It only takes the impression of possible pain to soften Astrid's sharp edge, and she watches Säde carefully before she continues. The Ace isn't the type of person to accept comfort, unfortunately. "The doctors gave her a clean bill of health," she says, instead. "The sling comes off next week, and this month will always be a wash, but her short-term memory is back at full capacity." Which, she thinks, should relieve the Face Cards at least somewhat.

"And it's no trouble at all."