"It's okay. I was never taught that God was all-powerful, myself," Ellen says. "I mean, I know that's what people used to believe before the War, but neither Reverend Avellone nor Knight-Captain Colvin ever said I should believe that God was all-powerful. I just meant that if there was some entity that did control things like that in your world, I didn't know their rules."

She rubs at the back of her neck with one hand. "I'd say you deserve at least something of a break, after all that. Even if it's just a rest somewhere, to help you get yourself back together. When I was your age I was just taking the test that was supposed to determine the job I'd be doing for the rest of my life, so for what it's worth you're way ahead of me in terms of accomplishments for your age. I kinda think you might be entitled to sit back and gather your marbles for a bit."