious activity on your part, but they were having second thoughts about ignoring Kar’s warning before you got upset. They would have found a reason. “And it was good you were late. Otherwise, Nor’than might have won. He was pulling magic from everywhere, soldiers, the Keep, even from Pt’this, putting him into a trance. If you three had been there, he could have gotten your magic. I would have never been able to force him through the gate.” “You created the gate? I thought the explosion did that.” “It already existed as a pinhole. I opened it and forced him through. The spell I used caused an implosion that drew me and Tani through. It then reversed and blasted you and Nim away. “I’m sorry for how I acted in the past. I can’t change what I did but I hope I can treat you better in the future.” “Thanks, Dad. Carla once said babies don’t come with instructions. We do the best we can. Even if you made mistakes, I know you always did what you thought was right. And I know you always will and I won’t ask for more than that.” Mishtali smiled. “You’re pretty forgiving to someone who lost you two clans.” “I have a clan. I’m related to how much of Menthanla? And so are you. We’ve become a clan of united races.” Mishtali’s smile grew. “We have. And after our trip back to Tricon, we’re not going back. I’ll talk to your mother about citizenship here.” There was a knock on the door. “Supper’s ready if you are,” Shay called. “Coming,” Mishtali called back. He offered his son a hand getting up. “Dad, I’m not an invalid.” Thailyn frowned as he took the offered hand. Mishtali grinned. “I know. I wanted to check your heart.” Thailyn looked confused. “How can you check my heart?” “Earlier, you didn’t want me to touch you without three layers of protection. Now, I’m not wearing my gloves and you didn’t use your cloak to cover your hand. When you only need one layer of protection, I know you’re okay.” Thailyn smiled and shook his head. “You’ve never liked talking about your heart. I had to learn the signs to watch for problems.” Thailyn nodded. “I suppose,” he agreed and followed his dad to join their family eating.