Tiger napped as the carriage was led back to town. His eyes opened to see the town on the horizon and the sun going down low. He rubbed his eyes and then sat up. He glanced around to see the knightly fellow and Wolf conversing. Not quite conversing, Wolf was listening in to what the knightly fellow was saying. Which was basically conversing when it came to Wolf.

Tiger sat cross legged in front of the entrance of the wagon, behind the guard who was driving it. He blinked a few times before he then eventually rolled off the side of the wagon, landing on his feet, and then walked beside the wagon. He wanted to stretch his legs for a bit.

One of the guards behind him buckled on his horse and circled to one side as Tiger landed in front of him.

“Sorry about that.” Tiger raised his hand at the guard, who frowned but didn’t reply. He then glanced over to see Tak was nearby, riding alongside him. He smiled. “Had a fun day?” He asked, chuckling at her.

Tak had been a huge help through the plains. She was also useful in a fight, though that was a given considering her background. He remained silent for some time after before peering over to Wolf. Then he glanced at Tak who met his gaze.

“So you’ll be heading back?” He asked. “We’re pretty far from your plains, want us to escort you back.”

Tak broke the glaze and glanced away. She didn’t reply, nor gave any indication that she was going to.

‘Huh…’

Tiger cocked his head to one side.

‘She doesn’t seem so bothered…’

He smirked and then chuckled, leaving it at that. There was no need to think too far into it, or anything for that matter.

Eventually he hopped back onto the wagon and clambered inside to see the little lady leaning against the wall, knees up to her chest.

“Evening.” Tiger said as he sat and leaned against the opposite wall.

“Good evening, sir.”

“I’m no sir.”

“…” She nodded her head.

Tiger grinned in response. Then he sighed.

“So.”

“So?”

“Who are you?”

“I’m a lady.”

“Right. Which lady?”

The girl frowned and then looked down at Dragon. Tiger waited for some time.

“Lady Rose.”

“Rose huh? That’s a nice name. I know a few Roses.” He scratched his chin, thinking of one of the children at the orphanage with the same name. “You look a little like her too.” He looked down at her passed the sleeping form of Dragon. “Do you know much magic, Rose?”

Rose grew pale and looked down at her feet.

“What’s wrong?” Tiger asked eventually, his words soft.

“Oh. I, um… I don’t do magic.” She shifted a little as she tried to appear smaller than she already was.

“Why’s that? Haven’t you learnt yet.” Tiger raised a brow, cocking his head to the side.

Rose hid her face behind her knees. Tiger could see her tremble.

‘Odd…’ He thought to himself.

“I-I can’t do magic.”

“That’s quite a shame, you have a lot of natural ability for it.”

She looked up at him quickly, eyes shot open. Tiger smiled in response.

“… What do you… what do you mean?” Her eyes darted away from him.

“You smell like magic.” Tiger pinched his nose and winced, though he was feigning it. He could smell mana clinging to her, and for a little girl, it was a large amount. “If you wanted to, you could become one of the strongest mages in the land.”

She was staring up at him. “W-won’t people hurt me if they find out?”

“Eh? You should just get stronger then. Who is going to hurt you if you are stronger than them? If you don’t learn magic… you might get hurt anyway. That’s how the world is. I’ve seen plenty of little flowers get plucked before their time.”

She blinked at him. She looked at him the same way everyone else did, like he was an idiot, but he had gotten used to it.

“It’s scary.” She whimpered in response.

“Yeah.” Tiger leaned back. “It would be nice though. I wouldn’t have to worry about Dragon so much.”

“…” She tilted her head to one side.

“If you were a trained mage, you could protect him.”

She continued to stare at him.

“It’s a shame though.” He yawned and then closed his eyes, feigning sleep.

After a while, he smelled the spark of mana. He opened an eye the smallest amount to see the girl holding her hands together, staring intently at a tiny light. He smiled and then closed his eyes to sleep.