Sabine walked carefully over to Meesei on all fours and stood up straight again. While she was being examined, she looked at her upper arm and ran a hand slowly over her dark fur. She had never thought to simply feel its texture before.

"It is so strange to be able to think like this. Observe everything. Feel it all." Sabine opened and closed her hand over and again. "I could mix a potion in this form. I can talk so well. I..." A thought distracted her. She looked aside. "I think I might still fight better [i]without[/i] the ring," she said with less excitement.

[hr]
Fendros looked at Ahnasha's bandages, looked back to Ri'vashi, and nodded once. "We shall inform you of our next meeting to make plans. Until then, take care."

With Ri'vashi walking away, Fendros closed his eyes, sucked in a breath through his nose, and held it. Ahnasha could physically see the rapid throbbing of Fendros' heart against the base of his chest. His breath escaped between his lips so slowly his exhale was silent.

When Fendros' lungs were finally emptied, he opened his eyes and caught Ahnasha's stare. "I was afraid that wasn't going to work. I've never spoken like that to a council member."

Fendros stooped to pick up the cracked waster that Rhazii had dashed on the tiles. He looked at it, and then turned his eyes to Rhazii. "If only all reasoning could be so brief," he said, turning to Ahnasha. "What do you think we should do, Ahna?"