'Yes,' she answers, her voice breathy. 'Yes, it's me. Peace and prosperity.' As if that's proof, and not the very first thing an impostor would say, but that's not her concern at present.

'You're alive.' With that, Tayrey steps forward and touches Cassandra's arm. A Tradeliner's gesture of comfort, a reassurance that the woman before her is flesh and blood. 'It's been so long. I thought you were lost to us.'

Then her serious expression cracks into a hopeful smile, and her eyes fill with tears of joy and relief. Her fallen comrade is alive, despite all probability. It's incredible. It's more than she ever hoped for.