"Can I…do it again?" Felix asked, completely taken aback by the question. I only took the emotions of those around me… It was a fluke, a one off… Right?

"That's what I asked. Can you do it again?" There was only seriousness in Yarnel's calculating eyes, no traces of humor or really any emotion. He shrank under the dragon's glare as he raced to come up with a response.

"I… I don't know. I haven't thought about doing that again," he admitted. "It was kind of in the moment."

"I see. Then perhaps we could recreate the environment–"

"No."

The word slipped from his mouth unintentionally, but it was his truthful and honest opinion. Yarnel raised an eye ridge in curiosity.

"You do not believe it will work?"

Felix nodded. "It wasn't just me who cast the spell. It was everyone that night– Their hopes, dreams, wants and desires. They had as much a hand in it as I did."

The small dragon fell back into his seat, contemplating. "Perhaps, we should try something new then? I think that might be the best way to do this…" he trailed off, not bothering to elaborate. Then, as the silence was starting to get to Felix, the dragon spoke once more.

"Tell me, did I ever explain to you what my project is?"

Felix thought about it for a few moments, delving deep into his freshly rediscovered memories. "I don't think so."

"Ah, my apologies. But, what I was trying to accomplish was something called a mana well."

He let out a frown, that wasn't something he had any knowledge on. "A mana well?"

"Indeed, a mana well," the dragon concluded as if that answered the question.

"What… What exactly is a mana well?" Felix pushed.

Yarnel gave him a baffled look. "You mean to say, that even with your memories, you do not know what a mana well is?"

"Should I?"

The dragon scoffed. "Not even while you trained within the Holy Triumphant?"

"No…"

"Gods! Did they teach you nothing?!"

You never taught me or the others this, he thought but wisely kept his mouth shut. Instead, he only shook his head again.

Silence fell as Yarnel went into thought. It, however, only lasted a few seconds before he suddenly sighed. "Well then, I have no choice but to explain. I hope you are ready for a quick lesson."

Felix adjusted himself in his seat and leaned forward. "I'm always ready to learn something new."

"Indeed… Anyway, a mana well is an infinite source of mana. They are rare, almost nonexistent within nature, but they do exist–"

Something about that explanation didn't sound quite right… "Wait, but I thought all mana came from one source, from that song we hear?"

"I was going to get to that," Yarnel said, mildly annoyed.

"Sorry…" he gestured for the dragon to continue.

"As I was saying… Mana wells do exist in nature but they are extremely rare. They need specific conditions for them to form. And yet, that is only true now. For you see…" Yarnel held out a taloned hand and a crystal appeared.

"…Mana crystals are formed from them– At least naturally occurring ones. Synthetic ones are created differently. That is, until I began my research on them."

Hmm that's interesting… A thought was forming in his head but he decided to wait until Yarnel was through explaining.

"The problem with mana wells is they tend to dry up after a period of time. They are, in fact, not indefinite."

Hold on a second… "Didn't you just say they are an infinite source of mana?"

"They are an infinite source of mana. In other words… While they remain, they produce mana. The problem is those conditions I mentioned. They can change, and when they do… It can cause the mana well to disappear."

"I see…" He went back to revising his forming thoughts.

"Now, you asked about the song and how it plays into all this. The short answer is that it doesn't. At least, not in any way I've been able to measure. The song is something separate. Yet, I believe it is connected with these mana wells. They have to be, because the mana that comes from the wells can be controlled in the same fashion as using the song.

"The only problem is the mana is not following the same hum, the same rhythm. You have to adapt to make use of it– But you can make use of it."

"Wow…" Felix fell back into his chair, feeling a little overwhelmed. Despite that, however, he did have one more question. "You said these mana wells are quite rare, but how significant are they to the average mage?"

Yarnel gave him a toothy, draconic smile. "A very good question, and I think I know where you are wanting to go with this… But, sadly, it is hard to say. Mana wells act as an infinite source of mana, but the rate they generate it varies considerably. The other issue is the song completely drowns them out."

Damn it… His thought was about his village and how the ground seemed to be dead. He wondered if it was somehow tied to a mana well drying up. But I guess I'll never know… Still, he tried one last time.

"So you can't know for sure unless you happen to stumble upon one?"

"Not quite, but close enough." The small dragon waved a hand dismissively. "More importantly, it is why I started my project."

Felix raised an eyebrow. "Why did you start your project?"

"To stop what happened to your homeland from happening elsewhere. It was not an isolated incident but it affected your people far more than it affected us. Of course, you humans do not need mana to survive. We do."

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He fell silent at that, vaguely recalling his short village life before his world was turned upside down. He could remember the cold, dead earth under his feet.

If that could be reversed… "And how much progress have you made?"

"Do you remember the crystal you helped me embed into Lorenzen?"

"I do– Actually, is he… Is Lorenzen still, you know… Around?"

"He is. In fact, he is assisting Ithea as we speak… But back to why I asked. That crystal was practically finished, all I had to do was start the reaction. Unfortunately, events made me reconfigure it for his use– Not to say I regret it, actually… Lorenzen helped me solve the last problem."

That's good to hear about Lorenzen… "Oh? How so?"

Yarnel's smile became almost sinister. "Simple, I just need an infinite source of mana."

Eri stifled a yawn as she stepped out from the hatchery. It was growing dark and she had finished having a conversation with Master Aluin and the other Sages, along with Oralyn. It had been…interesting.

The main topic had been: What happens now? With her pregnant, it changed things. Marriage, for a start, was the most important discussion they had. And everyone agreed that it would be better to happen sooner rather than later.

However, there was also one bit of chastisement Eri received. Strictly speaking, she had no right to give Yarnel a title. She was not officially the queen and had to be reminded of that.

But what difference does it make? she wondered. Felix and I will marry and the Chiefs will accept me as the Queen… In her mind it didn't really matter if she had given the title to Yarnel now or after her coronation.

Best to just let it go for now, however… There wasn't any point in arguing semantics, they all had more important work to be done.

The rest of the conversation ended up being on building a functioning militia. The dwarves and gnomes would have the bare minimum of their outpost finished in a few days. And with that, they would be ready to start training.

There was only one last thing to discuss, and that was a private affair. She asked Master Aluin to step away so they could speak…

"Is this about your pregnancy?" he asked, as the two of them stepped away from the hatchery. Meanwhile, Kyrith joined along with them.

"It is," she admitted.

Master Aluin studied her as they continued their walk. They were heading towards an empty area near the manor. "Well, ask away."

Eri took a moment to collect her thoughts. "I know that you've taught me about the different stages and how it all works… But, now that I'm going through it…"

"You're nervous," he finished for her.

Eri gave him a slow nod. Truth was, she was excited yet it was clear that her pregnancy wasn't going to be normal. "How will I know when something is wrong?"

The Sage raised an eyebrow. "Did Felix not tell you everything?"

"He did, but… Is there anything I can do to make sure the– My child is healthy?" It still felt strange for her to say the words. I'm going to be a mother, she reminded herself and subtly rested a hand upon her stomach.

I'm going to be a mother, she repeated like some mantra. Thankfully, she wasn't going this alone…

I'll be here by your side! There won't be anything to worry about, I'll make sure of it! Kyrith exclaimed with excitement.

Thank you. Smiling, she reached out and patted Kyrith's side as they came to a stop. And it won't be just you either, I have Felix and Zira too. I know they will be there as well.

He gave her an approving snort. Of course they will. Still, I shall be a better guardian than Zira! She may be scary, but I can be just as protective! And fun, he quickly added.

Yes, yes… I'm sure you will make a good guard dog for the baby. Eri rolled her eyes before quickly snapping back to Aluin as he spoke.

"There won't be any need to worry about that. Yes, your pregnancy has had an…interesting start but I spent quite a while checking over both you and the child. I saw nothing else of concern.

"Besides, most mothers tend to know something before anyone else." He pointed at her and reiterated his point. "You will know when something isn't right."

She pondered his words for a few moments. "So, if I feel that something isn't right I should come to you immediately?"

Aluin chuckled. "If you don't, I have a feeling someone will." He nodded to Kyrith.

"I will take good care of her," her partner declared.

"I know you will. But you'll probably have competition too. Felix was adamant about making sure she was well taken care of."

"As he should," the dragon said matter-of-factly. "Eri deserves to be treated as a Queen."

Now Eri raised an eyebrow. "Oh? I thought you wanted all the attention? Why a change of heart?"

"There is no change of heart! I already have all the attention I could need." He let out a huff and looked away.

"Right… Anyway," she faced Aluin once again. "You're not worried about the excess mana?"

"I want to keep an eye on it and do periodic checks, but I couldn't find anything else wrong. Personally, I think your child might be something special, something…unique. It would certainly fit you and Felix."

Eri looked away, not really sure how to take that. But if he isn't that worried… "Okay, thank you. That… That honestly takes a load off my mind."

Master Aluin put a gentle hand on her shoulder and leaned over to whisper into her ear. "I believe your child will be destined for great things. I do not know for sure, but I think that tree might be playing a role."

She swallowed and looked up to the colossal tree. Something tightened with her chest, almost feeling like some sort of confirmation…

"You… You might be right."

The Sage's expression faltered and a hint of worry appeared in his eyes. Yet, he pulled away and straightened himself. "Is there anything else I can answer for you?"

Eri shook her head no, she couldn't bring herself from looking away from the tree. Maybe I should go…

"Then, take care Eri. And, please, come find me if anything changes. Even if it's something good."

"I will, and thank you."

As Master Aluin left, Eri still found herself drawn to the tree. Now, however, it felt like it was beckoning her. I definitely should go–

"Eri!"

The sound of someone calling her name startled her and she finally tore her eyes away. She quickly scanned the area and found Noria and Solanna swiftly approaching– Or, well, Solanna swiftly approaching. Noria, on the other hand, looked to be struggling to keep up.

"I need to talk with you," Solanna added as they came to an abrupt halt before Eri. She had a serious look upon her face.

Eri couldn't help but feel confused and quickly looked between the other two women. "Has something happened?"

"Yes," Solanna answered curtly before her expression fell away and revealed something closer to hesitancy. "I need your… I need yours and Noria's help."

"Oh?" Eri studied the woman for a moment. "What for?"

Solanna didn't answer. Instead, she began shifting around uncomfortably as her cheeks began to redden. Noria let out a resigned sigh and spoke for the woman. "Julous asked if she was seeing anyone."

Eri blinked, dumbfounded. "What?"

At that moment Solanna began to work her jaw until the words finally came out. "I think… I think Julous is trying to court me."

"Oh…" Eri blinked again. Then it dawned on her. "Oh!"

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