Ironheart thought it would be appropriate.”

"Talina this is..." He trailed off, being unable to quite put his thoughts into words. Even with his limited knowledge of smithing he knew he was holding something quite special in his hands.

“It is the last thing he made. Take care of it."

“I will. Although I think that given how much trouble I often find myself in? It's probably going to take care of me more."

Talina smiled then, and it was a genuine one. A single tear finally escaped from the corner of her eye and she absently wiped it away

“That is what he would have wanted."

Algra stood naked by the stream, alone. She had come to bathe. The urge to clean herself had been too frequent since the night of the battle.

The night when she once again worn her old armour and taken up the mantle of who she truly was. At the time she hadn't really considered the weight of the matter. She needed weapons and armour that fit her, so she had returned to their tent and opened the chest her uncle had restored to her. The remnants of her old life had lain within. The armour she had worn and the weapons she had brandished alongside Rowun.

She'd truly never wanted to see them again.

So now she often found herself bathing. The feel of the jungle air on her bare skin was a pleasant contrast to the memory of wearing her old armour. That humid warmth made the contrasting icy water all the more cleansing whenever she submerged herself. In that moment, she felt truly clean. Though that sensation didn’t last long.

“What are you doing?" Ulla's voice asked from behind her.

Algra had been standing there thinking for far too long. Her thoughts had Led her to distraction. Hearing Ulla was an alarming surprise given how often she had promised to Algra her after their proving. It made

Algra turn to immediately assume a combat stance.

Ulla was stood at the tree line upon the pathway that led out toward the camp. Upon seeing Algra preparing for a fight, she tilted her head to the side in a casual display of submission. She wasn't there for a fight.

"I did not wish to disturb," Ulla said. The slow pace of her words and her formal tone implied she was choosing her words carefully.

“I have wanted to speak with you alone."

“Then speak." Algra stood upright, not seeing any need to clothe herself. She did not appear relaxed.

“For many years I have hated you. You left my brother to die alone when it was your duty to die beside him."

“I did." Algra nodded.

Ulla visibly tensed up and clenched her fists at that open admission.