The meeting ended shortly afterward.
People dispersed.
Orders were given.
Reports exchanged hands.
Plans were made.
For once, even Alice seemed too focused to make jokes.
Which was honestly concerning.
Kai and Andre eventually found themselves walking through one of the palace hallways.
For several minutes neither spoke.
Then Kai finally asked:
"Who is Noah?"
Andre's expression changed slightly.
Not much.
Just enough.
"A friend."
Kai waited.
Andre continued walking.
"...That's it?"
"No."
"Then continue."
Andre scratched the back of his head.
Trying to remember.
"He's from my batch."
Kai tilted his head.
"Batch?"
"The people who got summoned."
That got Kai's attention.
Andre nodded.
"A few years after King."
"A few years before some others."
Kai immediately understood.
Another drifter.
Another person from Earth.
Andre continued.
"It was me."
"Zindine."
"Noah."
"And a few others."
"Back when we were young."
Kai almost laughed.
The image of Andre being young felt impossible.
Andre noticed.
"Shut up."
"I didn't say anything."
"You were thinking it."
Kai grinned.
Andre clicked his tongue.
Then continued.
"Unlike me"
"He and Zindine hated fighting."