"If it was only a few hours ago, you still have time." Raine came a little closer, now obviously studying him, and it struck her that in addition to his unwellness, there was something familiar about him. She couldn't put a finger on it yet, but she filed it away to come back to later. "Loss of a soul gem takes about three days to be fatal. Which way did you come from? We can retrace your steps. The kedan won't keep a soul gem if they know what it is; they know we depend on them."

Her expression creased faintly, despite her primarily clinical tone. Raine was no fonder of relying on them for life than the stranger evidently was. "I'm Raine Sage," she added abruptly, recalling the introduction belatedly, and extended her free hand. "I run the Healers' Guild here."