Chief Kiysat sat back on her desk, pinching the bridge of her nose as she attempted to absorb the information being reported.

“Has the gate been closed?” she asked after several moments. 

A chorus of “Yes, ma’am,” from Lyna and the other members of their scouting party answered her. Erae stood silently, his expression dark and hard.

“The gate has been secured by our friend,” Lyna motioned to an elf behind her. “I watched their work with my own eyes, it will hold fast.” The referenced individual bowed in gratitude of the acknowledgement.

“And what of the Ymplerim?” asked the Chief.

“All in the vicinity were vanquished,” Lyna again replied. She glanced at Erae, expecting him to add to the report. Instead, he kept his gaze lowered and fists clenched. 

Continuing, she reported, “It seems that Roquewei, Porgi, and the woman from Talamh were initially attacked by a conjoined pair of Ymplerim that our warrior split. A third later arrived and attacked, but none remained after our arrival.”

The Chief watched Lyna through her fingers as she spoke. “How close were they to the gate?”

An immediate sense of discomfort filled the room. The elves of the scouting party squirmed uneasily.

Lyna held Kiysat’s gaze. “A meter and a half, ma’am.” 

The silence that followed was deafening. All were grateful when the Chief finally spoke again, dismissing the party.

“Lyna, Erae — remain.” Moving behind her desk, Chief Kiysat placed her hands on the desk, keeping her head bowed until she heard the last of the others depart.

“The situation is far more serious on Talamh than we knew,” she said once they were alone. “For Ymplerim to boldly attack, in groups, and even be conjoined! They have certainly grown in power, and will only continue to do so thanks to the selfish, destructive nature of the talmhan. If those creatures were to make into Lyfay empowered as they are, they would wreak irreversible havoc! We must seal all the portals as soon as possible!”

“Agreed,” replied Lyna. “But Chief, in order to do so my brother will have to focus his search on finding the Living Tree. Does tasking him with sending the talmhan woman home not hinder his quest? He and his chompánach were severely impacted in body and spirit by today’s incident, and if both missions are to remain his responsibility I am afraid he will be overwhelmed by the load.”

“My decision does not change,” declared Chief Kiysat. “Both tasks are his to attend to and to complete, and you know exactly why.”

“But mother…”

“There will be no more discussion. Roquewei will do what has been asked of him. As soon as he is well, he will continue the search for a portal to send that woman of Talamh home and…”

“Her name is Sofia.” 

The women turned to face Erae, surprised by the interruption. Lifting his gaze, he locked eyes with the Chief and repeated himself in a low, passionate voice. 

“Her name is Sofia, and it is time you began calling her as such.”

“Erae, you forget yourself,” warned the Chief.

“No ma’am, it is you have forgotten. In all our reports and discussions, you have not once asked of Sofia’s condition and well being. She nearly died today! Where is your humanity?”

Before either woman had a chance to interrupt him, Erae continued. “You knew the possibility of what they would face, yet you sent them anyway. Roquewei’s actions were irresponsible, blinded by emotion; and Sofia had no way to defend herself against the Ymplerim. If it had not been for Harton waking from his coma, somehow sensing they were in danger, and then miraculously tracking them down we would have never known they were in trouble. We could have lost both her and your son! Do you not understand that?”

Eyes wide in shock, Chief Kiysat sat dumbfounded at Erae’s outburst. Quickly regaining her composure, the Chief narrowed her eyes and asked, “What do you suggest we do then, captain?”

Maintaining his posture and gaze, Erae announced, “Allow Lyna to take over the hunt for gates throughout Lyfay. She is more than capable of searching and securing the gates with her team. I would like to join the mission of finding the Living Tree and helping Sofia find a way home. I would also like time to train Sofia, once she has recovered, in self-defense before reembarking on the quest.”

Kiysat stood silently for a moment. “You care for this… for Sofia, don’t you?” she asked.

Lyna felt her face flush. It was something she had suspected, but was embarrassed at how the Chief had inquired about it so openly. She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the answer.

With a glint in his eyes Erae responded, “I do not wish her to leave camp again until she is able to properly defend herself against the Ymplerim.”

Seeing his seriousness, Chief Kiysat gave her consent. “However,” she reminded him, “Sofia must return to Talamh as soon as possible. Understood?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Erae bowed in acknowledgement. “I will go now to check on her. Síocháin.” Turning on his heel, Erae exited the tent with a flourish. 

Lyna’s eyes followed him as he departed, the uncharacteristic flush on her face still hot. Could he really have… feelings for this woman?

As if reading her thoughts, Lyna’s mother said, “It seems our friend is quite taken with our visitor.” Kiysat’s green eyes were curious but cold.

“Y-yes, it seems so,” Lyna stammered as she dropped her eyes to avoid her mother’s gaze.

The Chief rose from her seat and drew near her daughter. “It will be short-lived. Once she returns home and the portals are closed, we will make sure Erae notices you, Lyna. Patience.”

Turning redder than before, Lyna quickly bowed. “Allow me to attend to my brother, my Chief. He may have need of me.”

Dismissed, a flustered Lyna exited, leaving Chief Kiysat alone and deep in thought.