"Yes, I had heard," Hod said. "And your words do not wound me, Skullic. I can achieve far more from a distance than you can in person. Why do you suppose I have brought Volguard with me?"
"I assume he is attending to see one of his students rewarded for his great deeds," Skullic said, momentarily suspicious.
"Well, there is truth in that too," Volguard volunteered. "I do, however, find the Academy to grow increasingly wearisome for me, just as you once did, General Skullic. I thought I might spread my wings for a while, and see what the rest of the word has to offer."
"I am sending him to see that the Patrick boy's education in strategy does not find itself halted," Hod said.
"…There's that too," Volguard said bashfully. It sounded far less like he was spreading his wings, and far more like he was carrying out exactly the task that he was ordered to.
