Raya sat with her back against the low retaining wall of the courtyard, enjoying the small amount of shade it provided from the sun still glaring overhead. It was early evening, but the heat and humidity of the day hadn't eased yet. Four children, she guessed between the ages of eight and twelve, were crowded around one of the training dummies on the other side of the courtyard. They were taking turns hitting the dummy, using exaggerated movements and yelling with each strike, each trying to impress the others. Raya winced as the oldest child punched the dummy's chest, their face contorting as they tried to hide how much the strike had hurt their hand. They stepped away from the group, cradling their hand gingerly and slinking off to find a healer while the other children returned their attention to the dummy.

Raya frowned, working her lower lip between her teeth as she watched the injured child leave the courtyard. She was about to get up to follow them when movement next to her caught her attention. She turned her head and had to stop herself from shouting in surprise when she saw Virana standing a few feet away from her.

Virana tilted her head toward the spot beside Raya, giving her a questioning look. Raya nodded and Virana moved next to her, remaining standing while she propped herself up against the low wall.

There was a moment of silence as they both watched the remaining children take turns against the training dummy. Raya could see Virana in the corner of her eye and searched desperately for any sign to tell her if she was expected to speak first.

"I'm surprised you haven't gone over to talk with them," Virana finally said, keeping her eyes trained on the group of children. "I'm sure they'd love to learn something from the warrior who restored the Dragon Gem."

Raya shrugged and made a dismissive noise. "I don't think there's much they could learn from me."

Virana turned her head to look at Raya, squinting slightly as she studied her. Raya squirmed under her gaze, still unsure if she was supposed to say anything else.

"I'm surprised," Virana said as she looked away from Raya and back at the group of children. "I expected the person who led the group that fixed the Gem and reunited Kumandra to be more confident."

Raya managed to catch herself before her disbelief showed on her face. She kept her eyes fixed on one of the cobblestones a few feet in front of her, worrying her lower lip between her teeth as she searched for some way to respond.

Virana sighed and waved a hand in Raya's direction. "But this isn't why I came to speak with you." She reached to her other side and grabbed a small bowl, holding it out to Raya with a smile.

Raya took the bowl, careful not to touch Virana's hands as she did so. There were several slices of mango in the dish, and she stared down at them for a few seconds as her mind worked furiously to connect them with the conversation.

Virana laughed softly, placing a hand on top of the low wall and leaning to her side. "It's just fruit. I promise."

Raya glanced between Virana and the bowl one more time before she remembered to blurt out, "Thank you."

They both turned as the children suddenly raced to the other end of the courtyard, shouting and laughing as they shoved one another. Virana watched them until they were out of sight, a small smile pulling at her lips. "I remember when Namaari was that age. So full of energy and so eager to impress." She brushed her hair behind her ear, her expression turning thoughtful. "I used to bring her mango slices as a child when she was upset with me. It became our way of starting over."

Raya nodded and picked up one of the slices of fruit, chewing it slowly as she kept her eyes focused forward.

"I haven't done it for years. I wonder if she still remembers," Virana said, frowning slightly. Then she shook her head, chuckling as she turned to look at Raya. "You two are very alike. So earnest in everything, every little thing! Always far more concerned with the welfare of others than yourselves. And so caught up in the emotion of it all!"

Raya picked up another piece of fruit, taking small bites of it for as long as possible to give herself an excuse not to speak.

Virana observed her in silence for a few more seconds before speaking again. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better, thank you," Raya said, flashing Virana a quick smile. "I think pretty much back to normal."

"I'm glad to hear it!" Virana said as she reached over to gently squeeze Raya's shoulder. "Have you thought about what you want to work on while you're staying in Fang?"

Raya shook her head, staring down at the bowl in her hand as she picked up the last piece of mango.

Virana hummed in response, giving Raya another appraising look. "You know, I would have expected the person who led the group that fixed the Dragon Gem to be a bit more opinionated."

Raya felt her face go red. "I didn't really lead the group. We were all working together."

"That's not the way Namaari tells it."

Raya flushed even deeper, spinning the now-empty bowl in her hands as she searched for something to say.

Virana tapped her finger on the top of the stone wall, her eyes flicking around the courtyard as she thought. "I think I'll have you work with General Atitāya on some of the rebuilding projects we have going on. She's been a mentor to Namaari since she was a child and I think she can be the same for you." Virana turned her head and waited until Raya met her eyes. "She can help you build your confidence as a leader."

Raya nodded and felt a rush of relief when Virana gave her an approving look.

Virana reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded sheet of paper. "Before I leave, I think you'll want this," she said, offering it to Raya. "It's from Namaari."

Raya wiped her sticky fingers on her pants before carefully taking the letter. She stared at it for a moment before she remembered that Virana was still next to her. "Thank you," she said hurriedly. "For the fruit, and for the letter. And I look forward to working with General Atitāya."

Virana gave her a warm smile, then pushed off from the wall and walked out of the courtyard.

Raya waited until she could no longer hear Virana's footsteps, then let out a huge sigh. She smoothed her hair back from her face and took several deep breaths as the redness finally left her face. "Does she hate me?" she mumbled to herself. "I honestly can't tell." Her gaze drifted to the letter in her hand, and she moved to open it, frowning when she saw it was barely half a page.

Raya,

It's good to hear from you. I know you said I wasn't allowed to apologize for what happened, but I just need to say it once: I really am sorry you got hurt and I hope you're feeling better.

Also, I know my mother doesn't hate you. She's just…like that.

I really appreciated your letter. I've never written to anyone before so I'm not really sure what to say.

Namaari