As they rode out of the town and towards the city of Westfall in search of answers as to the where about of Prince Yew, the cavalry leader told the ranger, "My prince, your father is well and his reign strong. He is aware of all that transpires within his kingdom as you know. When word of the horde approached his borders, he sent messengers to your brothers per standard protocol. Your oldest brother, Prince Ash received the call to arms, as well as Prince Birch. I am glad that Captain Mandur and his hill dwarf kin were able to aid the messenger in his time of need."

"I am as well. The Hill Dwarves do not forget their friends in their hour of need," The Prince added, "But you strike me as a soldier with a few questions of your own. Speak freely, Captain Andaerean, I will listen to all you have to say and answer any question you choose to ask."

"I heard why you left, my prince and I understand but I am curious how you survived beyond the borders of the kingdom. Had things gone differently and you had been able to choose another, would you have stayed?" Captain Andaerean inquired.

"I survived beyond the borders of our kingdom by making friends," The Prince replied, "Specifically, those who ride with us now. They looked after me as often as I have looked after them. We have a friendship which is not only grounded in trust but also forged in the fires of battles and grown in the fields of victory."

"And in answer to your second question, Captain," Willow responded in a fortright manner, "Had I been given leave to choose my wife, I would have never left our kingdom nor would I have left my father's side."

The elven captain and his fellow riders nodded in compliance with the ranger.

"So Serna, how do you like riding on Dragolem's back? Or are you not picky on what you think would make a fine steed for someone like you?" The elementalist asked the girl as they rode side by side.

"I've ridden horses before," The Shield Maiden confessed, "And I must say that Dragolem is the smoothest and easiest mount that I have ever ridden. I'm not picky about what I ride on so long as I don't get bounced around too much."

Serna giggled, "How about you, Alyson, how does it feel for you to ride your boyfriend?"

Caliaphy's jaw hit the floor metaphorically, "Well snap! That's not how I would of said it but I approve!"

The rage drake growled loud enough for the draconian to start laughing and sidestepped away from the bronze man. While the elementalist just face palmed and sighed.

"Just fine, Serna. You think its funny now but when your hormones kick in, maybe you'll finally get why the adults tell you to go away, or that's
a grown-up thing. Maybe you should ask Willow the same question you asked me?" Alyson shook a finger at the shield maiden.

"It was just a joke, Alyson, it was just a joke," Serna broke out into gales of laughter as she held up her hands to ward the Elementalist off, "Besides I would ask Willow that question, were he riding his girlfriend, which he is not, he's merely riding a horse. And I don't think a horse would make a good girlfriend for him."

"Yeah," Alyson looked skyward shaking her head, "and I wonder how long it would take him to feel embarrassed or vice versa."

Irzen laughed at well as he enjoyed the impromptu humor.

The Shield Maiden again launched into more gales of laughter before she calmed down, turned to The Fairy and asked,"Um, Caliaphy, what are hormones? And why do they kick you?"

The kurori's eyes went wide, "Umm. Umm. I think humans call it woman hood."

"Ever heard of girls coming of age, Serna?" The elementalist asked quietly.

"No, can't say I have," The Shield Maiden admitted openly, "What's that?"

"Sorry to interrupt, ladies," The Swordsman cut in, "But do you REALLY think NOW is a good time for a conversation on the birds and the bees?"

"Birds and the bees?" Serna asked no one in particular, "What do they have to do with hormones? And what are hormones anyway? Caliaphy, your answer was as cryptic as any thing Dungeon Master would say."