“The continent of Dragons, Izril. Their home. Drakes, Gnolls—a place of much strife. We clash with them often, although I heard that some of the noble houses were attempting to colonize the north. I crusaded there with my order, twice. They have no rulers. Dragons are too proud to kneel to one another, and the other species lack for true leadership. That must be where you’re from.”

He flicked his fingers, dismissively. Cara liked this—Izril—already. She glared.

“I’ve never seen a Dragon in my life. They’re just myths in my world. And—Gnolls? Drakes? What are they?”

He blinked.

“Erm. Scaled-folk? Often with wings and the ability to breathe fire or other magical effects? Those are Drakes; descendants of Dragons. Gnolls are, well—you could call them beast-folk. But they are not the Beastfolk of Baleros who take any form, from cat to dog—Gnolls are tribal, nomads. Furry? So tall?”

Her blank look made him sag. He forgot to move his feet and floated across the ground. Cara stared at that. Ser Dalius saw the stare, and did a double-take as he noticed he wasn’t walking. He immediately shuffled his feet into motion.

After a minute’s silence, Ser Dalius spoke. Not haughtily, but with a pained voice.

“I have always respected the rulers of nations. They give their lives for their land and people. Just as

[Knights] do. How can you not respect that? A [Knight] is sworn to honor. If we were to act unchivalrously, we would lose our class. Surely that merits some acknowledgement?”

Cara inclined her head.

“It does.”

“Then…?”

“I respect anyone who works hard. Who’d fight and die for a good cause. But I don’t respect the…class.

The rank. Because you can be born into that rank.”

“A [Knight] earns their class, Miss O’Sullivan. It is hardly something you are born into. A [Lord] or higher rank of the aristocracy perhaps, but I gained my class by virtue, hard work, and deed.”

He replied stiffly. Cara raised an eyebrow.

“That doesn’t disprove my point. Someone can be born a baron. However, let’s take your class as an example. Can anyone become a [Knight]?”

“If they study, work hard, and find a master to swear to, yes! Any species, any age! That is how classes work! Why, peasants have risen to become [Kings]! It is rare, but it can happen.”

Cara nodded again, reasonably.

“I see. That does sound equal. But Dalius…would I be right in thinking that a [Knight] needs, oh, money, to pay for education? To learn how to use a sword? Buy a sword? Armor? A horse?”

This time he hesitated, sensing the trap in her words.

“That…is true. But with a wealthy patron—I have known courageous men and women who did not come from money.”

“But would I be right in saying that most [Knights] come from a richer family or higher social status?”