Chapter one

Dart and Lavitz looked around confusingly and at the rest of the group seeing the legendary half-cetra floating before them clad in aqua colored dragoon armor looking curiously at herself in awe.

"What?" She asked shaking her head unable to discern why they were all staring slack-jawed. "Why are you staring? Is there something wrong with me?" She shook her head still looking at herself just trying t figure out exactly what had happened to her.

"No…It is just most unexpected that you have become a dragoon." Replied a cold Rose. "(Too many of them already…Just how many more are there? It's getting ridiculous.) Rose said quietly to herself making absolute sure Lavitz couldn't hear her.

"Oh I see." Said the Cetra shaking her head as she returned to normal holding the aqua colored dragoon spirit. "Lavitz…Haven't seen you in quite a while. I missed you."

"Aeris..." He nodded. "It's been a while…"

"Indeed it has." She agreed peacefully looking at Dart who was stretching back. "Tired?" She asked with a smile hearing his back popping as he then leaned forward with a sigh.

"Huh? Me?" Asked Dart looking around poking his chest. "Yeah…Kind of."

"Well…It happens. Everybody gets tired sometime or another." She mused as Dart laughed a little.

"Dart. Should we head back to Bale? I'm sure Albert would like to see his friend and what she has accomplished since leaving the castle. Besides she's a valuable healer you forget." Explained Lavitz.

"Right. Very true. I didn't think it was possible to heal like she does. It's just insane." Agreed Dart. "I don't see how she did that. Like a flash of light and poof! All better!

"(This is absolutely insane. I didn't even know there was a such thing as healing magic or an ice dragoon!) Rose grumbled to herself unable to accept this fact no matter how true it may be. (I think this is all just some sick joke one of these idiots are playing on me!)

Aeris looked at Rose thinking she didn't like her. What is with her? She must really hate me. Maybe she feels threatened by me.

"Aeris? Are you alright?" Asked Lavitz with growing concern for her silence.

"You just got quiet all of a sudden." Added Dart. "I guess what he's trying to say is you're freaking him out."

"Well I do apologize." Aeris bowed. "Wasn't there another girl with you? Where did she go?"

"Ah you must mean Shana. She's cooking back in Bale with Lavitz's mother." Replied Dart.

"I see…" Aeris said softly looking down then back up. "Lavitz's mother is a wonderful cook! I love the jerky she makes."

"I do too." Replied Lavitz. "It's one of the best things she makes. At least I believe so."

"Well. I say we should head back to Bale to report to King Albert. He'll be shocked to find out that Aeris is a dragoon too!" Grinned the fire dragoon holding his hand up.

Rose nodded then seeing Lavitz nod as well to the thought. "So Sir Lavitz…" Started Rose. "Aeris is your childhood friend?"

"Yes. She is indeed." Said Lavitz peacefully.

"You don't see her as…anything more?" Pried the mysterious woman.

"….Never really gave it too much thought. I suppose…You could call it a Dart and Shana relationship that we have. I've protected her like sister." He replied not even really minding her asking. "Enough talking I say we head off now. His Majesty is waiting for us."

End of Chapter one