Felix's pale blue eyes went to his friend and the spoon that was once being directed to his mouth paused mid-air as he stared at her in contemplation.

However, rather than disbelief, realization soon struck him and the spoon fell from his fingers. He seemed astonished.

"I rarely see monsters here anymore. Since she's appeared, we've barely seen so much as a goblin. That would be beneficial to us in Tenetium. If she was there, it would make the Commander's plans go along much more smoothly."

Irene's face lit up.

"That's what I've been thinking as well," she agreed. "I imagine once our Commander returns to the north, then she will as well."

Felix sighed and continued eating.

"It would be helpful if she liked us first, though," the second in command admitted. "The mistrust she has of others has gotten worse since Commander Henry isn't here. I wonder if what the mages said was true…"

The two knights both glanced around the room. They both knew that Felix was referring to the Commander being a mage.

Felix finished eating first, but it seemed he had more he wanted to say because he gestured for Irene to follow him when she had barely taken her last bite.

It wasn't until they had gotten outside and into the forest that Felix decided he could speak more freely. The only living being in their vicinity was a rambunctious dragon playing in the grasses of the open field.

After looking at their surroundings and knowing they truly had privacy, Felix began in a serious tone.

"I don't see why it's a big deal if Henry happens to be a mage," Felix admitted. "I don't understand why that should bother anyone. The mages in Nickron said it like a threat and Henry responded as if it was offensive. Though perhaps he's used to feeling defensive about his background."

"I don't understand it myself," Irene agreed. "It doesn't change the fact that he's one of the best swordsmen I've ever seen. He's honorable as well."

She felt her face become a bit hotter and she turned away, not wanting Felix to notice that she was still hung up on something to do with the Commander—the truth would likely be too much for him.

It had been about two weeks since the Commanders left, but the late-night conversation was still stuck in her thoughts. Her efforts of trying to erase the man from her head altogether had been failing miserably. Even worse, she looked forward to seeing him again to see if his smile had disappeared altogether or if he had been taking care of himself and if he was happy.

It wasn't her business, and she knew she shouldn't worry herself so much yet…

A gust of wind struck the two and they remembered that they were meant to be focusing on the dragon. Only when she took to the sky did she have their full attention once more.

However, unlike usual, she rose higher and higher and didn't dive into the forest. Instead, she seemed to pick up speed as she rose.

Irene's green eyes were wide.

"Is she going after Henry?" she uttered in disbelief.

Felix wore the same expression.

"There is no other explanation," he admitted. "We ought to tell the others that the dragon went over the mountains. I suppose that means she isn't our problem any longer, but we ought to keep knights on the edge in case of monsters if they return to the area after her departure."

"You're right," Irene agreed.

With that they rushed back towards the inn. They were going to have a change of plans from that moment forth.

However, there was a rush of activity that stopped both of the knights before they could go forward first.

A person appeared before them who had been hiding out with Siverly since they arrived in Idona.

Katerina appeared with her colorful skirts and layers of necklaces clanking as she rushed through the village, her ringed hands holding her skirts so she wouldn't trip.

"What is the matter?" Irene was the first to ask upon the other woman's urgency.

"Alix has woken up!" Katerina exclaimed. "I'm searching for my son and a few Hydrogian knights."

However, her feet didn't stop and she didn't wait for a response as she kept rushing forward.

Irene reached out and placed a hand on Felix's shoulder for support. Her head hung for a moment.

"Oh thank the gods," Irene uttered. "I was worried he would never wake up. He's so valuable to our Commander and the Hydrogian knights. I want to go see him but I know his knighthood will take priority."

Felix merely patted Irene's hand and nodded.

"He's quite the knight," Felix agreed. "I'm relieved to hear that he was able to wake up at all. After all, the shape we saw him in upon his arrival was alarming, to say the least."

Irene finally let go of her friend and stood up straight.

"I still ought to tell the others that the dragon has left us. I need to distract myself or I'm going to run to Katerina's home as well and interrupt the others' happy reunion," she joked.

"Fair enough," Felix responded. "I'll go in the opposite direction and let the apprentices know. Feel free to tell them the good news as well. Everyone could use a bit of hope right now. This place has made our knighthood a bit restless."

Irene nodded and dutifully took it upon herself to tell the knights the news of the dragon's departure but to also tell the others that Sir Alix had woken up. Many were just as eager as Irene to see the knight, but they knew they had to wait for the Hydrogian knights, who had higher priority, to greet him first.

He was likely going to be overwhelmed, after all, it had been nearly three weeks since he showed up to Idona bruised and battered, looking far worse than some of the corpses they had seen on the battlefield.

A couple of days later, when Alix was in much better shape and able to actually sit up mostly on his own, Irene decided she would offer him a gift that only a Sünstoian Volna could give.