Karim parted from Kiri reluctantly; he withdrew from his embrace with regret.<br/><br/>He smiled at Amani, a shyness overtaking him as he tried to find something to say back.<br/><br/>Family. It had been many years since he had one of those.<br/><br/>A tear dripped down his cheek and he rubbed it off. "Good to be home," he said, and he thought he was making a joke but the emotion made his voice small and raw.<br/><br/>He swallowed. "Lead the way."<br/><br/>Soon he found himself having a lovely hot bath with herbs floating in the water. He scrubbed with the soap and came up smelling faintly of flowers, which he enjoyed. That and the clean clothing, some of Tykiri's own, made him relaxed enough that he had trouble listening to Amani, who eventually just brought him into a pleasant, anonymous guest room, and told him to sleep.<br/><br/>It was winter outside, and what a difference to see the snow on the windowsill and tree branches without feeling the chill in his bones.<br/><br/>When was the last time he looked out at snow from a glass window in a well-heated room?<br/><br/>He curled under the covers, which smelled fresh and clean, not ragged straw and an old horseblanket, and fell immediately, deeply, dreamlessly asleep, though it wasn't even night yet.