Flashback ( PDFDrive )

Sophie stepped back, meeting the tiny gnome’s wide gray eyes.
Flori’s green-toothed smile looked heartbreakingly earnest—and her
new outfit made Sophie’s heart even heavier. Flori’s usual strawwoven
dress had been replaced with stiff pants stitched from pieces of
bark, and a tunic sewn from dried husks, both of which were probably
meant to serve as armor. Mostly they looked scratchy and
uncomfortable and like they wouldn’t provide nearly enough
protection.
“I’m pretty sure Calla would want you to stay safe,” Sophie
whispered.
Flori shook her head. “She would want me to protect the
moonlark.”
Sophie opened her mouth to argue, but . . . that did sound like Calla.
“Just promise me you’ll be careful,” she begged, pulling Flori back
against her side.
Someone cleared his throat—loudly—and a gruff voice said, “No
one told me this assignment would require hugging.”
“It doesn’t,” Flori called over her shoulder. “And even if it did, no
one would be hugging you.”
“Good,” the voice snapped back. “Warriors do not hug. Or cry. I’m
starting to see why the girl needed a proper guard.”
Sandor snarled.
“Sophie, meet Bo,” Flori said as Sophie craned her neck, trying to
follow the voice to the source and not having any luck. “In case you’re
wondering, yes, he is every bit as delightful as he seems.”
“Warriors aren’t meant to be delightful!” Bo growled. “We’re meant
to be fearsome. And ruthless. And cunning. And merciless.”
“And obedient,” Sandor warned.