“She can’t walk that far on her own,” Dara said. 

“If she won’t listen, there’s not much you can do,” Pekka said, still calm, expressionless. 

“She won’t let me help, Pekka,” Dara said. “I have the ability to make this so easy, and she won’t let me help.” He hung his head, ”I don’t know what to do.” 

Pekka pushed himself off the table he was leaning on. “We do what she asks of us.”

There was a knock on the door. “Let’s go.”

Dara’s face returned to his usual composure as he opened the door. 

Fia stood on the other side in the living room. “I’m ready.” 

“Good, so are we,” Dara said as he stepped out. Pekka followed. 

They walked down the road with Fia in the middle. Dara was reminded of the last time the three of them went into a forest and how different the woman walking next to him looked from her former self.

Her visible wounds had healed, none deep enough to leave a scar. But there was no color in her cheeks, and her eyes spoke of the horror they had seen. The vibrant scarlet ensemble was replaced with a nondescript black robe that they had arranged for her since her own was in no shape when she was found. There was no scarf around her neck anymore, but at least her hair was tied up in a high-pony with a red band like before. Dara noticed a personalized sword on her hip with scarlet blossoms on a black sheath. A flicker went through his eyes as a memory of an excited young girl aspiring for her custom saber surfaced in his mind. He turned his gaze back on the road.  

“Thank you for coming with me,” Fia said. 

“We offered to do a lot more,” Dara said. “The offer is still valid, if you let us.”

“I’m sorry. I had to….” She didn’t finish.  

Dara watched the limp in her gait from the corner of his eye.

Pekka’s glance met his briefly, then shifted to Fia. “We understand.”

“It’s a long walk,” said Dara. “Please, tell us if it gets too much.” 

“Of course, Dara. Thank you.”

She spoke with a formality that made him think she wouldn’t. He caught Pekka’s quiet gaze and said nothing more.