Interlude 5: Farewell, Sweet Love

"I am here," Ufhau murmured, gently stroking Kara's hair.

"You are... alive," she whispered, eyes shimmering with relief. "I feared..."

"Ssshh," he said. "Are you well?"

She nodded weakly. Her hand trembled as she reached up to take his. "I am now."

His voice shook. "You must... go with them. They... they will care for you."

Kara's face fell, and she shook her head. "No. You will not abandon me. Not now."

"You think I would willingly leave you?" he said, forcing himself to smile. He lifted her hand and pressed his lips to her knuckles, the only gesture he felt remotely safe making in front of the tarks and golug-hai. "I knew this would have to be."

A sob tore from her throat. "I am so sorry, Ufhau," she breathed. She held his hand tightly, unwilling to let him go. "This is my fault. I was selfish. I... should have..."

"No," he said, shaking his head.

"If I had listened... If I had let you go your way..."

"Hush," he admonished gently. "You gave me... a purpose... again," he said thickly. Clenching his jaw against the raw emotions fighting to surface, he said, "You gave me... more than I deserved."

"I would have followed you to the ends of the earth."

He squeezed his eyes shut, felt tears leaking down his face. "I would have taken you there."

"Ufhau," she said, and he pressed his finger to her lips.

"Close your eyes, and do not listen."