"I actually wanted to make sure he's an official refugee," I explained, glancing at Sylis again. "Tobias asked about you. I want to be able to tell him how you are."
The smallest hint of a smile flickered over the Mole's lips. "I am three."
"Free," Lessa corrected. "And Sylis, Rymar can understand English, but he speaks it as well as you speak Vestrian."
So Sylis shifted to his native language. "I didn't get an infection and my wound's mostly healed. I'm alive, sir, and appreciative."
I nodded, deciding that was about as good as I could hope for this soon. "Have you helped Drozel and Omden understand your people better?"
"Moles," Meri broke in. "They aren'tourpeople, Rymar. Not anymore."
"No, they aren't," I agreed. "And how are you doing, Meri?"
A smile took over. "I have a girlfriend!"
Which made me spin to look at Lessa. "Oh? And?"
"And I'm the girlfriend," Lessa admitted, glancing away.
"Drozel?" I asked.
She rocked her head sideways as if mulling that over. "His too."
"His...girlfriend?"
This time, she canted her head and shrugged. "I'm not thinking about it too hard, so please don't push."
"Not pushing at all," I assured her as I stood. "But I am happy for you. All of you, Less." Then I hugged her hard. "So fucking happy. It feels good, doesn't it?"
"Which part?" she asked, leaning back to look at me.
"Finding someone who fits into the gaping wounds you feel like you just can't fill on your own."
Her tail sank to the ground and her shoulders relaxed. Slowly, she pulled in a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah. I mean, that's the best description of this feeling I've ever heard..." But she paused, angling her head to give me a side-eye. "Wait. Ayla makes you feel like that?You?"
"Me," I agreed. "Zasen too, I think. Kanik in some ways." Then I leaned to look around her. "WhereisDrozel?"
"He should be home any minute," she assured me. "Ommy's in the bath, but Droz has been trying to keep our limited militia organized."
"And work," Meri added. "He has a job, Mr. Rymar."
"Just Rymar," Lessa reminded her. "Meri, this man is one of my childhood friends." She draped an arm over my shoulder. "Just like you, Ayla, and Callah got into trouble together and broke some rules? Zasen, Rymar, and I did that too. That means he's a friend."
"And a guest," Meri pointed out, glancing over at Sylis pointedly.
"Just a friend," I promised as the door opened. "I might be here for a reason, but that's for a whole bunch of my friends."
"Rymar!" Drozel exclaimed, hearing my voice. "Well, I was wondering where you'd run off to. There's wounded at the hospital. I was going to get Omden and head over there."
"No need," I promised. "But you can get Omden because I'd like you to come see Jerlis with me."
"Why?" Drozel asked, standing a little taller like he was bracing for the worst. "Is it Sylis?"
"He needs official refugee status," I explained.
Drozel's eyes narrowed. "Already?"
"Already."
