Kris was awakened by the commotion outside. She yawned, stretching out of her bed and getting out her clothes. She turned her back towards the mirror and looked, a red rash appeared on her upper back a week prior and hadn’t gone away. “Well, I guess I’m an adult now.” No questions asked, she was too tired to deal with it at the moment.

Kris put on her binder, securing it tightly before wrapping a bandage around for support. She put on her gambeson before throwing on her uniform over it, getting out a red armband with a medical cross on it. Kris usually won’t wear it when out and about, or on patrol because she’d rather be stealthy.

Today’s different, though. She knew General Cathal would be returning within the current week after being away with the leader in a diplomatic meeting, and bringing back a representative of that nation. Every soldier needed to wear their badges, and the medically trained must wear their armbands. Kris put on her boots and brought her medical kit, exiting her room before closing the door behind her.

“I thought it would take them two weeks to return.” Kris whispered under her breath, leaving the building and walking in the direction of the noise. The people of Bladelocke were all shouting joyfully, celebrating the return of their leader. She maneuvered around the crowds, looking in the direction everybody was facing.

There was a tall young woman, though her posture was stiffer than her sword her face curled into a gentle smile. Her dress, long and bunching up on her left shoulder, had tactfully placed openings for the large falcon wings on her back. Her curly hair was in a half-up hairstyle, framing the olive-toned face sprinkled with golden dragon scales.

Next to the woman was a cloaked figure, both of them exuding intense levels of mana. The cloaked person tapped their staff on the cobblestone, silencing the crowd. An elderly man of a build similar to an adult soldier in full uniform raised his hand gently. His hair was dark blond with several gray streaks and a trimmed moustache that was nearly all gray.

“I’m sure you all have awaited my return from the diplomatic meeting, I’m surprised that I’m even back when I could’ve been farther from Victrusland.” he spoke, an authoritarian voice that expressed the aura of someone people should respect. “Anyways, I, General Aldegund Cathal, would like to introduce the envoys from this nation!” the crowd erupted into cheers, Kristoffer stepping back. She could see a blond figure within her peripheral vision, though she couldn’t tell where he went.

General Cathal cleared his throat, “Ahem, I’d like to introduce you to their strongest mage and one of the representatives; Ikaros!” the cloaked man’s mouth curled into a grin, calloused fingers tapping on the orb of his staff. “Pleased to meet you all.” his voice, surprisingly enough, was youthful with a hint of an accent. Looking closer at his hands, Kris noticed the color akin to the spruce trees of her home that covered the majority of his body.

“This tall woman is Elysia Aria, one of the best healers and the songstress of storms.” Cathal continued, Elysia waving her right hand to the crowd, “Greetings from the nation of Hestilos!” her voice, pleasantly calm, rang throughout the road. Elysia looked at Kris, walking forward. Extending her hand forward, the woman smiled. “I’ve heard quite a lot about you, Laurens. Pleased to meet you at last.” Kris hesitated at first, but decided to shake the woman’s hand anyways out of respect.

Conláed walked up to Ikaros, extending his hand. The cloaked man shook his hand, a soft yet firm grip. “You must be the General’s nephew, yes?” Conláed nodded in response, “You’re quite thoughtful, sir. I’m just the Command Sergeant Major, and nothing compared to my father and uncle.” Ikaros’s eyes shifted towards the woman he was accompanying and the soldier she was conversing with. “Who is that young soldier? He’s quite pale.” he asked, “That’s the 1st Class Private, Kristoffer Laurens. He’s skilled in various things and one of the best soldiers Victrusland has the blessing to be in the ranks.”

Kris looked behind Elysia, seeing Conláed talking with Ikaros. “Do you know the General’s nephew?” she asked, causing Kris to pause. Wait, she panicked, he’s General Cathal’s nephew?! Their surnames are nothing alike! “I know what you’re thinking, kid. I feel like he’s hiding some parts of himself from you, yet not as much as you are hiding about yourself.” she leaned into Kris’s ear and whispered, a single bullet of sweat forming on her cheek. “Then again,” Elysia pulled back before patting the other girl’s hat, “I’d like to explore Bladelocke, would you like to come with me?”

Now, Kris and the songstress envoy walked throughout the capitol. “This is the place travelling merchants often set up shop, want to take a look?” Kris suggested, the woman nodding and walking towards a pale merchant with a hippogriff standing up proud. “Oh, a hippogriff! They’re quite resistant to the cold, aren’t they?” Elysia remarked, the merchant smiling.

“Oh, hello there Kristoffer.” the merchant greeted Kris returning with a salute. “Been a while, Felix. How’s everything back in Eskilundr?” she asked, “Nothing much,” Felix replied, “who is this young lady with you today?”

Elysia bowed before rising back to her full height, “My name is Elysia Aria, one of the envoys along with Ikaros Zephyr. I’m quite curious, what is Nordsberg like? It’s difficult to travel to and fro even with a flying beast of burden, is it not?” she asked.

“It can be for most people, my family breeds flying creatures for various purposes. Anette here is built for flying long distances and carrying various items that I sell. We do have a dragon, but nobody's been allowed to enter her domain since nine years back.” Felix replied, “Not even her husband or daughter, after the loss of her son she won’t speak to anybody unless they bring him back.” Elysia’s eyes were clouded with empathy, looking at the merchant.

“Can you tell me the name of her son? I can help figure out where he is if I recognise the name.” Elysia requested, eyes filled with crackling determination. “His name is Jakob Jöhannessen Nordskov.” Felix answered, rummaging through his stock and taking out two white arm warmers. “You have the aura of a warrior, madam. If the cold metal is too distracting or painful, I’d like you to have these underneath.” he bowed deeply, presenting the product.

Elysia held the gift in her hands, taking out some coins to pay. “You’re a thoughtful person, please keep the change.” Felix looked at the amount of coins the woman placed in his hands, nodding. “I hope you enjoy your stay. If you need any advice on travelling to and from Nordsberg, don’t be scared of seeking my advice.” Elysia nodded, walking away with Kristoffer following close behind.

The two walked around Bladelocke, stopping when they heard a cry for help. Kris bolted in the direction of the cry, laying her eyes upon a young boy with a sprained ankle. She crouched down, looking at the child. “Are you hurt?” Elysia wasn’t too far away, but a good distance. She didn’t want to scare the child, especially since they were injured already.

“I’ll get you to an emergency clinic, I’ll carry you there.” Kris picked up the child gently, walking at an even pace in the opposite direction. She stopped to look at Elysia, who was trying to make herself look small. “Miss Aria, I’m going to bring this child to an emergency clinic. Please come with me, I don’t want you to get lost.”

In reality, Kris actually wanted the little kid to experience what it’s like to be around the child of a dragon; because very few have experiences with them other than their humanoid relatives. The three walked towards a little shop with a hospital sign hanging out, Elysia opening the door for Kristoffer and the child.

The mini hospital, in the simplest terms, was tiny yet cozy. An old woman with a kind smile greeted the three, gesturing them towards a cleaned vacant bed. Kris set the child down on the bed, propping the injured ankle on a soft pillow. The old lady walked towards the child with a hot towel, placing it on the injured ankle.

“Good afternoon, Fiona. How’s everyone been?” Kris asked, the woman had a calming aura to her like an elderly lady who everyone refers to as Grandmother. Fiona smiled, “Conall was pressuring our eldest son to let him train the new recruits in the military. Al can’t exactly say no to that stubborn man, can he?”

Elysia cocked her head to the side, “Are you referring to General Aldegund Cathal?” Fiona grinned, “I’m sure he didn’t tell you that his father is the legendary Wolf General, did he?” Kris cleared her throat, “I don’t think it’s a good time to talk family, Granny Fiona. We need to take care of this kid’s sprained ankle.” Kris stood up to her full height, somewhat taller than Grandmother Fiona yet still shorter than the envoy by a long shot, “I’ll help you get the supplies.” The two women walked into the back, and Elysia looked at the injured child.

She crouched down, smiling at the child. “May I ask for your name?”

The little boy smiled, “I’m Kai! Aren’t you one of the visitors from that nation?” He jumped slightly, but whimpered when the pain in his ankle shot through his entire body. She frowned, humming a tune while mana ran through her fingertips towards the injury, patching it up before Fiona and Kris returned with supplies.

They looked at each other, then back at Elysia and Kai. “Aria, did you just do what I think you did? I don’t blame you, but we still need to follow protocol and wrap up the kid’s ankle.” Elysia nodded, stepping aside so Kris could wrap Kai’s ankle.

After a few minutes, Kris fully bandaged the child’s ankle. “There, it’s done. All we need to do is let Grandma Fiona check to see if there’s anything more to do and let the kid on his way.” Kris stepped out to make way for Fiona, who knelt down to check for any additional injuries.

“Good,” Fiona stated, “You don’t have any other injuries that need to be addressed. You can leave now, little one.” Kai jumped in delight, nearly sprinting towards the door before pausing.

“Wait,” he asked, “don’t I have to pay?” Fiona chuckled, patting the child’s head. “These clinics are paid for by the city itself, they’re funded by the taxes. You have no need to pay me for your troubles, I might be old but that doesn’t stop me from helping others. All I ask is for you to be more careful, young one.”

“I’ll be careful!” Kai said, walking out of the clinic. Kris and Elysia looked at each other, exchanging pleasantries with Fiona before exiting the clinic.

“There’s going to be a banquet in two days as a formal welcome for Zephyr and Aria. Do you plan on inviting anyone there?” Cathal asked, looking at Aidan and Conláed. “I would invite mom and dad, but since mom works at one of the mini clinics around the city she’s probably not going to come regardless. I’m going to send her an invitation anyways.” Aidan replied before looking at his son. “Conláed, you’ve been quite silent this whole time. Is there somebody you want to bring along.”

Conláed nodded his head. “Yes, I’d like to bring Kristoffer Laurens. He’s one of our best soldiers, and Aria already met him.” The two men looked at Conláed before nodding.

“I agree, Kris is one of our best soldiers. Not only that, but his medical skills are exceptional.” Cathal stated. “I remember seeing him duel other cadets and even some members of the army when he was training,” Aidan reminisced, “and he defeated every single one, even you.” Conláed remembered those times fondly, he found a deep respect for Kris and her skills.

“Alright kid,” Cathal said, “I’ll send ‘im a letter. You’re all dismissed.” The father and son duo walked out of the room towards their house.

Kris was at her house, on her bed lost in thought. Images of seeing Jakob again, her mom coming out of seclusion to reconcile with her family, and herself and… Conláed? “I’m thinking too much.” she grumbled, getting out of bed to make some food. She liked her home, it was just her. She didn’t have to conceal herself from others, she could think about her family, and generally be herself.

Putting the filling into the potato and wheat dough, she placed the dumplings into boiling water and got out a plate. Once the palt was complete, she placed them onto the plate and disposed of the water.

Once Kris finished eating, she cleaned the plate and utensils and left them to dry. She walked back into her room and went to sleep.