By this point, Amaro was so used to waking up from cryptic and horrid dreams that it felt like a nice change of pace to have slept without dreaming at all, “How long was I out?” He asked, remembering Kaara.

“It’s night time since you were put to sleep by Shiira.”

“Shiira? Oh, you mean the one that came in to heal Kaara. How do you know her?”

Sancta looked away, tossing her hair over her shoulder, “As if I wouldn’t network with one of the most legendary healers of our modern history. And well, I suppose you should know this too…”

Amaro raised an eyebrow, “What?”

“Our blood is clearly quite strong even if half of it is Tibur. You could consider Shiira to be our great great grandmother. On mother’s side, of course.”

“I thought I recognized her sharp tongue from somewhere. What about Kaara? Is she alright?”

Sancta grimaced, “Unfortunately, yes.”

Amaro chuckled, “I suppose all my gushing to you about her made you bitter, huh?”

She sighed, “I’ve been dragged into this silly war game because of her, you know.”

“Is that so? You’re my enemy then?”

“It would seem so. We’re so pitifully outmatched I could not help but lend my assistance. The Tibur need me, and I suppose I am half Tibur in the end.”

“I’m sure you’ll get good practice healing the ones we beat up.”

Sancta dropped his head from her lap and brushed her dress off, “You’re making my legs numb, get off.”

“You didn’t have a pillow I could have rested on in the first place?”

“I had to check for brain damage.”

“Very funny. What happened with Kaara anyway?”

“From what I heard, she must have accidentally cast a spell far greater than what she was capable of. The fact her soul did not disintegrate on the spot is admittedly impressive, even if she’s an idiot for doing something like that in the first place. Shiira said you must have intervened in some way to hold her soul together, so Kaara owes you her life, in a way.”

Amaro grinned, “Is that so? I’m glad I could help. I’m glad she’s alright.”

“I suppose I should thank you as well. I have unfinished business with her, anyway. If she ended up killing herself before I could get to her it would be so tragic I’d have to laugh.”

“You’ll come around to her, I think. She’ll be your sister in law soon enough.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.” She sighed, pinching her brow, “I’ve got other things to do tonight. If you want to cozy up to the wild child so much, then go and visit her while she recovers.”

Amaro nodded, surprising his sister with a quick hug, “Thank you for watching over me while I slept.”

“Whatever.” She huffed.

Amaro left the tent and returned to the camp’s infirmary. He spotted Arik and Rorik sitting nearby as Kaara slept peacefully on her bed. Her skin had gotten its color back, which was a relief to see. Her two friends glanced over to him as he entered.

“How is she?” Amaro asked.

“Sleeping like a baby,” Arik said, “I heard from Shiira about what you did, so… thank you.”

“Yeah.” Rorik said, as if he could not say anything else.

“It was nothing, really. No need to thank me, I’m just glad she’s alright.” Amaro said, resisting the urge to thumb his nose with pride, “She cast a spell that was too powerful for her, right?”

Arik nodded, “She really is something else. It’s not even the first time she’s done something similar to this. It was just never this bad.”

“Do you think she will recover in time for the ceremony?”

“With how you protected her soul, she will make a full recovery by the end of the week,” A voice said from behind them. It was Shiira. She paced over to the three of them, patting Amaro’s head, “You’re Sancta’s brother, correct?”

“And you’re my great great grandmother, yes?”

Shiira smacked the back of his head, “Don’t answer a question with a question, sonny. Especially one that makes me feel like an old lady.”

“I see where Sancta gets it from now…”

Shiira put her hands on her hips, “Yeah yeah, you’re real funny, kid.”

Amaro glanced over to Rorik and Arik who now rested their jaws squarely on the floor. He laughed at the look on their faces, “Surprised? I just learned it today, myself.”

“So then it’s true?” Arik said, looking to Shiira.

“Unfortunately,” Shiira huffed, crossing her arms, “Family ties aside, you did good, kid. Your presence must have kept her soul intact before I got to her.”

“How does that work?” Amaro asked, “All I did was carry her here.”

“I’ll have to answer that after the Siren Ceremony. There’s certain things you’re not allowed to know about yet. But I can see you’re capable of it, so that’s why I know you did it, even if you might’ve done it by complete accident. You must have been very worried about her.”

Amaro nodded, “I was.”

Shiira ruffled his hair, “Keep protecting her through the ceremony too. That kid’s one of my favorites too.”

He smiled, “I’ll do my best.”

Shiira nodded, turning to Rorik and Arik, “Are you two intending to stay the night here with her?”

“Of course,” Arik said.

“The two of you are her friends, so that’s not surprising. It will help her recover faster to have the two of you talking with her anyway, so I don't’ mind. What about you, offshoot?”

“‘O-Offshoot?’” Amaro paused, thinking of the potion that had been poured down her throat. There was a good chance that figure had been taking advantage of her. If it was a love potion like he thought it was, then if he stuck around, and she saw him first, he could deflect their nefarious plans, “I’d like to stay with her as well if that’s alright.” He could not risk that shady figure coming back in the night.

“I’ll get some beds for the three of you to sleep in, then,” she said, leaving the tent.

There was a long silence before Amaro remembered his gift. He had thrown it into the snow after running off. He clicked his tongue in annoyance, he would have to buy another box.

“What?” Arik asked.

“Hm? Oh, nothing. I just remembered I forgot something. I’ll be back in a moment.” Maybe it was a good idea to give her his gift early. Before he could leave, however, Deka entered the tent.

“Actually, I don’t think it was that important. I better stay until she wakes up.” He said.