So I recently worked on a massive update for this story. It made more sense to think of the story chronologically for a lot of reasons (including that I watch AoS before the main series).
I'm working through the Baal Arc now, so will be trying to update at least a chapter a week.
Let me know what you think of the story as I update it and add to it.
I do not own magi or the characters. I do own my oc.
Chapter 1
I'm just gonna walk next time.
I lean back trying to ignore the rough sailing not helped by the mostly incompetent crew above. If I wasn't a stow away I would have walked up there and shown them how it's done. I wrap my dark brown cloak closer around me securing the hood again. My dark grayish eyes and light gray, almost white, hair were a dead give away to who I am. If the wrong person sees it I'll be sent to Partevia's capital to die. I could probably make my life easier by not being a bounty hunter, but all I'm good at is fighting so I'm stuck.
"You dumb asses," yells a particularly loud voice above deck. "We have 20 minutes until we dock so figure out what the hell your doing."
I let out a sigh of relief. This ship is carrying supplies to the outer reaches of Partevia, which would be a great place for me to hide out and deal with my shoulder. I stand up, retrieving my small canvas bag and making sure my daggers were secure under my cloak.
Glancing around, I start to really question how well Partevia is holding up. This was the largest supply ship that I've seen in months and it's a disaster. It's damp in here and covered in mold and grime. This crew was so spares they couldn't make this even kind of presentable. If this war with Reim doesn't end soon, everything will collapse here.
I vault over some boxes close to the entrance of the cargo hold underneath the ship. I want to make a clean getaway from here. It probably won't happen but a girl can dream. I remain crouched down, waiting for my moment to get the hell out of here.
I stay their waiting for us to dock. Finally after what feels like forever I hear the angry screeching of wood as the ship dock in this small town. It only take a few minutes for some men to come to start unloading goods. Not wasting a second I stand up silently moving up the steps silently.
Blinded by the brightness of the sun after a few days in the dark hold, I pause. I jump to the side spinning to kick a man in the chest as his sword is swung at me. Finally focusing on the scene in front of me I realize most of the crew is watching me.
"Damn it," I mutter.
Someone yells to get me, but I don't pay attention as I dash for the side of the ship by the dock. Reaching the edge before the men can organize I jump up onto the ships railing, pushing off into the air. I land, somersaulting forward using the momentum to dash through the crowded port. I can hear a few of the crew and some citizens yelling at me, but ignore them. I'm pretty fast so probably won't have a problem getting away.
Turning and weaving around unsuspecting citizens I duck into a deserted alley. Pushing close to the wall behind some stacked barrels I stay still waiting to make sure no one passes by.
Satisfied, I remove the cloak leaning back against the wall trying to relax. I could feel the throbbing in my shoulder from landing on the ground. It was stupid to do that, especially with how much it was bothering me recently. Lifting the sleeve of my traditional shirt up a bit I frown at the bruise already well formed from a few days ago.
I need to get somewhere soon where I could take it easy and avoid any fights.
Standing up, I secure the hood of my shirt before resecuring my bag. I run to the other side of the alley, jumping up and pushing off of some boxes to grab a hold of the wall at the end. Getting a grip I pull myself up, balancing on the few inch wide wall, I take off running towards the building opposite me. At the last moment I jump up gripping the side before pulling myself onto the flat roof.
I look around ignoring the pain shooting up and down my arm now looking for the edge of town. This town was actually fairly large and well maintained for this part of Partevia. The building were overall standing strong, and the market place was bustling with mainly elders, and mother's with their children. There were some men working and a large group of bandits and thieves, but that's not exactly unusual here. Seeing the spot where the building get further apart, I take of running and jumping along the rooftops.
After a while the building are beginning to get kind of far apart to risk the jump. I'll have to land and ask around for directions anyways. Making my way closer to the edge I push off never looking down below.
"Move," I yell seeing a glimpse of a person where I'm about to land. I shut my eyes bracing myself for the collision. This is bound to hurt.
Why the hell can't things ever go right?!
I feel a small collision and hear a grunt. Opening my eyes, I'm in the arms of the person I almost landed on. I study him for a moment still surprised. He has bright purple hair tied back in a ponytail and matching thick purple eyebrows. His golden eyes are looking at me with amusement and a bit of confusion as he smiled broadly at me. He can't be much older than I am. He's dressed like a typical Partevian, but I've never actually met someone with this colored hair.
"Hey," remarks the boy still holding me.
"Hi," I answer uncertainty. I pause for a moment not sure what to say. "Can you put me down?"
"Oh," remarks the teenager as if realizing he was still holding me. He lets go and I take a few steps back. Now standing by him, I realize he's not that tall. Only about an inch taller than me.
"I'm sorry about that," I say quietly looking away.
"Don't apologize," says the teenager taking my left hand gently. He pulls me forward a bit smiling at me as I look at him. "I'm just happy I could help a beautiful girl such as yourself." I stumble for words as this person seems to just exude confidence and charm. I'm not typically one to be flustered, but right now I don't know how to respond.
I pause not sure what to do, only really noticing then Sinbad brushes a piece of my wavy light gray hair to the side. Panic setting in, I pull away grabbing my hood and putting it back on.
"I have to go," I say walking away.
The teenager looks at me a bit shocked as I push past him. "Hold up," says the boy falling into step with me. I refuse to look at him, but can feel him watching me. "My name's Sinbad. What's yours?"
I glance at him, not really sure if I should answer him.
"Leila," I mutter still not looking at Sinbad. He's going to have to leave me alone eventually, and I'm wanted under my code name.
"You're not from around here," states Sinbad as I tense a bit hoping he doesn't notice. "What are you doing out here?"
"Just looking for somewhere quiet to stay for a while," I reply hesitantly. I continue walking out of town, Sinbad still following me.
We walk for a while not saying anything. Sinbad continues to look at me confused. "Do you have any idea where your going?"
"I was trying to get you to stop following me," I reply with no hesitation.
"Well you're headed towards the village I live in so…"
I blush avoiding looking at Sinbad. I stop abruptly turning and starting to walk to my left. Sinbad quickly falls into step with me again. "Where are you going now?"
I glare a bit at Sinbad before looking forward. I can tell there's probably not much out this way. There no path on the dry landscape, and only a few small plants in the dirt. I can see the sun starting its descent in the cloudless sky, but know I'll probably be able to find something before it gets to dark.
"There's nothing that way for hours."
I shrug not really caring.
"Hold on," says Sinbad grabbing my right arm pulling me to a halt. Not expecting the sudden jolt of motion in my shoulder, I flinch with a small pained yelp before pulling my arm away turning to face Sinbad.
Sinbad flounders a moment for words trying to figure out what happened. I put my left hand on my shoulder glaring at Sinbad. "Are you hurt," questions the purple haired teen finding words finally. His reaction makes it seem like he's not used to someone like me resisting his attempts at flirting or kindness.
"Just leave me alone," I say turning to walk away. I stop as Sinbad steps in front of me. "I'm serious." I try to push him out of the way, but he's stronger than I am and doesn't move.
"So am I," replies Sinbad. "Are you hurt?" I pause and shift uncomfortable as Sinbad looks at me. "Come with me," says Sinbad holding his hand out.
"Why would I-"
"The village I'm from is pretty quiet. Tison Village. You can stay with us while you heal." I shift from foot to foot not sure if I should go with Sinbad. I study him for a moment. He seems genuinely concerned, which I can't say I was expecting.
I sigh before nodding. Sinbad smiles and starts walking as this time I fall into step beside him. "I'm sorry," says Sinbad quietly.
"For being stubborn," I say trying to sound a bit less hostile. "I can't fault you there."
"No," says Sinbad. He won't look at me but I can tell he looks guilty. "I didn't mean to hurt your shoulder when I caught you."
I start to laugh a little as Sinbad looks at me shocked. "It's an old injury," I say calming down smiling at Sinbad. "It's been giving me issues for years. Trust me you couldn't make it worse if you tried."
"Hm," says Sinbad not sure what to say.
We walk for a while not really talking. Following the path to the town, I can see that there must not be a lot of traffic to and from this town. The path is only slightly worn and there are no signs of life along the path anywhere.
"So…"
I turn looking at Sinbad starting to speak up. He must have been uncomfortable with the silence.
"How old are you?"
"14. You?" I glance at Sinbad who smiles at me.
"I'm 14 too. Do you just travel around?"
"I'm a fighter," I say hesitantly. "And people hire me to do just that."
"Is your family okay with that," questions Sinbad watching me. I frown to myself, not really sure how to answer that question.
I look away and see a small village in the distance. It looks really peaceful and beautiful with the sun casting shadows as it gradually lowers. It's not the nicest or fanciest place I've ever seen, but it looks almost serene. "Is that Tison Village," I question with a smile.
"Yeah," say Sinbad stepping in front of me. "Come on," he says waving me to follow him. I stay a little bit behind him as we enter the village.
"Sinbad," yell a couple of kids running up to Sinbad. I pause as they start asking him question and telling them what he did today. A woman walks up talking to Sinbad as well. She kind of looks like the kids' mother. I notice her look at me a bit questioning, before diverting my gaze.
Not wanting to interrupt I slip of to the side down a street as Sinbad continues to field their questions and start talking to the woman.
It's was nice of him to bring me here. Now I just need to find a place to sleep.
