The Aegis was a welcome sight as Furion came drifting overtop of Trazad, and he dove swiftly to get to the docking bay. Expecting to find his own people there, though, it was strange when it was the Fourth waiting for him to land. He touched down and pulled his helmet off, “…Lord Xanarken?”

Purple eyes lifted, but the man just took a step back and gestured at…

“Lord Gabriel.”

“Please don’t.” He pleaded quietly, “It’s weird, coming from you.”

“I’m afraid that’s not how it works, sir.” Furion countered, “In any case, why are you here instead of someone from my crew? Or even Lord Rylen?”

“Long story short, Kitez has raised a colony ship from the waters off of Oceanside and we have every reason to believe it’s been weaponized. The Fourth has already gotten through to the Duchy and we’ve gotten confirmation that they’re willing to treat with me.”

“What is the Aegis’ role?”

“Same as before, just on a rushed timetable.” Gabriel answered, “The Emperor wants Prince Iresha taken to Agartha with all haste. First thing in the morning, the Aegis will be escorting him north while the Fulcrum and Dreadnought come west with me. Rylen is arranging a defensive line along the Kitezan border right now…which is why I’m here telling you about it instead of him.”

“…I see. And after?”

“After?”

Xanarken stepped closer to Gabriel’s side, “Share your overlay for a second.”

“Oh, sure.” He lifted his hands, and while the Eidolon could see it, Furion could not, so it just looked as though the man’s hand was pointing at blank panels.

Xanarken clicked through a few different lists, “I probably should’ve shown you this earlier, but…from here, you can see the positions and goals of every ship in the fleet in real time. You can look up ships by name or proximity to desired locations, or other metrics…” A finger highlighted the Aegis parked on top of Trazad, and a dossier came up beside it, “Current status…pending transfer to Agartha. Originally scheduled to depart on Friday, it’s now been bumped-up to tomorrow morning. Once the system detects that you’ve talked to him, it’ll show as Order Given and send the update out to the ship and crew. You can also force it through if you don’t have time. Rylen specifically wanted you to tell the Captain though, so it would stay here in pending status until you did.”

“…Crazy. How come Rylen didn’t just look at this when he was asking about who was closest to the border?”

“The Captains keep a closer eye on where they are in proximity to other ships than he does. It was faster to just ask.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Click through to the next page though; there’s more.”

Gabriel flicked his hand to the left to switch it over, and saw the next item on the Aegis’ list of tasks. He read it quickly, the nodded, “Ah, okay…yeah, no, this is all still right.” He gestured out with both hands to dismiss the overlay and let it go back to just his own sights, and he looked back to Furion, “Rylen doesn’t want the Aegis anywhere near this one. The Emperor has also asked for a personal guard to attend to his son for a little while, so…chef’s choice on who stays behind when you leave Agartha with Seth.”

The Captain was a bit flummoxed, “A personal guard?” He echoed, “You couldn’t possibly mean leaving a Fafnir Knight behind to wander around Agartha with the Prince. …Sir.”

“Unfortunately, I do. It was part of the deal we agreed to.” Gabriel stepped closer, leaving Xanarken in the back to watch. He got close enough to speak quieter, just enough for Furion to hear, “It’s just for a little bit. A few days, maybe…until whatever is going on with Kitez right now settles down.”

“The Fafnir are not for use as a personal security detail, sir.” Furion insisted, “We kill Limitless threats; we don’t protect them.”

“Then leave him with someone who has a history of being able to do both.”

That got a subtle look of ire, “…I just got her back. You wouldn’t…”

“Like I said, chef’s choice. Ren’s already been introduced to the Prince, and she’s proven she can handle him without lasting damage.” Gabriel walked a bit further, around the edge of the largest of the Fafnir’s dimly-glowing wings, “But ultimately, you get to pick. Or you can draft a volunteer. It’s just for show; making the Emperor feel like we aren’t leaving anything to chance.”

“With all due respect, sir, the Fourth has no jurisdiction over the Sixth.” Furion retorted, and side-eyed the Vice Eidolon warily, “It was one thing to ask if a ceremonial adjustment could be made, but it’s another entirely to bargain the duties of my subordinates for your own purposes.”

“Rylen told me to get the Emperor to agree to let the Fulcrum and the Dreadnought into the country.” Gabriel answered with a simple shrug, turning back towards the man slightly. He paused there a moment, then headed past him again to head back towards Xanarken, “And this largely is ceremonial. Rylen heard the entire conversation and he had no objections. You’re welcome to confirm with him if you want.”

Furion wasn’t sure how to respond to that. Fourth Wing or not, Gabriel still outranked him, and ultimately, if an Eidolon issued an order, it didn’t really matter what Wing they were giving it to. His gaze wandered towards Xanarken briefly, but he let out a grudging breath, “That won’t be necessary, sir. I’ll let her know.”

“You can go now; that’s all I had to say. I’m sure Seth will be glad to see you’re back.”

“Yessir.” The Captain was stoney-faced as he acknowledged the order and stepped off; his docking pod opened with a hiss as he approached, and he released the solid-light panels of his wings as he stepped within. With one grand gesture, his regular regalia reappeared around him, and with each step, the temporary nanotech boots that formed around his feet started to click on that hollow steel floor. He passed close-by enough to Gabriel for a corner of his cape to brush against the man, and the intimidating wake of his presence left the Vice Eidolon with a pit in his gut.

Once the Captain was gone though, Gabriel let out a breath he’d been holding since arriving, “…The dichotomy of Furion Rydell. The Captain and the man.”

“Your orders will not always be popular.” Xanarken agreed.

“I know… I just wish it didn’t keep having to be to his detriment.” Gabriel answered, “I’ve been nothing but a thorn in his side since Ren got transferred out in the first place. Every time he sees my face, the first words in his head must be ‘oh great, it’s him again, what now?’”

“You should think about getting some rest. It’ll take roughly eight hours to fly from here to Oceanside, and we can’t even start until our escort arrives.”

Gabriel was surprised by that choice of words, “Ours? You’re going to come?”

“In a sense.” The Eidolon nodded, and gestured over towards the elevators, “I’m going to send some tech cannisters with you. I’ll be with you in an observational role only. As much as possible, I will stay out of whatever happens. This is your show now, Gabriel. I’ve just bought some front-row tickets.”

.

Everyone was tired the next morning when a first-light wake-up call went out to the Fafnir. But, up they got, and ready they were made, shuffling out to the docking-bridges that led back aboard the Aegis and outside the purview of their Sargonian hosts. In the briefing room, they were all surprised to see their Captain there already.

“…Aren’t you supposed to be aboard the Guardian?” Ren wondered sleepily, though she reached a hand towards him as the other braced behind a yawn.

Furion clasped her fingers lightly, “The Aegis has been on silent-alarm since last night. Half of our fleet is heading towards the Kitezan border. The other half is on high-alert and are on standby. You couldn’t see through the palace, but on the other side of Trazad, the Fulcrum and Dreadnought are arriving.”

The room was paying very close attention, and Furion pulled his hand back to press it behind the woman’s back gently, nudging her forward towards the theater-rows of seats.

“Morning, everyone.” He started, “Sorry for the early wake-up call. Our plans have once-again been moved-up and we only have two hours to get ready. Before I get to that, though…there are a few other things to address. Last night, there was a meeting of the Captains, and as you know, there has been a change of rank in the Fourth Wing. Effective immediately…Sir Gabriel Lugios is to be referred to as Lord Gabriel Lugios, and while within the borders of Sargon and Kitez, he is the prevailing authority. Furthermore, Cadet Setharion Rydell is to be referred to as Sir Setharion Rydell.”

That got people murmuring.

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“It was sprung on me, too.” The Captain shook his head lightly, “Lord Rylen has decided to take on an apprentice, and Seth is it, so the promotion was obligatory. That being the case, once we’ve taken Prince Iresha to Agartha, we are immediately shoving off again to take Seth to his new home, roughly three hours southeast of the city, near the Mayrainese border. We’ll be stationed there for a few weeks ourselves, making sure he settles-in well and that nothing untoward happens with the cargo Lord Rylen brought back from the SSCF Sterling Rose. Trouble is…not everyone will be coming right away.”

Ravan and Ren glanced at one another, then back at the rest of the team.

“Our new Lord Gabriel made an agreement with the Sargonian Emperor last night, and as part of the deal to let our fleet through, we’re taking Prince Iresha to Agartha this morning, and one unfortunate soul is going to be sticking around with him until such time as we are no longer on high-alert.”

Ren raised her hand, and Furion gestured at her to speak, “Why are we on high-alert? Shouldn’t we have been scrambled in that case? We didn’t hear anything.”

“Have you ever wondered what the SSCF Sterling Rose would look like if it was airborne?”

“…Terrifying?”

Furion turned and let a single image show on the wall behind him, “This is the SSCF Tuonela, and it’s 23 miles off the western coast of Kitez. We don’t yet know what’s going on with it, but Captains Martell and Odinsdottir will be escorting the Fourth to Oceanside to find out. We’ve apparently caused enough of a mess in Kitez to be disincluded from the whole thing, but because of that mess, we’re being used as a symbol instead. In a way, I suppose giving the Prince of Sargon a Fafnir private-security detail is as close to a divorce as we’ll see between nations. And that brings me to my last comment before sending you off…Dame Ren.”

“…Yessir?”

“You’re the one who was chosen to stay behind.”

“Heh?” She balked, “Why me?”

.

“Why me?” She asked again as she grabbed the handful of items she’d brought across to her unused room in the palace.

.

“…Like, honestly, why me?” She asked her whole Wing Group as they followed her up to the launch-bay.

.

“Everyone keeps saying I have to ask you. So…why me?” She finally stood in front of the new Vice Eidolon of the Fourth – helmet off and wings held high and proud, “What did I do?”

The Aegis had already undocked and was out over the lake, with the Sargonian Imperial flagship hovering at the front of the cliff, its rear doors open and a long fancy ramp set from the balcony, over the railing, down the gardens, and finally into the vessel

“You clobbered him.” He answered, leaning back slightly with squinted eyes as he beheld the wingspan, “Why are you doing that?”

“Doing what?” She questioned, and the claw-like feathery projections curled inward slightly.

“Do those like…respond to emotional appeals or something?”

“Huh?”

Gabriel deadpanned her, “The wings. They’ve got a mind of their own?”

Her face went as red as those menacing solid-light panels, and she quickly gestured for them to turn off, leaving her looking rather demure and small again, “Sorry… They…react in part to the surface-tension of our backs. I guess I’m a bit miffed about being singled-out for only-you-know-why. Please. Why? Clobbering him should’ve disqualified me from that, shouldn’t it?”

“Because I trust you with my life, and so I know I can definitely trust you with his.” Gabriel answered simply, and she gave him a questioning look, “You made a point once to tell me that there was a non-zero chance the other Fafnir might’ve put me down for my outburst in your Captain’s office. You and the Captain have already shown you can handle it if something goes sideways…but I can’t put him on this. He’s like…” He lifted his hands out and tried to paint a picture of a sizable creature with just his gestures, “…A whole-ass Captain or something, I dunno.”

Ren quirked a brow, “…Are we still on a first-name basis or do I have to call you Lord now?”

“If you call me Lord I will probably burst into flames. At least…in situations like this, just one-on-one.”

She let out an exhale of relief, “Gabe…I appreciate the vote of confidence but this detail honestly sounds like it really sucks. Protecting the Prince? In Agartha? From what?”

“I know, I’m sorry…the Emperor insisted on a private guard as a show of support for what he’s going through. It won’t be for long.” He reassured, and set a hand on the outside of one shoulder. When he glanced up though, he let go again and stepped out, “They’re here.”

Ren turned on a heel and spotted the royal procession coming their way. They were still inside at that point, coming through the ballroom towards the massive glass doors that led outside, and paused briefly as the Prince and his father said some last words. They weren’t made to wait long though, and the group came outside, pausing in front of the Vice Eidolon and the Fafnir Knight standing beside him. The pair gave a polite bow of their heads.

“It’s not quite the momentous event I had thought it would be,” the Elder Iresha commented, “But…it is what it is. On this spot, two years ago, you found and saved my son from the throes of a violent power that had given no warning of its arrival. Like the Duchess now does in Kitez – raising that behemoth from the deep as a clear show of aggression, without warning – you go again to stop the worst from coming to pass. The Luminary Council has done much over these last two years to support the Sargonian Empire in its struggle to understand and accept what has happened to the Prince…and to put a finer point on our gratitude, I now send him to your people, to learn and grow and become a man with your guidance.”

“And we are honored to have him.” Gabriel nodded, then gestured to the fully-armored Knight beside him, “This is Dame Ren Nibasai. His Royal Highness may remember her from the unfortunate day you two met aboard the Bulwark.”

“You’re the one who repeatedly smacked me in the back of the head.” He said glibly, “…I didn’t know I’d have to worry about being put down by the Fafnir that day, but…I’m glad you didn’t.” He bowed his head down, “It’s nice to meet you under better circumstances.”

“The pleasure is mine.” She answered in kind, and bowed her head as well, staying in that spot until the Prince stood up straight again first. That all done, she turned away slightly and whispered to herself, then looked forward again to cast an eye over the gathered. Gabriel gestured for the young Prince to make his way up the make-shift stairs that lifted over the stony banister. One at a time, the whole gaggle of them made their way down the ramp towards the flagship; first the Prince himself, J’ard behind, then six total Sargonian soldiers. They made it halfway to the vessel before one of their flying escorts came into view…and landed on the veranda near the Emperor, four massive wings spread wide.

“Ah…so you were able to make it after all.” Iresha was at least a little impressed, and Furion stood up to his full height, pulling those wings in a bit so he wouldn’t take up so much space, “Captain Furion Rydell.”

“Your Majesty.”

“I don’t remember your father having four wings. Is that just you or is it new?”

“All Fafnir Knight-Captains have the option of four, but it’s not a requirement to use.” Furion answered, and stood still as the older man stepped around him, taking a good look at the whole spectacle, “Every Fafnir has the opportunity to put their own style into the way they look. Given what it takes to qualify for the team, and then being selected, it’s the least that can be permitted.”

“I see. Well…thank you, Captain, for indulging this old man in his curiosity. I’ll let you get back to your duties.” Iresha got back around the front again, and gestured to the sky.

“Your Majesty.” Furion bowed his head, then stepped up onto the banister for the leg-up, and rose out over the cliff before disappearing below the edge of the gardens.

Pale gold eyes watched until the young Prince was beyond sight, and all that was left was for Ren herself to board. The fact that she hesitated to leave was a message in itself to the Emperor, and he turned on his heel to head back into the palace, “I think I’ll watch them go from my study. I look forward to your update from Oceanside, Lord Gabriel.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

The last two people on the terrace were Gabriel and Ren themselves, and they waited for the man to head back through the glass doors – and for said doors to close – before saying anything. Gabriel fidgeted slightly, “…Guess I should call Maeve over to come get me. There’s a…uh…special envoy’s skiff that I’m supposed to take all the way to Oceanside. The Emperor wants to distance Sargon from the talks though…so he won’t let that ship come here to get me. Staying in his lane, or some such.”

“I thought we’d have more time.” Ren said instead, completely derailing the thought; Gabriel looked at the flagship anyway and shook his head. Ren thumbed at the circular rim under her helmet, where she held it under her left arm, “At least until Saturday or something…”

“Yeah.”

“Hard to believe this is really it. Feels like we barely just got started and now we have to go our own ways again.” She continued somberly, “…I’m glad we got a chance to say goodbye though. On our own, I mean.”

“Yeah…” He said again, “All part of the grand design.”

“You planned this?”

“Unfortunately.” Gabriel offered a weary smile, “I thought I’d get to go with the ship at first, but…when the Emperor and I got talking last night, and he started pushing for things to happen sooner, I realized I probably wouldn’t get to. So…when he said he wanted a personal guard for his kid, my kneejerk reaction was ‘Ren can do that,’ cuz it would mean you’d get to come here at the last.”

Ren scoffed and offered a cautious laugh, “You orchestrated this whole situation just so you could say goodbye?”

“It’s…probable.” He at least managed a smile, even as he started to feel a pain in his chest, “Selfish as it was, making you deal with babysitting a teenager for a few days while I go abroad.”

“You could probably spare a day or two in Agartha once you’re done, right?” Ren wondered, “I mean, if I’m gonna be stuck there till I’m given the all-clear to leave… Unless you have to come straight back here.”

“Maybe the Dawn of Ages party.” He supposed, “If you can get away for a da-“

Words caught in his throat from the surprise; Ren had swapped which arm she had her helmet under and slid the other around his back, stepping into him to set her head against his shoulder. Even if it was only half a hug, it was a hug none the less, and instead of holding his arms up awkwardly like the first time she’d attempted it, he managed to return the gesture with one arm of his own.

“I’m gonna miss the banter, and watching you squirm while you figure out how to grow into your new role.” Ren commented quietly, “But I’m glad I got to be here for the parts I did get to see.”

“…I…don’t know that I’d have gotten to this point if not for you. And the Captain, to a lesser extent.” Gabriel admitted, and averted his gaze as he saw Ren turn her face up at him; he could feel the look of skepticism she was giving, “I know, I know… I was a stubborn hard-ass most of the time. I hate that I wasted so much energy on being needlessly difficult.”

She just huffed a quiet laugh, “You know…as much as I kept hearing, before, that I’d been put with you because everyone expected you to drive me back…part of me wants to believe Lord Xanarken hoped I’d get through to you instead.”

That got him to finally look at her again, “…Yeah, maybe. I don’t know if I want to give him the credit though. You’re the one who did all the work.”

Ren was surprised to hear it, and just gaped at the man for a moment. The sound of the wind coming up the cliff seemed so loud before, but then suddenly went quiet, leaving nothing but the sound of her own heart pounding in her ears. It wasn’t particularly fast or hard, just…there. Then it seemed to skip, and she closed her eyes…and the next thing she knew, she’d kissed him.

Gabriel was just as surprised as she was; eyes were wide, and the whole world seemed to stop moving. He wasn’t even really sure it had happened anymore, until she turned slightly, pulled her arm back, and lifted that hand to his cheek instead…and did it again, this time holding a little longer, and it was impossible to deny. It was light, gentle, and unintrusive, but certain and intended. Even those few seconds felt like an instant, and Ren pulled back again; those bright green eyes looked right into him, and she brushed her thumb against his cheek, just under that right blue eye.

Neither could figure out what to say after that. The sound of those wings activating again was like a jolt back to reality, and Ren had to leave…

…and she was gone.