"What about her?" Lyra asked, her eyes searching the room.
"Elara is not here," Max replied instantly, keeping her voice low and even. "She was called elsewhere."
"And you're still here?"
"Yes, I am," Max responded with equal calm, desperately wanting to avoid aggravating her state any further. "I only left your side briefly to fetch this paperwork. She was still in her office, talking to that fixer who arrived recently."
When Lyra remained completely silent, Max pressed on with the logistical details. "They said it will take approximately three days to fully ready the next transport ship for departure from the island dock."
"Three… days," Lyra echoed back in a hollow voice, repeating the words back slowly like a child learning how to speak.
