‘Pran has tried,’ she said, mordantly. ‘Tried and failed. Sometimes I think to die would be better . . . better than this.’
‘In a pig’s eye!’ Ralph responded hotly. ‘If Doc could save Deborah’s life from the poison, he could cure this too. And you as well.’
Éha’s eyes became wild with hope. ‘Where is this one called Doc?’
Ralph sighed. ‘For the time being he’s in Mirrindale.’
Éha saw her hope turn to ashes. ‘You should not have told me. That was cruel!’ She rose to leave.
‘Wait! I think I can help you. Both of you.’
She paused, watching him doubtfully.
‘Doc won’t always be in Mirrindale. He will join us here, sometime in the future. Don’t ask me when, but I promise you, he will come if he can, unless something bad happens to him. I mean, as things stand, we all face that possibility. In the meantime, we have to get things set up here, and you have to be here when Doc comes . . .’
‘I cannot stay here among the Elves,’ she replied in a flat tone. ‘I am a Pixie.’
Ralph smiled without humour. ‘I doubt very much that anyone here will give you a hard time. And if they do, they’ll regret it.’