When the couple returned to the classes, all of the students had merged into one large group.
Who could blame them?
A Saint was giving them an archery lesson!
Kai's winsome voice carried over the group, enrapturing each and every listener. Noble even noted that others from Ravenheart had joined their ranks.
That was just the nature of Nightingale's presence. Getting away from it was hard.
"Are you sure you'll be alright being back around him?" Fort asked, surprising Noble.
"Him?"
They had taken a few minutes to compose themselves after the emotional interaction with Rain, but Fort didn't seem to be referring to that.
"Saint Kai. I saw what happened when he showed up." Fort cut his eyes at his wife and she blushed heavily.
"What do you mean?"
"Your eyes went crazy, even more so than when you were in the Dreamscape. At first, I thought you were just putting on your Master aura, but it got more hectic each time Nightingale did anything." Fort raised one eyebrow at her.
No one else would have noticed the change, and Noble wished her husband hadn't either.
"It's not what you think!" She explained quickly. "It's like the concert all over again, everyone's emotions are messing with mine. I don't know why it only happens with him."
The Master helplessly dropped her hands, and Fort caught one of them in his own.
"As long as I am the one who genuinely makes your heart beat faster."
He smiled at her, and the grey sky looked a little brighter for a moment.
They hadn't resolved their disagreement earlier, but the kind words were a small bridge both in seeking an apology and admitting that Fort didn't truly blame her for what had occurred.
"My heart will never belong to anyone else," she promised. "I'll survive another encounter with the charismatic Saint."
After squeezing her husband's hand gently, Noble let go and adjusted her armor.
They were seasoned professionals, and despite Fort's momentary lapse, he was able to pack away what had happened and put on a diplomatic air.
They parted ways when they got to the crowd: Fort coming near to the dashing archer and Noble joining Master Rock's side.
The battle master gave his colleague a questioning glance and Noble nodded. Rain would be fine.
Rock relaxed and held up a fist at his shoulder to show he believed in Rain's strength.
With nothing more to be said, they turned their attention to the man leading the lecture.
Kai had summoned his armor over the diplomatic clothing he had been wearing.
'I don't suppose he has to worry about dresses getting ripped,' Noble mused with no small amount of envy.
The stylish suit was both protective and highly fashionable. Noble was pretty sure the other Awakened of Ravenheart would soon be copying the look he was sporting just now.
The handsome archer brushed back his hair from his eyes as he spoke, garnering a sigh of contentment from the young ladies around Noble.
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes and pushed back against their longing feelings.
Politely ignoring the infatuated glances, Kai continued with his lesson on archery.
"Make sure to stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Having your feet too close, especially with a powerful weapon like this…"
Kai held out his bow, and Noble immediately felt a rush of curiosity from those around her. Thankfully this was an emotion she could let mix with her own.
How she would love to examine that Memory using her Spelltech and Bee Two!
"…will throw you off balance and hurt your aim. Have your feet slightly turned out like so, and come up on the balls of your feet." Kai bounced lightly to demonstrate. "One foot should be slightly forward, and whenever possible, position yourself at a right angle to the target."
Kai got in position, walking the group through each step until he drew his bow to the anchor point on his flawless cheek.
Then he released, allowing the mundane arrow to land with the cluster of others that had already flown. Another perfect bullseye.
Noble wondered how much restraint and precision the move had taken. The arrow was not made to be handled by a Saint and could have easily shattered under the pressure of the enchanted bow.
Yet Kai had used just the right amount of power to get the arrow to its target and not obliterate the surrounding area with the impact.
Few could appreciate just how talented that shot had been.
But everyone could see the arrow had met its mark, and the group burst into a round of applause.
Kai dipped his head graciously, a tinge of pink gracing his high cheekbone.
Still clapping, Noble floated forward to address the illustrious guest.
"Thank you so much for the demonstration! I can see why you are one of humanity's best archers."
Kai dismissed his bow. "It was nothing. I'm happy to help."
"Everyone please thank Saint Nightingale for his visit today." Noble led her pupils in another round of applause. "I hope we may see you again soon for another lesson."
"I would be honored. I wish nothing but the best for all you potential Dreamers." Kai's smile was almost blinding.
Saints really were too beautiful for their own good.
Forcing herself to stay calm, Noble motioned for the Transcendent to join her husband to continue his tour. The two men left together, taking with them the pressure of so many overwhelming emotions.
Taking a deep breath, Noble was about to announce the continuation of classes when a deep peal of thunder sounded overhead.
The grey clouds that were once in the distance had caught an updraft and floated closer much faster than expected.
A single flake drifted down to land on Noble's uncovered head.
She sighed.
Snow alone they might have been able to handle, but the addition of thunder meant that conditions could grow dangerous quickly.
She smiled apologetically.
"It seems that we have reached an early conclusion, but really I have nothing that can top a lesson by one of the world's foremost Saints! I will stay for any questions you may have, but otherwise, I recommend you find somewhere safe to weather the storm. Thank you for joining us today. I hope to see you again at the Dreamer Academy very soon!"
The name had come to her as she spoke, but now that she had said it, Noble could think of no other name.
The Awakened Academy was for people trying to Awaken so it made sense for those planning to become dreamers to attend a school bearing that name.
The Dreamer Academy.
'It has a nice ring to it!'
A bolt of lightning streaked through the clouds, breaking up the gathering like a definitive gavel.
The guest instructors helped Noble gather up the supplies that might be damaged by the incoming storm before bidding her farewell.
By the time they were done, the snow and freezing rain were falling in full force.
"Thank you all for your support today. I only wish you had more time to impart your skills!" Noble said from under her umbrella Memory.
"You can control a lot of things, but not the weather. We will just have to come back another time." Rock assured her.
The other two men agreed.
Noble shook Rock's hand, wincing under the force. "Have a safe trip back to the NQSC."
Noble would have seen him back to the Dreamgate or to the palace, but Rock assured her that he could get home on his own.
That was good since Noble had something more important on her mind.
She had a daughter to find.