"Have I?" Noble folded her arms. "Err of Clan Valor would beg to differ."
Chip rubbed the back of his leathery neck. "To err is human. To forgive…"
"I don't think young Err sees it that way." The provost clicked her tongue. When the boy had returned a few short days ago, he had been livid. Not only had Err been taken unwillingly into the Dream Realm, but the legacy of Valor had also been linked to Ravenheart.
The boy had stormed from the Academy out for the blood of the culprit.
"It was a mistake. It was hard to know which room was which from the outside. But I'm not sorry. I'm an equal opportunity offender when it comes to those craptastic sovereigns. If I offended Valor's honor, so be it." Chip shrugged.
Noble wasn't sure what to say to that. What was done was done, and there wasn't much the provost could do about it.
"Just...don't let it happen again. Please."
Chip heaved a heavy sigh. "The things we do for friends..."
"Thank you. I will figure out how to make it up to you someday," Noble promised.
"Are you kidding? You don't owe me. If anything, you are one of the reasons I'm still breathing, Noble. The least I can do is babysit some teens." The man chuckled.
"Thank you, Chip. Your help means a lot."
Noble had been determined not to let another Sleeper end up like Gisel. While she couldn't stop legacies from taking the hard path, the thought of even one Dreamer going into the solstice unwillingly made Noble sick to her stomach.
Chip was a lifesaver—literally. If he believed that she had saved him also, then she was very glad to have helped him in that way.
"I'll get you the new applicants in a few days. You'll need time to replenish your essence anyway."
"Are you kidding? I could shuttle those minions all day, every day." Chip was exaggerating, but he did look much better than Noble would have expected for someone who hours ago had dragged three people across Realms.
Then again, the three people had been Sleepers, not quite mundane but also not fully Awakened. It did not take nearly as much essence as bringing a Master or other Saints across the boundary.
"I am glad you are so energetic. You never know when your strength might be needed. On that note, would you like to stay for brunch? We might not have barbecue, but the cafeteria never disappoints." Noble wished she could look the man in the eye for more than a moment, but his Flaw prevented it.
While his less human form did lessen the effect, it could not completely erase the feeling of nausea that gazing directly at him would cause. It was a cruel Flaw, but Chip did not seem bothered by it these days. At times, he weaponized it.
But just now he allowed his face to become less human to ease Noble's burden.
"I would be honored to stay for a meal, as long as that means bringing it here and not going to the cafeteria. If one of those lads catches sight of me, the jig will be up." Chip winked.
"Agreed. I'll have something ordered for us right away." Noble might not be able to repay him for helping her, but she should at least thank him with a hot meal.
Soon a tray was brought to the provost's quarters, which Child Promise accepted at the door. If Const thought it was too much food for her, he wisely did not say.
Together, the two Saints joined together for a rare quiet meal.
Noble spent time around other powerful Awakened often enough, but other than with Sarai, it was rarely an informal visit. The relaxed setting and lack of agenda made for a very pleasant hour where Noble almost forgot all of her troubles.
Almost.
Chip took a deep drink of water and, lamenting that it wasn't stronger, set it down on the table between them.
"Oh, since I am not exactly part of the in-crowd in Ravenheart, I was hoping you might pass on a little bit of news for me."
"News?" Noble was intrigued. Other than Sarai and occasionally Noble's family, Chip didn't really interact with anyone from the city.
"I came across a broken-down wagon full of goods while I was taking a walk with Matilda yesterday. One of the wheels had been torn clean off. The foodstuffs inside hadn't rotted, but there were no people in sight." Chip's words immediately put Noble on alert.
"Where was this?"
"Out past the Ash Plains, which is farther than I normally go. It could be they got caught in the storm a few days back and had to abandon their gear in search of shelter. But I thought you and those up at the palace should know either way." Chip's normal smile was gone.
The sight had bothered him more than he was willing to admit.
"There aren't many people left up in the palace these days," Noble shook her head. "But I will get the information where it needs to go. Thanks for letting me know."
It was hopefully nothing. There was always the possibility that a traveling family got attacked by Nightmare Creatures, but Chip had not mentioned signs of a struggle. It would likely remain a mystery, at least for the time being.
While Noble was still pondering, they finished the meal and Chip helped Noble collect the dishes onto the tray.
"I'll be looking for that message of yours, Noble. If you like, I can send Matilda in to get it from you."
"Whatever works for you. But give me at least a couple of days to let all the drama die down. If we do anything else too quickly…" The provost paused and glanced toward the door.
A heartbeat later, there was a knock on it.
"Who is it?" Noble asked, already knowing by the man's emotional signature that it was her assistant.
"It's Const, ma'am."
"If you've come to pick up the tray, I'll get it to you in a moment." Noble waved at Chip as she grabbed the tray.
"I'll take it, but that's not why I'm here. We have an urgent situation. One that cannot wait." Const continued to speak through the door.
Normally he would have waited for the provost to open it. It must have indeed been very serious.
Noble glanced at Chip, but he didn't budge. He wanted to know what the problem was too.
The provost sighed and continued to raise her voice.
"What seems to be the trouble?"
"The Princess of Valor wants to speak to you. Now." Const's voice was anything but calm.
Noble had spoken to Morgan before more than once, but Const had no way of knowing that.
"I'll come to my office presently. Get her cued up on my communicator." Noble wondered what the princess was doing out of the fighting. A special trip to the NQSC couldn't mean anything good.
"Ma'am, she's not on the communicator. She's in your office." Const gently corrected his boss.
"Lady Morgan is in my office?" Noble spread out her emotional sense, which had been tightly wrapped around her for the comfy meal.
She came to the realization a heartbeat before Const spoke.
"Not that Princess, ma'am. It's Lady Nephis."