"I know what this form can do," Sabine said. "It is not confidence in my limits that I am missing. It is confidence in fighting." She lowered her voice and hunched her shoulders. "Getting hurt by silver still makes me feel tense and sick. More than just the pain it gives all of us."

[hr]
"I think it's about time, yes," Fendros said. "Perhaps you had better start, just in case he's angry with me for shouting at him."

The pair walked to Rhazii, hand in hand.

Rhazii's ears were still flat. There were a few droplets that had fallen from his covered face onto the floor below. His breathing was relatively even in his leant-forward position, so most likely he had been crying quietly and was only just now recovering. He did not react to his parents' approach.

Fendros squeezed Ahnasha's hand and let it go as they slowed to a stop.