Neria activated her communicator.
Eir's response came almost immediately.
"Neria."
"We've arrived."
"Safely?"
"Safely."
"Injured?"
"No."
"Tired?"
Neria looked down at her legs before answering.
"A little."
A few meters away, Oras was arranging vials inside a padded box. He glanced up for a moment, heard half the conversation, and returned to work without commenting.
"Found them?" Eir asked.
"Yes. Seventy-three so far."
There was a pause.
"Seventy-three meravel?"
"Maybe."
This time, the silence lasted longer.
Neria smiled to herself.
"Don't start."
"I didn't say anything."
"I know what you were thinking."
"No, you don't."
"You were thinking I should know whether they're meravel or not."
"No."
Neria raised an eyebrow, even though Eir couldn't see her.
"Then what?"
"I want to see them."
The answer was simple enough to make her stop.
"When I get back, I'll show you my notes."
"It's not the same."
"No."
"But it'll do."
