Sophia leaned against the crumbling pillars that held this once great temple standing. She watched the sunset quietly contemplating what happened earlier in the day. The moment wouldn't stop replaying in her head. The way Roy was looking at her. The way her heart pounded against her chest. It felt like it was going to burst out. A smile formed as she thought of his smile and his kind voice. He wasn't an imposing man. He was actually quite scrawny but his courage and presence made her feel safe.

I want to see you smile more than your power.

His words echoed in her head. Her smile? No one had ever said such a thing. Sophia had always kept to herself as much as possible. She was shy and timid. It was often hard for her to look others in the eye. She only felt comfortable around certain people. It seemed most people only needed her for her gifts, but Roy said differently. He asked her about the strangest things; like what she liked to eat, what her favorite memories were, what made her smile. He seemed interested in knowing her, not using her.

Hey Sophia...when this war is over...would you consider coming to Lycia with me?

He seemed so nervous, even his voice was shaky, and she screwed it all up. She didn't know what to do or what to say so she just ran. She couldn't leave the only home she had ever known. The elders would forbid her to ever come back. She would never see Fa or Igraine again.

"Sophia?"

Sophia turned to see Igraine.

"What are you doing out here alone? You know this is dangerous territory. I must protect you and Fa. You should know better." Her tone was firm.

Sophia understood her reasoning but she didn't need to be so harsh. "I'm sorry I just needed to think. This place...the outside world is so strange. I find myself disoriented...like my mind is in a fog. I can't concentrate and my mind lingers.."

Igraine came closer. "To Roy?"

Sophia gasped. "Igraine?!"

Igraine smirked. "Love is strange. I know you can see the future, but I want you to be careful. Love can bring so much happiness, but it can also bring immense pain." Her voice cracked at the mention of pain.

Sophia knew of Igraine's suffering. She lost her husband to bandits and her young daughter died of desert fever not long after. Everyone she loved had been taken from her.

Sophia took Igraine's hand in hers.

"The outside people have been kind..." Sophia was looking for Igraine to accept these new feelings. Maybe she was also feeling doubt as well.

"Are you doubting the elders teachings?" Igraine asked quietly.

Sophia looked down in shame. "No. It would be nice if we could stay or coexist with the outsiders, but it doesn't seem possible yet. Fear and prejudice still exist against the dragons."

Igraine hugged Sophia close and stroked her hair tenderly. "You sound unsure. Is this what you truly want? You may never see these people again. You may never see Roy again."

Sophia stood tall. "I am only here until our debt to Roy has been paid. The three of us will return to the sands of Nabata in the end."

Sophia knew as she said the words aloud that her heart was breaking. She was to become an ancient being. She would live on while many of her friends would perish.

"It may be centuries of sadness but I will wait for the day when we can all live in harmony."