Kaden rose and took the baby back inside. He didn’t doubt what was right. “I’m not ready to raise a child. If I did, I’d resent her for everything I gave up instead of treasuring her for everything she could be. I reached out to a friend. She’ll know who I could trust.”

  “Excellent,” Mistress Scylla said. “I think you’re making the right decision. I wasn’t ready to raise Sara for nearly five hundred years. Oh, I wanted children off and on, the occasional decade. But I waited for my time, and I’m glad I did.”

  “Right here, Mom.” Sara held up a pseudopod. “And I’m an adult.”

  “James is going down to check the Fangwood Dungeon Complex. Sara, you’re welcome to go with him.” Mistress Scylla nodded to each of them. “You’re all welcome. Kaden, welcome to the duties of parenthood.”

  He didn’t mind. “Someone go tell Ashi. Wait, when did she leave?”

  “She took Garm to the Mage’s Tower,” Eve said. “While you were staring at your loot-baby. I would love to go deeper into the complex. Kaden, I believe this solves the question I had. You show one subject, and I suspect we’re looking at her.”

  Kaden looked down at the squirming infant. “Sounds about right.”

  ###

  Late afternoon, and the FarPortal activated. Kaden felt the presence before he saw it, and didn’t startle as the front porch creaked and the door swung open. Metami, the [Shield Saint] squeezed sideways through the door and stood full height. “Got your message. I mean, I got a message. What the [Falcrow] actually said was ‘We got ourselves a puker. Get your raincoat, it’s gonna be messy.’”

  Kaden stood and held up the baby, explaining about the immortal hunt, the ‘reward’ and the unexpected child. “I just adopted out my gryphon. You’ve been killing [Priests]. Are any of the Saint’s Hall good?”

  Metami’s hand was larger than the baby, but she cupped her and held her close. “Been a long time since I held one this young. I know someone looking for a baby. Someone who could keep her safe. Someone who’s raised more orphans than you can count.”

  [Read Emotion] told him the answer. “I thought you didn’t do that anymore.”

  “I didn’t.” She cradled the baby. “She needs a name. Everyone deserves a name. Already got a class and doesn’t have a name, what kind of world is that?”

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  One that made sense to Kaden. “She can’t know her name until we teach her. She’s both three months old and thousands of years older than any of us. She needs an ancient name.”

  Metami closed her eyes. “I tore the intestines out of a second-lifer once. Took him days to die, days we spent talking about the world he came from. He had a little sister, the reason he’d condemn our entire world to destruction, just to get back to her. ‘Khazana.’ It means ‘treasured.’”

  It was a fitting name. She had been a reward. “Do you need money?”

  “Funny thing about priests. For such poor leaders, they’re usually rich. I’ve got a house in the city. A place where she won’t be alone. Where she can have friends and learn her letters and numbers and how to kick a stranger in the crotch. Are you sure?” Metami asked the last gently.

  “I’m certain. And I’m grateful. I know you won’t let her get hurt.”

  Metami laughed. “Of course I’ll let her get hurt. She’ll fall and break bones. Slip and cut off a finger or two, maybe even trip and catch herself on fire.” She shook her head at his shock. “Life will throw boulders, enemies will swing daggers and who hasn’t been set on fire? I’ll be there with a healing potion and a hug. To break her enemy’s bones and tear their fingers off one at a time. And I have a rule: Always have a bucket of water handy.”

  “In case you’re set on fire?” Kaden asked.

  “Or thirsty. You can trust me.” Metami looked down at Kahzana. “No one should be alone.”

  With surprising grace, she ducked through the door. Kaden followed her out and around to the FarPortal. “If you need anything, ask.”

  “If you want to see her, come by. It’s just in the city. Say it to me. Next Saturday, right?” Metami waited until he nodded. Then she stepped through.

  The quiet of the Holding was a blessing.

  No howling wind.

  No bleating [Makur]

  Just the quiet sound of Vip’s tail thumping in the grass.

  Kaden turned and kneeled down to hug her. “Did you want a sister?”

  *No.*

  He kissed her on top of the head. “Or brother? Garm is a good brother.”

  *No.*

  “What is Trinity? A cousin?” Kaden asked. Skully and Rocky were harder to catalogue. Burney would never be part of the family. “Cloud is a big brother. What about Little Brother. Do you like him?”

  *No!* Vip’s thoughts came dipped with sour jealousy. She didn’t like anything that competed for attention.

  He scooped her up and held her as she wriggled to contentment in his arms. “You’re the best dog.”

  *Of course!* Vip froze for a moment, terrified by her own thoughts. *Love?*

  He did.

  The FarPortal activated. Ashi had returned, and now Garm wore a thick black collar that exuded ice mana. “Look! When I asked, ‘where is your [Collar of Cold]?’ they knew nothing. But when I spoke of torturing prisoners with ice, suddenly there is such a thing.”

  Kaden continued to hold Vip, though he reached down to scratch Garm’s head. The [Ulf Ravager] was larger already. If he truly enjoyed Ashi’s company, it would change the way Ashi did battle.

  “The others went to FangWood,” Kaden said. “We waited for you.”

  “Wisdom. I have returned with your beast. Sevin was leaving the Mage’s tower. He has business in Omnor, but will not long be gone from Sara.” Ashi fixed her wraps. “Should we find the others, or slip deeper into this dungeon complex to see what beasts it may harbor?”

  “When you put it like that…” Kaden pulled Vip into his soul and took off at a run.