Mount Apikuni And girl, you find me right where I am, you're the one thing I can't lose

He nodded, his eyes warm as Reyson spoke of his mother. He felt the same way—always had. And he was glad to see others saw what he saw.

I will, Killdeer promised. Thanks for saying that. She won't believe it, but it's true.

He sucked in a breath, then let it out with a sigh. I should get back to my duties, he said, the last word colored with a cynicism that had never been there before. It was hard to serve a guy that had so utterly lost his trust. 

But, if it kept the others safe. . . After all, they were innocent in all this.

I hope you can mend things with your girl, Killdeer said. Take care, Reyson.

Would he see the kind, tortured man again? At least, he thought as he departed for the canyon, Reyson lived in Epoch. He could always get the lowdown from Towhee.