Lyari observed the two women with a sadistic smirk and Saelina started trembling. She had neither the strength nor the will to take on the malicious nyx along with everything else. She still remembered the feeling of those hands around her throat, the menacing whisper, as she lay in the bed, unable to move.

“What are you doing here?” Laelith hissed, still holding on to Saelina.

“Why wouldn't I be free to visit? This place sure brings back memories,” Lyari purred.

She turned her glacial gaze on Saelina, her smirk fading.

“Though I had hoped I wouldn't have to smell the stench of human, here.”

“Nessaia! I don't recall anyone giving permission for weapons to be drawn and used, and certainly not inside!” a gruff voice called out.

Lyari tensed up, her eyes going to an older Nyx, with silver streaks in his black curls. He carried an authority unlike anyone else Saelina had seen at the compound. He seemed to be of average height, for a nyx, his built was lean, yet imposing. There was a sense of power and strength beneath the black uniform, wrapped flatteringly around his body.

“It was an accident, Commander Lauril,” Lyari said, though her voice seemed meek.

The man sauntered towards her, casually yanking the knife out as he passed the wooden beam, his eyebrows raised.

“I see. Perhaps you should reenter basic training, then? See if we can't eliminate such...clumsiness.”

The edge in his tone had not gone unnoticed and Lyari averted her gaze, a slight blush creeping over her cheeks. The commander turned his sharp, green eyes towards Laelith.

“Sethaernan, I believe you were escorting Miss Saelina to the infirmary?”

Laelith wasted no time obeying the discreet order.

“Yes, sir.”

She guided Saelina along, who couldn't help but glance back at the commander, whose eyes seemed to follow them as they walked out of sight.

“He was...impressive,” she mumbled.

“He's the commanding officer for the entire compound and not a man you cross if you value your career.”

“And he's on our side?”

Laelith shook her head, as she opened a white door, easily spotted against the gray-blue rock of the wall.

“He's not on anyone's side, he expects people to follow orders and behave themselves. He is known as an unbiased and observant man, even outside Licka.”

The room they entered was completely white, the rock walls covered with painted wood panels, and several beds were set up along the walls, each with a long curtain hanging down at the head end, except for the few which had been pulled around the beds, to offer privacy to the few patients which occupied them. Large windows let in some of the cool blue light from outside, while warm, yellow and orange crystals floated near the ceiling, providing plenty of illumination. Saelina had to shield her eyes against the glare.

A desk was standing besides the entrance, and a nyx was sitting at it, scribbling away, as they stepped inside. He looked up, his eyes widening as he took in the pair of them.

“I didn't know humans were allowed to join our military,” he noted, with surprise.

“We're guests...of a sort,” Laelith explained as she sat Saelina down on a nearby stool.

The healer stood and came closer.

“How did she end up in this condition?”

“She was asked to fight in the arena.”

He stared at Saelina in shock.

“They pitted a nyx against a human for sports? She's lucky to be alive!”

“And we have a vested interest in keeping her so.”

The man made a noise of disapproval before dragging his chair closer, so he could sit at eye-level with his human patient. Carefully, he held a hand over each of her eyes as her observed her, then her asked her to move various limbs according to his instructions. He asked her about any pain and she answered as best she could, while his trained hands carefully tested and prodded her body.

A cool sensation flowed from his fingers, at times when he rested them on an injury for a minute or two. He only did the bare minimum to fix her body, leaving the soreness and aches to fade on their own.

“You're going to need a few days' rest. Your old injuries have suffered and you have a few new ones to contend with, as well,” he finally told her.

“You may spend the rest of the day, here, it should be a good deal quieter than the barracks.”

Then he stood and turned to Laelith.

“I'll inform the commander of my recommendation, feel free to help her to any of the beds, not in use.”

After getting settled, Laelith got ready to leave. Saelina quickly grabbed her hand.

“Please don't go!”

The nyx stared back at her in surprise but Saelina was desperate not to be alone.

“She might come for me.”

Her voice sounded small and she hated how obvious her fear was. Laelith gently took her hand, coming closer.

“Calm down. You don't have to worry about Lyari, she won't try anything here.”

“She attacked me on the ship,” she whimpered.

“She said it was easy for her to get to me. I don't want to see her, again.”

She knew she was a full-grown woman, begging for someone to leave the light on at night, but she could not control the surge of terror Lyari inspired.; the sensation of being unable to move while someone else had her by the throat was too real and memorable to truly rid herself of it.

Laelith hesitated, then squeezed her hand.

“Let me just send someone to get a hold of Ezeas, he needs to be told about Lyari. Then I'll be right back.”

Saelina nodded, finally letting go and laying back down. Laelith's gaze lingered on her, for a moment longer, before she seemed satisfied that Saelina had calmed down and left.

It seems fate has seen fit to make you a perpetual target for the darker impulses of other mortals.

I have wondered whether I was supposed to die, years ago, and destiny is trying to correct that mistake.

An interesting theory.

Dhíanvhúr's blunt musings helped distract her from the fragmented thoughts flying around her mind.

I have no idea how I'm supposed to handle another fight.

I doubt your body would survive another onslaught like that.

She could feel the truth of his words through every aching muscle.

I need people to protect me, no matter where I go, in this place.

The dissatisfaction brought on by that fact was more pronounced than she initially thought.

It cannot be helped. Among mortals, your kind is decidedly weaker.

I'm starting to wonder whether there's any worth to being human.

Dhíanvhúr was silent, though he still felt present; he said nothing until Laelith returned.

Perhaps you're pondering the wrong question.

Laelith remained with her, gently stroking her hair as she rested, though sleep was kept at bay.

“Are these scars?” Laelith asked, when Saelina opened her eyes for the fifth time.

The nyx's fingers were pressed against her scalp, though gently.

“Probably, I have a lot of them under my hair.”

Though Laelith didn't ask, the question hung in the air and Saelina was compelled to explain.

“In Lissón, red hair is mostly associated with women of 'ill repute'. My mother was ashamed of it and made personally sure to shave my head. She wasn't the most gentle of souls. The scars were usually covered with a wig, so maybe she thought it didn't matter.”

Laelith stared at her with a horrified expression but she shrugged.

“The scars don't hurt and since I was exiled from the family, I have let my hair grow.”

“Tiyala mentioned that you became uncomfortable when she wanted to set your hair for the ball. Does my touching it bother you?”

Saelina shook her head.

“Touching does nothing. I just don't like the idea of someone cutting it.”

The nyx picked up a lock of curls, smiling.

“I can't imagine hating this hair. When all you see is black, everywhere, this red color seems positively divine.”

“I like your hair,” Saelina said, awkwardly.

Her friend laughed.

“I should hope so, with the effort I put into managing it.”

A pleasant silence settled between them; Saelina began to relax.

“I really am sorry,” she said, her voice low.

“I believed you the first time, dear.”

“You're my friend, I should have trusted you,” she carried on.

She fought back tears of shame.

“You're my best friend...my only friend.”

The last part, she mumbled under her breath, but she knew it would never escape the nyx's enhanced hearing. She knew her face was turning red from embarrassment and turned it away. A calm hand touched her head, softly.

“I'll always be your friend, Saelina. No matter where we are.”

There was a moment of hesitation and Saelina turned her head to look at Laelith, again.

“You're about to give me bad news, aren't you?”

Laelith sighed.

“Once we go back to Gaerwhynn, I need to go take care of some things. I've gotten orders to sail out, again.”

Saelina nodded. Though the news saddened her, she was not surprised.

“Will you be gone long?”

The nyx tipped her head from side to side in quiet calculation.

“A few months, probably.”

“I'll miss you.”

She smiled.

“You should rest. I won't go anywhere, for now.”

“You promise?”

Laelith chuckled, pressing her lips gently against Saelina's forehead.

“I swear.”