Honestly not a huge Balkar fan, and am sick enough of the speculation that a yes would be very tempting, but I still have to vote no. I think it is more likely to be later in the overall plot arc, likely the final gate.

I have to vote for Lien. One, she has a lot of potential for development which I think we will see later when the group moves on to the final gate, and two, Nale has outlived his interesting-ness (is that even a word? eh...) and quite frankly I am a bit board of his character. I find the newer members of the LG to be more compelling.