Shield Hero x Some Random Dude

Start of a New Life

After an hour or so of sneaking and almost falling down more than one of the castles multiple outer walls they needed to scale to get out, an exhausted Burchard is sitting on a small bench in front of the decorative fountain that marks the center of the castle town. With his elbows on his knees, his head remains lowered as he attempts to catch his breath. He gets startled by someone taking a seat next to him and with his head shooting up, he looks over only to be relieved to see Éclair sitting there. She holds a cup up to him while saying, "here, you seem quite thirsty."

He takes the cup from her while chuckling a bit then responds, "thanks, you wouldn't believe it."

After chugging down the water, he looks back at her while asking, "so what's are next move? I assume we can't stay in town."

After taking a sip of her water, she replies, "there's no reason to believe that they know we escaped and with the commotion from the hero summoning, they shouldn't find out for a while so as long as we keep a low profile, we should be safe."

She takes another sip then continues, "besides, from what you told me about your capture, they didn't have time to make a picture of you so as long as you don't act suspicious, you should be able to move around freely."

He couldn't help but sigh in relief from hearing this but realizing something though, he becomes concerned while asking, "but what about you? I assume you've been here long enough for them to make a picture?"

She nods in agreement while replying, "you are correct; however, I am not planning to be here when they do discover our absence."

Satisfied with the reply, he starts looking around while asking, "alright, so what do we do now."

Having finished her water, she stands up while replying, "for now we need to get some proper provisions and equipment. Fortunately for us, I know of a few trusted people with shops nearby, we can start there."

He gets to his feet then with a smile responds, "lead the way."

Though the streets were lively with multiple people and things to distract him with, he couldn't help but continue to look at the back of Éclairs head curiously while thinking, "she can be a bit annoying and bossy, but she doesn't seem to be a bad person. I wonder why she was in prison?"

He wanted to ask but before he could, she stops in front of a shop while saying, "we're here."

He comes to a stop next to her and looks at the small shop in front of them and while reading the sign, thinks to himself, "I can't read the words but that is a picture of an anvil.... This must be a blacksmith."

As if she was reading his mind, she starts walking towards the front door of the shop while saying, "this blacksmith has been a friend to my family for quite sometime, he should be able to help us."

As they walk inside, Burchard couldn't help but marvel at all the cool and shiny things within. While he finds himself mesmerized by a shiny sword, the man behind the counter looks up from what he was doing, but when he sees éclair walking up to him, he suddenly goes wide eyed while saying, "éclair?"

With a smile, she responds, "hello Erhard, it has been a while."

The man stood there shocked until he seems to come back to his senses while saying, "you shouldn't be here."

Noticing the commotion happening at the counter, Burchard looks over as Éclair looks back at the man with a sly grin while responding, "now now, is that anyway to talk to an old friend?"