Before heading to the training ground, Erae went to a grazing field opposite the healing tents. Several large animals could be seen eating peacefully, uninhibited by fence or halter. 

The elf released a long, high whistle and soon a white and pink horse-like creature was trotting happily towards him. 

“Erae,” the Ghyrz said cheerfully as she neared him with her long, flowing tail raised high, “have you recovered well from yesterday’s mission?”

Sensitive to her elven companion’s emotions, the Ghyrz quickly noticed a heaviness in Erae. Lowering her tail, she pushed her nose into his hand. “What has happened?.”

Erae smiled and chuckled. “There is no hiding anything from you, is there my dear Kalokim?” He ran his hand up her snout and scratched behind one of her long ears. 

“It seems I have stirred up trouble in the camp… For both me and Sofia. I was wondering if you would be willing to help me keep her out of it for a little longer?”

“You mean I finally get to meet Sofia properly? It’s about time!”

When Erae laughed, the Ghryz pouted. “I am serious! As your compánach, I deserve to know the person who has taken such a hold on your heart. I am offended that we have not been properly introduced before.” Kalokim tossed her head in mock disdain, causing her short, bristly mane to ripple.

Erae continued to laugh as he leaned against Kalokim’s shoulder. “Alright, alright. Let’s go introduce you two.”

He hopped onto the Ghyrz’s back and patted her neck. “No need for tack today, we won’t be going far.”

Kalokim whinnied in delight and together they made their way around the back of the camp to the training ground. When they arrived, they found Priftoi running Sofia through punching drills.

Sofia looked exhausted. Covered in sweat, the recruit uniform she had been given clung to her. Her long black hair, in a high ponytail, was plastered against her neck and her face, smudged with dirt, was flushed from the exertion. 

Erae’s own face flushed as he watched Sofia. She’s stunning.

“Captain Erae, síocháin!” Priftoi called out, causing Sofia to stumble. She landed on her hands and knees, and took the moment to catch her breath. Harton, who had been watching from a nearby tree, rose to check on her.

Erae jumped off of Kalokim and jogged over to the ladies. “Síocháin ladies, Harton.” 

A large grin spread across the blonde elf’s face as he turned Priftoi. “Friend Priftoi, I think our friend could use a break. Allow me to take over for the rest of the afternoon?”

“Certainly! I will make my way over to the other training ground with the recruits. They are working on weapons training today, and I could use a refresher!”

Erae looked down at Sofia who was still slumped on the ground and offered her his hand. Still looking at her, he asked Priftoi, “Would you mind bringing a bow and a quiver of arrows over?”

Priftoi ran off as Erae helped Sofia to her feet. Opening a nearby waterskin, he dampened a cloth and passed both to Sofia.  “Síocháin, mo cuishle. How is the training going today?”

Sofia accepted the items with a wince. “Priftoi is still going hard but…” She took a swig of water, “I think I’m getting the hang of it.”

Erae smiled proudly and tenderly brushed some stray hairs behind Sofia’s ear. Behind them came a sharp whinny. 

“Sofia, there is someone I want you to meet.” Erae quickly glanced at Harton, who nodded in agreement. The elf held Sofia close as Kalokim trotted over.

“Sofia, this is my compánach, Kalokim. She is what we call a Ghyrz.” Kalokim’s nose was level with Sofia’s face. The Ghyrz sniffed Sofia gently and then nuzzled her, making Sofia giggle.

“She is beautiful,” said Sofia softly, placing her hands on Kalokim’s muzzle.

“As are you,” Kalokim replied. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you, talmhan. When we have previously seen each other, you were indisposed.”

“Ah, yes,” Sofia nodded, remembering that she had seen Erae’s mount before. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you, too.”

“Here are the bow and arrows you requested, Captain!” Priftoi had returned with the items and passed them to Erae. “I’ll be heading over to the others now. See you tomorrow, Friend Sofia!”

Erae placed the bow and quiver of arrows across his back, then turned to look at Harton. “I will work with Sofia for a little while in the forest. I would invite you to join, Harton, but there are some… matters you may wish to attend to in the camp.”

The Dlam’s ear perked, and then lowered as he read the look on Erae’s face. “I see.” He turned to leave. “Then I shall see you both later this evening.”

As Harton walked back to camp, Sofia stepped beside Erae. “What’s happening in the camp?”

Erae turned to her and sighed. Offering his hand again to Sofia, a warm, excited smile spread across his face.

“There is a special place I would like to show you. Shall we?”

With a puzzled smile, Sofia took his hand. Erae helped her mount Kalokim before jumping up behind her. Together, they rode across the clearing and into the forest. 

After a while, Erae stopped Kalokim by a small creek. The water joyfully tripped over the stones, creating a melody with which the rest of the forest’s sounds seemed to harmonize.

The elf hopped down from his mount, and turned to help Sofia, holding her briefly to keep her face level with his. Sofia could feel his body relax as he gazed into her eyes. 

Gently, Erae placed her on the ground and stretched his arms out, inviting her to look around. 

“Welcome to my secret hideaway!” 

“It’s lovely,” said Sofia as she looked around. She was becoming more accustomed to the brighter colors of Lyfay, but the surrounding vegetation still dazzled her. Birdsong chimed through the canopy, and the sun shone through the leaves to dapple the forest floor with its light. Sofia’s heart felt calm.

“It’s so peaceful here,” she said quietly, almost to herself. 

Erae smiled, and took her hand. “The best part will come later, but for now…” he shifted the quiver and bow on his shoulder, “Let me teach you how to use this thing.”

The two crossed the small creek and followed it for a few minutes before coming upon a small clearing. Off to one side, Sofia noticed an old, dead tree, its dark trunk covered in deep hack wounds.

She was about to ask what had happened to it when Erae redirected her attention to several cloth bags hanging at various heights from the branches among the trees. The bags seemed well worn; a number of them were filled with holes and the straw stuffing was poking out.

“Have you ever used a bow before?” Erae asked. Sofia shook her head. “Alright, then we’ll start with the basics.”

Erae went on to explain the standard etiquette and handling of the weapon, demonstrated how to string the bow, stand properly, and pull the string, and then fired an arrow at one of the higher bags. The arrow punctured the bag, but more to the side than the center.

Chuckling to himself, the elf said, “I guess I am a little rusty. I’m more accustomed to fighting with a staff, but a bow is a great choice for you because it allows you to keep your distance from the target.”

“You fight Ymplerim with a staff?” The idea didn’t seem very logical to Sofia.

“Yes. It allows me to keep them at bay, but also strike them if they get too close. We warrior guardians are all trained in the basic use of various weapons, including those for both distance and close combat,” explained Erae. 

“Do all warriors have a weapon of choice?” asked Sofia, thinking about Roquewei’s sword. 

“With time, we tend to be drawn to specific ones,” replied Erae. “Sometimes we specialize in multiple weapons, often ones for different kinds of fighting. But we always, always strive to attack from afar. It is the best way to protect ourselves during battle with the Ymplerim because…”

A wave of anger ran through Erae’s body. Not now, he thought. Be here for her.

“Well, you know why.” 

Sofia hugged herself and nodded. “I’ve been meaning to ask…” she said. “Is the purpose of the guardians to fight against the Ymplerim?”

Erae met Sofia’s gaze and held it for a moment, considering what to say.

“A guardian is trained to help maintain the balance of Creation. From a young age all elves are taught that we are not separate from the rest of created life, but a part of it. And not only a part of it - we are stewards of it. Regardless of the careers we choose to pursue – warrior, craftsman, healer, story keeper – all of us understand that we play a role in caring for Creation. When a young person decides they wish to become a guardian, especially a warrior guardian, they are choosing to become active caretakers of the created world we’ve been gifted.”

As he spoke, Erae had ventured into the brush to retrieve the arrow he had shot. Returning to Sofia’s side, he gazed intently into her eyes. 

“It is something,” Erae continued, “on my visits to Talamh that I have found is sorely lacking among its inhabitants. Too often Creation is neglected or abused, which in the end only hurts humanity. The people of Talamh seem so... disconnected to the rest of the world around them.”

“Is that why the Ymplerim have grown so strong over there?” Sofia asked. “Ujalam told me they feed on imbalance in Creation, and that they’ve been growing stronger in Lyfay.”

“Yes, that is true,” said Erae. “Which is why we’ve increased the frequency of our combat training for our recruits. They have to be ready to battle against an Ymplerim.”

As Sofia listened, she thought back to her conversation with Priftoi. “I’ve heard that this group of recruits will be the first going to Talamh since your guardianship rites. How come?”

Erae’s face turned dark. “It’s not something you have to concern yourself with.” Sofia was startled by the sudden change.

Placing a hand on Sofia’s face, Erae’s expression brightened. “Just know that we are called to this work by the Creator. We must protect the delicate balance of Creation, and ourselves.”

The elf glanced towards the bags in the trees as he continued. “That is why we are here today.”

Turning to face her again, Erae handed the bow to Sofia. “Pull back the string.”

Sofia took the bow, wrapped her left hand around the grip and notched the first two fingers of the right hand around the string. Images of archers from popular films and books came to mind as she assumed the position Erae had demonstrated. 

I feel so cool right now.

With as much strength as she could muster, Sofia pulled the string. 

It barely moved. 

It took all of Erae’s willpower to not immediately burst with laughter. She was so serious!

Frustrated, Sofia tried again to pull the string, with the same result. Am I really that weak?

After finally controlling his fit of laughter, Erae said, “Allow me to assist you.”

Erae directed her into a proper archer stance. “You have to engage your whole back and your core, not just your arms.” He indicated those spots on himself to show her. “That is where the power comes from.”

Then, walking behind Sofia, Erae placed his hands on hers and helped her pull back the string. Blood rushed to Sofia’s face as she felt the elf’s chest press against her back. 

Focus, Sofia!

Relaxing his arm, Erae allowed the string to return to its resting position. Tilting his head to see her face, he asked, “Does that make sense?”

“Y-yeah, totally!” Sofia fumbled. “I just, erm… Let me try again.” Stepping out of his embrace, Sofia focused all her nervous energy into pulling back the string. Although it didn’t go as far as it had with Erae’s help, it was an improvement from her first attempt. 

After a few more practice pulls, Erae introduced the arrows. Sofia’s draw was still rather weak, and her arrows went everywhere except where she wanted them to go, but Erae praised her profusely.

“You are getting the hang of it! It’ll get easier with practice, I promise.” Erae smiled as Sofia shook out her tired arms. “But perhaps a lighter bow would be better. I’ll be sure to find one for you tomorrow.”

They continued practicing until the forest eventually began to darken. Since it was harder to see the bags, and Sofia was thoroughly exhausted, Erae declared the training for the day was over. Together, they gathered all the arrows and replaced them in the quiver. Erae took the bow back from Sofia, and then intertwined his fingers with hers.

“Sofia,” Erae started. “Things… are going to be a little different in the village, now that we’re…” he looked carefully at her face, unsure of saying the word. “Together,” he ventured. 

Sofia looked up at him, brow furrowed. 

“B-but I promise to remain by your side through it all and to do everything in my power,” he squeezed her hand and peered earnestly into her eyes, “to keep you safe.”

Stray hairs fell into the elf’s face. Sofia bathed in his earnest, sincere gaze before gently brushing the strays aside. “Thank you.”

Erae raised their clasped hands to kiss the back of hers.

“I have one more thing to show you,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes. 

Walking back toward the creek, they spotted Kalokim munching on the leaves of a low hanging branch. The Ghyrz tossed her head in greeting as they approached.

Erae placed a finger over his lips, and then guided Sofia to a large moss covered rock by the creek’s edge. Leaning the bow and quiver against the rock, Erae then helped Sofia climb up to sit on it.

It was getting darker, making it hard to see in the dense forest. Sofia was getting nervous, but Erae simply pulled her close and held her hand. She relaxed, but remained confused. After a few moments, Sofia looked up questioningly at Erae, who again placed a finger over his lips.

Suddenly a small light appeared in the corner of Sofia’s eye. Turning to look, she realized there were little lights appearing all around them. Within minutes, the entire forest was filled with the delicately flashing lights of thousands of fireflies. It was as if they were surrounded by glittering stars.

Sofia sat wide-eyed at the spectacle, utterly enchanted. Forgetting the soreness in her body, Sofia was filled with wonder. 

Erae watched Sofia’s face, delighted with her reaction. Leaning in, he lightly kissed Sofia on the cheek. Turning and seeing the way the little lights danced in the elf’s deep blue eyes, Sofia was overcome with another kind of emotion. With half closed, yearning eyes, they leaned toward one another for a gentle, tender kiss.

In that moment, all of Creation felt perfectly and wonderfully balanced.