The small group walked for a few hours, Evalia trying repeatedly to break the silence, but it never seemed to work. Eventually, they approached a small shack with piles of metal scraps sprawled out around it.

"Sorry it's a mess," she said. "I didn't think I'd have company." She ushered them into the shelter and invited them to sit. Then she unfolded the pack she was carrying and tossed them each an apple. They ate in thankful silence.

Both of the girls had noticed the Elf Prince wincing throughout the entire trip. Emily wouldn't risk an icy glare from him, and the fox woman appeared to be aware of this. She said, "You're not proving yourself a hero by walking around with a severe injury."

Trellis stopped eating. "It's not that bad."

"You don't know that. Your armor's probably digging into your leg."

He said nothing in defense.

Evalia turned to Emily and said, "The part you need is outside and around the back end of the house. It's not very big so you can put it in your bag." The stonekeeper started out the door. "And one more thing. You might want to stay out there and plug your ears." That didn't sound good, and it made Emily feel afraid for Trellis' sake. She left as Evalia told him to take off the leg of his armor.

The machinery that was needed for the engine was so small that she wondered why it would affect the way the whole house works.

She jumped as she heard the the elf scream from inside the house. It was a horrible sound, and she decided she would move a little farther away so it wouldn't be as bad. But it only got worse. She could imagine the little pieces of metal and maybe even a dog tooth being pulled out of his leg at this moment. It made her sick.

"You pity him, young master?"

"What's it to you? I know you don't have ears but I don't doubt you can hear him," Emily growled in her mind.

The screaming ceased and all that followed was the sound of the wind that indicated another outburst of rain.

"You have feelings for him?" Lezelldium asked like a spy.

"How can I? He's almost impossible to trust. I just feel bad because I wouldn't wish that kind of pain to my worst enemy."

"So he is not your enemy. I would tell you what might happen later, but I think it would be best for you to find out for yourself."

"What?"

"You will see."

Just then, Evalia's head popped out from behind the side of the house. "Find it?"

"Yeah. Will he be okay?"

"He should be fine. Make sure he stays off of it for a few days though, and don't let him put the leg of his armor back on until I say so."

"Alright, but, I was thinking about leaving tomorrow morning so I can get back to my friends and help them."

The mechanic made a face. "Did you forget what happened to you a few hours ago? I'm gonna escort you back to my brother so you stay in one piece, unlike your elf friend. We can't go until he's healed because if we leave him alone he'll probably walk off and get eaten."

Emily couldn't argue with that, so she decided to deal with it and went back into the shelter with Evalia.

Trellis was already asleep on a cot, his grey-blue foot looking completely out of place.

Evalia said, "I told him he could have the cot since he's injured. You and I will sleep on the floor."

They passed a mass of blankets around, the rain starting up again and the candles in the corner dripping with wax.

Out of curiosity, Emily asked quietly, "What happened with you and Leon?"

Evalia sighed. "It's not a very happy story. We were close as kids, but, after our dad died, we both grew up fast so we could take care of each other and ourselves. Our mom burried herself in depression and eventually died of it, not too long ago I think, and then Leon made the choice to walk away. We're good with each other, but we both need some time to ourselves to fill in what we lost. Does that make any sense?"

"Yeah."

She pulled something out of her pack. It was a green scarf. "He's got a scarf right?"

Emily nodded.

"We made a pact years ago to never turn against each other no matter what happens. Our mom made the scarves, so they mean a lot to us. We traded them off in order to remember the promise. This green one is actually his, and the one he's got it mine. Does he still wear it?"

"All the time."

Evalia smiled. Then the last candle went out. "Oh, great," said the fox woman as she got up and put her cloak back on.

"Where are you going?" Emily asked.

"You think I'm alone out here? I'm going to get some candles from the neighbors." Then she left.

The young stonekeeper smirked. She found herself isolated in her thoughts and feelings, so she looked up at Trellis, who was still but looked uncomfortable. She wasn't sure if it was just her eyes messing with her, but she thought she saw his foot twitch.

His foot. Now she was disappointed that Evalia hadn't given her any instructions as to what if he woke up or needed new bandages or something. She assumed he would never know or remember most of this, so she guessed it was safe to poke it. It wasn't a hard or quick poke. His foot was a lot softer than she thought it would be. Her finger moved about an inch and she jumped when she heard him ask, "What are you doing?"

Immediately she put her hand back down and looked at his face. His eyes were open and almost glowing. How long had he been staring at her? She didn't know what to say, so she turned it back on him.

"Your foot was in my face."

"So you poked it?" He looked like he was smiling.

"Did they invent doederant for feet because you really need it. Your foot's been in your armor so long that I can smell it from the floor."

"So move then."

Emily threw her pillow to the other end of the blankets and covered her head with it.

He chuckled.

"I can hear you," she said, not sure wether she should be annoyed or laughing.

He said, "I know."