Dinner

GABRIEL'S POV,

Gabriel turns Dagahra around and tells her through their mind connection to go home, ''It's getting dark so let's go home Dagahra.''

Dagahra turns around with a swift motion and asks, ''Do you want me to go fast sometimes master? So that the human has to sit close to you.''

Gabriel smiles, ''You are a clever dragon that's for sure. I won't say that I object.''

Dagahra shoots up to get above the clouds again. Gabriel can hear Noelle give a shriek and then hold on to him tight. His heart is beating in his chest when he feels her warm arms around him, and all her soft curves pressed to his back. He wishes they could stay like that forever.

But sooner than later they arrive back at the training grounds. They land softly and he jumps off. Noelle looks a bit unsure of how to get off.

''Please lay down for Noelle,'' Gabriel says to Dagahra. The dragon softly lays down her paws. Now Gabriel is close enough to grab Noelle at her waist and put her on the ground. He smiles at her, ''I think we have all deserved some dinner now.''

He can hear her stomach rumble and she laughs, ''I think you are right, what about the dragons?''

He likes it that she thinks about others and not only herself, ''They will be taken to their caves and fed by the dragon caretakers.''

Noelle walks to Thorn and kisses him on his big head before walking back to Gabriel.

''Okay now we can go,'' she says.

They walk back to the big hall at the top of the mountain. His friends are already waiting there, and the table is covered with food.

''Finally, you guys showed up, we are starving,'' Nolan says.

''I am surprised you guys had the decency to wait at all,'' Gabriel says while walking to his seat on the head of the table. Holly grabs a chicken paw and bites off a big piece of meat, ''Well we only waited for Noelle to be fair.''

Noelle looks surprised and sits down next to Holly this time. Gabriel puts food on his plate and sits down, ''So tell me how did the training go today? Let's start with Nolan.''

Nolan continues eating while he answers, ''I have my work cut out for me that's for sure. We are just working on basics and stamina right now. But there are some promising warriors there. I think Thesseus ego got a bump today though.''

His eyes twinkle when he looks at Noelle. Holly lifts an eyebrow, ''Why what happened?''

Nolan continues, ''In the end, we were sparring, and I matched him with Noelle. He was so indignant that he got paired with such a weak partner. But Noelle was smart with the fighting, and she knocked him out in the end.''

Noelle takes a bite, ''His head is so big I couldn't miss it.'' Nolan and Holly laugh.

Gabriel looks at Zeus, ''And how was the magic training?''

Zeus stops eating for a while, ''There are not that many magicians of course. But the ones we have work hard and show promise. Noelle has taught them today to respect her so we can all work as a team. Her potential is great so I think I will only need a week to teach her what I know before we can send her to the Sky Realm to teach weather magic.''

Gabriel looks satisfied, ''That's good news.'' Noelle cuts in, ''I am going to the Sky Realm?''

Gabriel looks at her, ''Not if you don't want to. But Holly has spent the day coming up with different plans to get everything ready. She has to go to the Sky Realm next week to get the army ready. She thought it would be good to take you with her so you can learn weather magic from the best.''

Noelle thinks for a moment, ''Sounds like a logical plan, and I would love to see the Sky Realm. Can I take Thorn?''

Gabriel smiles at her, ''If you learn fast enough to learn how to ride him in a week then I don't see why not.''

Faith shouts to Holly, ''Hej Holly, how much time do I have to prepare the rations and make the armory with the volunteers?''

Holly keeps chewing her food, ''I would say about 2 weeks. Then Noelle and I will be back for the festival of light. After that, you must spend your time teaching healing magic to the few who are gifted. We will have a great need for healing magic in the coming war.''

Faith nudges her head in agreement. They all eat silent for a while when Nolan asks, ''Can we have dinner in Cafe Blanche the night before Holly and Noelle have to go? Just like the old times. I know we have to be focused and everything, but it would be good to have a little bit of fun don't you think?''

Gabriel looks happy about the idea, ''I would like that, what does the rest think?''

Holly gives Nolan a seductive look, ''I would never object to a night of fun.''

Gabriel rolls his eyes, ''What about you Zeus, Faith, and Noelle?''

Zeus leans back, ''I always enjoy our dinners at Cafe Blanche so it's a yes for me.''

Faith's face lights up, ''If only because it is a reason to wear something else then these black rags.''

Gabriel looks amused and then looks at Noelle. Noelle looks back into his eyes, ''I don't know as much about this Cafe as you guys, but it sounds nice to me. I am in.''

Gabriel stands up with a pleased look in his eyes, ''Good then it is settled. Now let's all get some rest because tomorrow is a heavy day of training again.''

They all leave except Noelle. She seems to be sunken in her thoughts and she jumps up when Gabriel puts a hand on her shoulder. ''Hej, are you alright?'' he asks.

Noelle seems a bit shy when she notices they are alone, ''Yes, I am fine just tired I think from the long day. I better go to bed.''

She stands up and Gabriel takes her hand, ''You know if you ever want to talk about anything I am here for you.''

Noelle looks at their hands and then looks at Gabriel's eyes. She has a serious look in her big green eyes, ''Thank you, I will.''

She softly takes out her hand from his and gives him a little smile before walking away.