As Arthur stood up Zoe stopped him and ushered him out so they could speak. The others went on ahead to the dining hall. She ended up leading him to the previous housing area before she spoke.

“How was your journey by boat?”

“It was long and boring at times, but I am used to such things after staying in the cellar frequently. Why couldn’t we just speak in the dining hall?”

“It is going to be much too loud in there. You have yet to experience seeing a dozen dwarves in a drunken stupor before. It is best to avoid them. How did you like the training under Ethan? Did everything go well?”

“The excursions and practice were all good. I didn’t have anything to complain about I guess. He gave me plenty to think about and advanced my skills. That is all I can hope for in a teacher. How has it been here? When did you get here?”

“I went back to Zaria the elven capital and gathered some things I needed before traveling here and building the things shown earlier. The visit itself has been okay. I am not a fan of these caves, and neither are most elves. I am glad you all are here so I can get out of here soon. I will probably pack up while you travel to the dragon. Though the Elven King wants me to watch the battle. Something about being one of the few people able to do such a thing and not wanting to miss the opportunity to join the scouts watching. How are you feeling about it?”

“I don’t want to fail. You, Ethan, and the others have been preparing me for this for months now. I don’t want to let you down.”

“I’m sure you will do great. I am glad you are continuing to see this through. I also wanted to hear about what else you have learned and what you’ve fought while I left.”

“Most of my training I have focused on learning new spells and applying them to the fights I’ve been on. I haven’t really stuck to one magic discipline. I have just learned the ones Andre and Ethan have found that best suit me. I have fought goblins while you were gone and giant spiders and tracked down bad guys. My swordplay has also greatly improved and my ability to coordinate between the two skills has also gotten better.”

“That’s great. How have you felt over the past months? Has anything changed or felt different?” she asked.

He paused turning his head. “I know you’re looking out for me, and I am fine,” said Arthur reading into her questions. “My mental state is fine. I am ready for this battle and will fight the undead when the time comes. I know it is your job to look over me and I appreciate that. Nothing has changed that isn’t a problem. Ethan has added all the things to me that I need to use magic to fight the undead. I’m not feeling any side effects that I can tell at least.”

“It is so hard to tell how you feel sometimes because you show nothing on your face by design. You probably feel alone sometimes and isolated and I know being stuck in that cellar probably hasn’t helped much. At least that will not last much longer. You will be on the battlefield here and across the sea. I just want you to know that you can tell me anything and I will do what I can to help you.”

I think I will be fine for now and thank you for your hard work in preparing those items for us. I’m sure it took a lot of time and effort.”

“I’m glad it was appreciated by you. You will be especially glad to use it when it saves your life out there. This battle is one where we will lose the battle if we lose you. Even if the dragon is defeated. We need to bring you back to fight the undead.”

“I’ll try and keep myself safe. I have no intention of sacrificing myself just because I could.”

“Yeah. Let's head to the dinner. You may not be hungry but I am. You can come as well and meet others.”

“I’m not sure I want to. We are already in the residential area and my space is right here.” He motioned towards the quiet houses.

“Come on. I can’t drag you so come.”

Zoe brought Arthur to the dining hall. Talk and discussions in groups had already formed in the hall. Some glanced when Arthur entered but they continued speaking. Zoe went over to the wall where a buffet of food was lined up for everyone. Arthur wished he could return to his designated room and practice his swordplay, but this had to be done.

The dwarves he met were nice but blunt at times when asking him questions as the night went on. He did his best to answer the questions when they came and ask about the dwarven people in turn. Arthur found the room warm to his presence as he got used to participating. He still wished to leave but not as much.

He walked around and listened to the idle conversation. He found Lucas sitting in a corner already quite drunk. He barely lifted his head up as he acknowledged Arthur’s presence. When he found Kendra and Aria they brought him in for conversation. They had already finished off small plates of food but had not touched the strong liquor.

They discussed Arthur’s magic practice and how the growth in all of their abilities had grown. They then shifted the topic to magic theory and pried Arthur’s mind for spell possibilities. Arthur became more interested in the topic as they continued. During his small lifetime, he had only focused on the pure application of his spells and not the underlying theory for the spells. Aria and Kendra on the other hand were deeply interested in how their powers could combine to create stronger and different effects. It gave Arthur pause and his thoughts ran wild on how he could use his own magic in the same ways. He had access to many more types of spells, so the possibilities were endless. He wanted to return to his place and refine his ideas, but he returned to the current reality. Now was not the time to experiment was spells but perhaps once this battle was over. He resolved within himself to work on his theories on the ship ride back. He would have plenty of time on the ride back.

The dinner party continued for a while longer. People staggered back to their rooms sometimes starting to wander through the tunnels. Guards waiting for this scenario would help them back to their rooms. Arthur took it in himself to carry Lucas back to his room. He had completely passed out, so Arthur carefully slung him over his back. Once everyone had cleared out servant cleared the tables and the entire room. Arthur dumped Lucas’s body in his bed before returning to his own room. Arthur relaxed a bit when he was finally alone. The room was quiet and outside the house, everyone else was falling asleep.

‘Maybe just a little bit of sword practice tonight. It is not like I can sleep. I also won’t wake people if I mess up with magic. Probably.’

Arthur brought out his elven sword and began shadow fighting with an invisible foe.