"And his mother was a Dragon," I said. "The mayor's sister! Mine was also a Dragon. The Serpent. Some of us know things don't make sense, but the leadership down there lies! They want to maintain their power. They're scared of losing control, but they never considered that our mothers would whisper the truth to us, and now that we're old enough to talk to each other, we're figuring it out!"
"And I want to stop this," Tobias said. "I want to free my wife and protect my friend." He gestured to Sylis. "So blame me. Punish me. What is happening isn't right - "
"No," Zasen said in English, refusing to translate that. "Do not give them the chance to act out in grief."
But the Reaper chief was making her way over. "I will handle my people," she was saying to Rymar in her own language. "You deal with yours."
"I want them all to see him," Zasen broke in. "This man needs to be spared in a fight. Captured is fine. I don't care if they hit him, but he needs to be alive and able to return or we've just lost our one remaining connection to what's going on down there."
So Eriska whistled shrilly. "Reapers! This man? He isourspy into the Moles' lair. Look at him. Remember him. If you see him, capture him and make it look good. The Dragons will pay for his safe passage!" She gave Rymar a smug look, then continued. "But he cannot be seriously harmed. No stabbing, shooting, or serious mauling." She looked at Zasen next. "I'll need a piece of his clothing for the dogs."
"I got it," I told them, explaining to Tobias what was needed.
"Do whatever works," Tobias said, holding his arms out.
So I used my krael to cut a piece of cloth from his sleeve. It was long and narrow, but would look like he'd been attacked. I also had a feeling Callah would be the one to mend it, so I allowed my fingers to trail along the edge a moment too long.
"Tell Callah I'm proud of her?" I asked. "Make sure she knows I have not given up on her?"
"I swear," he said softly. "Ayla, I know she was your friend first, but she's my best friend. Now that Sylis..." He glanced at the man again.
"He's been given something," I explained. "He's probably conscious, but his mind will be wandering and sluggish. The medication numbs the pain and soothes the body so it won't make healing worse. He will be fine."
"Can I say one last thing to him before I go?" he asked.
"Yeah." I led him over to where Tayle was busy cleaning the wound properly. "Can you pause a moment?" I asked.
"Yeah, he's stable," she promised. "Not even worth bothering the doctors."
"Thanks." And I told Tobias, "She said his injures are classified as minimal."
"But it's a gut wound," he said, clearly struggling to make sense of that.
"Medicine is an amazing thing," I told him.
I wasn't sure if he'd heard me, because he'd already bent so Sylis could see him. "You're free," he said. "I'll tell Felicity you died, if that's okay? Only Callah will know the truth, but Ayla will save you. Trust her and her friends. Tell them everything, because it might help me get out."
"Is this because..."
"It's because I want you to live," Tobias insisted.
And Sylis smiled. "I feel weird."
"That's the medicine," I promised.
His smile grew a little more. "I don't have to marry her, Tobias?"
"No, you do not," he said. "And Ayla told me men can kiss men up here. Sylis, this is where you belong." And he palmedthe side of Sylis's head. "I want you to be happy. If you become a Dragon, choose a good name, but don't kill me?"
"I would never hurt you," Sylis promised.
"Good." Tobias said. "Thank you for being my friend, Sylis. Please recover?"
"Mm..." Sylis murmured. "Okay. I like your eyes." And then his eyes slipped closed.
"The medicine will make him sleepy," I explained. "He's fine."
"Yeah," Tobias breathed, allowing me to lead him away. "I should probably try to catch up before I'm locked out."
