"Rath!" Lyn called out to him. He paused and waited for her to catch up. Being around Lyn was a mix of happiness and anxiety. Even now his heart was pounding. It was hard to explain.

"I didn't get a chance to thank you for saving me yesterday. You are making it a habit to rescue me and then disappear without a trace." She smiled warmly.

Lyn was so friendly and talkative and he was not. They didn't mesh well so why did she keep trying despite his coldness?

"There is no need for thanks. I would have done the same for anyone in the army."

Lyn's smile disappeared. "Oh...well I still wanted to thank you."

Rath stood there in silence. She wasn't walking away so he cleared his throat. "Is that all?" He asked hoping it was.

Lyn looked away awkwardly. "I guess..."

Rath turned and tried to escape, silently cursing himself for being so weird.

"Actually!" Lyn called out. "There is something."

"Yes?" Rath mumbled red faced.

"Are all Kutolah men so quiet? I mean I never see you talk to anyone. You eat alone. And you never smile either...are you angry with me for getting you mixed up in this battle?"

She seemed so sad for him. He wished he could express himself, but he just couldn't find the words.

"I am not angry."

"Then why don't you talk?"

"There is no need."

This was not going well. "No need? Aren't you lonely?"

Rath averted his eyes and turned to leave again, but Lyn grabbed his cloak.

"You can talk to me. I know what it means to be lonely."

That made Rath hesitate. If she knew how it felt too, maybe she could help him.

Lyn walked around to face him. "I don't want to feel like that again and I don't want you to feel like that. So please...just talk to me. Nothing you say will make me want to stop trying. Whenever you feel lonely just find me."

Rath actually smiled at her words. He couldn't help it. They made him feel good.

Lyn smiled back. "Wow...you should smile more often. You have a beautiful one."

Rath looked down. "Fine...as you wish."