The two girls lounged in the women’s pool tucked deep within the wildlands spring. Steam drifted in slow ribbons across the surface, carrying the mineral tang of heated stone and the faint sweetness of moss warming on the rocks. Broad ferns arched overhead, their leaves catching droplets that pattered softly back into the water.
“It is nice to finally relax.” She slid further into the water until it lapped at her shoulders. “It’s been a busy year and a half.”
A thin runnel spilled down a shelf of dark stone beside them, its steady trickle filling the quiet between their breaths while distant marshbirds called from somewhere beyond the trees.
“That’s an understatement.” Elara snorted, a laugh bubbling up. “Non-stop missions and training ever since Fallowmere.”
“You’ve only been on half the missions,” Rynna teased, splashing at her friend.
“Healer training is not a walk in the forest, you know.” Elara splashed her back, the water rippling between them. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
“I know, I know.” Rynna's laughter trailed off, her smile fading. “I’m glad you were with us on this last one. Taren got pretty banged up.”
“I don’t know what he was thinking, throwing himself in front of those archers like that,” Elara huffed. “I swear, Bran’s recklessness is rubbing off on him.”
“It’s nice to see him warming, though. Besides...” She shot Elara a glance from the corner of her eye. “I bet you didn’t mind having your hands all over him like that.”
Elara froze, her face going beet red. For a moment, she sat in stunned silence before exploding, splashing water at Rynna with both hands.
“First of all!” she sputtered. “Some of us are actually focused on the mission and not staring dreamy-eyed after a certain unit leader all day.”
It was Rynna’s turn to blush, heat rushing to her cheeks as she mumbled, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She wasn’t that distracted by Fenn, was she?
“Second!” Elara crossed her arms, jutting her chin forward. “I’m so over Taren.”
“Really?” Rynna raised an eyebrow, surprised. Elara had been practically obsessed all through their early training.
“I have more important things to do than drool over a moody boy,” Elara said, trying and failing to look mature as she lifted her chin higher. She scooted closer to Rynna, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Besides, I don’t even think he’s interested in girls.”
Rynna's eyebrows shot up. “Really?” She thought for a moment, turning the idea over in her head. Maybe Elara was onto something.How did I miss that?“Bran?”
“Seems like it. The way they’re constantly going after each other in training or on missions.”
Rynna considered it. “Being mean to the person you like...” Her lips quirked into a grin.Yeah, that tracks. “Boys are dumb.”
They both burst into laughter, the sound echoing lightly off the surrounding stones.
“So dumb.” Elara wiped tears from her eyes.
Rynna glanced over at her friend, a hint of admiration creeping in.
Dang, when did Elara get so smart?she wondered. The girl had come a long way since Fallowmere. She now looked comfortable in her own skin and way more self-assured than most sixteen-year-olds.
“The healing track suits you,” Rynna said, leaning back into the smooth, warm stone at the edge of the spring.
“Thanks, Rynna. That means a lot.” Elara mimicked her, letting the water support her as she relaxed, eyes drifting shut.
For a while, neither of them spoke. The water’s soft lapping mixed with the clean bite of cold mountain air drifting through the clearing, sharpening the edges of the quiet. The warmth of the hot spring worked its way through her muscles, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Rynna allowed herself to just be.
“Miss,” came a soft voice, pulling her from the tranquil moment. One of the hot spring attendants stood at the edge of the pool, bowing slightly. “Guide Fenn requests that you both join him and the others for dinner if you’re finished with your swim.”
“Thank the Elements.” Elara cracked an eye open. “I’m starving.”
“You’re always hungry,” Rynna replied, standing and stretching, her arms reaching high as the last of the tension melted from her muscles.
Elara stepped out of the water, revealing the generous curves that had only begun to show after she cut down on mission work.
“Sounds like someone’s jealous.” She glanced over with a half-smile.
