Just like that, the cohort of four gained a new member. That was not to say everything was decided.
Flint gave the expected tantrum, complaining that as the most senior member of the group, his vote should carry the most weight.
"Aren't you worried that if she succeeds, Helie's family will overtake the White Feather Clan in its prestige?" He arched his brow.
"Isn't that your goal? Your brother, Sir Steel, seems pretty intent on cementing your family's place in the ranks of Valor." Roan challenged.
Sipping on a canteen of water, Noble choked.
"Steel? Your brother's name is Steel?"
The dark-haired Master tilted up his chin. "Yeah, what about it?"
Noble scratched her nose. "Oh, it's nothing."
"I think Bel was caught off guard by your mother's unique naming sense," Aether offered.
"You have something to say about my mother, Blondie?" Flint's expression darkened.
"What? No!" The floating Master squeezed her eyes shut. "Thank you for the help, Aether. I think next time I will manage on my own."
'I can stick my foot in my mouth just fine without you!'
"Of course, Ma'am," Aether nodded seriously, earning a chuckle from Helie.
Noble wanted to glare at her female companion, but Flint was already staring her down.
"Flint and Steel. Very strong names," Noble smiled tightly and pumped her fist enthusiastically in the air. "Tell me, what's it like having a brother for a knight of Valor?"
Flint snorted. "You are just trying to appeal to my human side by asking after my family. Well, it won't work! If you must know, my older brother is probably the most important Saint in Valor after the princesses and Sir Jest…"
"You must be so proud!" Noble started.
"..And Steel is the most insufferable imbecile in two worlds." Flint crossed his arms.
"Oh…" Noble winced.
"Flint's family is well-known for their welcoming disposition," Roan hid his grin.
Flint rubbed his forehead. "You have no idea what it is like to have someone insult your every move."
The floating woman felt her heart soften. "That does sound awful."
"Not that all of you are any better…" Flint clicked his tongue.
'I am beginning to think Steel may have the right idea.'
Noble blew her hair away from her face and then sniffed at the pot in front of her.
"Food's ready!" She announced.
"Thank the dead gods!" Helie caught herself. "What I mean is, I am very thankful to be having the first meal with my new cohort."
"We should make good use of the time," Roan coughed lightly. "I know what each of you brings to the table, but it would be good for all of us to get to know each other better."
The leader summoned a large cloth. He laid it out between the members of the group like a picnic blanket.
The mesmerizing tapestry of colors reminded Noble of Sarai's magical cloak. "Where did you get this?" She asked.
Roan glanced at the Memory with a reminiscing smile.
"A smith from Clan Valor made it. Why?"
"It just looks familiar, that's all."
The members of the group all called forth Memories which would hold the bubbling stew. Then, once everyone was served, they sat down to eat and begin bonding.
However, no one seemed eager to go first.
"I guess I'll start." Roan coughed. "It's only fair since I brought everyone here."
Dabbing at his mouth, the cohort leader set aside his bowl.
"All of you know me. My Ability to harness lightning and my griffin echo are my most valuable assets."
"And your Saintly wife," Flint added around a mouthful of food.
Smiling, Roan conceded the point. "Indeed, my wife is the best thing about me, but unfortunately, she is not coming on this adventure, so we cannot count her among our resources…How about you, Master Flint? Tell these 'young ones' what you bring to the table."
The surly legacy cut his eyes at the man in the blue scarf, but for once, he didn't utter a snide remark.
"Everyone already knows, I'm a healer. That is all anyone usually cares about." Flint answered bitterly.
'Darn my motherly instinct…'
Despite her knowing the man was fishing for sympathy, Noble couldn't help but take the bait.
"That isn't true. Your ice powers were very impressive, and I am very curious how you found the soul cores of the Terror so quickly."
"Ice powers? Ha! More like I can detect and redirect heat. Making things hotter is difficult, but making things cold enough to frost over? That's as easy as breathing." Flint leaned back on his log with a satisfied grin. "That creature's cores were a different temperature from the rest of the body, making them easy to spot. Usually, I locate the heart, giving me a place to aim my most deadly blows."
The others stared at him with mild admiration, causing the group's eldest member to swell with pride.
'At least he has something to back up that arrogance.' Noble nodded. 'Flint has some very marketable skills. If not for his prickly personality, every cohort in two worlds would be seeking his help.'
"How about you, Blondie? You have anything going for you besides your flying?" Flint shifted the attention to the next member of the cohort.
"It isn't exactly flying," Noble did her best not to take offense. "It is a form of levitation. I am also able to change the weight of things, which helps give my hits extra punch. Oh, and like Roan, I have a pretty nice echo."
"That she does!" Helie clapped. "I've never seen a more beautiful mammal."
"Thank you!" The violet-eyed woman smiled brightly. "I'm pretty fond of him myself."
Helie motioned for Aether to go next. He took a deep breath.
"Most people expect me to have an affinity for the water. But actually, my Aspect is linked to the night, stars, and guidance parts of Storm God's domain, since I possess that lineage. I can create blades and other weapons of starlight. Oh, and I can walk on any surface, including water. I do have an echo, but unless we end up somewhere aquatic, I don't think it will serve us much in the Nightmare."
All eyes turned to Helie.
"Now I wish I hadn't gone last. All of you are pretty spectacular. You have set the bar pretty high."
"I saw how you fought while whizzing around without any control over where you went. You are a very capable warrior," Noble wouldn't let her get away with false modesty, however well-meaning.
"It helps that I have very keen eyesight even for an Ascended. Not Saint Kai's level of vision, but still very good. In general, my reflexes are heightened, allowing me to move more instinctively like an animal. I have been compared to an agile mustang...whatever those were."
The brunette paused.
"I don't know how well any of you know my uncle, but his Aspect is heavily tied to earth and its surroundings. Mine is also, though in a different way. Like Aether can harness starlight, and Roan can summon lightning, I can pull from the strength of the ground and use that advantage in battle."
Flint blinked at her, his mouth agape. "Helie...let me get this straight...are you saying. Are you an earth-shaper?"