"Why?" Zephrine furrowed her brow.

"I told my physician, Rhys, I'd find you."

"Rhys is alive?" Zephrine looked ready to cry again. "And Caius? And my mother, Henna? They're alive?"

"They were when I left. Your mother makes tremendous biscuits, you know?"

Zephrine laughed, the first smile Xavier had seen from her. It was then, that he realized just how beautiful Zephrine was, even while tears rolled down her cheeks. Her eyes were like moonstone when they lit up, gorgeous white-blue and peaceful.

"Oh, no, please don't cry again." The slight fear of another episode of Zephrine's rose up.

"My family is alive." She wiped away the tears, still grinning from ear to ear.

"I don't know if this will escalate the situation, but I was saving something for when we found you. It's with the horses, if you're feeling up to the walk."

Zephrine nodded, using Xavier's shoulder to keep herself upright. Seyr stood, following her Singer through the trees.

"I hid this from the knights, they would have eaten it within seconds." Xavier reached into the saddlebag, pulling out a package wrapped in his favorite blue cloth. "I thought you might like this."

Zephrine cautiously opened unfolded the cloth, revealing one of Henna's biscuits. Before he knew what was happening, Xavier was enveloped in Zephrine's arms, with her head in his chest.

"Well, this is a welcome change from the sword." The movement of Xavier's ribs through his laugh shook Zephrine along in rhythm.

"Don't get used to it." Zephrine released Xavier, folding the biscuit back up in the cloth.

"Wasn't going to." He sweeped back his dark golden brown hair, trying not to look at the moonstone in Zephrine's eyes. "Would you like to meet the knights?"

"Why not?" Zephrine shrugged.

"Sire." Sir Balian stood, and the others followed suit.

"Stand down, men. This is Lady Zephrine, the Dragon Singer and the physician's sister." Xavier gestured to Seyr, who was peeking out behind a few trees. "And her dragon, Seyr. Zephrine, Sirs Balian, Gervaise, Gabriel, and Elys." He pointed to each in turn.

"My Lady." Each man addressed Zephrine, bowing their heads as they did so.

"Get some sleep, men. We ride for Viâna tomorrow morning. I think it's safe to say this mission was a success."

Zephrine smiled sadly, turning away from Xavier and the knights, no doubt going back to Seyr. Xavier watched her leave, but decided to give her some space. He had pushed a lot on her very quickly, she probably needed time to process everything.

He had found Rhys's sister, but it hadn't crossed his mind to ask about Eetu.