"Is something wrong?" Sophie asked, keeping her package held under her arm.

The soldier- Bailey, she remembered from seven years ago- was looking down. He hadn't looked up since she had arrived. "It's just procedure, Sophie. I can't let you give it to the-" He hesitated again, chewing his lip for a moment before he continued, "Please allow me to check it. I'll be careful, I promise."

Sophie, unsure, glanced down the old brick room. On the far wall, in one of several barred cells, Cheria watched them. She gave Sophie a small nod.

"Okay." Sophie said quietly, handing him the package. He kept his word and opened in gently. All that was inside was a clean white blouse and a purple skirt. He glanced at Sophie inquisitively. "Frederick wanted her to have something clean to wear."

Bailey nodded. He carefully shook the clothing to make sure there was nothing hidden in it.

"Hey, Bailey?"

"Yes?"

"When did you become a prison guard?"

"When I drew the short straw for the week." Bailey re-folded the clothing and handed it back to Sophie. "Everything looks fine." Sophie took the package and carried it to Cheria's cell. Sophie slipped the package through the bars.

"Thanks, Sophie. I really needed these." Cheria said, glancing down at her current clothing. The blood had dried into a hideous shade of brown. The whole outfit was most likely ruined, and she didn't feel like even trying to clean it. "Bailey-" she cut herself off when she saw that Bailey had already started studying something on the cluttered desk by the door. She changed clothing quickly, leaving the dirtied dress in a pile in the corner.

"Cheria?"

"Yes?"

"Why are you in here?"

"I-I… Sophie, I killed four people…"

"But we killed people before, back in Barona. "

"That's different, Sophie. Killing people during a battle is just… what happens." Cheria said, not sounding content with her own words. "Those soldiers were trying to kill us, so we… did what we had to…"

"But you said those soldiers wanted to hurt Asbel, didn't you? You were just protecting him, right?"

She saw Cheria change. There were little things about her, like her hands balling into fists and her shoulders shaking. But the most noticeable part was the way her face contorted. It seemed wrong somehow, like Cheria was wearing someone else's expression. Sophie took a step back. It faded after a moment, back to looking like something was weighing on her. "Yes, I was."

"So, doesn't that mean it was okay? Can't you just tell them that?"

Cheria shook her head. "It's not that simple, Sophie."

Sophie cocked her head to one side. "Why isn't it?"

She didn't get an answer. Cheria looked like she was considering saying something, before she simply let out a sigh. "It's complicated, Sophie."

"So, what's going to happen to you?"

"I don't know."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"There isn't really much, but it would mean a lot to me if you kept visiting like this."

Sophie frowned. "I'd really like to, but Asbel said we're going back to Barona soon."

"You're… leaving?"

"Yeah. We need to talk to Richard. And after that, we need to go see Hubert's family in Strahta. His dad is going to be really mad about this, apparently."

"And you're going with Asbel?" Cheria looked tense, and it sounded like there was an edge to her voice. Why would she be upset?

"I want to help, Cheria. But Asbel says I need to come with him."

"You're… you're…"

"Maybe if we talk to him, he won't be mad. Then they could-"

"You. And Asbel."

"Yeah. He probably wants me to keep him safe again."

"-ay awa-"

"What was that?" Sophie asked. It had been too quiet to hear properly.

Cheria's hand shot out through the bars. She hauled Sophie forward by the collar. "Stay. Away. From Asbel!" Her voice was a shriek. Her face was twisted into a snarl. It took Sophie a moment to realize she was still looking at Cheria.

And then, just as suddenly, she deflated. She let go of Sophie and just looked at her feet. Sophie turned and left, with no more words between them.

"Sophie." Bailey said quietly as she passed his desk. Sophie stopped. "Don't take it personally. Cheria's had this… problem for a long time."

"Why?"

Bailey could only shake his head.