Dri woke the next morning to voices in her hallway. Instinctively, she grabbed her dagger from underneath her pillow and crept to the doorway. "The Arisen is still sleeping." That's Drake's voice. She crept back to her bed, figuring she might as well get a bit more sleep. She barely made it three steps before she heard Benita's voice.

"Ah, okay. Would you please give this to her? I made it for her this morning. It's breakfast for you two lovebirds."

SERIOUSLY? WHAT THE FUCK DID QUINA TELL EVERYONE? Dri turned around and placed her dagger near the wall as Drake replied, "Master will be most pleased, I am sure of it."

Dri stepped out of the curtain then, barely holding her composure together. "Ah, Master. You're awake."

Dri nodded. "Drake, would you please stir up the fire so we can eat? I want to talk to Benita a little bit."

"Of course, Arisen."

As soon as Dri heard the curtain move, she walked up to Benita. "Talk. Who told you to call Drake and me 'lovebirds?'"

Benita laughed. "Quina did. I couldn't pass it up. I know he's your pawn dear, but Quina stopped me on my way here with this plan."

Dri shook her head, groaning slightly. "Please, though. No more. I don't think a family will be on my path for a very long time."

Benita sobered up then, looking at Dri. "Dearie, I know you. You have only had two goals in your life since your parents died. Get a fishing boat and start a family with someone. You had your boat, and I know you'll get another. I have no doubt that you'll find the perfect someone for you." Benita's voice dropped down to a whisper, "Personally, I would think that the young man in there would be a good candidate, pawn or no."

Dri blushed, then swallowed. "It's nice to see not everyone agrees with Heraldo," she whispered.

"What do you mean by that?" Benita's voice had returned to normal.

Following suit, Dri spoke normally as well. "Ask him yourself. I have had enough of him. Thank you for breakfast, anyway. It'll be nice to eat well before I head out. I'll be out for a few days probably. I'll send word as soon as I know just how long. Count on me being gone at least until tomorrow."

"Sure thing. I'll beat some sense into Heraldo and see what's up too. You have enough on your plate."

After Benita left, Dri walked back into the main room, where Drake was reheating the breakfast pot. Dri sighed, then sat down near the fireplace to stare into the flames. I should probably warn him about prejudice before we head anywhere big, but I just…feel uncomfortable about the whole thing. Just because someone is different doesn't mean that he or she isn't a person. What I am supposed to say? Drake, some people will hate you for what you are, but I don't because they're all retards? That'll go over well.

"Master?"

Dri looked over at Drake. "Hmm?"

"The food is ready. Where are the bowls?"

Dri stood up. "Don't worry about it. I got it." With that, she got two bowls and two spoons. Dri didn't even have to ask what Benita brought, as she was famous for her breakfast soup. Okay, I'll talk to Drake about it today. Even the encampment can be bad when it comes to pawns.

"Master?"

"Yes?" Dri didn't look up, instead she began filling up the bowls.

"What did…the man…"

"Heraldo."

"What did Heraldo say last night to…upset you so?"

Dri glanced up, then handed Drake his bowl and spoon. "Drake, one thing you must know is that not everyone will see you as a person like I do. They," she paused, trying to think about how to phrase her thoughts, "will only see you as pawns. Different, expendable, empty shells."

"I know of this already, Master."

Dri looked at him, surprised. "Who told you?"

"Krystal and Onyx. They have served other Arisens, and they know about the world."

Dri nodded. "Heraldo…said something along those lines of prejudice against pawns. He also insinuated…" Oh God, shut up already mouth! "You know, that's not really important. What is important is that no matter how other Arisens or even other people treat you, I will treat you as what you are."

"A pawn?"

Dri shook her head. "A person. If what Adaro told me is true, you may not be able to make your own path, but that doesn't make you less of a person. At least, not to me."

Drake nodded. "Thank you, Master, for telling me."

"You're welcome."