"I know, but..." Sabine held her mouth silently open. She wished she could tell Ko'tanza the truth. However, Ko'tanza did not lie. Sabine took another second or two to let go of her response before drawing Tzirret and Ko'tanza both into a hug. Her eyes were shut against their shoulders. The two of them promised as much as they could be expected to.

"You can count on these ones," Tzirret added. "You can count on Meesei, and you can count on yourself."

"Of course," Sabine said sadly. "I just get nervous. Thank you both."

The three of them pulled away slowly.

Sabine tried to smile a little. "I should perhaps try to help you find Gallus and the others now. Or did you want to settle with the child back in the Silent City?"