What Then? (I)

"You're awake," Ongara said when Chang Chang reached them. "How are you feelin'? We were worried when you didn't wake up right away."

"How long have I been asleep?" Chang Chang asked anxiously. She touched Ingara's arm. The woman hadn't spoken or greeted her. A haunted expression lingered about her eyes. "What's happened? Is it Arngam?" she asked.

Ongara managed a small smile. "He's well," she said. "A little bit of smoke won't slow him down."

Chang Chang swallowed and nodded, but her relief was tempered by a terrible knowledge that filled her as she looked around the temple and failed to see Joya's familiar presence there. "Your sister," she said. "She didn't make it, did she?"

Ongara shook her head. Her eyes shone. "We found her near the bridge. Not a mark on her—she was just … gone. Father thinks the grief was too much, that it was time. came for her. And it wasn't in vain. At least a dozen dwarves are alive because of her."