#bloodtideprotector

There were seldom any figures who can match or even surpass his height aside from perhaps a few laguz, which is why his curiosity was piqued when his gaze passed over someone larger than him. That stance, that appearance… 

Surely, the goddess of this land wasn't playing tricks on him, right?

Genuine surprise and confusion crosses his features, and he utters, the past title of ‘King’ almost slipping out of his mouth, “... Dheginsea? You’re… alive?” 

With positions having been left vacant by those who had volunteered in assisting the church’s latest mission, Dheginsea once again had his hand full as he walked to and from around the monastery grounds. With some duties that were beyond his station as a teacher assistant than others. Regardless of his reservation, he had his duties to fulfill and tasks he would see completed. Paying little mind to the wandering eyes of those around him.

Perhaps that is why Dheginsea hadn't noticed the familiar presence of someone who he had entrusted much to. One whose unmistakable voice makes him look up for the parchment at hand, his brows slightly arching in surprise.

Gareth, a reliable man who has served him well through and through, standing not a few feet away, shock clear on his face. But yet another Goldoan on foreign soil.. another who had learned the secret that is his revival...

“That I am.” Dheginsea gave a slight nod and calmly answered, the slight arch of his brow smoothing over as aged crimson eyes looked over his once general and retainer. What an odd sight he must be to his fellow countryman, without any of his usual garbs beside his clearly worn black cloak, having left the church of a foreign goddess not a few minutes ago..

All he knew was that the King didn’t want to be referred to as such, and to simply call him by his name as with any other regular person. It took the red dragon some time to get used to it – oftentimes having to correct himself in the middle of his sentence while asking around for Kurthnaga’s whereabouts – but it was feasible in the end. 

“Kurthnaga. It’s good to see you safe and sound.” Hands tucked at ease behind his back, he nods at the young laguz. “I trust that your studies have been going well? I couldn’t help but be curious as to what Garreg Mach was like. Sorry for the unannounced visit.”

The young king of dragons lights up as his eyes fall upon his guardian, running over to him with an excited smile on his face as fast as his legs can carry him.

"Gareth!" The younger dragon chirps, looking up at the elder with ruby eyes that still seemed far too innocent to belong to the ruler of a nation. He almost hugs his (former?) guardian, stopping just before he does to wonder if that would be crossing a line between them.

Gareth had cared for him for so long, had always been there to protect him if he needed it. Sometimes in the back of his mind he wondered if Gareth cared more than his own father did. But only sometimes

Seeing Gareth here now makes him long somewhat for home, but he knows he still has so much to learn here at the academy. He can't go back yet. He tries not to let his worries of not being good enough get to him, and instead he smiles, ever the soft and gentle Kurthnaga that everyone has always known.

From afar, he spotted the other laguz talking to who he can only assume was an interested customer. Luckily, by the time he approached, the patron had already walked away and disappeared off to the passing crowd.

“Nasir. How have you been?” Part of him was relieved that they had the chance to talk to each other in less serious circumstances. 

“Ena and your great grandson are doing well. The little one likes to use my finger as a teething tool. Not as mischievous as the young King when he was small… at least, not yet.” The corner of his mouth twitched in a very slight show of amusement, and he figured Nasir would notice it all the same. “I don’t intend on interrupting your work for much longer. If you can make time later, I’ll gladly catch you up to speed with the rest of his antics.”

Nasir can't help but to be a little shocked as Gareth's face enters his vision, the white dragon let out a soft laugh of both relief to see his cohort and surprise at him being here of all places. In Fodlan. In this marketplace. Standing across from Nasir.

His smile at the other man is far more fond than his usual smirk, a knowing smile filled with years of trust and alliance between the two of them. They'd been apart ninety years once, Nasir's anger at their liege finally boiling over until he could no longer stand to even face him. They'd be apart another while Nasir remained in Fodlan keeping a watchful eye over their young and ever naive king.

Now, no longer would the pair of Dheginsea's aides be separated by the astronomical distance between Goldoa and the monastery, but would be side by side once more, as they always had been back in those days serving their king.

"I should hope not, I still have the scars to show from our little king's rambunctious youth," Nasir laughs, knowing Kurth would be incredibly embarrassed to hear them talking about this now. But what does he care of embarrassing that foolish boy? Nasir has never cared that much for his feelings, "I am glad to hear of their health though, I do miss my dearest Ena terribly. To hear that she is well... that has always been my greatest wish. I hope now that she will be able to find some peace and happiness in her life."

His dear sweet Ena who had suffered so much, peace and happiness was what she deserved after all of the pain she had endured in her life. It was all Nasir wanted for her, for her to finally be able to rest and enjoy her life.