"It was never about goofing off, though," Felix sighed, placing his hands behind his head with his own frown. "I just... Didn't want to have to leave... Or to be responsible for the lives of others... Least not in the way a commander is... I don't mind protecting, just..." He looked aside. "Anyway, I... I knew he wouldn't be able to. And I had faith in you, okay?" He affirmed himself before standing up straight and huffing.

"Anyway, you're right. Can't waste energy  worrying about it.

~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~

Morrigan scowled at the slightly older knight when she noticed his aside glances. '[i]Great[/i],' she thought to herself. '[i]Another so called knight who's only interested in ogling...[/i]' She saluted the king regardless of her fellow soldier's lacking manners.

The king took a deep breath, a somber note to his mannerisms that night. "At ease, both of you. No need to be so formal with a man at the end of his life."

Morrigan was perplexed by the comment. The king was the picture of health. Why would he say something like that?

"Er... Your Majesty, what do you mean by that?" She asked.

The king pointed up to the sky. "The meteor shower." He said. "It signals the end for me. Six months ago, I had a meeting with a benevolent spirit of fate... It warned me of my incoming demise... And the tools I could take to prevent calamity. At first I disbelieved it as a jest, but..." He shook his head. "Regardless, that is why you two are here. The spirit told me that two of my finest should be sent to Mt. Ignis." He explained. "In fact, the spirit gave you by name, Mister Fallon. I was told to send two of my riders, and that one of those two, Albert Fallon, would have a great hand to play in the machinations of fate."

"Surely you jest, your majesty." Morrigan spoke, trying to hide her frustrations at the king's words. 

"Miss Morrigan, please understand..." The King said. "I was told to send two riders, and given but one name. I chose you because you're the finest of the Royal Riders, bar none. My only goal is to minimize loss of life and the blood shed upon my land." He explained. "And to that end, I chose you."

"Sir..." Morrigan said, still frustrated.