"I promised I wouldn't let anyone suffer any more," she explained, now as cheerful as ever. There was a faint twinge of something, but it slipped away when she tried to work out what had caused it. Another thing to worry about later. "If there's a way that means you won't have to handle your pain, I'll go down that path with you."

She finished with a blazing smile, and stood up with renewed energy. "I'll go ask the conductor!"