you shine brighter than anyone

Sohalia

Sohalia had never seen a peryton before, and for this to be her first encounter with such a creature left her, if anything, more terrified. She certainly hadn't planned to get mixed up in a monster brawl when she got out of bed this morning! But at least the peryton seemed to be defending her as its master held the Ceffyl Dŵr at bay. Eventually, hissing and snorting, the beast disappeared beneath the water, leaving Sohalia to stand staring at the water, her chest heaving with exertion and fear. What would have happened had she been truly alone in the Mistbanks?

A voice brought her mind back to reality. Soh looked up to find a man looking her over. He was older than her, and far taller, with a muscular physique. She, on the other hand, was a petite, delicate, soaking wet young woman, and she felt incredibly embarrassed to have not only been caught trying to make friends with a monster, but to also be in such disarray. She crossed her arms over her chest as though she could shield herself from the stranger's scrutiny.

At his question, she took a deep breath. She was relieved to find that she didn't seem to have any lasting injuries - aside from her wounded pride. Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, she felt only a bone-deep exhaustion. "I-I think so," she stammered. "Thank you for saving me. What was that thing?"

and that's the hope I have
the only thing I know that's keeping me alive