He continued on into the darkness, and after only a few hours more he finally crested the pass. The road rose slowly on the eastern side, but here on the west it dropped off sharply in a series of switchbacks, and he could see the city spread out below him, the road threading through it to the river. He went to the edge of the first switchback and stepped off into space. Carrying Damien while flying uphill for the whole night would have been impossible, but gliding down to the valley floor with the boy was well within his capabilities, even as tired as he was. He soared down over the city, passing the palaces and temples of the high slopes, the homes and shops of the lower slopes, and at last reaching the jumbled shanties of the valley floor. He knew exactly where to go, and he landed heavily in front of a small house with a green painted door. Damien was so tired that he slept even though the somewhat rough landing, so Aidan didn't put him down, he managed to knock on the door while still carrying his burden. He heard stirring inside and waited patiently. It was drawing close to midnight, and he hated to arrive this late, but he hadn't had much choice.

When at last the door swung open, and elderly aerian was framed in the light. "Aidan? I wondered if it might be you, don't know who else would call at this hour. And who's this?"

Aidan smiled at Thomas. "This is my son, Damien. We're both worn out, and we need a place to stay for a day or so."

"Well you're always welcome here, you know that." Thomas opened the door wider and gestured for them to come in. Aidan felt something like relief as he stepped inside. He went to the back room, where his old cot still sat amid a jumble of miscellaneous junk. He set Damien down on it gently. The boy didn't even stir. Aidan pulled the blanket over him, then stepped out again into the front room. "So," said Thomas, "What brings you to my door at this hour?"

Aidan sighed. "Nothing good, I'm afraid." He told his old friend and mentor the whole story. When he finished, Thomas shook his head.

"I can almost see it from their side, lad. They want to protect the boy. But were I in their shoes I'd like to think I'd not be so thick-headed as to think that somebody is evil just because of their diet!"

Aidan chuckled. "I wish there were more people like you in the world, my friend. Sadly most seem all too ready to believe the worst of me, no matter what I do otherwise. But," he yawned, "I've only had a few hours sleep in the past week, and I am about done in. I'll just crash here on the couch. I'll probably sleep the night and the day through as well, so I hope you don't mind keeping an eye on Damien when he wakes."

"No, of course not," said Thomas. "He can't possibly be as much trouble as you were when I met you, and I managed then well enough."

Aidan laughed. But then he yawned again. He flopped over on the couch and folded his wings up. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," said Thomas, and he rose and blew out the lights.