"Ah," Ariel gave Sabine a sympathetic look. "How have things been with Peiter?"

Sabine smiled sadly. "We separated," she said. "He couldn't travel with us, and he still has trouble with his arm, and...we were growing apart anyway."

"I see. I suppose it was still sad, wasn't it?"

"Yes," Sabine nodded. Has she been asked shortly after they set out for Thorn, she might have been in tears. However, enough time had passed that she could speak about it without breaking down. "It was...nice. I miss him a little. I miss...the love. Fendros and Ahnasha's wedding made me feel sad and lonely. They are so happy."

"Aww, Sabine..." Ariel knitted her brow and gave Sabine a comforting rub on the arm. "I'm sorry to hear that it made you sad. Look, sometimes comparing yourself to others with relationships is not helpful. Remember, it's as much about luck as it is about searching for someone who you want to be with. You will find someone given time."

Sabine was about as convinced as she had been with Meesei's advice. She gave a short hum of acknowledgement without looking up.

[hr]
In an echo of Gallus' words when he began searching the city, he did not know what to expect but what he found was not it.

To Gallus, Yizan-Lei looked like he was about to starve to death. His skeletal appearance made Gallus hold his his breath for a moment.

As Gallus solemnly walked in and moved the chair to face the bed, he felt a pang for how he would react if Tzirret or Peiter were in such a state. It was no wonder that Dar-Tzesa was so desperate.

Gallus sat, weaved his fingers together tightly, and leaned forward to speak to the boy. "Yizan-Lei, my name is Gallus." He nodded to the door. "He is Cuts-Canes-Faster. We...well..." Gallus' tone softened. "I...met your mother, Dar-Tzesa. I have some bad news."

Despite having a general plan of what to say, Gallus paused to produce the red feather and gauge Yizan-Lei's reaction. He wasn't sure whether it would be a good idea to be as direct as he was to Najan-Ja without Yizan-Lei asking as much.