Kleos stood over her, staring down, his face filled with pity. It… this happens sometimes. The sickness can be held at bay for years, then come upon someone in a rush to try to transform them.

His words were tinged with sadness, but it didnt seem like enough to Nerra. He wasnt doing anything, wasnt trying to change anything, wasnt trying to help her.

Why are you just standing there? Nerra demanded.

This is the dragon sickness at work, Kleos said. There is nothing that can be done.

On the ground before Nerra, Lina continued to shift and change, utterly inhuman now.

She will not survive, Kleos said. She has no strength to withstand the change.

He said that like he was observing an animal in the wild, not looking down over the body of a young woman who had supposedly been there on the island with him for years. It wasnt that there was no pity there, but there seemed to be something resigned about it, something that merely accepted the inevitability of what was to come.

No, Nerra said. You have to help her. You have to do something.

It was too late, though. Nerra could see the way that Linas flesh was pulling itself apart, see the great tears in it now. For a moment, a rent appeared in her flesh that seemed to show Nerra the inner workings of her body, even the beating of her heart, frantic and fluttering, struggling to keep up.

Then that heart stopped.

No, Nerra said, looking away. No.

It is a sad moment for us all, Kleos said. But you must remember that

Dont you dare say anything! Nerra snapped back at him, pointing one accusing finger. Dont you dare! She was my friend, was kind and gentle, and you just stood there watching her die like even comfort was beyond you.

I have seen more death than you ever will, Kleos said. There were tears in his eyes, but they were nothing compared to the ones in Nerras. Do you think if I weep for all of them, it makes it any better? Ill be here watching over this island long after the dragon sickness claims you!

Yes, he would. He would be here, and Nerra… She looked back at the body of her friend, but she couldnt bear to look for long. Not when the dragon sickness had taken her friend from her so brutally, and so utterly.

Nerra had thought she might have years here, thought she might be able to come to terms with it, as Lina seemed to have. Now, she had seen firsthand just how swiftly, and how brutally, the sickness could strike.

She knew what she had to do. Even the death Kleos had warned about the waters bringing was better than this.

***