The man in front of the two knights was far from the Stanley they remembered.
Replacing his usual robes was the dark green tunic of a traveler. His outer coat was dark brown and just enough for the weather, but would soon be too light for the winter that was looming just over the horizon.
What was most surprising was the small sword sheathed at his side. It was common for people to carry swords, but not those who were so prideful of the mana they possessed.
The moment Irene said Stanley's name in disbelief, the old man stood up so quickly that one would think he wasn't a century old.
"Shh!" the mage snapped, and he placed his wrinkled, spotty hands over the knight's mouth.
However, Felix was on his toes the moment the interaction didn't go as expected, and he was there with his sword in hand.
"Now, now," Felix interjected. "Mind the knight."
The mage merely became obedient, and he sat back down.
