With Marley's help by the next day I was able to move around properly. The tension in my muscles had been eased away but the occasional jitter still crossed through my body. All in all I was incredibly happy especially considering how it could have been. I could finally relax and I had every intention to do so.
The streets of Greytree were full of life. While it was a fortress town to defend the border it was also one of the major trading points between the south and the north sides of the Kingdom. Though it was still called a town, the amount of housing and the ever increasing populace was edging it to being a city. The training fields once used to march the soldiers was now filled with new establishments and smaller market areas. There were even plans to shift the walls to make more room. Despite it being so close to the border the town had almost no worries about the demons. After all it was a heavily defended fortress with high walls. A force capable of overcoming it hadn't been seen in decades.
I enjoyed the fresh air and wondered the paths of the city. I had visited several times before with my family when we needed special made equipment but unlike home this place was always changing.
"Rain are you sure you should be out so soon?" Lara asked me.
"As long as I don't push myself I'll be fine," I smiled in reply. Together with Taylor the two had been following me around to make sure I wouldn't collapse. Though Taylor's reasoning was much more loose and towards the 'I'm bored let's do something' persuasion.
We made our way to the workshop close by the inn and where our carriage had been parked for repairs. I looked at the familiar vehicle regretfully. The metal finishing's had been dented and bent, the wheels looked like they'd collapse and the suspension on one side was all but destroyed. Where the acid had hit, large chunks of wood had been burnt off. Thankfully the enchantments holding it together were working and the space inside hadn't been damaged. As expected of something made by the Kingdom's finest.
A large man walked out of the shop to greet us, "Good afternoon. If you're here for the carriage it'll still be a few days till it's ready."
"Ah Mr Bents," Lara turned to him. "Thank you for the work. We're just here to take a look."
"No problem. I've got most the parts ready, just waiting on the blacksmith for the rest. Your, ah, magician friend came by to inspect it this morning."
"He's a wizard," I said unconsciously.
The man waved my comment away, "All those magic types look the same to me. Anyway should be done in four days or so."
"How's Pina?" I asked and looked around to the back of the building. I could see several other birds and some horses inside the stables.
"The bird? I'll let you see for yourself," he gestured for us to follow and led us though a tall gate. "She's an energetic one but well behaved. Caught her jumping over the fence for fun."
As soon as we turned the corner we entered a small field of grass. Other Paradise Moas like Pina were relaxing in the sun. Their array of colours were quite a sight. A certain pink one however locked on to us immediately and hounded over. She skidded to a stop as I held out my hands to greet her. The pink bird purred and rubbed its head into mine.
I ruffled her feathers, "It's good to see you too."
We spent a few minutes with Pina before leaving for the local market. Several stalls had been set up in a small square behind the main street. The men and women running them stood welcomingly letting their loud voices boom over each other to attract customers. Even being in the afternoon the place was cramped.
Taylor twisted her lips displeased, "Ugh, I hate crowds."
"I won't be long," I said apologetically.
"What do you need again?" Lara asked as we edged through the crowd.
"Just a few vegetables and spices. Marley asked me to cook her something as thanks. I thought I could buy extra for Taylor to practice cooking."
Taylor looked at me surprised, "You were serious about teaching me?"
"Weren't you?" I looked at her with a smirk. "We have time and in the long run it'll help me to have a capable assistant."
"Just don't complain when I get better than you," she laughed haughtily but somehow I doubted her boasting.
There was a sudden push of movement and someone knocked against Lara's side.
"Sorry lady!" a child's voice called.
"It's alright," Lara replied kindly.
Both my and Taylor's hands shot out to grab the boy as he tried escape into the crowd. We yanked him back to Lara's surprise.
"Nice try but not good enough," Taylor squeezed his arm as he tried to pry free.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about. Someone help!" he yelled in panic but no one around us bothered to give him a second glance.
Taylor's eyes slanted into a glare, "Don't play dumb and give it back before I make you."
The kid's eyes darted around her and locked on to the choker placed on Taylor's neck, "You're just a slave you can't order me around!"
"Wrong choice of words kid," her grip tightened and he winced.
"Taylor that's enough," Lara stepped in between them causing Taylor to let go. The slave choker glowed a slight red. The boy immediately tried to dash but I was still holding his other arm.
"You really shouldn't run," I held him firmly. "Just give back the wallet before the mean lady grabs you again." Taylor flashed me a look but I ignored it. "Come on now."
The boy finally gave in and threw the small wallet at Lara. She caught it in surprise.
"Just how did he…?" she touched her body feeling for anything else missing.
"It's not hard especially on someone like you," Taylor sighed and moved to the boy again. "Now what about this kid, should we just hand him over to the guard?"
"No!" he yelled. "Please anything but that. I promise I won't do it again. It was for my sister, she's sick and I-."
"If she's still sick you'd just do it again, you wouldn't let her just die, would you?" Taylor pressed into him with her eyes. I was starting to feel bad for the boy. In a town of this size there was bound to be some less fortunate people.
The boy flinched and looked into the ground.
Lara looked between them and sighed before leaning down towards the boy, "What's your name?" She smiled to him reassuringly.
"M-Michael…."
"You did it for your sister right?"
"Yes," his eyes were clear. At least he seemed like he was telling the truth but then again I had been tricked pretty badly in the past week.
"Take it," Lara pulled out the money from her wallet. "Just promise me you won't do something like this again. The people here all have someone they care for too. It wouldn't be nice for them to be hurt as well."
The boy looked at Lara with wide eyes not believing her words even as he took the money from her hands. Finally as he griped it firmly he nodded. "Thank you. I-I promise."
"Pinkie swear?" Lara held out her pinky finger.
The boy looked at her confused. I would as well if I were him. Not many people here would know what that was. Eventually he understood and joined his finger with hers. They shook.
"Okay you can go now. Just remember your promise okay?" Lara smiled once more and the boy nodded through tear filled eyes. His life might have just changed for the better. He ran off through the crowd occasionally looking back towards us.
I smiled wryly, "You're too nice."
"I was just doing what I felt was right," she looked at me refreshed.
"Hang on…" I paused. "Didn't we need that money to buy my things?"
"Ah!" Lara blanched.
Taylor shook her head then looked in the direction the boy had run, "I could always steal it back."
"No don't!" Lara grabbed onto her arm. Taylor's collar glowed.
"I was just joking," Taylor chuckled. "No need to look so upset… but we did need that money."
Lara turned back to me and bowed, "I'm sorry! I'll go run back to the inn and get some more so just wait here. I'll only be a moment I swea-."
I held up my hand to stop her, "No it's okay I was just messing around." In my hand was my own wallet.
She paused and looked at me incredulously. Then it turned to surprise, a look of betrayal and finally an ever so slight anger that it was cute. "Hmph!" She turned away as Taylor and I shared a short laugh.
*
Dinner was peaceful… more than I ever thought it could be with Lara and everyone. Seeing them all together with no looming threat hovering over my shoulder was enlightening. Before I had forced myself to enjoy their company or at least to pretend to, but now it was natural. Ardent was revitalised and spoke between mouthfuls, Ronalt listened intently with a serious gaze and while I hadn't seen it before Earnest watched us all rarely speaking but with a content smile. Of course there was still the whole Demon Lord to take care of and I had no idea what else would be coming in the future. It could be worse, it could be better, and I was okay with that.
I cleaned the table as I usually did. Even though we were in the inn I had borrowed their kitchen to cook and in return I gave away a few of my own recipes. Usually the time after dinner was time for me to relax and quietly work away my thoughts. Lara and Ronalt had informed me to take it easy despite having no issues with me cooking for them. The problem was right now I had taken on a task I was woefully unprepared for.
"Are you trying to cut yourself?" I asked Taylor with a sigh.
"What?" she looked at me as she held a knife above the cutting board.
"Don't use a reverse grip to cut vegetables. What are you trying to kill them?"
"Oh sorry reflex," she laughed and changed her grip with an expert flourish. I had planned to teach Taylor while cooking dinner but Marley had insisted I do it after. Now I was following through with my promise.
"Like this," I slowly demonstrated how to cut a carrot beside her. "Now be careful of your fingers and take it easy."
"I know how to handle a knife," she flipped the utensil in her hands and smirked. With deft movements she carved away her own carrot easily. "See?"
"Don't get cocky this is just the beginning." At the time I really did believe it wouldn't be that hard.
Three hours passed. Three hours that I couldn't understand. Just how could someone be so good at some things but terrible at others. The kitchen was a mess of food scraps, burnt meat, spilled soup and a general lack of order. If I were to say anything, at least she was earnest. If I were to say something else… the girl lacked a common sense regarding food that I took for granted.
"Taylor…," I began exasperated.
"Y-yes?" she held her hands together anxiously.
"You did it," I placed the spoon in my hand down. "It tastes decent."
"Really?" for what she just made she looked way to happy.
I could only smile weakly in return, "It's a start. Just… promise me not to cook anything while I'm not around."
"Right…."
"Good," I stretched my muscles. They were still a little sore. "Now clean up this mess. I'm going to bed."
"Wait you can't just leave!" she grabbed my arm.
"Watch me," I tried to take a step but she yanked me back.
"Taylor…." I paused looked over her shoulder and screamed, "What the hell is that!?"
"What?" for a moment her grip loosened I ran for the door. Her body shifted and blocked my path. Of course she was way faster than me but I had a trump card. I formed the mana in my body and tried to use magic. The effect was immediate as Taylor's eyes widened in surprise. Then I hit the floor in pain.
Taylor stood above me without having to do anything, "Are you an idiot?"
"I forgot how much it hurt," I coughed.
"Now I feel bad for making you help clean," she sighed.
I laughed weakly, "Haha you've fallen for my trap."
"I said feel bad not that I wouldn't make you do it."
"…."
"Come on now and stop messing around," she stepped over my body. "Don't worry next time I'll do better."
Next time!? She expected a next time? I looked up at her as I slowly pushed myself off the floor. Despite the complaints building in my mouth they all fell short. There was no way I could say no, not with how she smiled.
"What?" she looked at me again.
"Nothing."