[ Not for the first time he looks at this dark haired, dark eyed young woman and wonders about his sister, what kind of woman she might have grown up to be had she been allowed to live untouched by flaying knives and ritual. Again, its the yellow dog that makes physical contact with her where he feels unable to, her snout nuzzling against River's leg and tail wagging slowly, uncertain but trying to offer comfort. ]

I miss my sister too.

[ He glances at the dog, a heaviness to his expression. Their stories are alike. Kahlil thinks he might like to meet her brother, if he were to be brought here. ]

Ravishan couldn't save her. She died with the rest of the bones. But I did. I stole her away and brought her to another world. She was not as she was anymore, but she was happy. She was free. But - I couldn't stay with her there. I had to go back to our world. And as much as it hurt, I wouldn't have forced her to come with me, back to where there were people who might hurt her again.

[ In this moment the dog seems simply a dog, not responding to this story. He remembers her begging him not to go, but the ties that bound him to the Rifter, his duty to protect Basawar from the destroyer was stronger, in the end. Kahlil looks at her sadly, then back to River. ]

It's okay, not to want to go back.

[ Her brother wouldn't blame her. ]