Don't Tell Me Who to Save

Lucas returned from his search of the healer Beth with bandages and supplies to take care of the injuries on the newly renamed Neoma's hands and feet, but she was resisting his help.

"I don't need to be babied like this, Lucas. I came to help get the alyko back," she insisted.

That was the only reason she could imagine that she was saved from the river and delivered here. It was the one lingering thought she had before dying—that she would want to help remedy the wrongdoing she had been involved with when she was the Zagan-created-Zosime. And the river had given her a new name for that quest. She wasn't going to squander it.

"Well your job is already half done then and you can at least let me take care of your injuries," he gave her a smile that she returned with a puzzled look.

"What do you mean it is already half done? I don't count," she replied, teeth chattering and lips purple despite having a blanket covering her.