The dragon seemed surprised by her request, and really Vail couldn't blame him. He had a point after all. She hadn't seen his abilities, and based off of his inaction she could have assumed that he was incapable of defending her or himself. "I don't believe the Captain would have sent just anyone to escort me to Valdaran." She said after a while of thought. "I'm more inclined to believe that you are among the most trusted of his supporters. If Lord Felhorn entrusted you with the task of bringing me safely to the resistance, then I must have faith in his judgement. I must also have faith in you. He could have sent anyone to retrieve me, spared a new recruit or any soldier in his ranks, but he chose you. Either you're expendable or . . . you're one of his best. I'd like to believe the latter, but if you are not confident in your abilities I would rather not trouble you." The princess smiled, goading the knight for a reaction.<br/><br/>"I know that we were outnumbered back there. I am . . . glad you made the decision to cooperate, rather than engage them. You made the only decision to ensure that we both had a chance of making it out alive." Vail explained, trying lay his worries to rest. The encounter with the bandits was not the best test of his physical abilities, but it was the perfect example of his judgement in crisis. "I understand you might have some . . . reservations, but I am a hard worker and a quick study. I just need to be stronger, not just for myself but for the people<i>I</i>want to protect. You understand, don't you?"