Even after Aladia's sharp chastisement,  Winter felt much better once she took ahold of his leash and patted him on the head. He smiled up at her guiltily, knowing that this the second time she had caught him trying to run off with out permission.  The young male was even more delighted and a little bit surprised when she turned around and began praising him after trying speak a very strange word.  He didn't get all of what she was saying, but he was quite clever, the words were beginning to sink in little more and he was recognizing somewhat of a pattern. However even though the words made about as much sense as a chattering, from the just the short amount of time being close to her... he was beginning to detect things...<br/><br/>He nodded his head and smiled again, somehow he knew, he didn't know exactly how, but in the jumbled mess of soft musical noises he knew what she was saying or at least the basic thing, she wanted him to speak more...  Normally he would've just stared at her blankly, but he was eager to please her, just the knowing that he could please was a great comfort, as he wanted to stay as close to her good side as possible! Even the other big ugly bearded humans were afraid to make her mad!<br/><br/>Crom smiled weakly when Aladia whirled around and began lecturing him on how dragon's were intelligent self away creatures. Which he didn't exactly deny, accept for he didn't exactly see it like murdering children... it was more like pest control. If a dragon was terrorizing the farmers, burning crops and devouring livestock... to Crom that was not only stealing but, it a was a  matter of life and death for the farmers who depended on those things to survive through winter! It wasn't like they went around smashing eggs! or killing hatchlings! No that was bad business, he had to wait until the creatures were  big enough to scare the townsfolk into being grateful for their services. However the blasted woman did have sway with the men and he cursed inwardly as he felt them start shuffling about feeling a bit abashed and ashamed... Crom however had to keep them deserting long enough to get the Princess back safely to the palace with her dragon and so he quickly  switched tactics to appease the princess and motivate his sorry lot bearded old ninnies!<br/><br/>"Well, I never quite seen it like that before," he lied, cursing himself as he heard his men agreeing and nodded with him... they weren't supposed to do that!  "But once we get the gold! I vow to retire from this terrible profession and mend my ways, become a respectable gentleman, and work toward protecting the princess's lovely creatures from then after!" he added quickly, hoping that they would at least stick around to get the bloody dragon to the palace! ... Yes that sounded good! the worst part it almost felt good saying it to! ... dammit this woman was corrupting his band of Blood Thirsty Cutthroats into a bunch of bloody no good sorry spineless lot of Pussy Willows!<br/><br/>When Aladia announced she had a few more things to add, Crom did his best to smile and nodded his head for her to proceed.  It was safe to say, the band of dragon hunters weren't exactly the brightest lot, that was why Old Crafty Crom Red Beard was in charge. The large chieftain grimaced as he over head his men begin murmuring amongst themselves. What was worse when he glanced back over his shoulder, a good three quarters of them were staring at her as if she was a goddess of some sort! Obviously they believed that she actually had been fated and had been bonded to the dragon by dreams of some sort! The other quarter... they ones that were a little bit more intelligent glanced at Crom for some sort of confirmation.<br/><br/>"Is that true chief? is she? do you think she really had dreams?" asked one of the hunters nervously.<br/><br/>Crom grimaced, and stroked his beard... he wanted to say it was just a story they had go along with to get the gold... but then the large superstitious barbarian began to wonder as well...perhaps this was all fate! Of course he doubted it, but if he turned out to be wrong... well damn it, it would be better to act like it was true as the consequences were far greater if it turned out to be that she was actually was predestined to find the dragon... who was he to anger the gods!<br/><br/>"Perfectly clear Aladia Dawnbringer,  Warrior Princess, Keeper and Protector of Dragons," Crom bowed, adding a few more fancy tittles onto her name.<br/><br/><br/>Winter glanced around, feeling a little anxious as everyone seemed to be staring at them strangely. But it was different look than when he had first came in the camp, this look wasn't that of fear or anger, or frustration, it was utter and complete reverence. The young male however was quick to break the silence  "Lummoxes!" he said, loudly he still didn't know what it meant, but it seemed appropriate at the time, as he went over toward the breakfast and began cramming the breakfast left overs into his mouth! he had eggs before! but never cooked! and the toast and butters! that was amazing!  In a matter of seconds he had licked the last bits of breakfast clean off the plates.