No matter how hard he tried, Valdis knew there was some part of him that would always distrust her. The knowledge felt more like a gift than an irritant, for the amount of trust she did have became all the more precious. Their reliance upon the abilities and experiences of the other meant they could communicate differently, though not always effectively, as most recent circumstances would tell.

Valdis shook her head, "There is damage," she said, "But it will heal given time."

How much time and how completely, she didn't know.

"Almost three thousand years worth of less than pleasant memories has to leave some kind of mark."

Even scarring. But any damage was limited to his mental state, not his soul or body. Not that it made anything better.

"Its mostly a jumble right now, but we haven't dealt with the last of this."