Sarah listens, sitting, her legs crossed, arms across her chest, her face steady.<br/><br/>She nods, unsmiling as he finishes his story, saying, "Perhaps I should be sorry I asked you that question.  But I am not."<br/><br/>She seems fragile suddenly, and her voice for once carries the waver of age.  "We have more in common than you realize, Thrax.  That memory you saw of me?  That came before.  Before I was broken."<br/><br/>Standing, heedless of her atire, she moves around the table swiftly, then, bending, kisses Thraxius on his forehead, then turns, and walks towards a doorway opposite.  As she reaches it, she points out.  "And Thrax... that's only a check.  There's a way out of that mate."<br/><br/>The door closes softly.