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I am less surprised than Mira; I have always healed quickly.
    “I will just wipe the dried blood and wrap it back up. Then we can be on our way,” Mira says.

    The morning has been pleasant; I always enjoy Mira’s company. I told her about my date with Lebis; she reacted as I expected: “Oh, Eramane, that is so exciting!” We have spent much of the early morning picking wildflowers in the field behind my family’s home. Bright red blossoms cover the meadow. When we gather enough to comfortably carry, we take them back to the cottage to wrap them in damp linens so that they make the trip to Mira’s.
    My mother usually accompanies me on these flower-picking adventures. Our house is always adorned with freshly picked flowers. Gathering wildflowers is my favorite morning activity when the fields are in bloom, but soon they will all wither. Winter approaches and after the first frost the meadow will be barren until spring.
    Mira is inside waking Samiah. We need to start making our way to their home if I am to have time for the tub. I am at the stables saddling Lady, while Linnox, the middle of the boys who help tend our farm, saddles Samiah’s steed. I want to ride Lady back to the house, so I lead her out of the stable and hop on top of her, a task made only slightly more difficult by my injured foot. A gentle breeze blows through my hair and then ceases. I take a breath to inhale the freshness of the beautiful morning. I want so desperately for this day to be a wonderful memory I can hold on to. Will it be memorable? Or will I find that I am disappointed with the handsome blacksmith? I long for excitement. Samiah has such excitement in his life. He travels to many different lands, just as our father. And although Lebis works in town, he is has traveled to far-off places. My mother told me that Lebis used to travel with his father the way Samiah would travel with ours. Lebis has seen much of the world beyond the small village of Eludwid. Maybe one day he will take me to visit another land.
    The wind picks up again and brings me back to the day. I have been in the fields all morning; if I do not bathe, I will end up smelling like horse food to Lebis. As I ride Lady up to the porch, I wonder how many more times I will ride her before she is too old for that. She borders fifteen and horses do not usually make it much further if you continue to push them. Mother will get a new horse soon, and Lady can spend her final years leisurely strolling along in the pasture.

    After we arrive at Samiah and Mira’s, I am more than ready for a bath. Mira asks for the tub to be filled, and I unpack while I wait. Their caretaker, a middle-aged woman named Brenna, brings me linens, soaps, and oils, and places them at the edge of the tub. I undress and unwrap my foot. When I reach the tub, I submerge myself, slowly and steadily, not wanting to put pressure on my foot. The water is the perfect temperature between warm and hot. The steam surrounds me, and I lie back and enjoy the silence. Placing a cloth over my face, I lean my head back on the warm stone and empty my thoughts. I welcome the silence; Samiah and Mira are at the other end of the house, so nothing will intrude on my relaxing moment. I plunge beneath the water to wet my hair, and the water fills my ears with its warmth. I stay under that water for a few moments, listening to my heartbeat, and letting my body float in the large tub. Then I hear someone speak my name; it is a deep voice, a man’s voice. Startled, I sit up to see who is calling me. I wipe my face and look around the room. No one is there. I know that I am not mistaken. Someone spoke my name, and it was not Samiah; it is not his voice I heard.
    A large mirror leans against the wall in front of me. I stare at my reflection for a moment, not knowing what to think. Had I been in the sun too long this morning? “Eramane,” the voice calls to me again. This time I see him, or what seems like a reflection of him. I search