The sun was low in the sky when Priftoi ended Sofia’s first day of training. Sore and bruised, Sofia limped back towards her tent with Harton.

“I don’t think I’m going to be able to move tomorrow,” Sofia complained. “That girl worked me so hard. And now I’m cramping…” She gripped and groaned in discomfort. “This sucks…”

“We can talk with Erae to ask him to suggest that Priftoi lighten up on you a bit,” Harton suggested.

“Sure we could, if we ever saw him,” she retorted.

“Are you talking about me?” a familiar voice said behind them. Erae greeted them with a tired, but mischievous smile. 

Sofia crossed her arms in frustration, “Where have you been? I thought that you were going to train me and then I didn’t see you all day.”

“Apologies, mo cuishle,” Erae stepped forward to place his hands on her shoulders. “My scouting party was sent to handle an Ymplerim incident quite a ways from here.” In the dimming light Sofia could see dirt on his clothes and face. Shame washed over her as she realized how selfish she had been, and she reached to lightly wipe his cheek with her hand.

Gently pulling her hand from his face, Erae kissed Sofia’s palm. “Today made me glad you are training before going out again in search of your gate. I trust Priftoi coached you well? She is one of our best and brightest recruits.”

Sofia snorted. “If by well, you mean starting at level 100, then yeah.”

“She did go a little hard for it being the first day,” Harton agreed.

Erae furrowed his brow, “I will speak to her.” But soon his warm smile returned. He brought Sofia’s hand to his side so he could accompany them the rest of the way to her new accommodations with Itah.

“I am sorry I cannot spend much time with you this evening,” said Erae when they reached the entrance. “As you can see, I’m a bit of a mess. I should probably wash up before reporting to the Chief.”

“I’m a mess, too,” replied Sofia. “And I’m anxious to get some of Itah’s ointments to help with the pain I’m experiencing in muscles I didn’t even know I had.”

Sofia felt a warmth in her chest as Erae released a hearty laugh. This…is really happening, right?

“Then let us part for now to cleanse ourselves and plan to meet tomorrow.” As the night before, he bowed and kissed her hand. “Síocháin, sweet Sofia. Good night.”

Once Sofia entered the tent, Erae turned to leave.

“Erae,” the Dlam called after him. The elf turned back to face the creature. “You should know that others are becoming curious about your attachment to Sofia. I think things are moving fast, but…you two are well matched. Your Ghyrz would say the same. But there are others who… may not be of the same mind.”

The elf looked seriously at Harton for a moment. “Do you think there is no way to convince her to stay?”

“I think you know that I want her to stay as much as you do. But whether we are enough to convince her to remain here in Lyfay… I cannot say.”

“Ah, well,” Erae gave a pained smile. “Then we shall simply have to make the most of the time we have.”

“I’m just asking… don’t make things too hard for her.” 

After a moment, Erae nodded in understanding. “Síocháin, Special One.” Bowing again, the elf disappeared into the night.

Inside the tent, Itah had already helped Sofia into a tub of warm water filled with herbs and flowers. 

“This feels sooooo good.” Sofia slid into the water up to her chin and released a long, loud sigh. 

“Once you are done soaking, I can rub the ointments on you that will help your muscles relax from all the lactic acid build up,” said Itah. She had already pulled several containers from a small set of shelves by her bed. “And I have more sanitary supplies for you as well.”

Itah’s tent was humbler than the other tents Sofia had been in. Although slightly larger than the recovery tent, it was smaller than Lyna and Faliona’s, and certainly less grand. There was no great antechamber like the Chief's tent, and the entire space was one big opening without any dividing curtains. But it was warm, cozy, and welcoming. 

Sofia felt the space was a good representation of Itah’s character, and she was grateful the young elf had invited her to stay.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be done soaking,” Sofia mused.

“Well, eventually the water will get cold,” chuckled Harton as he entered the tent. “And you humans tend to turn wrinkly as a prune.” Sofia stuck her tongue out at him and slid deeper into the tub. 

Eventually, the water did get cold and Sofia was forced to vacate its pleasant embrace. Itah brought Sofia a towel and had set up a panel for Sofia to discreetly change into her night clothes. The Apprentice Healer then invited the sore trainee to lay in the bed which had been set up for her by the back wall of the tent. 

A warm grain bag helped relieve her cramps as Itah began to massage Sofia’s back. The ointments were smooth and silky feeling on her skin, and filled the tent with calming and relaxing aromas. As Itah was working on her feet, Sofia heard Harton greet Faliona and Melião. 

“Síocháin, Keeper of Stories and chompánach. Thank you for offering your services to Sofia.”

“The pleasure is ours!” Faliona replied in her bubbliest voice. “Itah, allow us to take over.”

The young woman went to change into her own night clothes as Faliona and Melião began working on Sofia’s muscles.

“Melião will handle your back and shoulders, and I’ll do your limbs, all right Sofia?”

“Mm-hm,” Sofia replied, already enjoying Melião’s velvet paws kneading through her clothes into her tense upper back. I could get used to this, she thought to herself. 

For the first several minutes, the Keeper of Stories and the Vrao worked in silence. Itah, her bed parallel to Sofia’s, sat and watched as they worked, eager to learn. Harton maintained a little more distance, staying close to the fire in the center of the tent which provided the space with warmth and a deep orange light.

Eventually, Faliona began to ask questions. Questions about life on Talamh, Sofia’s friends and work there, and what she most looked forward to upon return. The questions filled Sofia with longing for home, and she said as much. What she didn’t verbalize, however, was how in some ways she was also dreading going home. 

Sensing hesitation and doubt, Faliona switched to inquiries about Sofia’s time in Lyfay. Other than the Ymplerim, what had been Sofia’s impression? What did she think of the clothing and the food? Did she feel she had made any strong connections?

Harton’s ears perked at the last question. Despite Sofia lying face down on the bed, Harton could tell she was blushing. 

“She often tells me she is grateful for your friendship, of course,” Harton offered. “And Itah’s. She’s also met several other kind and generous people in the camp.”

“I see,” Faliona replied. 

Itah sensed something shift in the atmosphere. She glanced from Harton to Faliona, trying to make sense of the sudden tension. 

“But it seems there may be a certain individual who is more kind and attentive than others?” Faliona insisted. Harton rose to his feet with a low growl, and Melião jumped off Sofia’s back and with arched back placed himself between Faliona and the Dlam.

“Harton?” Itah asked. Sofia slowly lifted her head, unsure of what was going on.

“I’m simply trying to have a little girl talk with Friend Sofia, Harton,” Faliona giggled, trying to break the uneasiness. “You know how we like to discuss such things.”

“Is that all you are doing?” Harton asked through narrowed eyes. Melião continued to arch his back and fluff his tail defensively.

“Why would it be a problem to talk about Erae and I?” said Sofia, a blush rising again in her cheeks as she sat up. “It’s not like things have exactly been a secret. Itah knows. And I think of you as a friend, Faliona. Why shouldn’t she know?” She directed the questions to Harton.

The Dlam sighed heavily and sat back by the fire. There’s nothing to be done now…

“So there is something happening between you two?” Faliona sat next to Sofia in a flutter of excitement. Eyes wide, and holding Sofia’s hands, the elf exclaimed, “How exciting!”

As the ladies continued chatting, Melião relaxed and hopped back on the bed to curl up next to his chompánach, although he kept a watchful eye on the Dlam. Itah, still unsure of what was taking place, looked back at Harton. He looked concerned.

“But what will happen when you return to Talamh?” Itah was pulled back into the women’s conversation by Faliona’s question.

“Well, we won’t be able to see each other anymore, right?” Sofia seemed to visibly deflate. “But… that’s why we want to make the most of the time I have left in Lyfay.”

Itah wasn’t sure, but she thought Faliona relaxed slightly after Sofia’s statement. “Of course, that’s understandable. We only have so much time before the gates between Lyfay and Talamh are permanently sealed, so we should all make the most of the time we have you with us!”

Itah sat confused in her bed. Something is off.

Sofia chuckled to herself. “Erae has actually asked if I would consider staying.”

“What?!” Faliona reacted more strongly than she intended, startling the Vrao beside her. Harton released another heavy sigh.

“A couple of times actually. I can’t, of course. I can’t just… abandon my life on Talamh.”

Again, Itah noticed Faliona relax. “We indeed all have our duties for which we are responsible and must attend to,” Faliona placed a hand on Sofia’s shoulder and made strong eye contact as she said this. 

Sitting up suddenly and clapping her hands together excitedly, Faliona continued. “Which reminds me, I have some things to prepare for the upcoming festival. Melião and I should be off.”

A festival? That sounds fun! thought Sofia.

The Keeper of Stories and the Vrao rose from Sofia’s bed. “I hope you found the massage rejuvenating?”

“Yes, thank you. And to you,” Sofia nodded to Melião. “Your skills were much appreciated.” The Vrao flicked his ear and bowed slightly. Itah found his face difficult to read. The pair were soon gone, leaving Sofia, Itah, and Harton alone in the tent.

“What just happened?” Itah asked after a few moments.

Sofia looked at her confused, “What do you mean?”

Harton sighed again. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.