"CAPTAIN!!!"
Everyone paused, except for Bil. While all eyes were now turned toward the mayor, Bil began walking toward the captain.
Noticing Bil, the mayor shouted again, "Captain, there's no need for that!"
"Huuuh?! Madam–"
"I apologize on his behalf, sir." Astonishing every citizen and every guard present, Amma offered Bil a deep bow. "Thank you for handling this situation, and for protecting Emor's citizens. It's been two years since Emor was rebuilt through the aid of Frantoch, but we haven't finished the perimeter walls nor had the manpower to face such threats unscathed. Because of you, no citizens were harmed–"
The captain was baffled and interrupted, "We don't know that, Madam Amma! We've yet to assess the situation and taking him in–"
"THERE'S NO NEED FOR THAT!!" ordered Amma, asserting herself further.
Accepting the bow, Bil calmed his stance and sighed, "No one else was hurt. Some walls were damaged, but that's all."
"Your destruction of property–"
"THANK YOU!!" Amma bowed again. "You don't need to worry about the cost of the damages. We're already grateful that no one else was harmed."
In response, Bil took out a coin purse and lobbed it at the mayor's feet. "That was the thief's coin purse. It should have enough to cover the damages."
Unlike the stunned civilians and guards, Jash was furious. Now standing almost two bromes high, Jash was the same height as Bil. He easily grabbed Bil by the collar of his cheap coat. "Why?! We were going to handle it, so why endanger everyone else?"
"Jash!"
"U-uh…" Recognizing that voice, Jash let Bil go and faced the open door of the store. "Nelphy, this–"
"What's wrong? Is it wrong for him to protect me?" argued Nelphy, stomping up to her brother. "I was about to have a knife to my neck, but Bil intervened. Did you see his neck?!"
On that note, the crowd gasped. The fresh blood still dribbled down Bil's neck.
Unable to respond, Jash stood in silence.
"You didn't?! Yet you almost grabbed him by that cut." Nelphy shook her head and patted Bil's neck with a cloth hanky. "Thank you, Bil."
"You're welcome, Nelphy." Bil's gentle grin startled the crowd even more. It was too different from the threatening man they saw just seconds ago.
Despite the sudden change in her attitude, the mayor's hand was still shaking. And seeing Nelphy all grown up only added to that. "E-excuse me, but may I know the name of our hero?"
However, Bil waved a hand and shook his head. "I'm Torbil, Bil for short. But I'm no hero. I'm just an old soldier with a temper when my loved ones are threatened."
".. Bil, it's nice to meet you. I'm the mayor of this town and I'm grateful for your aid," replied Amma, doing her best to not show her nerves. "Then, is this your family, Bil? Are you three planning to–"
"No. We'll be leaving very soon," stated Bil, getting a glare from Jash. "We were grabbing supplies for our journey when this happened."
"You!" Jash confronted Bil and shouted, "You promised that we–"
"Things change. We leave today." Not caring to continue the conversation, Bil took Nelphy's hand and started for the store door. "Hurry up and say your goodbyes. We leave before mid-day."
"Bil! BIL!" Try as he might, Jash failed to get a response from Bil and Nelphy.
Fed up, the young man clenched his fists before walking up to the captain. He gave a deep bow. "Please, forgive his lack of courtesy and his crude way of handling things."
But before the captain could respond, the mayor replied, "It's fine. I really am glad that everyone is ok, so he was a great help."
"Madam Amma, please don't–"
"Captain, it's true," stated Amma. "Now, Jash, I have a couple of questions for you, if that's okay."
"Of course, that'll be fine. I'd like to help however I'm able," answered the young man.
Taking a brief moment to build her confidence, Amma showed a smile that wasn't happy nor sorrowful. "How old are you, Jash?"
"I turn eighteen today."
"Oh, in that case, happy birthday!" Amma congratulated, feeling some of her tense expectations dwindle. "Also, how serious was he when he claimed to be leaving today."
"... He's set on that decision, sadly. And it seems my sister has silently agreed.." sighed Jash. "I apologize, Madam, Sir. Today was supposed to be my first day, yet–"
"Think nothing of your sudden leave," Amma stated. "I understand. Sometimes, things happen and we suddenly have to move. I remember similar needs thirteen years ago when we were attacked…"
Jash's eye's widened as he realized something. "Madam Mayor, you lived here before the attack?"
".. Yes, I did."
"May I ask, were you always the mayor?"
Shaking her head, Amma answered, "No. I helped the town run but I focused on the inns I ran for the most part. Why do you ask?"
"I-I… Sorry for such an intruding question. I didn't mean to bring back painful memories." Bowing again, Jash asked, "Can you forgive me?"
"Yes, I forgive you. There's no reason not to," Amma chuckled, finally feeling some sort of emotion openly. "Your temperament is very different from your guardian's."
Nodding, Jash explained, "I've been cleaning up his messes my entire life. He's blunt, but he means well."
"I can tell…."
A pause hung in the air, allowing the captain a chance to speak his mind. "Madam, why were you scared of that man?"
"Huh?"
"You were shivering, and you weren't able to take your eyes off of him. Do you know him?" questioned the captain.
Amma first glanced at Jash's curious gaze before looking back to the captain. "I… I'm not sure."
"Madam, you were shaking uncontrollably." The captain reasoned, "I won't accept an incomplete answer for this matter. The man didn't seem to regard the laws of the town and simply killed them. Though their bandits, that's still murder! They hadn't yet killed anyone, and–"
"Did you not see the cut on the man's neck?" retorted Amma.
"Regardless, please answer me, Madam. Do you know him, and from where?" the captain demanded as gently as possible. "For the safety of the town, please inform me."