Chapter 16 - Escape

After a while, I rode back to Astora with Brent, Collette, Elowyn, and Grace. Me and Grace said not a word to each other during the entire ride. There was just an intense silence between us, and not one of mutual hatred.

I was avoiding her. I was getting attached, and I hated it. I was going to go back home no matter what. So why would I hurt her by associating with her? At least with Elowyn, Brent, and Collette, I wouldn’t say I’m super close with them.

Brent never said a word to me either. I’m sure he knew what went down and figured the situation was tense. At least I’m sure he thought so on the surface. We made our way towards the Heroes’ Guild Stables. Situated right beside the building itself.

“Well, I suppose you should report a job well done.” Brent tried to break the awkward silence.

I nodded without a word and walked inside with him. He led me to a backroom and held out a form. “Just sign here.” He tapped a small indicator at the bottom to sign, a quill and ink set right beside the paper on a small table in the middle of the room.

“For the record,” Brent stated, he seemed a lot more lucid and fair when sober. I kind of preferred him that way. “I don’t exactly blame you for what happened. But be nicer to the poor girl, eh?” He slapped me on the back.

“You two are childhood friends, if yer gonna croak or leave her. Maybe you ought to let her remember you positively. Not as someone bittered by circumstance.” I could sense his disapproval.

“I suppose I did go a bit far, besides…I figured it would hurt her less if she hated me, if she didn’t wish to tag along.” The quill felt heavy, and looking at it, the paper was more or less full of gibberish.

“But, I suppose I can apologize,” I admitted. I screwed up.

“Don’t beat yourself up over it, we all act a little off beat sometimes. You’ve got a lot on yer plate already. You know, I got a good watering hole I like going to. Why not tag along?” Brent’s invitation seemed nice.

“Sure, if some urgent job doesn’t come along first.” I smiled a little. I already felt a bit better.

“But, you must go apologize to her first. Got it? Or I’m not bringing ya along.” With that word of warning, he turned to leave. “You can put it away, you’re done.” He opened the door and walked away.

I must admit, apologizing is tough. To admit you screwed up is tricky. Grace seemed ever so unapproachable lately.

As I walked out of the building to get some fresh air, I thought about how I would word my apology. ‘I’m sorry I acted rudely, I wasn’t trying to hurt you.’ Damn, that sounded like something I would have a student right to another.

If I were an elementary school teacher instead.

I thought about Miko. I remembered a time we were both kids, and I accidentally damaged one of her DVDs; it was some sort of crappy magical girl anime, but she loved it.

Yet as I thought about her, I was almost always attributing her to someone in my past. Someone I thought about, but not someone I would ever meet.

“Maybe you ought to let her remember you positively.”

Brent’s words came through my head. It was an almost simple lesson, yet I felt I was growing up all over again.

I suppose everyone makes mistakes and needs to make amends. It has been a long few weeks for me. Suddenly, I felt a poke on my shoulder.

“Huh?!” I jumped what seemed like ten feet. “Elowyn?!” I cried out; she scared the crap out of me.

“Thinking about Grace? I’ll admit it is kind of funny to see you angst about like some sort of crappy protagonist in some sickening romance novel.” She smirked. I already wanted to punch her.

“Of course I am, I’m trying to think of a way to apologize to her, so leave me alone. Will ya?” I shooed her away, but she didn’t budge an inch.

“Oh, please, I can be wherever I please.” She huffed. “Just so happens, tormenting you turns into my most favorite pastime.”

I already felt myself getting more and more mad by the second.

“If you want to get rid of me, you’ll have to leave.” She declared. “You know, if you want a quiet place to think. I’d say the little park area a few blocks down is a good place to go.”

“Fine, I’ll go away. But I’ll send ya packing back to Elfland if you follow me.” She knew I couldn’t, so she simply rolled her eyes and sent me on my way.

The streets were full of peddlers selling handmade goods, and the occasional homeless person could be seen sleeping or sitting against the various walls near the merchants. The park itself was a small grassy area with a lone tree up a few flights of stairs. Nearby was a fence that gave a decent view of the city area. There were a few benches scattered about, but the place today was very empty.

Elowyn was right, this was a pretty nice area, not like I would ever admit she was right about anything. I leaned forward against the fence.

Finally, after a while, I heard footsteps, and someone else stopped next to me. I looked over and saw Grace. No doubt Elowyn set this up. Maybe she wasn’t so bad after all.

Still, I wasn’t too sure what to say to her. I guess I was never good at apologies.

“Sorry about earlier. I wasn’t being too fair to you.” I apologized.

However, Grace simply shook her head. “Thank you, but. I guess I can understand why you would be so hesitant. You’ve always been the one protecting me. Even when we were kids.” She began. “I know you’ve got a lot happening, and I suppose any friendship we may have will come to an end soon.”

After all, players were more than likely dropping like flies at this point.

“That’s not fair to you,” I admitted. “You’ve been a big help this whole time. I’d be dead if it weren’t for your healing. Hell, I’d also be dead if you didn’t but in during the fight with Simon. We all would.”

“Besides,” I began. “I didn’t want you to be sad at me going. No matter what I do, I will have to leave this world someday. It’s not my home, not my place.” I confessed.

“As much as I find myself slowly wanting to stay here just a bit more.”

I said it. I didn’t even dare try to read Grace’s expression.

“I took my frustrations, my problems, my regrets. I took them all out on you.” I looked at her finally, forcing my eyes over to her. “I’m sorry, I treated you like that. I don’t expect you to forgive me.” I extended a hand. “But, if I’m going to leave you, maybe it’s best for it to be on a high note.”

For the next few hours, we looked around all over the nearby merchants, browsing their wares. I bought her a nice pendant from a rather pleased-looking young woman. Just as we finished and began to make our way back, a crier rode through town.

“Hear all about it! Bounty on all with a numbered tattoo! 100’000 minimum of any of them alive or dead!” He began to shout. “500’000 for the capture of a man named Razan Hamada! You can identify him with a 1 tattooed on his cheek!”

I felt as if time itself froze, a bounty?

I felt several eyes turn my way. “We should run.” With that, me and Grace bolted through the streets. If we could make our way to the Heroes’ Guild, we could steal a horse and make our way out of here.

Just one problem, there were people everywhere, surrounding us. Almost certainly trying to detain me for that sweet reward. Too bad, I wasn’t gonna let 'em.

I took out my sword and waved it through the crowd, scaring enough of them to clear a path forward.

Eventually, we made it to the Heroes’ Guild, and a swarm of people were outside the building. But Elowyn and the others were nowhere to be seen.

“Damn, can’t just leave without the others.” I looked around, and I noticed an open window. I had to act quickly.

I motioned for Grace to follow my lead, and I began to climb up the side of the building. An angry mob began to throw fruits and vegetables at me, which made it hard to focus; a knife even narrowly missed my ear at one point.

I could hear Grace slowly begin to climb after me. I managed to get inside before grabbing Grace’s hand and pulling her inside.

Still, getting in here was the least of our problems. I heard footsteps approaching us from down below, and it was Elowyn.

“Hey, Elowyn, can you teleport us out of here?” I asked.

Elowyn nodded. “It seems you’re in deep trouble now. I suppose no matter where you are, you’re no longer safe. Don’t worry, the Elves shouldn’t turn you in.”

Then another thought hit me. Brent and Collette. “Hold on, we should bring them as well; they might get hurt from the mob outside.” Before I could even think about leaving to find them. I heard the door open, likely from enough force applied, and people began to rush inside.

There was no time to look for them. We had to move now.

“Elowyn, now.” I could only hope they were alright as people rushed up the stairs towards us, right as one man reached to grab me, that was when Astora finally faded from my view.

All I could wonder is that I hoped the elves were a bit better.

Remaining participants: 50/100.

Game status: In progress.

Razan Hamada Status: Alive.