“Let’s get moving.”

Roquewei approached the cooking fire where Sofia sat with Faliona and Erae. Sofia was now outfitted with new elven shoes that felt both sturdy and light, and a new woven pack to carry her belongings. It had taken, as Erae had hypothesized, until about lunch for everything to be ready. 

Sofia had been grateful for the extra time in the morning - she had barely slept since she could sense Lyna’s angry aura the entire night and felt that Melião was keeping all too keen an eye on her. She awoke stiff and unrested, and had the urge to hide from Faliona’s cheery morning attitude.

Lyna disappeared as soon as she woke up, alleviating some of Sofia’s stress. But her anxiety about the coming journey sat like a pit in her stomach. 

Roquewei had tried leaving after breakfast, but Faliona insisted he wait for the cobbler, and so he departed again. The cobbler, an older elven gentleman with long white hair, finally arrived just before the lunch hour with the shoes and the bag.

“One of my granddaughters works for the clothier and noticed all the things you had to carry. She overheard that your pack was damaged coming through the gate, so she wove this for you yesterday and asked that I deliver it to you.”

Sofia was touched. She passed her hand along the bag, noticing its texture. This must have taken her the entire day… “P-please thank her for me.”

She had been sitting and enjoying her lunch with Faliona and Erae when Roquewei suddenly appeared again, determined now to depart.

Turning, she noticed that he had changed from earlier in the day. Roquewei’s hair was now in braids, and he was wearing a dark green, flowing robe with tassels across his chest and back, a wide belt cinched around his waist, and knee high boots. There were gloves on his hands and his long sleeves were tied at the shoulders to reveal strong, defined arms. His left shoulder was covered by a leather-like pauldron and a sword was on his back. 

What caught Sofia’s attention the most, however, was the delicate chain around his neck that held a red stone speckled with blue and green entwined by veins of gold.

“My, you went full warrior mode,” Erae whistled as he stood to better admire the outfit. Faliona’s eyes were filled with a different kind of admiration.

“Of course,” Roquewei replied. “I have to be ready for anything. Especially with her around.” Shooting a glance at Sofia he continued, “We can’t wait any longer, let’s go.”

Frustrated with Roquewei’s attitude, and not at all looking forward to being alone with him, Sofia took her time getting up and putting on her bag before saying, “I’d like to check in on Harton one last time. He still wasn’t awake the last time I went.”

Roquewei’s face revealed that his patience was wearing thin, but before he could say anything, Itah arrived at the cooking ring.

“Friend Sofia, síocháin. It seems you are about to depart. I’m afraid the Dlam has still not awakened.” 

“Oh, I see.” Sofia was disappointed. She had hoped to speak with Harton one last time before leaving the camp. To see that he was going to be alright and… to say a proper goodbye. “Please tell him I wish him all the best.”

Itah nodded solemnly. “Síocháin, Friend. Safe travels.”

Faliona rose from her seat to give Sofia a warm hug. “It was a pleasure meeting you! There are so many questions I didn’t have the opportunity to ask but… I already have some wonderful ideas to add to my gallery and stories to keep in my heart. Síocháin, and may you get home safely.” She then moved to Roquewei to say a quick, quiet word of encouragement.

“Lady Sofia,” Erae took Sofia’s hand and bowed down to touch it to his forehead, “my one regret is that your stay was all together too short. I would have liked to get to know you better. Perhaps,” kissing her hand and giving her a wink, “we shall meet again soon.” 

Blushing from head to toe, it was all Sofia could do to not melt into a puddle. 

At this, Roquewei had had enough. “No, there will be no ‘again’ or ‘soon.’ I’m taking her back, finding the Living Tree, and closing the gates to Talamh forever. And we’re leaving now.”

He grabbed Sofia’s pack, turned, and started walking towards the edge of the village. Sofia, quickly regaining most of her composure, trotted after him. 

The two travelers walked in silence for what seemed like hours to Sofia through dense, rugged forest. She was grateful that her pack wasn’t too heavy, since all she was carrying were her few personal belongings, but she wasn’t used to this much exertion and was growing tired.

My feet are starting to hurt. She winced with her next step. I wonder when he plans to stop for dinner. Speaking of… did neither of us pack food? What are we going to eat?

Sofia looked up and realized how far ahead Roquewei was from her. Ugh, you’d think he’d at least have the decency to not leave me behind if he’s so worried about getting me out of Lyfay.

She was about to call out to the elf when a sharp cry rang through the trees. Roquewei stopped and looked back at Sofia. Entirely uncertain of how to read his expression, Sofia froze and slowly looked behind her.

Suddenly a flurry of red and blue streaked passed her, screeching. Sofia screamed and fell to the ground, covering her head. 

She lay there, curled in a ball for several moments before mustering the courage to look up. On Roquewei’s hand sat a stunning bird of prey. Its red feathers seemed to glow like embers in the diminishing light, with hints of blue. Its beak and feet were also blue, and on its head it sported a slender, elegant crest.

The elf and the bird were speaking quietly to each other in serious tones. After a while, Roquewei nodded and the bird took off again.

“We’re camping here for the night,” the elf called to Sofia. “Get yourself situated. I’m going to find food.”

Noticing Sofia still huddled in a ball, Roquewei said, “You know if we had been in danger you would have been dead, right? Tch…” He walked off into the forest, leaving Sofia alone. 

The absolute nerve…! Sofia rose and brushed herself off in a huff. “You know if we had been in danger you would have been dead,” she mocked him. “Guess it would have saved him the trouble.” 

Sofia stood angrily, arms crossed, and looked around her. Did we even bring tents? Or blankets? Gracious, we’re really roughing it, aren’t we?

By the time Roquewei returned, he found Sofia in a small, moss covered clearing. She sensed a microexpression of something akin to his being impressed, and decided to try striking up a conversation.

“I’m not much of an outdoorsy person, but I was part of a troop as a child.” Roquewei ignored her and set down a full waterskin and an assortment of fruit. 

“I-I don’t remember a whole lot, but I feel like I at least found us a decent place to spend the night, right?” Without so much as a grunt, Roquewei tossed a piece of fruit toward her then moved to the opposite side of the small clearing, removed the sword from his back, and sat down against a tree. The bird of prey appeared again, landing on Roquewei’s shoulder for a bit before settling on a nearby branch.

“Is this… dinner?” Sofia asked. Clearly Roquewei was not interested in chit chatting.

“Mm-hm,” he responded, taking a bite into his own piece of fruit. 

“I thought you were hunting,” said Sofia. The elf and the bird both looked up sharply at her.

“We don’t eat beings here,” Roquewei said curtly. 

He reached for another piece of fruit and leaned back again into the tree. “Eat your fill and go to sleep. We leave at first light.”

Sofia frowned, and took a bite of the fruit as she hunkered down against her tree. I’m so ready to go home.