Another theme has to do with soulmates. Rialla loses her family and friends at a young age and ends up being very lonely as a slave. Even after she escapes, she has no clan or people, even though she is close friends with Laeth. Tris is also incredibly lonely after being banished from the sylvans for showing compassion to a human child. Tris goes a long time thinking that he will never find anyone with whom he can truly belong. When Trenna goes into her trance and recites part of the bonding ceremony to him, Tris has hope that Trenna's prophecy will lead to him finding someone to love. As soon as he sees Rialla for the first time, he knows there is something special about her, although he claims that he just likes being around her because she can beat him at Steal the Dragon.