Katelina still she had her doubts the next evening. Etsuko insisted she was better, and tried to clean up after herself, but it was obvious by her frequent rest stops on the way to the shower that she was weak. She apologized again and again, and Katelina assured her it was all right. It was a conversation she'd memorized.

She tucked Etsuko back in bed, gave her some of the aspirin Oren had brought back from the poachers, and then motioned Jorick outside to ...