Alexandra shook her head. They hadn't even made pie that evening, which was the strange part. The cook from...from Fendriel had. The royal family's personal chef. She looked down at her plate. Oh dear. "My brother got me the job at the castle, he's a palace guard. Our parents died when I was very young, so he's raised me as best he could. He's married now though, and expecting his second child, so I was pretty much on my own. He did save me though, telling me to run when the guards began to search for the chefs. Which is how I came across Yven and her rider,"

"They won't get too bad, they don't want to dishonor Yven and Galifer's sacrifice," Alen pointed out.

"I see. It sounds like you've had it quite difficult. You'll turn out just fine here, especially with your new companion." Aaron replied.

"Yes, it's quite the new world to explore. To know that what was once a story told at bed time is truth, and that there is a small nation you never knew even existed. It is life changing, to say the least." Aaron concurred.

"How do you feel about outsiders?" Alen asked casually.

"Why do they hide up here?" Alexandra asked.

Artanis shrugged, reaching for seconds. "They help us get more riders, especially now that less of us are becoming riders."

"The ones I've met are friendly, so I guess they're alright. Never came to bother me," Artanis replied.

"What about Po?" She asked, looking down at the baby dragon.

"She's the last of us," Alen nodded at the new girl. "Be her friend."

"Maybe," Artanis continued eating.

"I'm an eighth year." Aaron replied. "Final year, unless my education suddenly takes a horrible turn for the worst."

"Huh?" Alen looked over.

Alexandra nodded, thinking about the new information to process. After a bit she said, "I never thought I'd get an education."

"For now, try to enjoy the food, alright?" Aaron asked of her.

"Xan? Any particular reason you came to that nickname?" Aaron inquired, curious.