For several days after the Ymplerim attack, Sofia was under the watchful care of the Master Healer and her apprentice. Occasionally, visitors would stop by.

Her first visitors were the clothier’s apprentices, who were quickly ushered out by Ujalam when their chattering presence began to overwhelm Sofia.  

Faliona brought an array of gorgeous flowers on one of her visits. “To help renew your soul with beauty,” she had said. 

Erae was often around, attempting to help where he could. Annoyed at his constant hovering, he was sent away and told he would be summoned if needed. 

Roquewei visited only once. Still recovering himself, he hobbled into the tent in the middle of the day when no one else was around. Relieved to see Sofia sleeping, he stood for a moment at the foot of her bed. 

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly, and left.

While awake, Sofia was able to hold short conversations. When Sofia fell asleep, Itah would remain to speak with Harton, who had rarely left Sofia’s side since the attack. 

One night as Sofia slept, Itah sat beside the Dlam. “Harton, may I ask a question?”

He cocked his head towards her.

Shyly, Itah reached into her pocket. In her hand was a small green pouch with golden embroidery. “Do you know how Friend Sofia came to be in possession of these leigheas stone earrings?”

Harton looked at her in surprise. “How did you get…?”

“I found them in her robe,” Itah quickly replied. “They had also been in her strange bag she arrived with from Talamh. I wished to be respectful of her property, so I had not looked closely.” Carefully, she opened the pouch and poured the earrings into her palm.

“Upon closer inspection,” Itah continued, “it is clear that they are of Lyfayan origin. Has Sofia…been here before?”

Harton sighed. “I know little more than you. I sensed Lyfayan energy emanating from her when she found me on the beach, but she was clearly confused when I mentioned Lyfay.”

“So how did she come to have them?” Itah asked.

“She couldn’t tell me,” the Dlam replied. “I believe she truly doesn’t remember.”

Itah pondered as she gazed upon the earrings. The delicate metal detail around the deep red stones seemed to resemble a tree, like the embroidery on the pouch.

“Leigheas stone is not rare, but this color and this craftsmanship…,” she drifted off. Lifting the earrings so they would catch the light of the fire, she continued in a hushed tone. “There is something special about these.”

Harton eyed Itah curiously. “Apprentice Healer,” the Dlam said gently. “Sofia must have a reason for not yet revealing she has these in her possession. Could we continue to keep this secret for her?”

Itah met his gaze and nodded. Putting the earrings back in the pouch, she placed them deep in Sofia’s woven pack hanging alongside her hat at the head of the bed. Relieved, Harton placed his large head on the bed with a sigh.

Reaching out, Itah patted the Dlam’s head. “Worry not, Harton. Your compánach is strong and under the expert care of the Master Healer, just as you were. She will recover well.”

Compánach, Harton chuckled somberly to himself. He pushed his muzzle into Sofia’s hand. Have I finally found my companion? 

The next day, news quickly spread throughout the camp that Sofia was well enough to be discharged. 

Within minutes of receiving the update, Erae appeared at the entrance of the recovery tent. Requesting Harton to seek out something on his behalf, Erae then informed Sofia that the Chief had conceded to him training her in self-defense against the Ymplerim. 

“I do not wish for you to ever go through this ordeal again,” the blonde elf said ardently as he kneeled beside Sofia’s bed. He reached for her hand and squeezed it. Sofia was surprised by this unexpected doting, serious side of Erae, but relished in the attention. 

There had been crushes, situationships – all unrequited. But Erae seemed to genuinely express interest in her and her well-being.

She couldn’t understand it. It had only been a few days since they had met, but he acted as if he had been pining for years. For someone who had never been in a relationship, the attention was intoxicating. 

He has to be a playboy, Sofia thought to herself, her face reddening. He’s too beautiful of a man to not be. There’s no way someone like him could possibly be interested in me…

“Sofia,” Erae said gently, pulling her from her thoughts. She found herself getting lost in his deep blue, worry-filled eyes. 

“Please,” he continued, “give me a week before we try again to take you home.”

“A week?” Sofia shifted to sit at the edge of the bed. “I’ve already been gone too long! My friends must be worried sick and my job won’t respond well to unrequested leave… Besides, I have a big project I have to get back to.”

“I understand,” Erae replied, reaching for her other hand. “But, please… It would give me peace of mind knowing it could help keep you safe.” 

If he doesn’t stop saying things like this, Sofia thought, I’m going to get the wrong idea…

Again Sofia’s thoughts were interrupted, this time by the elf unconsciously brushing her hair behind her ear. Sofia surprised herself by leaning into his hand, and blushed more profusely.

Equally surprised, Erae found himself blushing as well. Emboldened, he cupped her face with his large hand and gently stroked her cheek with his thumb. The longing in his eyes made Sofia’s heart race. 

“I… I am so glad you are all right,” Erae said softly.

“Me, too,” Sofia replied in equal tone.

In a display of uncharacteristic timidity, Erae swallowed hard before mustering up the courage to speak again. “Sofia… A-are you sure you want to go home?”

Sofia looked into his eyes for a long moment, searching for the real meaning of the question. In a serious tone, but almost sad tone she replied, “I can’t stay here.”

Visibly crestfallen, Erae dropped his head and chuckled to himself. “Ha… Truthfully, even if you had wanted to stay, the Chief would have forced you to return to Talamh,” he admitted aloud. “But I could have found a way…”

He felt Sofia press his hand more firmly against her face. Erae lifted his gaze to look into her dark brown eyes. 

“Guess that means we’ll have to make the most of the time we have, doesn’t it?” he said with a smirk. They both blushed again and laughed aloud. A nervous expression suddenly crossed Erae’s face. “That is… if I am understanding properly?”

Sofia couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear. Once again surprising herself, Sofia leaned toward Erae with half-closed eyes and asked, “Erae, may I kiss you?”

With an excited, nearly boyish grin on his face Erae, still on his knees, gently pulled her closer and planted a soft, tender kiss on Sofia’s lips.

“Yes, sweet Sofia,” he breathed through an elated smile. “Yes, you may kiss me.”

So she kissed him again, reveling in the miracle that this moment was indeed reality. 

“And you,” said Sofia when they next parted, “may train me to hold my own against those nasty creatures in case you’re not there to protect me.”

“Oh,” Erae pulled her into a hug and buried his face in her neck. Sofia felt as if her heart was about to burst. “I plan on being there to protect you from now on.”

“And I plan on getting some semblance of sleep tonight,” came Harton’s voice from the tent entrance. The Dlam stood there with Itah, who was blushing from head to toe.

Embarrassed, Sofia tried to part quickly from Erae, but he gripped her tightly.

“The favor you asked for has been done,” Harton said more roughly than he intended. Clearing his throat, he continued. “Your recruits are awaiting further instructions.”

Laughing as he rose to his feet, Erae bowed to Sofia and kissed her hand.

“Then I shall take my leave,” said the elf. “Síocháin, mo cuishle.”

His smile shone as he passed Itah and Harton, pausing only to bow slightly to the Dlam. Harton, seeing the joy on both Erae’s and Sofia’s faces, thought to himself, Maybe this will do it. 

Harton bowed his head in return with a slight smile. Erae, grinning from ear to ear, exited the tent with a flourish.

Itah, dashing over to the bed and red as a tomato, grabbed Sofia’s hands. The two women squealed in delight and hugged each other tightly in celebration. Sofia felt as if she was floating on air.

With a thundering crash, Sofia found herself thrown to the ground. She lay supine, attempting to catch her breath. 

A hand appeared in the corner of her vision. Exhausted, Sofia reluctantly accepted it. The beautiful, dark skinned elf with whom she had been sparring quickly pulled Sofia to her feet, making her dizzy.

The young elf supported her, and then gave her a wide grin. Her honey eyes glinted as she asked, “Ready to go again?”

“Priftoi,” Sofia was still fighting to catch her breath, “couldn’t we start with something a little… easier? It’s only my first day out of the recovery tent.”

Priftoi laughed and flipped her high, light pink braided ponytail. “Captain Erae asked me to train you to be able to defend yourself against the Ymplerim. They won’t go easy on you,” she stood across from Sofia in a fighting stance. “So neither will I.”

Sofia, who had never taken any sort of fitness class in her life, flailed about as Priftoi lunged at her with punches and kicks. Soon she was on the ground again, this time refusing to accept Priftoi’s hand.

“I just… need… a moment.” Her body was aching, and her will to continue severely lacking.

Priftoi plopped down next to Sofia, “You’ve never sparred before, have you?”

Somehow Sofia found the energy in her to give a short, pained laugh. “The most I’ve ever exercised was moving to and from my car.”

“What’s a car?”

Sofia turned in surprise. “You don’t know what a car is?”

Priftoi shook her head, but with a bright and excited smile. “In a few months, I’ll be part of the first group of recruits since Captains Erae and Lyna’s guardianship rites allowed to visit Talamh.”

The young elf’s brightness dimmed suddenly. “That is, unless all the gates are sealed before.” The Chief’s plan had obviously been making its way around the camp.

Sofia watched Priftoi’s face for a moment. “When did you start training?”

Priftoi’s brightness returned. “When I was 10! I was an early recruit,” she chuckled self-consciously. “Most elven young people don’t begin pursuing a trade until they are 12 or 13 years old. But I knew exactly what I wanted to do!”

Sofia was shocked. “Children here start trades at 13 years old? That’s so young!”

“Perhaps,” Priftoi replied. “I believe some Lyfayan people have their children begin trades closer to my age, which seems late to me!” The young elf laughed heartily. “But here in Ylvly all rely on one another to support our mission, so it makes sense that we begin earlier. We are the center of Lyfay, after all!”

Before Sofia could ask anymore questions, Priftoi hopped back on her feet. “Enough resting! Let’s get back to it. I’ll promise to go a little easier on you this time.”

With a wink, she added, “Let’s start by teaching you how to throw a proper punch.”

When Harton eventually came by to announce it was time for lunch, Sofia nearly cried in relief.

“I’m so hungryyyyyyy…” she whined. “And everything hurts.”

Harton glanced at Priftoi, who responded with her characteristic wide grin. “Just following orders! Don’t worry, Dlam, we’ll toughen her up in no time.”

“I’m sure you will,” he responded with a smile. He turned to Sofia, who had returned to the ground to pout, and nudged her with his nose. 

“Come on, a meal will help you regain your strength for this afternoon.”

“There’s more??” 

The Dlam simply nudged her again. With his help, Sofia begrudgingly rose to her feet, and together with Priftoi headed towards the cooking circle.  

At the circle, the group found Itah, Faliona, Melião, and Lyna already eating. Noticing them, Lyna quickly rose and left. 

“Where is she off to in such a hurry?” Priftoi asked once they got closer. 

Faliona exchanged a glance with Melião. “She… went to prepare for this afternoon’s training sessions.”

“I heard you are exempt from training for a while, Friend Priftoi,” Itah piped up, “to help train Friend Sofia.”

Priftoi beamed. “We are starting from the basics, but I have faith that she will be warrior ready soon!” The group responded with a sound of satisfaction. 

After getting her food, Sofia sat down painfully next to Itah. I thought Erae would have been training me himself… Guess I’ll have to put up with Ms. Peppy. 

A sudden pain in her gut caught Sofia by surprise. Oh no…

Noticing her discomfort, Itah suggested she could provide some ointments to help with the soreness later in the evening. 

“Melião is quite the expert masseuse,” Faliona suddenly chimed in. The Vrao looked at her in surprise. “We could come visit you at the end of the day as well to help you relax.”

“Thank you, but, erm…” Sofia turned to Itah and whispered. “Do you happen to have anything for…?” and held her hand to her abdomen.

Itah understood and discreetly nodded. “I will get everything you need.”

Suddenly, Sofia asked, “Itah, when did you start your apprenticeship?”

“Oh,” the young elf was caught off guard by the personal question. “I-I was 13 years old when I started studying under the Master Healer.”

“Itah and I are the same age!” Priftoi announced, throwing an arm around Itah’s shoulders. “We’ve been friends since we were babies!” Sofia smiled at the idea of the two young ladies before her as toddlers. 

So cute.

“I also started pursuing my trade at 13 years,” said Faliona. She scooped up Melião to give him a tight squeeze. “I met my dear compánach soon after.”

Remembering their previous conversation, Sofia asked, “How did you two meet?”

Breaking free from Faliona’s grasp, the Vrao gave himself a quick shake to smooth out his fur before responding. 

“I was aware of the elves since I was a cub; all us creatures are. But I never cared to connect with them until one day I felt something was… missing. I wandered near the village and saw Faliona weaving a tapestry. I never left.”

Teary eyed, Faliona scooped up the Vrao again and buried her face into his fur. This time he conceded and even emitted a soft purr.

“Do you girls have a compánach?” Sofia asked. Itah and Priftoi shook their heads.

“It is seen as essential to have a compánach,” said Itah, echoing what Faliona had previously told Sofia, “but sometimes it takes a while to find them.”

“For example,” Priftoi added, “Captain Lyna doesn’t have any animal companion yet, and she has passed 30!”

“Priftoi!” Faliona chided. “You know this is a sensitive matter!”

“I am only saying that it sometimes takes a while to find one's compánach!” Priftoi shrugged. Turning to Sofia and Harton, she continued. “Speaking of which, I haven’t heard the story yet of how you met on Talamh! How blessed you are, Friend Sofia, to have the Dlam as your compánach!”

What does that mean? Sofia wondered. Wait, is he actually my…?

“The story will have to wait for another time,” Harton interrupted. “It’s time for the afternoon training session.”

“All right, let’s go!” Priftoi jumped up in excitement. 

Sofia groaned and slumped onto Harton. “I hate you so much right now.” 

The Dlam chuckled, “But you’ll thank me later.”