Flashback ( PDFDrive )

“Here,” Mr. Forkle said when she emerged from behind her curtain
with the ends of her sash tossed around her shoulders like an awkward
shawl. He tied a simple bow and she started to step away, but he
placed a hand on her shoulder. “Perhaps you’d also like a little help
with your hair?”
“You’re offering to do my hair?” Sophie verified, reaching up to feel
the tangled mess.
“I’m an elf of many talents,” he told her.
Shockingly enough, he wove her hair into the most intricate braid
she’d ever seen.
“Do I want to know why you know how to do this?” she asked.
“Of course—but that’s a story for another day. For now, we should
get that arm back into a sling.”
“Yes, we should,” Elwin said, slipping the thick silver strap over her
head and nestling her arm in the loop of fabric.
“Okay, I’m here,” Dex announced a few minutes later, flashing
Sophie a quick dimpled grin before turning to Mr. Forkle. “Now tell
me where we’re going.”
“That’s all you have to say to Miss Foster?” Mr. Forkle asked. “No
comment on the fact that she’s finally out of bed and leaving the
Healing Center?”
Dex glanced back at Sophie, and she didn’t blame him one bit for
simply giving her a hasty “Yay—glad you’re doing better!” before
reeling back toward Mr. Forkle and telling him, “Okay, no more
stalling. Tell us where we’re going!”
Mr. Forkle smiled. “Somewhere I think you’re both going to find
very useful.”
“That better not be your whole answer,” Sophie warned.