A World With/Out Home

Chapter 11: A dance with more than one step. (Part 4)

"Um if you ever hear more about that story I'd love if you could tell me," Kyle smiled back.

The man's eyes narrowed again, "Hang on, are you the lass from the Hero's Guard?"

"Ah..."

"You are!" the man clapped but quickly hid his excitement. "Don't worry I won't tell anyone. Here take your gems. I'll be sure to find out more if I can. You lot in the Guard do much more than we'll ever know, keep it up." He handed over the sealed goods with a gentle grin.

"Thank you," Kyle replied politely before stepping away at a casual pace.

At the edge of the market Kyle took one of the gems from the bag. Now that he had them up close he saw that each of the designs encasing the gems were different. He held the white one in his hand, the same colour as Estile's hair. The metal binding had been intricately detailed giving it a gentle appearance as it wrapped around the gem. At either end however the decoration turned sharp as if showing a stronger appearance than it let on. Kyle couldn't help but smile as he held the accessory. If they really were based off the Mercenaries of the Ever-Garden, whoever made them understood Estile's personality.

Just as Kyle put the jewel away and prepared to leave the market a suspiciously familiar voice scratched at his ear, one that he hadn't heard since he left Tomph. Not far from where he stood a young women stood in a stylish dress, her fine features were marred by a frown as she folded her arms and berated the butler beside her.

"What do you mean you still can't get an audience?" the girl stomped her foot.

"Lady Marisha please understand, the Hero's Guard is not somewhere your family has influence. We must wait as anyone else must," the butler remained calm and stoic though his eyes seemed tired.

"But we've already been here three weeks Sebastian! I planned for all of us to be back in Tomph by now. The air in this city is choking me," Marisha shook her curls.

"My Lady I thought you said you enjoyed the high nature earlier."

"This and that are different things Sebastian."

Kyle unconsciously approached them, "Marisha?"

The girl flicked out a fan half covering her face turning wildly, "Who's calling me? Eh-ah." She paused stunned, the fan quivering in her hand, "K-Kyle!?"

"It is you," Kyle smiled. "What are you doing all the way here?"

Marisha quickly straightened herself, "To bring you back of course!"

For a moment Kyle couldn't believe what he had heard, "Wait, to bring me back? Why?"

The fan pointed directly at him as she huffed, "You left so suddenly only your father knew where you were going! And all he told us was that the Hero's Guard took you away. Of course I'd go to bring you back! You belong in Tomph after all."

Kyle pinched the bridge of his nose trying to understand her words, "Okay I kind of understand but why are 'you' here?"

The girl's face reddened, "Well umm, it wasn't like anyone else could leave so I took it on myself. Besides it's been awhile since I came by Central City."

He smiled softly, "Thanks for coming but I have my reasons for staying as well."

Marisha frowned, "Is it because of the Hero's Guard? We've seen the posters and the promotion. If they're keeping you here against your will, my father and I can stop them. You don't have to worry."

Kyle couldn't help but chuckle, "No it's not against my will... well not now at least."

Seeing his expression Marisha's grip tightened on her fan, "So you're doing fine here?"

"Surprisingly."

For a moment the girl seemed lost but then reaffirmed herself, "No. You should come back to Tomph with me. Don't you miss the village?"

"I do, but I have duties to take of here now as well." He smiled warmly as he looked at the basket in his hands, "I have people to look after."

"This-this isn't how things were meant to go!" Marisha stamped her foot. Her voice had already caught the attention of the people passing by and her tantrum wasn't helping. To Kyle's surprise her eyes began to water. "You were meant to want to come home!" she grit her teeth. "No this isn't over I'll make sure you know what you're missing. Just you wait you jerk!" Without any further warning she ran off down the nearby alleyway.

"My lady wait!" Sebastian called after her but stopped and looked to Kyle. "Apologies Sir. When the Lady heard you left she even went against her father to try bring you back. To be honest I was hoping you'd be unable to meet. Though she was more determined than I thought. The Lady certainly did miss you."

"Really?" Kyle blinked in surprise. The two were the only residents close to the same age in Tomph and though they had played together as children, growing up they had substantially different lives. "I didn't know she cared that much."

"She was raised to be proud," the butler showed a rare wry smile. "Now if you'll excuse me I should go find the Lady."

"Wait. Do you mind if I go? It's been a while since I've seen anyone from Tomph and I think Marisha and I should talk."

"By all means Sir," the Butler bowed. "She most likely didn't make it far. Allow me to hold your belongings till you return."

Kyle handed over the basket, "Then I'll be off."

It didn't take long for him to find the girl. The alleyway did have some turns and twists but there was a clear trail of knocked over clutter that pointed where Marisha had run off to. Not even a few minutes had passed before Kyle found her rubbing her eyes at the dead end of the alley.

"Marisha," he began gently, "I really do appreciate you coming all this way."

"Shut up," she sniffed with her back turned. "I knew it'd turn up like this but.... Ever since I saw you do that stupid promotion in the theatre...."

Kyle laughed, "Honestly that one wasn't on purpose. Listen, it's not like I don't want to come back to Tomph eventually. It's just right now I have things I promised myself I'd see through."

"I don't understand.... What could be more important than home?" she turned around, her eyes red. "Kyle I- watch out!" Her sudden screamed echoed too late as the next instant a searing pain split through his head and darkness took him.