Soren slept soundly, without dreaming. So soundly, in fact, that he had to be woken up by Ibis shaking his shoulder.

The human groaned, forcing himself to sit up and rub his eyes, "What time is it…?"

"Nearly eight," Ibis chuckled, finding his sleep-ruffled guest cute as he set the young man's clothes in his lap, "As a Skywing elf, I rise with the dawn - but you seemed like you could use the rest."

"Yeah, thanks," Soren yawned, then grimaced as he realized there was drool on his chin. Then he winced as he realized there was a puddle on the pillow he'd been using as well, "Um, sorry about-"

"You don't have to keep apologizing - or thanking me," the elf replied, "I'm glad I could help - if only a little."

Soren rubbed the back of his neck, "Well, uh… I didn't drool on you, did I?"

"Maybe a little," Ibis teased heading towards the door, "In any case - I used a spell to clean your clothes and armor. I'll leave you to get dressed."

"Sure," Soren said awkwardly. He sighed as the elf left the room, feeling out of place.

He barely knew the other man, but he'd share something… pretty personal. But maybe it was because they didn't know each other that he'd been okay with it?

That doesn't make any sense, Soren scoffed to himself, and swung his legs out of the bed to get dressed.

When he entered the main room of the Storm Spire, Amaya gave him a wave from where she and Gren were standing with Janai. He waved back, still a little surprised none of them seemed to hold a grudge.

"Soren!" Callum caught his attention, sitting on the steps to the Queen's chamber with Rayla.

"Hey, Callum," he said, walking over to them, "Is Ezran inside?"

"Yeah, he's saying goodbye to Zym," the prince said, "But, hey - where did you go last night?"

"Actually, did you just come from the same hallway as Ibis?" Rayla asked - sharp as ever, Soren guessed.

"Uh, yeah," Soren said, rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to think of an excuse - then realized the Skywing elf had already given him one, "I uh, I've had some trouble sleeping lately, so he was showing me some ancient elven techniques for better sleep."

"That was nice of him," Callum said, "Aunt Amaya said we should get moving soon, so you should probably pa-"

Rayla had been squinting suspiciously at Soren's explanation, but suddenly lunged forward to cover her boyfriend's mouth with a nervous laugh, "Should probably get in there and guard the crown, Crownguard!"

"Uh, yeah," Soren nodded, heading past them with the thought of, That was weird.

"Why did you stop me?" Callum asked in a too-loud whisper.

"He does nae have anything to pack, dummy!" Rayla whispered back harshly.

"Oh, right…" the prince replied sheepishly.

Soren straightened his shoulders a little, pretending not to hear them as he walked further inside. He was a little surprised Rayla was thinking about his feelings - but then, Rayla was a good person. And so was Callum.

"Soren!" Ezran grinned as he saw him, holding Bait as he ran over, "Where were you? You're always up before me!"

Bait grunted an agreement.

"I was just really tired," the Crownguard replied, then cleared his throat, "King Ezran."

"You don't have to do that," the young king said kindly, "I mean, at least not when we're alone. We're friends, after all."

"Right," Soren said, "But I'm still a Crownguard, you know?"

Ezran's face fell for a moment, before he smiled with a sad resolve that was too mature for his age, "I know - and I know you'll protect me. No matter what."

"Soren, wait!" Claudia cried, "You're making a mistake!"

Ezran touched his arm, surprising him, "So it's okay to still be friends, right?"

"Right," Soren said, shaking off the memory and forcing a smile.

Then Zym ran over and jumped into the Crownguard's chest, licking his face.

Ezran laughed, "And Zym wants to be friends, too!"

Soren snorted, almost falling over at the surprise tackle before adjusting to hold the young dragon, "Yeah, okay, but does he have to lick me?"

"It's a like lick!" the young king laughed.

Zym leaned back to make a noise of agreement similar to a dog's bark.

Several feet away, Ibis watched them at Zubeia's side. He'd come to wish the Queen farewell - at least, for now.

"Are you worried?" the Dragon Queen asked him, far softer than one might expect a dragon of her size capable. She was lying down comfortably, head low to the floor to hear better.

"A little," Ibis said, "It is… difficult, to lose a family member."

"I know this well," Zubeia agreed, watching her son playing around with his unexpected friends, "But good friends can help."

Ibis reached out to put a hand against her scaled neck, "I wish I could have done more for you, my friend."

"I know you did all you could," the dragon replied warmly, "And if you had not, then I may not have been able to stay awake long enough to meet my son."

The Skywing elf smiled up at her, "I am glad I was able to help in some small way."

"I will miss you, as you go to teach the human mage," Zubeia said, and glanced over at the group with her son, "But it seems someone else could use your kindness more than I."

Ibis glanced over as well, but chuckled, "And who could you mean?"

"Perhaps a human you took to your bed?" the dragon teased, nudging him gently.

The Skywing elf laughed, "Are you accusing me of impropriety, your highness?"

"Never," Zubeia chuckled back, "I am sure you are doing what you think is right."

"Well," Ibis sighed, "I am trying, in any case. I think there has been enough pain - for all of us."

"I agree," the Dragon Queen nodded.

"Hey, Ez?" Callum awkwardly walked into the room. He sketched a quick bow to Zubeia, who inclined her head in acknowledgment.

"Is it time?" King Ezran asked, smiling faltering.

"Yeah," his brother replied, carding a hand through his hair.

Soren sighed, and set the Dragon Prince down.

Zym hopped right over to Ezran, nearly bowling him over.

Ezran hugged him back, "Sorry, Zym - I've got to go. I have a responsibility to the people of Katolis - but I'll come back to visit! I promise!"

The young dragon whined, then pulled back to lick his friend's cheek before backing off so Ezran could stand up.

"You seem like you will make a fine king, young Ezran," Zubeia said, raising her head, "It is my hope that this is the beginning of a new era of friendship between the human kingdoms and Xadia."

"Thank you, Queen Zubeia," Ezran said, "I hope so, too."

Soren clasped his hands behind his back, falling back on his Crownguard training to keep from shifting his weight awkwardly. Tried not to wonder how things could have turned out differently.

Ibis joined the humans as they all started leaving, giving the Kingsgaurd a sidelong glance before stepping close enough to gently bump his arm, "Alright?"

Soren flinched in surprise, then smiled, "Yeah, I've just never been good at all this formal king stuff."

"Aren't you a Crownguard?" the Skywing elf asked, arching an amused brow.

"I know, right?" the human shrugged, "But, there's more to being a Crownguard than diplomacy!"

"Such as?" Ibis asked.

"Punching," Soren replied, punching his own palm in demonstration, "And fighting - I'm really good at those things!"

The Skywing elf covered his mouth, but couldn't quite stifle a laugh, thinking Isn't it usually the other way around…?

"Hey," the human pouted, "You don't believe me, do you?"

"No, no, I believe you," Ibis said, holding up his hands disarmingly.

"Liar," Soren scoffed, then seemed to light up, "Oh, I know - how about a spar? Then I can just show you."

"I'm not exactly a warrior, Soren," the Skywing mage said.

"Oh, right…" the human deflated a little, then brightened again, "Hey, General Amaya!"

As Soren jogged up to the General to explain his clearly brilliant idea, Rayla watched him suspiciously from where she walked next to Callum.

"Uh, Rayla?" the prince asked, "Why are you glaring at Soren?"

"I do nae know of any 'ancient elven sleeping techniques,'" his girlfriend replied, air quotes at the ready, "Somethings going on with those two, I'm sure of it."

Callum watched as his aunt agreed to a duel, and scratched the back of his neck, "Um, okay, but… what?"

"I don't know!" Rayla huffed, "That's why it bothers me!"

Her human boyfriend sighed, and kept watching as Soren returned to talking with Ibis - with his typical boasting about his muscles. The Skywing elf seemed amused, and Callum was glad - it was… nice, to see Soren back to his old self a bit.

"I think they're just being friendly," the prince said, shrugging, "And, even if there is something going on… who cares…?"

"I do!" Rayla said, "They're so chummy, and they've only just met! That isn't weird to you?"

Callum scratched at his chin, thinking it over, "I… guess…"

"What are you guys talking about?" Ezran asked, falling back a bit to walk with them.

"Rayla thinks there's something going on between Ibis and Soren," his brother said.

"Like what?" Ezran asked, "If you ask me, it looks like they're going to be good friends."

"See?" Callum said, "Ezran agrees with me!"

Rayla rolled her eyes, then smiled, "Well, I guess it doesn't really matter. We're all on the same side now, after all."

"Yeah!" the young king agreed, grinning, "It's nice to all be friends - right, Bait?"

The glow toad croaked in agreement.

Still, Rayla couldn't help but feel… suspicious. Maybe it was just that old habits died hard, but she felt like she would need to get to the bottom of this. With or without Callum's help.