"I'll do that," Nari said, nodding against the Vashoth's hand. She scrubs the back of her hand across her eyes and blinks back the tears that were threatening a resurgence, then pulls back a bit, running it through her hair with a sigh. "Not good. It's slow but it only changes one way, like a river pulling at its banks. She's--" a short pause as Nari shuts her eyes and pulls in some air, a tremble in her breath when she lets it out. She opens them again to look into her friend's. "She's dying, Korrin," she says, and it's the first time she's said it out loud. It feels strange in her mouth, tastes like dust. Nahariel looks down at the staff in her hands and says it again quietly, as if just for herself.

"She's dying."