We left the east rooms together, with Elizabeth's guard following. For several corridors neither of us spoke. Then Elizabeth said, "I hate this."
"Walking?"
"Leaving."
"Oh." That was less simple.
We reached the guest stair. She didn't go up, and neither did I.
"Renn was right," she said.
That was painful to hear from anyone. "About what?"
"This one being my problem. But not every problem being mine personally."
I remembered the map room, and her saying this one still did. "Yes."
"I thought knowing where the line was would make it easier."
"That seems optimistic."
She looked at me. "It doesn't."
"No."
"You sound very certain."
I leaned against the wall. My chest barely complained now.
"I used to think there were only two choices," I said. "Ignore something, or fix it yourself."
Her expression changed slightly. "And now?"
"Apparently there's a third one."
"Which is?"
"Make sure the right person has it. Then leave."
She thought about it. "You dislike the third one."
