The time had come to continue the search for Sofia’s gate back to Talamh. In a bustle of activity, Erae and Roquewei were preparing for the journey while bickering – loudly.

“You made her sleep on the ground?” Erae exclaimed in disbelief. 

“We packed light to move quickly,” replied Roquewei. “It’s not like we were traveling for pleasure.”

“Well, this time we are bringing a tent, and proper bedding.”

“Erae,” said Roquewei, exasperated, “we will be traveling through all other sorts of difficult terrain. You cannot pack an entire travois!”

While Sofia watched them from a distance, wondering if she should intervene, Priftoi and Itah appeared.

“I am going to miss our sparring matches, Friend Sofia!” Priftoi threw her arms around Sofia’s shoulders in a strong, warm embrace. “You were an excellent student!”

Sofia smiled as she hugged the young elf back. “If by that you mean I made a good punching bag,” she chuckled, “then yes, I agree.”

“No, Friend! You have made great progress in a short time!” Slapping Sofia on the shoulder while brandishing her characteristic wide grin, Priftoi declared, “With a little more training, you would make a great warrior.”

“Tch, mediocre at best,” scoffed Roquewei, passing the ladies in a huff.

This jerk… Sofia watched angrily as he passed. He’s back to his normal, rude self.

“Don’t mind him, Friend Sofia,” Itah said, threading her arm through Sofia’s. “I agree with Priftoi. You would make a fine guardian for Lyfay.”

Averting her gaze, Itah said quietly, “I will also miss you. Things will not be the same without you…”

Moved, Sofia tightly hugged the two girls. “Thank you for making me feel welcome, despite everything.”

Itah stepped away and with an intense look in her eyes, she clenched her hands and declared, “Of course! You are our friend!”

Imitating Itah’s stance, Priftoi joined her. “Yeah! Besides, you should be able to love whomever you want!”

Surprised by this display, Sofia laughed heartily and embraced the girls again. I’m really going to miss them…

“Mo cuishle,” Erae called as he walked up to the ladies. He had been more openly affectionate towards Sofia in the camp, staying true to his word of standing by her side. Gently touching her fingers, the elf said, “Everything is nearly ready. Are your things packed?”

Before she could answer, Roquewei passed again, now with Porgi on his shoulder and an armful of medicinal supplies. “We would have been ready hours ago if you weren’t trying to cart half the village with us.”

Annoyed, Erae replied, “Just put everything by Kalokim. We’ll depart when we’re ready.”

Roquewei mumbled something under his breath as he plodded back to the awaiting Ghyrz. Faliona, coming from the other side of the camp, walked up to Roquewei to help him. 

Sofia stiffened at seeing the Keeper of Stories. Ever since her relationship with Erae had been revealed, she had avoided Faliona. A burst of emotions poured over Sofia at seeing her again.

Roquewei seemed to be ranting to Faliona, who was listening intently. Suddenly, the Keeper of Stories locked eyes with Sofia. Staring at the elf, Sofia couldn’t help but think about the other night when Faliona had come to offer a massage while feigning friendship. 

“We all have our duties we must attend to,” Faliona had said.

Sofia thought of her job and the people she worked with; her few friends, even her estranged family. It was her duty to them to return. They were depending on her and needed her back. 

Didn’t they?

Dark thoughts threatened to take over once again. She shook her head, trying to ground herself.

“Friend Sofia, are you alright?” asked Itah, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“I-I’m going to finish packing my things,” Sofia announced. Squeezing Erae’s hand, she turned to the Apprentice Healer with a weak smile. “Could you find Harton for me?”

Concerned, but sensing she wanted to be alone, the others watched as Sofia entered the tent. 

Erae returned to packing, while the girls headed towards the healing tent. Inside, they found Harton speaking with Ujalam. 

“Oh, Harton!” exclaimed Itah. “Sofia needs you.”

His ears perking up at Itah’s voice, the Dlam bowed to Ujalam, “Thank you, Master Healer.”

Ujalam gave Harton a warm smile. “Go now to your compánach.”

The Dlam quickly exited and noticed the group preparing to depart. Those two will find any reason to fight, Harton thought as he heard Erae and Roquewei arguing. 

Reaching Itah’s tent, Harton nudged the flap open to find Sofia on her bed, staring blankly at her pack. Padding over to her, he placed his large head on her lap. 

“Do you have everything?” the Dlam asked softly.

Sofia blinked and plastered a grin on her face. “Yeah.”

“Where is your head bucket?”

“You mean my hat?” Sofia chuckled. “It’s right here. I’m not leaving this behind.” She donned the hard brimmed dark fedora and stuffed a couple other items into the pack. From the pack, she grabbed the small cloth pouch, and fiddled with the earrings inside.

After a short pause, she said, “It’s hard to believe that tomorrow I could be back home in London. All of this will feel like a dream.”

Harton watched as she placed the pouch in her pocket.

“Sofia…” the Dlam started, but wasn’t sure how to continue. “It doesn’t have to become a dream. We… could find a way for you to stay. Are you sure…?” 

Sofia knelt down and placed her hands on his face. “Please.” 

To Harton’s surprise, she was on the brink of tears. Her fingers gripped his fur as she pleaded, “I helped you find your way home. Help me find mine.”

Harton’s heart sank in his chest. I guess… He licked her face regretfully. I guess she’s not the one.

Sofia sat on the ground and wrapped her arms around the Dlam’s neck, burying her face in his fur. Harton rested his head on Sofia’s shoulder and quietly, sadly, promised, “I will.”

“Time to go!” announced Roquewei outside.

Ujalam, emerging from her tent, watched as Sofia made one last round of farewells, noticeably avoiding Faliona. Taking Erae’s hand, Sofia mounted Kalokim with a flourish of her elven cloak. After securing her bow and quiver to the already heavy saddlebags, Erae hopped on behind Sofia, and gently encouraged the Ghyrz to slowly make her way into the forest. 

Roquewei, dressed as he had been for the previous journey, followed on foot with Porgi on his shoulder. Erae, too, was dressed in full guardian regalia, but with only half of his hair braided. His staff was strapped to his back, and his arms surrounded Sofia protectively as he gently held the Ghyrz’s reins.

From the corner of her eye, Ujalam noticed Harton, unmoving, watching as the group made their way into the surrounding forest. 

“Remember, dear Dlam,” she said softly as she knelt beside him, “the road is often bumpy, challenging, and narrow. Just because the path is hard does not mean you are going in the wrong direction.” Harton looked at her with uncertain eyes.

Ujalam smiled and stroked his large head. “Don’t lose hope, Harton.” Then, rising to her feet, she declared, “Blessings on your journey, Dlam. Síocháin!”

Itah surprised Harton by rushing over to give him a hug. “Safe travels, Friend Harton. Please return safely.” 

Harton bowed his head and replied, “Síocháin.” With a quick glance toward Faliona, Harton turned and dashed to catch up with the others.

“It was enjoyable to have a guest from Talamh for a time,” stated Faliona as she watched the Dlam depart. “But it will be such a relief to have things return to normal again, don’t you agree?”

Before Itah and Priftoi could respond, Ujalam spoke. “Child, it would do you well to remember that you are the keeper of stories, not the author. No matter how greatly you desire it, you will never have control over the narrative of life.”

Faliona, taken aback at the reprimand, replied, “What are you suggesting, mo…?”

“One does not need to suggest what is already known,” Ujalam cut her off. “Do not try to grip water, Faliona. It will only flow faster from your hand.”

With that, Ujalam ushered the younger elves into the healing tent, leaving the speechless Keeper of Stories flustered and confused.

The group had been traveling for over an hour in complete, awkward silence. 

Is it going to be like this the entire time? Sofia thought as Kalokim gently lumbered through the forest. 

Roquewei kept mostly to himself, acting as scout several meters ahead of the Ghyrz. From above, Porgi kept an eye out for danger, food, or a gate. 

Erae, sitting behind her, was noticeably on alert, his arms were tense around her. Harton, too, was on edge and trotted next to the Ghyrz with his nose low to the ground.

Are there Ymplerim here? Sofia wondered. She shuddered and found herself also looking around intently for anything unusual and dangerous. 

The forest stared silently back.

They continued for a while uneventfully, and uncomfortably, until Roquewei suddenly stopped and raised his hand. Erae pulled back on Kalokim’s reins while Harton quietly darted forward to Roquewei’s side. The elf nodded in the direction of a nearby clearing, and the Dlam and Aslavu went to investigate.

“All clear!” announced Harton. Sofia released a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding.

After helping Sofia down from Kalokim’s back, Erae started cleaning an area to set up camp. Roquewei disappeared again into the forest with Porgi in search of water. 

Sofia, uncertain what to do, looked down at Harton for guidance. He leaned against her and licked her hand reassuringly. Kalokim gently butted her large head against Sofia’s shoulder. 

Just as she began to relax, Roquewei appeared again with two large skins of water and munching on berries. He approached Sofia to offer some to her. Surprised, Sofia reached out to grab a couple when Erae suddenly appeared between them.

“Stay away from her!”

Erae grabbed Roquewei’s outstretched hand and yanked it above his head, causing Roquewei to drop the remaining berries. 

“Erae, what in Creation…?!” exclaimed the blue-haired elf.

Porgi swooped down to Roquewei’s shoulder and splayed out his feathers defensively as the others gasped.

“I don’t want you near Sofia. Don’t talk to her. Don’t even look at her. Understand?” Still gripping Roquewei’s arm, Erae used his slight height advantage to intimidate the other elf. “Just do your job to make your mother proud. But try anything with my woman, and you will regret it.”

Porgi hissed at Erae and clacked his beak. Acknowledging the bird, Erae said, “Relax Aslavu, I won’t hurt your compánach.” Looking back at Roquewei, he continued, “I just need him to know how serious I am.”

Roquewei held Erae’s gaze, his eyes burning with anger. He broke free from Erae’s grip, dropped the water skins at his feet, and turned without a word back into the forest.

Assured he was understood, Erae turned to walk to the other side of the campsite. 

“Erae…” Sofia called out hesitantly. He looked at her, and extended his arm to gently hold her face in his large hand.

Passionately, he promised, “I won’t let anything bad happen to you.” Then, picking up the water skins, the elf turned, grabbed the saddle bags off of Kalokim, and returned to the area he had been clearing.

What was that?! Sofia shouted internally. 

Rolling her eyes, Kalokim sighed heavily, “Ugh, testosterone.” 

Sofia and Harton looked at the Ghyrz dumbstruck. Huh?

Within the next hour, the tent was up and a meal was cooking over a fire.

“Fonn bón,” said Erae, as he passed a bowl of cooked grains and vegetables to Sofia and one of sautéed mushrooms to Harton before sitting beside Sofia. 

The earthy aroma filled her nostrils and her stomach growled. With all the stress, she hadn’t realized how hungry she had become. Eagerly, she took a bite and her eyes flew open. 

“I never knew vegetables could be so flavorful!” said Sofia.

Erae chuckled as he watched with delight Sofia savor each spoonful. “Then you’ve not had the right person cooking for you.”

The two enjoyed their meal in relative silence for the next several minutes until Erae placed a hand on Sofia’s knee. “How are you feeling? Do you feel safe?”

Sofia studied the elf’s expression. “Yes,” she finally answered, placing her hand on his. “I know I’m safe.”

Erae lifted her hand to his mouth and gave it a light kiss. “I’m glad. Now, we should rest.”

Sofia looked at the tent and blushed. “T-together?”

Grinning mischievously, Erae brought his face close to hers. “No, sweet Sofia. As much as I may wish, that is not our custom here.” 

He kissed her gently, then rose to his feet. “I’ll sleep outside the tent to keep watch.” The elf began to pack up the remaining food and equipment. Sofia watched him for a moment, then found her eyes drawn into the surrounding forest.

Firelight danced across Roquewei’s unsheathed sword. He was sitting, poised and alert, across the clearing at the edge of the trees, facing the dark wilderness beyond their little camp. Porgi rested on his companion’s shoulder, his head tucked under a wing. 

“How does he find gates?” Sofia wondered aloud. 

Erae followed her gaze and frowned. “He… has a gift,” Erae replied reluctantly. “A connection with Creation that has been the envy of many. Ever since we were children, he’s had a deep awareness of all the life around him.”

Sofia remembered Roquewei’s tortured look in the decimated rainforest. He was really feeling pain, wasn’t he?

“He also had a knack for finding the ‘tears in the fabric,’” continued Erae. “Senses them, somehow. The leigheas stone around his neck seems to act like a sort of compass.”

“Yours doesn’t?” asked Sofia.

Erae picked up his staff, which had small leigheas stones embedded in its center. “No, they don’t. Most stones help us fulfill our duty to Creation, but his… behaves differently. No one is sure why. Some say it’s because it may come from among the roots of the Living Tree itself.”

Sofia recalled how both Roquewei’s pendant and her earrings had cast beams of light to direct them to gates. She placed her hand over her pocket. 

I wonder…

“You and Roquewei grew up together, then?” asked Harton, who had been listening quietly at Sofia’s side.

Erae started tidying up again. “Yes. My parents sent me from our village to the camp when I was quite young.”

He was born in a village? thought Sofia.

“The boys and Lyna used to go on all sorts of adventures together!” Kalokim suddenly joined the conversation. “There was this one strange gate to Talamh that always seemed to be open that they frequented all the time. Well, until the incident…” 

Erae shot the Ghyrz a fierce warning glance, stopping her mid-sentence.

“It’s late,” he said curtly. Sofia couldn’t recall ever hearing him speak in such a cool tone. “We have an early morning ahead of us.”

Erae led Sofia to the tent, much too large for a single person, and embraced her. He hugged her a little tighter than usual.

After the elf bid her good night, Sofia’s eyes once again were drawn to the light dancing on Roquewei’s sword. In the dim light that reached him from the fire, Sofia could see him looking at his pendant.

A gift, huh? she thought, wrapping her hand tightly around the pouch in her pocket.