“My greatest sympathies, Dramok Pwaldur, Matara Narpok,” he said. Clajak hesitated a moment before he too remembered to bow. “Anything you need, you have only to ask,” he offered. Egilka felt a little better to see Clajak clear-eyed for once. The sadness in his face was all for Narpok, their intended. He even reached out and brushed his fingertips against her cheek in a gesture of compassion. Pwaldur looked at the Dramok prince, his eyes narrowed for an instant. Then he bent his head in an abbreviated bow. With his arms around Narpok, he could manage no better, nor did Egilka expect him to. “Thank you, my princes. My sympathies are with you as well.” Then they were gone, going to a place where hopefully Narpok’s mind could be saved, much as others fought to save Zarl’s body. Egilka’s com beeped. He checked it and read the written message. Swallowing hard, he told Clajak, “Five minutes until the other shuttle arrives.” Clajak jerked a nod, his gaze going distant again.
