Bitterblue was already up at her wash station, to splash water on her face in an attempt to push aside the tears. But when she heard the knock on the door and the voice behind it, she abandoned her futile pursuits, and went immediately to the door.

She threw the door open and barreled into her cousin, wrapping her arms tight around him.

"Oh Po," was all she could sob at first.

But it was good, grounding, to receive the comfort of a friend. Her tears slowed down, and she could breathe again, could speak again.

"I'm sorry to have woken you." She assumed, she didn't know he'd already been up. "You should be sleeping for your travels tomorrow."