That night, after training with Ser Berne, Dri had dinner with her pawns. Well, more technically, she had dinner with Drake while Krystal and Onyx had dinner and rest with the other soldiers. Dri had gotten a more peaceful dinner, thankfully, with only Drake near her. Drake was just starting to grasp the idea of conversation starters over dinner, for which she was pleased. Progress is progress. I'll take what I can get. While they were finishing up their meals, Krystal and Onyx returned.

"We are finished, Master." Onyx reported.

Dri nodded. "Then you and Krystal may go and find some rest. There is an innkeeper by the riftstone."

"Of course." Then the two women left, without another word.

"What about you, Master?" Drake asked after they were out of earshot.

"Me? I'll grab a nice nap in a tent later on. Are you tired? You can turn in if you want to."

Drake shook his head. "My place is by the Arisen."

Dri sighed. This again. "Drake, if you're tired, it is completely okay to go to sleep before I do. Especially since we're in the encampment and don't need to worry about keeping watch."

"Do you wish me gone?" Drake asked, a touch of despair in his voice.

Oh ho! An emotion finally, but why such a sad one? Dri reached out and touched Drake's hand. "What did I say to upset you?"

"Nothing, Master."

"Drake, it is always better to be honest with me when someone upsets you. Especially when that someone is me."

Drake stared into the fire for a minute, before explaining. "I was made to be by your side, Arisen."

Dri thought about that for a moment. Then it hit her. Sending a pawn away from its Arisen is the worst punishment imaginable to them. Pawns are meant to be by their Arisen's side until death. "Oh, shit. Drake, I am so sorry. I didn't think about that. I don't wish you gone. I promise." Drake looked her in the eyes before she continued. "I only wish you to get the necessary food and rest that your body needs."

"Understood, Master."

"Forgive me for not thinking of that sooner."

"What is forgivness?"

"Hmm. Well, I upset you right?" Drake nodded. "Forgiveness is the ability to understand the slip-up and…reassure the person that made the error that there will be no reprecussions. Does that make sense?"

"Yes, Master. Thank you." They went back to being in silence for a while, until Drake spoke up again. "Will you forgive Madeleine?"

Dri looked at Drake, surprised. "Whatever for?"

"You were clearly mad at her earlier for what she said to me."

"Yes, I was."

"So will you forgive her for acting that way?"

Dri sighed, thinking back to it. She had gotten so angry, but it wasn't at Madeleine. At least, she didn't think so. Now that she was calmer, she realized that it was something else that had ticked her off, but Dri couldn't figure out what it was. "Perhaps one day."

"What did Madeleine mean?"

"Which part? She never really stopped talking much today."

"About all of my needs being fulfilled. What needs?"

"Needs like food, water, and rest. They're important since we travel so much."

Drake nodded, and was quiet once more. After a while, Dri bade him goodnight, leaving him alone to think.