14: On the Way to the Grayman

Mirana didn't hide her concerns for Liran with her fussing, making sure the woman had the best food, travel items, and care.

Everyone had gathered at the courtyard to say their farewells after they had enjoyed a tasty breakfast.

"I'm sure the Andor Scholar Wizards will be able to take care of the stone." She hoped and prayed for Liran's sake.

"Sheeze, you're such a worrywart. Save it for your baby. I'll be fine. And besides, I'm looking forward to seeing the Tavern District again." Liran's eyes sparkled as her memories drew wondrous visions of flowing, frothy ale and chunky roast meats and vegetables: stuffed and loaded plates crowding the surface of long benches. Many people drank and sang merrily as barmaids kept mugs flowing and good times rolling.

"She's drooling," Clover noted.

Mirana laughed. "That's her happy face. No doubt thinking about food again."

"What's more important in life than singing, dancing, and tasty food with a refreshing mug of ale to wash it down?!" Liran heartily declared.

Rei grinned as he approached them, rocking his baby boy. Thanks to Liran and her new friends, they were safe. It was also a wake-up call to how complacent he had been over the years. It was time to scout another safe area.

"See Grayman and let him deal with the pebble. If anyone has the means to handle that magic, it's those wizards."

Liran grinned with a thumbs-up. "Yep, Grayman can certainly bear the pain. Although..."

He shook his head. "You're still that wary of him."

Her grin dropped. "Not so much wary, more like he's a bit scary. And I think he still hasn't forgiven me for Oliver."

"He's not that petty. I'm sure you'll be fine." He patted her shoulder.

She nodded and looked apologetic when she said, "Anyway, I'm off. Thanks and sorry."

"Save it. You didn't know, and you saved us, so all is even," Mirana reassured her.

Liran turned and took bold strides out of the busted gates, which a few of the groundmen were repairing with magic.

She whistled as she headed down the steps and left the Outskirts via a side gate and quieter road. Halfway down, she paused and turned around to face her companions.

"Um, why are you following me?"

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" Rat squeaked with his outrage. "You didn't realize we were with you this whole time."

"I did; I just don't understand why." She looked at him slightly perplexed.

"We're going with you to see this Grayman," Clover nonchalantly answered.

Bosnia gave eager nods. "You attract good fights!"

"Clearly this pebble has a power way over your head. If we weren't around to deal with those bandits and soulless, you'd be dead." Aiden plainly stated.

"Sure, but that was then. You guys don't owe me anything, and, wait, do I owe you?" She gasped, horrified she might have racked up a sizable debt.

"20 sovereigns, and we'll call it a sunturn." Rat pragmatically offered his deal.

Her mind went into overload from the amount of sovereigns that tiny ball of chaos was suggesting. "Are you crazy? Who has that kind of money?!" Her chest heaved with hyperventilation.

Rat aloofly answered, "Well, if you can't pay us, then you're stuck with us until you can."

Annoying Imp nodded, catching on to his friend's intentions. "Yes, that be lotza enmonies. Can't pay we stay."

"Same for us too," Clover added.

"My price is 40 sovereigns, plus another 10 for blocking an attack that saved your hide." Aiden pulled off his shield to smugly wipe it clean. "Being a royal prince, my deals are ironclad. So, like Imp, if you can't pay. I'll stay until you can."

Liran's brain was going into a mad spin of the double digits she couldn't calculate without heating up. Then her expression dropped to be so mopey it was comical. After some hopeful thinking, realizing what they were doing, she brushed off the debt threat. She gathered Aiden and Annoying Imp to her with an arm around each shoulder.

"Come now, I was just checking your plans. No need to throw in imaginary debts."

"Who said they were imaginary?" Aiden, again, plainly stated that had her gulping.

'You're a knight of the Ki Code. You don't need sans-sai monies, remember?"

"That was for the code, but like all rules, there are loopholes." He sighed and added. "Fine, we'll settle your tab later."

Liran laughed and pulled away to kick up her steps with high energy. "Well, monies aside, the way to the Greenwood Forest is a pleasant journey. Since you're hanging around, then I'll take you to the best spots along the way."

The group's conversations began pleasant and light as they walked the quiet dirt roads toward an evergreen cluster of trees that marked the border of Greenwood.