“When, then, will I be freed?” “When I am certain I’ve no further use for you.” To my astonishment, Here Soonchanged laughed, a rough, barking sound . . . like coughing, like gunfire. “Then I will be here until the stars burn out.” “Is that so?” I said, smile just barely reaching my eyes, after all. “I know my uses,” said Here Soonchanged.
