67 Memory Lane

It was early morning and a cold breeze was flowing. Never in a million years did I ever think I would step outside in flowing gown and a vale to cover my hair and face. I have no idea how women could wear these things. The dress was tight on my chest and the vail made it hard to breathe.

I couldn't believe that Ki had done this to me. No even Ren could win again the Wen and Ki combo. Ki had even made it a point to style my hair like a noble lady. Although I passed as an angry looking girl I wasn't even slightly happy at the situation.

[ My poor masculinity]

Ren looked quite different in the auction house amour. From the tip of his head to the bottom of his toes he was covered in full amour. Ki was wearing an outfit that perfectly matched mine, except on closer inspection you could tell that the fabric was much cheaper.

I wasn't sure if Wen was in costume or not as he was as flamboyant as when I first met him.

Fine gold robes laced with the auction house logo intricately stitched onto the sleeves. To match he had a delicate black fan that he waved around like a some of the upper class I had seen at my birthday and his hair was tied up into a strong braid.

He looked very handsome and seemed to get quite a few stares as we made our way to the carriage that had been prepared for us. Kibbles was hiding under my long dress which made walking really awkward.

If you were to stand me next to a penguin right now I was sure we would look like a match. It was lucky we went ahead with our plan as there were people wearing hoods around the entrance of the auction house. They seemed to be searching for someone and it was most likely me.

[ I hope this stupid plan works!

]

Wen to my hand when we reached the carriage and like a perfect gentleman held my hand to help me up. Kibbles was quick enough to rush inside as I put my foot inside. I was hoping that no one spotted his quick movements.

Ki was next inside the carriage. Wen tried to offer his hand to her but she merely slapped it away and hopped inside without so much as blinking. I looked over at Ki and wondered exactly what this man had done to upset her so much.

Wen entered and Ren was stuck outside as the driver. I felt a bit bad at the seasons had started to warm and wondered if he would cook under his amour. I promised myself when we got back that I would find something delicious for him to try as a pity gift.

The carriage finally started to move. There were a few others carriages that were all filled with goods. There were mostly weapons and armor that was going to be sent to my grandfather. Each carriage had several guards so I figured we would be safe.

I absentmindedly looked out the window as Ki and Wen began to chat about the weather and other light topics. Before I spotted something over in the distance.

Ki looked out in the direction I was facing and saw the bandits beaten up on the side of the road. They were a real sorry site. Black eyes, bandages covering their head and most of them were begging or attempting to dance for money.

It was a really sad sight to see. In fact, I cringed looking at it. They did attack me earlier but then... they saved my life. I have no idea why they were begging but it was probably because they were too injured to steal.

As we were about to drive past them one called out to our carriage.

"Lady or Master please spare some coin, our boss uhm I mean our mother is injured and we need to pay the bill for her to be fixed," Said one of the bandits.

[ Are they really that dumb?!]

I coughed listening to them pretend to be innocent beggars and called for Wen to stop the carriage.

"Ki how much cash you got on you?" I said to Ki who looked at me with an eyebrow raised.

"You can't be thinking of paying them, right? They did try to kill you" Ki replied.

"They also saved my life" I retorted.

"Actually, I could use some guards. You think grandfather would mind if I took them in?" I said after thinking.

"What?!" Ki said trying not to raise her voice.

"Master or Lady?" the bandit said again waiting for us to give some coin.

"Just give me some coins and some paper!" I said impatiently.

Wen looked at me and laughed heartily before handing me a small pouch of coppers and some writing paper. It must have amused him to see the normally calm and collected Ki get all worked up.

"Will this be enough for some medical bills?" I said looking at Wen with my eyebrow raised.

"Should do" Wen replied before smiling.

Ki looked at me like I had just stepped on her toes and Wen laughed at her expression.

"He is a young master through and through it is best you just go along with it," Wen said teasing Ki.

I wrote a note basically explaining that if they wished they were to go to my grandfather's estate when they were healed up to be my personal guards but it was all in code in case they were being watched. I knew that the bandits probably couldn't read between the lines but perhaps Haia could.

I put the note inside the coin pouch before hiding my face and merely sticking my hand out the window.

"SO MUCH?! Thank you, kind and beautiful lady! We will sing of your kindness from the hilltops!" Said the bandit as he grabbed the pouch from my hand. You could tell the bait lived up to his name because he snatched it from my hand like he was a starving man in a desert.

[ Am I really doing the right thing?]

The words the bandit had said reverberated through my head and I remembered that currently I was wearing and long sleeve dress and brightened red in embarrassment as Ki and Wen laughed heartily at my expression.

[ Just you wait I will get you both back!]

** Sora's Perspective ***

My men and I had been looking all over town and outside of it for Yuki Akiyo but he seemed to have vanished into a puff of smoke. I knew that his guards were some of the best in Tama but to escape me of all people twice was ridiculous.

[What would the prince think if I was to come back to Vance empty-handed?]

There was already rising tensions due to the peace treaty signing next month but we were down but a small margin for the demands. Would that Akiyo father be enough to receive That in compensation?

[ Perhaps we will keep him as a trump card. I guess it is not my place to think like a prince.]

I looked down at the ground from my vantage point up about the tallest building in Nova. I would not be able to return home empty-handed.

[ If it wasn't for those damn bandits!!]

I looked down to spot them dancing like monkeys. Everyone walked past them laughing or trying to avoid eye contact and it made me feel better about the situation. I watched as a carriage stopped in front of them and sat there for a little while before moving on again.

I signaled to my companions in that area before they flashed back at me that the carriage had given the bandits coins.

"Follow them" I signaled.

I felt a presence behind me and drew my sword before turning around.

"The prince says if you can't find the target in the next day to return," A masked person said from behind. All of the Vance prince's private guards wear the same thing. Dark blue training suit, a single weapon usually a dagger and a blue cloth wrapping over their faces.

The prince's insignia was a broken heart and thorny rose. I honestly think it is tacky but the guards won't even let one spec of blood drop on them. I watched in a previous battle of the guards go so far as to get injured by an enemy to make sure the pattern stayed clean.

The prince's private guards were bloodthirst and honestly, they give me the creeps.

"Command accepted," I said as I crossed both arms across my chest in salute.

"Mm and on a private note the fact that you lost a pampered rich kid is really disappointing. Remember the Prince is watching." The personal guard said as he left.

[ I'd like you to see you find him!]

After the guard had left my mind began to wander a little on to my time with Yuki, although it was brief I didn't lie to him when I said I enjoyed our time together.

[ Why does he have to be an Akiyo?]

A cold wind blew past me, making me shake slightly. The scars on my body ached and I gritted my teeth. I still remember the look on that old mans face as he slaughtered my family like it was yesterday.

He came in during the night like a curse and reduced my house to ashes with his men. First, it was my father, than mother. Sister and I were forced to watch as my parents took their last breath. Rage didn't even begin to explain how I felt watching.

[Those Tama scum!]

I tried to run with my sister but we were blocked on all sides. I remember the smell of iron and human waste as my sister was tragically cut down in my arms. I knew I was done for but I decided not to go down without a fight.

I thought quickly and used my wind magic to speed up and grab a weapon. I managed to at least take on man down before I was caught and that is when the torture began. For weeks I was locked up… a mere child just because my father was important to the king.

I was tortured day in and out for information I didn't have before my savior the prince had come to my rescue.

I still see my family's faces in my sleep.

I was awoken from my thoughts by the flashing of a signal.

[ Yuki maybe in the caravan?!]

I hopped down from my perch and sighed before making my way to the cart that had given the money to the bandits earlier.

It had traveled a fair way out of town but with my speed boost wind magic it took no time at all to catch up. After about three incense sticks of time, I found the person who had first sent the message back to Nova.

My comrades were all pretty reliable and were trained personally by the royal family. We were all able to work together in sync after the time we had spent together. It was thanks to them and the prince that I had not complete devolved into a monster.

[ Time to think of a way to get the carriage to pull over. Yuki if it really is you I am coming!]