The moment the sound of tears creeps into his voice, her annoyance vanishes. He is afraid--of course he is afraid. To be but twenty-nine years old and dying.... The injustice of it sorrows and angers her both.

Once more, she sets a soft hand upon his brow to smooth back his hair. "Do not give up hope, mellonenin. It may be the cure to your sickness is here, far from your world. If it is to be found in this place, I promise you this: I will find it. I will search for it even beyond hope."

Her voice is low, but the passion in it is no less for that. She will not let him die.