Page 107 of Guiding Reason

“Get it out and take it. It has a double dose. I want you to take only one for now.”

“But—”

“I’m your Conduit. You trust me. Yes?”

“Of course.”

“Get the box out of your pocket and tell me when you have it.”

Hyran sighed but did as Col said. “I have it. Have it open too. I don’t need these, and I hate them. They taste like soap.”

“I know. Take one. If you do, I’ll kiss you as a reward the moment you get back.”

That was bone-shakingly appealing, and without thinking too much about it, Hyran put one of the two doses into his mouth. The emergency doses came in jelly form, which made themeven worse in Hyran’s opinion. He didn’t bother chewing, just swallowed.

“There, done. I’ll move Tomo now.”

“Yes, do that. And call once you’re back where Anandas is.”

Hyran ended the call, then looked down at Tomo.

“You wanted to run with me, you said.” He bit his lip until it hurt, until he could taste blood. “I’m sorry I never took you. I should have.”

He picked up the dead boy, stiff, a shell. For once, everything blurred while he ran. Hyran was almost surprised to see the illumination turned up in brightness in the Old House, those lamps as they called them.

He sped past, put Tomo with the others. Where they lay, it was dark, but Hyran’s eyesight in low light was above average. With his last burden released, Hyran walked back to the house at normal speed.

Taros had managed to get the kids to sit out front on benches he had moved there, and while neither of them looked as if they were really aware of what they were doing, they were all chewing food.

Taros looked up from the bench when Hyran grabbed the water pitcher and poured himself a glass.

“Hyran, are you okay?”

“No.”

“Need rest?”

“No. I need to—Anandas. Do you have a moment? Ma?” Hyran pulled out his screen and placed the call even as he crossed the threshold. Inside the house, the stench of blood hung like a veil.

“What, ma?”

“Col wants you to talk to Rose. Col? I’m back. I have Anandas here.”

“Good. I’m setting it to speaker on our end.”

Hyran did the same. He fumbled a little, his fingers mildly shaking.

“Anandas?” Rose’s voice rang loudly in the Old House.

“I’m here. Not yet done. It is good there is a speedling.”

Rose shifted into the Hound tongue, and it went back and forth like that for a few beats.

“What’s happening?” Col finally asked.

“You city dwellers, always bring trouble, that’s what,” Rose said and groaned. “Anandas says there are a few that will need more healing. He says there are young people who need succor and safety, is that right, ma?”

“They’re…yes, town leader’s daughter, two young apprentices. Taros is keeping an eye on them.”