Gabriel descended to join us, a happy smile on his face, the ribbons lingering with him while Max held out his arms to my son. I found myself tearing up for some reason.

"Thank you," the drach leader said, swinging Gabriel up into his embrace. "You've set my sister free and I am very grateful."

"She's really nice." My son said it shyly, as though surprised to find himself in this position, cradled in the big drach's arms. "She's ...