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"Not at all." Max turned onto a walkway that was flanked by flowering shrubs. "I have no problem being 'just' a Guardian. I have zero political aspirations, but given who I'm mated to, that might change." He smiled. "Kyra is a rebel, and she fights for those no one else is fighting for. If she asks me to help, I will in any capacity I can."

"As you should." Din was impressed with the transformation his old friend had undergone. He couldn't imagine him saying something like that fifty years ago. "Kyra's changed you for the better."

"I know." Max knocked on the door, and moments later it swung open to reveal a tall, lean man with sandy hair and smiling eyes.

"Max," Thomas greeted with a nod, then shifted his gaze to Din. "Welcome to my humble abode, Din."

Din extended his hand. "Thank you for your hospitality. I hope I'm not imposing."

Thomas took his hand in a firm grip. "Not at all. Max's old room has been gathering dust, and it'll be good to have someone in it again. I don't like how empty the house is." He gave Max an accusing look. "No one sings in the shower with an open door or tells stupid jokes anymore."

Max laughed. "I thought you'd be glad to get rid of me."

"I thought so too, but now I miss the noise you used to make. Would you like to come in for a glass of scotch?"

"Thank you, but I will have to take a rain check. I need to report back for duty." He turned to Din. "Do you want me to come back later? I can escort you to wherever you and Fenella decide to meet."

Din shook his head. "No need. The village isn't that big, and I remember my way around well enough."

"You sure? It's been a while since you've been here."

"I'm sure," Din said.

He'd spent enough time with his old friend today to last him for a while. Din had forgotten how talkative Max was, and that his high energy was tiring after some time. Besides, he didn't want to be shepherded around like a lost tourist.

Max surprised him by pulling him into another brotherly embrace. "It's good to have you back, Din. I missed having my best friend."

The warmth in Max's voice caught Din off guard, and he returned the embrace. "It's good to be back. Thanks for the lift, Max."

Max pulled back and turned to Thomas. "Don't let him brood too much in that room. He's inclined to get lost in his own head."

Thomas chuckled. "I'll do my best, but I'm hardly one to talk about brooding."

"Two peas in a pod, then," Max said with a grin. "I'll see you both around." With a final wave, he headed back down the path.

Thomas led Din inside, showing him the features as they headed toward the room Din would be staying in. The interior was clean and comfortable, and there were books stacked on nearly every surface. It reminded Din of his own flat in Edinburgh, though with considerably better weather outside the windows.

"Max's old room is this way." Thomas led him down a short hallway. "Well, I suppose it's your room for the time being."

The bedroom was spacious, with a large window overlooking a small private garden. A writing desk sat against one wall, and a comfortable-looking bed against another. The room had been recently cleaned, the scent of lemon polish still lingering in the air.

"I tidied up a bit when I heard you were coming," Thomas said, almost apologetically. "Max left it in decent shape, but it's been empty for a couple of weeks."

"It's perfect." Din set his roller suitcase by the door. "Thank you."

Thomas lingered in the doorway for a moment. "I'll let you get settled. Bathroom's through that door. Feel free to take anything in the kitchen, though I don't keep much on hand besides coffee, tea, and whiskey."

"I appreciate it," Din said.

With a nod, Thomas left him alone, closing the door behind him.

Din sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed his face with his hands, his beard rough against his palms.

A shower. That's what he needed first. Then he needed to call Fenella.

Standing under the spray, the hot water cascading over his shoulders, Din let his thoughts drift to the series of obstacles that had nearly prevented him from reaching the village. The traffic accident on the way to the airport in Scotland. The flight cancellation due to mechanical issues. The storm grounding all flights. And finally, the landing gear malfunction that had resulted in a water landing that could have ended far worse than it had.

Fenella's words about bad omens echoed in his mind.