Trals caught Njrea as she collapsed, and lowered her tenderly to the floor of the Ship of Years.

"You fucking stupid bastard," she hissed.

"Stupid I may be," said Trals, "but coward I am not, to throw others' lives before my own." Though God knew he had once excelled at that game. "Not anymore."

She clenched her teeth, losing the battle with the sleeping drug Trals had given her. "What about caring for your life?"

"You still have much to teach me." Trals ...