Pt’this’s came and sat down next to Andy. Andy glanced at him but said nothing. He sat watching Ann as if at any time she might wake up. She wouldn’t. He was starting to believe it now. It had been four days, and she hadn’t responded to anything. The woman he had pledged to marry was never going to wake up. “Can we talk?” Pt’this’s asked. Andy shrugged. He didn’t feel like talking. “Not here,” Pt’this said and stood. Andy didn’t understand why. Ann was the only other one in the room, and she couldn’t hear them. He stood anyhow. His legs were stiff. He hadn’t moved from that chair in quite a while. He followed Pt’this’s out to the courtyard. There were scorch marks everywhere. But it was quiet. Everyone had left. The army, the refugees, the elves, and the dragons were gone. He, Ann, Pt’this, and Sapphire were all that remained. “She’s not going to wake up,” Pt’this said. “You’ve told me,” was Andy’s response. “But the trance won’t kill her.” “What?” Andy stopped, stunned. “The trance itself won’t, she’s going to starve to death. The little broth you managed to get her to swallow won’t stop it. More won’t help. And even if it did, she still wouldn’t wake up. You’ll only prolong her suffering. “You need to choose, do let her go slowly or quicker?” Pt’this said. Andy’s anger flared. “Are you saying I should kill her?” “No. I’m saying it’s an option. When Mirimar was in the trance, I couldn’t do it. She starved to death. Ann, Kith, and I talked about it. Ann offered to do it, although I think it probably would have been Drepal who actually did the deed. I said no. So Mirimar starved to death. And I felt every minute of her suffering. I can’t tell you what to do. She’s your pledged. Whatever you choose, Sapphire and I will support you.” “I need to think about it,” Andy said. He couldn’t believe he was even considering it. “Have you thought about after? What are you going to do then? I think, working with Nimitinas, we can get you home if the gate has closed.” “Home? I don’t know.” This was supposed to be home, with Ann. Andy had been born on a world called Earth. He had been living near the city of Chicago when he met Ann. She had been born here, on Torthoc and had transported to his world by accident. They had met, fallen in love, and planned to get married. Sapphire, had come much the same way Ann had only someone had sent her since she wasn’t a mage. She had discovered a weapon the immortal, Lyra, was creating and the gate between the two worlds that Lyra was using to help bring supplies back and forth. There was no magic on Andy’s world, so they assumed the weapon was to be used here. The three had returned to warn the king. They hadn’t talked about it, but Andy thought they should stay here. Ann seemed to be happier here. She had friends and could use her magic. But now, there wouldn’t be an Ann. “Ann once mentioned how she had been able to communicate with Mirimar when she was in the trance. Is there any way I can do that?” Andy asked. Pt’this thought about it and then nodded. “It’ll be dangerous though. She could drain you and put you in a trance too, and it wouldn’t help her.” “I’ll take that risk,” Andy said. He didn’t care if he died too. He had no reason to live without her.