"I'm not leaving him here, and I'm not leaving you here without supervision. We're all going to Kharsen."
Sofia looked past Martha at the young man. A dozen emotions crossed her face in rapid succession. Finally, she swallowed whatever argument she'd been preparing.
"Twenty minutes," she confirmed.
Martha turned back to the tent and resumed packing with swiftness. The young man watched her move around the space, still with that quality of absolute stillness, still cataloging everything.
"I haven't told anyone what I saw in that cave," Martha said without stopping her packing.
"What actually happened. I'm not going to until I understand it myself."
He was quiet for a moment.
"That's wise," he said finally.
"I have questions. A great many of them."
"I know."
Martha paused with her hands full of equipment and looked at him directly.
"Kate is important to me. More important than any of this. Whatever you are, whatever this means, she comes first. Do you understand?"
