The trip back was filled with attempts to distract myself. Distract from contemplating my changes further. They've been beaten to death as is and I was tired of them. Yes, I'm changing. No, I don't know what to do about it. Maybe exploit them? Pride for morals? Lust for being a good person? Greed for--

So, I tried to rekindle lost humor on the way back, to lift my mood. It came in the form of signposts with escalating messages the closer to the cabin they got. If anything, it filled me with amusement but maybe others would too. Look! The big scary DRAGON isn't so scary anymore, he's making jokes. Fat chance of that.

'Go away' 'No, seriously, go away' 'Unless you have big boobs, you're welcome' 'I keep warning you, and you keep coming' 'Ugh, I'm getting tired of hiding the bodies'

A personal favorite, for reminding me of the memes. 'Get out of my swamp!' Even took the time to draw an ogre under it. Now I needed to create the swamp.

As amusing as it was, my poor humor aside, my exhaustion caught up to me by the time I reached the cabin. Not physical, of course, but mental. There's only so many times you can do something stupid until you have to admit you're just stupid. Stupidity that can snuff out life. It was dampening an already small ego. Hell, I'm a fucking Dragon, how is even possible to not have an ego the same size?

Oh, I know already. It was beaten ou-- Not going there.

You would think the Dragon would supplement it. But I've watched people fight with aspects of themselves for their entire lives. Always conscious of it, always aware. Nothing to say to aspects this large and consuming. They didn't feel artificial but with me actually watching for it, they become painfully apparent. Oh, they still slip through though.

It would be something I will have to struggle with for a long, long time. Unless my trusty book had an answer. I had thought Mind Defense would be it, but apparently, these draconic instincts aren't degenerative mental effects. How? I don't know. They definitely affect thinking and problem-solving. Maybe it's because I can still do those, only with a Dragon's influence. Or because being a Dragon is now a part of me. I had my answer right there. I was still glad the Dragon beat the Great One, that would have been truly a nightmare.

And... I still contemplated it. Go figure.

Shaking my head, I reoriented myself before entering, though vying to open the stupid book (just a tad angry at it, just a tad). If there was an answer, it was there.

Opening the door, I find Brandon haphazardly laid out in front of it, still unconscious, drool dribbling down his face. The wet spot on and under his pants answered why he was there, though not what was wrong. It's been what? Two hours? How is he still knocked out? Still, I gave Elena and Lyanna a questioning brow as I stepped over him to join them at the kitchen table. They sat prim and proper with tea in their hands, faded giggles around them. The incredulity of the situation brought a smile to my face.

"So... What did I miss?" I ask as I sit next to Elena. Both looked ready to laugh for reasons unknown.

"Elena was telling me... interesting facts about you." Lyanna said instead. I was really asking Elena but I've begun to notice a habit of Lyanna. The need to assert herself in a conversation. It wasn't a bad habit per se, though could be annoying. It wasn't, only because I think I know where it comes from. Medieval society has certain expectations from their ladies and someone like Lyanna... would be crushed under it. Willful and wild.

"Nothing bad, I promise, Lyle." Elena said with a mischievous smile. Lyanna's hint of blush clued me in, but I couldn't be certain.

"You were having girl talk while I was dealing with an army?" Incredulity rose higher.

"Girl talk?" Elena asked back, with a tilt of her head.

"A talk between girls... usually about boys, fashion, and secrets." Lyanna supplied.

"Then, yes, we were having a girl talk." Completely missing the point of my question. Or more likely, ignoring it.

"You have become too playful, Elena. Oh, how I mis---" I started before noticing her begin to pout.

"I love this side, also."

Lyanna giggled to my backtrack, though Elena leveled me with a stare. I sighed, slumping in my chair.

"They're beautiful eyes, Elena, but your glare could use some work."

I began to close my eyes, letting exhaustion show, before noticing it had turned quiet. Lyanna looked

contemplative and Elena was... pouting. Is this Elena's first use of silent treatment? It's kind of cute, but where the hell did she learn it?

Eyes full of accusations, I looked back to Lyanna. She noticed and a sad smile formed.

"You two really love each other, don't you?"

"...We do, but where is this coming from? I would have thought your first question would be about the safety of your father." She shook her head softly in reply.

"My father has been trying to convince Brandon that you're honorable. I believe him."

"What has convinced him of that?" I asked, not understanding where the impression came from. She tucked her hands on her lap, her face finally taking a softer smile.

"When we came with accusations, you not only didn't kill us, but not even the one responsible for them. Letting us deliver justice. My father and I have no doubt, even more so now, that you could have killed us all back then."

I smiled wryly.

"It was a close thing. I even accidentally killed many from the army just now. Your faith is appreciated, but--"

"Why do you care for those beneath you?" She looked genuinely confused. "I've been taught Gods don't care for the concerns of mortals. Maester Yussif is generally an unpleasant man, but rarely wrong."

"...I'm not a God, Lyanna... Back to the first question, where is this coming from?" I ask, avoiding answering her own. I couldn't answer that I rarely put people below me, but now I can't even put them above. The Dragon wouldn't allow it, no matter how my self worth felt about it. It would require a story I didn't know her well enough to share.

"I love my father, I really do... but despite how noble he usually is... he's been having ambition. My brothers and I aren't exactly sure when it came about, but he's been gathering allies. It's led to me being betrothed to a pig of a man, something he has said he would allow me to decide for myself." At my look, she continued. "I would have accepted it still, of course, but the rumors I've heard of my betrothal... they are not pleasant. My brother, Ned, is friends with him and even he doesn't agree with the match. My first meeting with him, he was already undressing me with his eyes."

"Oh, Lyle, she can just come with us!" Elena finally spoke in excitement. I looked to her with a raised brow, not understanding.

"Come with us? Where?"

"On our traveling, of course. We were going to travel, correct?"

My eyes of accusation were back. What the hell has she taught her in only two hours? Ignore that Elena is too smart for these innocent actions to be true. Yes, blame it on Lyanna. Lyanna tried to look innocent.

"...You two discussed this beforehand..." I say with a sigh. "Why? Did you connect that fast, Elena?" She blushed but still nodded.

Ok, so new emotions come with risks. Should have thought of that before letting her interact with others. I wouldn't have restricted it, but I still would have liked to be present to help guide her.

I'm also not surprised she befriended Lyanna, someone who appears to be willful and free. In contrast to Elena's feelings of being caged. Yes, we had planned to travel but only after we had our heads screwed on right. I guess Elena has been feeling more caged than I thought. I only wanted her to have a handle on her emotions before we did.

I started to say 'only if her father agreed' but stopped, already knowing the answer. Despite the brave face the man had held, I knew he was terrified of me. It would be obvious how he'd answer. I sighed again.

"Only of you're sure."

They both brightened immediately.

"But you'll still need to inform your father."