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G rulen followed their visitors out to their flitter. Larger than the one that brought his father, it easily fit eight. Which worked out well, as Yanz and Kragen appeared from the woods to join them.

“Have they been guarding us all this time?” Morgan settled into a seat.

Grulen shrugged.

“King Sovex ordered a team of two to ensure Jevax’s privacy and your safety,” Tolvex said. “Precautionary in nature. No specific threats.”

“I wish I’d known. I would’ve made enough for them to eat with us.”

“That’s not necessary, Lady Morgan,” Yanz said from the front. “However, we appreciate the kind thought.”

“I guess I should’ve expected it. I was guarded the last time I was here, too,” she mumbled low. Grulen wound his tail around her ankle and tucked her under his arm.

“While a surprise, I’m happy to see your safety is important to the king, not just me.”

She reached up and held the hand draped over her.

“I wonder what is so important about where they’re taking us?”

“We’ll see soon.”

A short flight later and they landed in front of a huge building. Grulen blinked in surprise when he saw a Svesti-Zuvgran male approach with an older Zuvgran male. I didn’t think Svesti and Zuvgran could have young.

They disembarked.

“Grulen Jevax. Lady Morgan. Allow me to introduce Largon d’Ayen, the leader of Phoenix House. With him is Ronan d’Olorg, first cousin to Commander Durek and second in command of this facility.” Tolvex dipped his chin in greeting to the two males.

“Welcome, Jevax. Lady Morgan. We are pleased to have you visit. Please call me Largon and I’m sure Ronan would prefer his first name as well.”

“So formal.” Emmy snorted. “Give me a hug.” She embraced each male, as did Lin. Curious.

“Is Natasha here?” Lin asked as she returned to the healer’s side.

Ronan shook his head. It’s so strange to see Svesti skin in gray.

“No, she’s at the main healing hall training on other species.”

“Oh, that’s right. I forgot that was today.”

“I’ll be honest, I have no idea what Phoenix House is,” Morgan said.

“Would you like the long answer or the short one?” Largon’s green eyes twinkled. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a Zuvgran smile that wasn’t cruel before.

“Short is fine for now.” Morgan glanced between the two new males.

“We’re a home for Zuvgran hybrid children and adults.”

“Most are orphans or in some cases, wish they were orphans.” Emmy’s face looked like she drank sour milk.

“Oh.”

A Mostiffian-Zuvgran male youngling bounded down out the front door holding hands with a younger Crestillian-Zuvgran female.

“We have guests!” The young male with three oval eyes grinned widely. Four-fingered hands on long, gangly arms were another Mostiffian trait. His short, thin tail waved excitedly.

The small reptilian female smiled shyly.

“Hello.”

Morgan squatted and smiled.

“Hello, I’m Morgan. This is Grulen.”

“I’m Yostal. I’m four and I like science. This is Zela. She just turned three.”

“Wow, Yostal, I’m glad you told me that.” She tapped her lower lip with a forefinger. “Are you supposed to be out here alone?”

Yostal looked confused.

“But we’re not alone. You’re here and so is Largon and Ronan and everybody.”

The adults laughed.

“True, but did you have permission to leave the building?”

Yostal peered up at Ronan.

“Do we need permission?”

“To go out the front without an adult? Yes, you do. If you’re going into the courtyard, not really. We just want to ensure you’re safe.”

Yostal’s oval eyes filled with tears.

“I’m sorry.”

“Oh, honey, please don’t cry. You just learned something new you didn’t know before so you can do better next time. There was no harm done.” Morgan reached out to pat his hand. She has a natural talent with younglings. I can see why she wants to be a teacher.

“You’re nice,” Zela whispered.

“Thank you. I think you’re nice, too.” Morgan stood in a fluid motion. “I think I’d like to see more of Phoenix House.”

Grulen followed her and listened as she asked numerous questions.

Amazed at the amount of thought and care that preceded the construction of Phoenix House, he saw happy younglings throughout.

Older Zuvgran hybrids, which Largon said he and Ronan had rescued solars prior now helped care for the younger ones.

They only met one other purebred individual.

Talos, an older Pellotian teacher, had spent twenty solars on Pellotia rescuing and hiding hybrids from Zuvgran patrols.

The male had scars on his green skin between his wings.

His flat yellow eyes lit up when he discovered Morgan also trained as an educator.

The two of them wandered to a corner in one of the classrooms and spoke animatedly.

After checking that Morgan felt comfortable with him leaving, he found himself wandering alone as the other couples broke off.

He noted recreational rooms, the library, large dining area, and kitchen before he walked outside to the courtyard.

Various play areas, an outside garden, and several training areas filled the spaces around smaller tables and benches.

Grulen noticed an older youngling who wasn’t gray in one of the outside training areas.

Brown skin, high narrow forehead, and no hair signified the other portion of his heritage was Romittel.

The younger male experienced difficulties with the climbing portion of an obstacle course.

Grulen watched for several minutes before approaching the trainee.

“Hello, young warrior. My name is Grulen Jevax.”

Sweat poured from the youngling’s bald head.

“Crutaw.”

“You are persistent. A good quality.”

“Thank you.” Crutaw huffed. “The climbing portion keeps hindering me.”

“May I make a suggestion?”

“Please.”

Grulen demonstrated how to determine the best hand and foot holds.

“Concentrate less on going straight up. You want to make progress, but a straight line is not always the fastest. If you find easier holds to the side, so long as you’re still moving upwards, you’ll find you won’t work nearly as hard lifting your body weight and you’ll be faster.”

Crutaw bit his oversized lower lip.

“Really?”

Grulen nodded.

“Try it and see how it feels.”

Crutaw began hesitantly. The Svesti smiled as the youngling gained confidence and speed and reached the top.

“Yes, I did it!” Crutaw raised his arms to the sky. “Finally.” He hopped down the ramp at the side.

“Thank you, Grulen Jevax for your help.”

“Any time, Crutaw. You’re the one who did the hard work to achieve success.”

The youngling looked over Grulen’s shoulder and his face brightened further.

“Did you see me, Largon?”

“I most certainly did. You should be proud of yourself.” Largon smiled. “Why don’t you go get a snack and cool down? Rumor has it Tolvex and Emmy brought cookies.”

“Thanks.” Crutaw ran indoors.

“You gave him good advice. You’re a natural instructor.” Largon slapped Grulen’s back.

“Anyone could have done it.”

“However, you did it without hurting his confidence and pride.”

Grulen shrugged.

“If you decide you wish to help here, we would be honored to have you.”

“I’m not sure what or where I’ll be.” Grulen frowned. “I don’t know how much you know about my circumstances.”

“Quite a bit. After you contacted Traxen and Rachel, all the human females and their mates could talk about was how excited they were you were found and coming home. All of them had stories to share about their interactions with you. You are well respected and liked, Grulen Jevax. What I saw today with Crutaw reinforces the impressions they shared.”

“It’s frustrating that everyone else knows more about me than I do.” Grulen’s tail flicked.

“Understandable. Walk with me.” Largon led them through more of the courtyard and explained several of their security procedures. Grulen made a suggestion about the branches of a tree outside the courtyard being a security risk. Largon nodded.

“I have to be honest. This refuge would not be nearly as good as it is if not for the human females. They have provided cogent input and volunteered their time and energy to make it a home for the younglings. I will never be able to thank them enough.” Largon dipped his chin at a Wrestikan-Zuvgran female wrangling several younglings to one of the play areas.

She waved one of her four red arms before she caught an energetic youngling by the tail to keep him with the group. Laughter rang out.

“That’s Herrah. Ronan rescued her when she was eleven solars .

Until recently, she and a number of others lived in caverns.

She advocated for relocation because she wanted the younger ones to experience freedom in the sunlight.

She was correct.” Largon smiled. “Traxen surprised me with his offer to build and support Phoenix House. Even more surprising was the number of Invictus warriors that helped to make the younglings comfortable. Simple respect and courtesy would have been enough for them to feel safe. Receiving all that kindness after so much Zuvgran cruelty filled the younglings with joy.”

“I’m proud my people have aided you.”

“There are still some factions that want us gone, but we’re not going anywhere. When I see the younglings free from their anxiety about being found and returned to slavery or killed, I can’t take that from them again.”

“No youngling should have to live in fear.” Grulen’s tail flicked.

“You are correct.”

“I’m curious about Ronan’s heritage. I’ve never seen a Svesti-Zuvgran hybrid before.”

“You probably never will again either.” Largon sighed.

“Ronan’s father, Jorn, was a geneticist and my best friend.

He rescued Saletta on Himita Prime during the Zuvgran invasion.

There’s a long story there, but he wanted young with his mate and worked to find a way to make it happen.

They had Ronan and his younger sister, Marris.

Eventually, the Zuvgran caught up with Jorn and took everyone but Ronan, who was hidden in a safe room.

” Largon’s eyes watered and his tail drooped.

“I was able to rescue Ronan and care for him. It took me longer to find the others. Too long. By that time, the Zuvgran had experimented on Saletta and Marris with the virus they eventually used here. I arranged an escape, but they all died in great pain soon afterwards. I raised Ronan as my son. As far as I’m aware, all of Jorn’s research was destroyed before the Zuvgran captured the family. ”

Grulen’s tail stilled, and his heart broke at Largon’s pain.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“It’s fine, Grulen. Zuvgran cruelty is a common theme in our backgrounds.”

“What do you think will happen now that Emperor n’Tuli is dead?”

“We’re all waiting to see. I do not know much of the Commander who leads now or if he will be strong and crafty enough to retain power.

” Largon frowned. “There are factions of Zuvgran who disagree with n’Tuli’s treatment of other species.

Whether or not they’ll band together to make sweeping changes in the Empire only the Goddess knows. ”

Tail swaying, Grulen looked at the younglings playing happily.

“I’d like to imagine a galaxy where cruelty no longer exists.”

“I’m not sure it will ever happen, but it is a worthy goal to strive towards.” Largon squeezed the Svesti’s shoulder. “Come, let us find the others and see if any cookies remain.”

Grulen chuckled.

“Lead the way.”