[ He offers Rhy a tired smile and a nod, following him back to the room. It's nice to be led sometimes. Others might call him stubborn, or perceive the way he prefers to run off on his own to mean that he prefers his own company - but the truth is that Kahlil prefers company. He prefers order and structure. The freedom to make his own choices is daunting. It makes him feel unmoored more often than not.

Even when his mind was scattered and his memories gone, he knew that he was the Kahlil. Parfir is the one constant in his life.

They sit by the fire, and he gives his hand to Rhy again as he thinks on Rhy's offer to talk. His brow furrows. ]

People like me have god's own bones. All life is connected to Parfir, but some of us are chosen for a greater purpose. [ He frowns, looking down at his hand. ] There was a lot that the church was wrong about, but I still believe that.

[ Rhy knows some of this already: what he did in the name of the church. How he feels about it now. But it hasn't affected his belief in Parfir. ]