"Yes," he said. "Through the network. When the healing here progresses to the threshold." He paused. "Three months. The pattern suggests." He paused. "Vael — you've been holding this wound. When the thread is established and the presence flows — what happens to you."
Vael looked at the question.
"I don't know," they said. "I've never reached the end of the holding before." They paused. "I have held many wounds over a long time." They paused. "The holding ends when the healer arrives." They paused. "What comes after — I'll find out." They paused. "That is perhaps appropriate." They paused. "I have been watching others find out what comes after for a long time." They paused. "It's my turn."
He looked at them.
At the ancient presence.
At the clear eyes.
At the holder who had been waiting to find out what came after.
