Sophia past Part 1

The air was crisp, the kind of morning chill that clung to your skin. The camp was already awake; soldiers and recruits moving around, preparing for the day. The rhythmic clash of swords echoed from the training grounds as sparring matches had already begun.

I passed the stables, where horses shifted, their breath visible in the cold air. Further ahead, a group of younger recruits ran in formation, their steps heavy, their faces tired.

I knew where to go.

If Sophia wasn't training, there was only one other place she would be.

The library.

It was quieter there, away from the noise of the camp. The scent of old books and parchment always hung in the air, a place filled with strategy guides, medical texts, and war records.

And, as expected, she was there.

Sophia sat at one of the wooden tables, a thick book open in front of her. She wasn't just reading, she was focused, lost in whatever information she was taking in. Her silver hair, tied loosely back, caught the morning light.

She noticed me immediately, closing the book. Her eyes flicked to my arm before settling on my face.

"You came," she said simply with a smile.

I didn't respond.

Sophia stood up without hesitation. "Let's go."

She walked ahead, leading me toward the medical wing - the designated place in the camp where injuries were treated - It wasn't a full hospital, but it had everything necessary. Bandages, healing herbs, trained medics.

As we walked, she glanced at my arm. "You didn't check it this morning, did you?"

I stayed silent.

She sighed. "Why am I not surprised?"

As we walked, she glanced at my arm. "You didn't check it this morning, did you?"

I exhaled. "I'm checking it now, aren't I?"

Sophia gave me a look, unimpressed. "That's not the same."

I glanced down at my arm as we walked. The bandages were still tight, but I could feel the slight pain beneath them. The wound hadn't gotten worse, but it hadn't healed much either.

Sophia sighed, shaking her head. "You never take injuries seriously, do you?"

I rolled my shoulder slightly, testing the stiffness. "If I did, would it change anything?"

She let out a small breath, her tone quieter. "It would mean you actually care about yourself."

I didn't respond right away. It wasn't that I didn't care. I just didn't see the point in making a fuss over something that would heal in time.

When we reached the medical wing, she stepped inside first, already unrolling fresh bandages from a nearby table.

"Sit," she said firmly. "And don't argue."

I sat.

She was already unwrapping the bandages before I could even think of a reply.

Sophia carefully unwrapped the bandages from my arm, her red eyes focused. As the layers came off, the deep wounds from the arrows were exposed. Some had already begun to close, but the skin was still raw.

She didn't say anything at first, just reached for a small jar filled with crushed herbs. She mixed them with a thick paste, the faint scent of medicine filling the air.

"This will help speed up the healing," she said, dipping her fingers into the mixture. "Try not to move too much."

She pressed the cool paste onto my wounds, working carefully. The sting was sharp at first, but it faded quickly.

After a few moments, she spoke again.

"You and Andrew… you were unbelievable out there," she said, her voice quiet but steady. "The way you fought together. It was like you knew exactly what the other was going to do."

I leaned back slightly. "We've been fighting together for a long time."

Sophia nodded, tying fresh bandages around my arm. "And he's always watching out for you."

I glanced down at the bandages as she worked. "He always has."

I wasn't sure why I said it, but the words came naturally.

"I don't remember much from when we were kids," I admitted. "But I do remember one thing, Andrew was always there. Whenever someone tried to mess with me, he'd stop them before I even knew what was happening. It didn't matter who it was. He never let anyone hurt me."

Sophia listened closely, her hands pausing for just a moment before continuing.

I exhaled. "Even now, he hasn't changed. He still treats me like that kid he has to protect."

When I looked at her, she was watching me carefully, her expression soft.

That's when I noticed something.

"You seem interested when I talk about Andrew," I said, tilting my head slightly.

Sophia blinked, her hands pausing for a second. A slight blush covered her cheeks, but she quickly turned her attention back to my bandages.

"Umm, I was just listening…" she said, very quickly.

I didn't say anything, just watched as she finished tying the bandage.