Aether seemed pained that his statement of gratitude had been cut off.

He took a moment to collect himself.

"Perhaps you need a little more rest before you regale us with your tale, my boy," Roan suggested, motioning for the younger man to lie back down.

"His Highness is fine," Flint waved off the cohort leader. "We plucked him from a dragon's mouth. The least he can do is tell us how the blazes he got there."

"Flint," Noble began to scold, but Aether sat up straighter and smiled softly at her.

"No, Master Flint is right. I am doing much better." The young man checked that the wound on his shoulder was closed before dismissing the outer layer of his armor. "That is most impressive. I am envious of your healing ability."

"Envious-schmemvious! You stall worse than any woman I've ever met. Get on with it, will you?!" The surly Master removed his hands from his patient.

Aether stiffened.

"A little cordiality never hurt anyone."

"Cordiality might not, but I sure can!" Flint's fingers twitched.

"Flint!" Noble tugged the man toward her with the tether.

Seeing the surly man flinch, Aether smiled. "There is no need for violence. I will tell all there is to know, which isn't much."

He rolled his shoulder experimentally as he continued his tale.

"The Saint with you, Lady Syrce, is it? I have seen her name before in my correspondence. Or rather, in the messages belonging to the person whose place I took.

"I was dropped in a cozy little camp by myself. Imagine my surprise when I saw Bastion before me, completely in ruins! I was worried that in its dilapidated state, you might not find it, so I tried something I had never done before: I sent lights through the sky to guide you here."

"How in the world did you make the stars move?!" Flint's eyes looked like they might come out of his head.

He had heard Roan and Noble speculate that the celestial disturbances were due to Aether, but he had thought they were just wishful thinking.

"I wasn't moving the stars, just the light a little. My affinity to the skies helped immensely." Aether rubbed the back of his neck. "Anyway, after I landed, it didn't take me long to realize whose place I had taken. The man before me was one of the scout Syrce had mentioned.

"I had his most recent notes and some instructions, both from Lady Syrce and Lady Lyra. They both asked me to stay here and observe Bastion. Since this was our meeting place anyway, I saw no reason to disobey orders. I've been watching the hill and taking notes like my predecessor. I will have to add the bit about the dragon before I turn them in, though."

"I would like to see those notes before you hand them over." Roan tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Both yours and the one who came before you."

Nodding, Aether stood. His face was still gaunt, but Flint's healing had done good work. The man no longer seemed on the edge of death.

"Follow me. My camp is not too far."

"You two take the griffin. Blondie and I can fly on over." Flint puffed out his chest.

'Such a mooch!' Noble furrowed her brow. 'Do you really think that just because you are a healer and you are magically conjoined to me that you should be able to use my power whenever you like?'

Flint seemed genuinely surprised by the outburst. 'First off, yes, I should be able to do just that. But I figured that you would jump at the chance to do something nice for me after I saved your life.'

'You did?'

Noble looked at him strangely for a moment before remembering the water that had preserved her armor just long enough for her to leave the fiery furnace. Where else could it have come from?!

Suddenly, the lady felt very selfish. She opened the connection, and Flint's feet lifted off the ground. Noble dipped her chin.

'Thank you. I wouldn't have made…'

'I told His Highness that I didn't want gratitude, and I don't want it from you either. A gentle use of the tether and letting me fly whenever I like are better than any empty words.' Flint floated a little higher, his lips curling even more than before.

"What are you hens waiting for?" He lifted his nose haughtily in the air like a rooster about to crow. "Let's go!"

Roan and Aether, both atop the magnificent griffin, looked at each other and shrugged.

Together, the four Masters went to retrieve the young man's reports.

Without the thrill of battle, Noble's injuries were making themselves known. Though the charm and Flint's help had saved her life, they had not left her unscathed. Even now, her body felt like pins and needles as she moved across the landscape.

Dismissing her helmet, the jelly cap underneath, and the outer layer of her armor, Noble took a deep breath to cleanse her lungs. The cool breeze stung her skin almost as much as the fire had.

Noble pulled Imagination's cloak to block the flow of air. The Divine relic had with withstood the fire, looking as pristine as it always did.

"Ah!" Wincing, she circulated her essence, hoping to work the pain sooner rather than later.

"Y-Your face!" Flint's outburst drew the attention of the other two men.

Noble flushed. "I'm sure I am not looking my prettiest just now. You don't have to point it out."

"Stupid woman, as if I would ever comment on your looks," the surly Master spat.

"What then?" Child of promise reached up to touch her face. The sight of her hand shocked her. "Oh!"

Blisters covered her skin.

"Your face is severely burned, just like your hand. How are you not writhing in pain just now?" Flint looked mildly impressed that the woman was still acting normally and speaking.

Noble's concern deepened. Less pain was not a good sign. Pain meant that nerves could feel. A lack thereof meant things were not working properly.

She was a Master, so the wounds should heal, but with a dragon's fire, that healing was less certain.

While she was still contemplating her injuries, Flint scoffed.

"Come on, Blondie. The longer you wait, the worse you are going to feel."

Stopping, he placed his hand on her collarbone. Her body immediately felt cooler.

The pain on her skin dulled, and the process of healing began. Looking at her burned face, Flint's expression softened ever so slightly.

'Did he just feel...compassion?' Noble wisely kept the thought to herself, and for her wisdom, she was rewarded with an unexpected boon.

For the second time in her life, Child of Promise felt someone's emotions toward her help to replenish her essence. Unlike on the airship in Australia, his concern came directly from the tether and into her soul core.

Flint must have felt it too, for his eyes widened. However, he did not let go of her, using the last of his reserves to restore her to good health.

The effect was astounding. Noble looked at her glistening skin. She knew if she looked in her soul sea, it would be rejuvenated as well.

"Than–" The lady caught herself. "You do good work."

Grunting, Flint nodded and released his patient.

As quickly as it had come, his feeling of kindness vanished like the wind.

"Don't mention it." He looked at her sharply. 'Ever.'

Noble nodded. His secret was safe. If it were up to her, no one would ever find out.

Flint had feelings.