Enslaved

Chapter Twenty-One

The castle of Count Marchette overlooked the city of Cauchon within the Gallian lands, and the city itself was just a minor town, made into a city due to the castle's presence, the crossroads nearby, and the quarry from which the stone to build the buildings had come from.

The market was quite big, the merchants screaming their wares with as much emphasis as they could, trying their hardest to keep an eye out on the crowd for the pickpockets and the thieves. A few guards boringly stood at the side of the market, merely looking at the passage of people rather than patrolling around.

Saito walked past the vast majority of stalls, both of his arms around Feather's waist to prevent the child from getting away. A flash of blue hair caught his attention, eerily familiar to him.

His retinue was without a doubt frantically looking for him across the city, since he had given them the slip once more past the gates. He really shouldn't have, but the fanfare was something he couldn't grow accustomed to, no matter how much people seemed to find it strange that the 'Holy Gandalfr' didn't like being received with full blown honors.

The city was however in a festive mood, and many were there after the rumors of the Gandalfr's impending appearance in the town.

Holy trinkets of Brimir were already being sold in the shady alleys, by people looking up to con a few unsuspecting faithful out of their money. A few impersonators were already setting up shop, claiming to be the 'retinue' of the Holy Gandalfr and demanding a few coins to spread his blessings.

Business was thriving in the city, and so was the ever growing crowd. Saito sighed as he dropped his weary self on the nearest free bench, in one of the city's many squares, filled with people up to the brim. The very fact he had found an empty bench was quite a miraculous event by itself, and as he waited to catch his breath, he caught sight of the familiar blue hair once more.

Where had he seen it already?

"You," the monotone voice said suddenly, making Saito nearly jump in mid-air from fright.

"Gah!" Saito exclaimed, turning sharply to look at the blue hair, clearly cut short, of a glass-wearing girl. He looked at her hair because she was way smaller than him by at least a head, and was more in line of height with Feather, who was strapped to his chest.

"Hi!" Feather chirped from his chest, eyes blinking wide at the sight of the curious girl.

The girl looked up at him, and then back down at the bird. "Familiar?"

Saito nervously chuckled. "No," he shook his head. "She's my daughter."

The girl looked up at him once more, and then checked for wings on his back. "Liar."

"It's not a lie," Saito said hurriedly. "I'm not her real father, but I'm taking care of her," he continued. Feather chirped and grinned broadly, before cocking her head to the side.

"Are you alone?" Feather asked.

The girl nodded.

"My dad's alone too! Want to hang out?"

"Feather!" Saito said in a perplexed exclamation, but the girl merely nodded. Where had he seen her already? Why couldn't he place her? She did look terrifyingly familiar, and-

"Is Louise nearby?" the blue haired girl asked, looking back at Saito.

And suddenly it clicked.

Shit.

Albrecht was going to get so angry if this came out.

But he could still do damage control, right? He just had to say he wasn't the Gandalfr. Nobody had yet connected the dots, right? She hadn't, most clearly she hadn't, but if Percival and Anton saw him, they'd blurt it out.

"No," Saito shook his head. "I left her," he continued. "She gave me permission to return home, so," he looked sideways. "I'm making the trip back."

Tabitha nodded. "You listened to me."

Saito's eyes widened, as the final bits of recollection finally returned to the forefront of his mind. How could he have forgotten? This girl was the one who had appeared that night, when he had cried, homesick, and had told him to walk!

Of course!

"Yeah," Saito said. "I walked. I found a job as an adventurer," he continued, "And along the way I got myself a daughter," he chuckled.

"Adventurer?" the girl asked.

"Dad's the best there is!" Feather chirped. "He's-"

Saito clamped a hand down on the Bird-Girl's mouth, embarrassedly shaking his head. "Now, now, Feather, there's no need to boast. Are you here to watch the Gandalfr too?" Saito asked the girl, who nodded back.

"Yes," the girl said. She remained silent a heartbeat. "Tabitha."

Saito blinked, and then grinned. "Saito."

Tabitha nodded. "You found where your home is?"

Saito grimaced, and nodded. "Past the elves," he exhaled. "I don't know if I'll ever reach them."

"Join the Gandalfr?" Tabitha asked.

Saito frowned. "Why would I join him?"

Tabitha inclined her head to the side. "The Gandalfr will reclaim the Holy Lands from the Elves."

Saito blinked. "Oh, I didn't know that," he shook his head. "I'm just trying to go home."

Tabitha didn't say anything else. She just sat there, looking at him, and then staring at Feather. "How much?" Tabitha asked.

Saito raised an eyebrow. "How much…what?"

"Services," Tabitha said. "How much?"

"As an adventurer? Mine?" Saito asked, still not totally sure he had understood the girl properly. Tabitha nodded.

"Depends on how long," Saito said, trying to be diplomatic about it while wracking his mind on how much it would actually be. It wasn't that he needed money, but there was something telling him that if he lied about the price or gave a too small one, she wouldn't even consider it.

"One day," Tabitha said.

"Is there a risk to my personal safety?"

Tabitha shook her head.

"Then five Ecus are more than sufficient," Saito said.

Feather chirped as Tabitha nodded, and as the money exchanged hands, Saito bowed primly. "I'm at your service for the day, my fair lady."

Tabitha pointed at the other side of the square. "Need help passing through the crowd," she said calmly.

Saito looked at the crowd, and at Tabitha. Well, now this did explain everything. "You could have asked without the need to pay for something like this," he said, as he began to make his way through the crowd, keeping an eye out to ensure Tabitha was properly following him.

"Doesn't it pain you?" Tabitha said as they were midway through the crowd.

"What should pain me?" Saito asked, puzzled. Couldn't the girl finish her sentences?

"Armor," Tabitha dutifully pointed out.

"Ah, no," Saito shook his head. "It's very light," he grinned. It was one of those breastplates who protected only one shoulder, with a chainmail covering his chest and a pair of trousers with shin guards. His full armor was with his 'retinue', because there was no way he'd wear all that steel when he could avoid it.

They reached the other side of the square with ease, and as Tabitha stepped inside an inn, Saito followed behind her.

"Aren't you usually with that redhead?" Saito asked, as the inn was literally filled with people, and there was a line even before reaching the innkeeper.

"She went home," Tabitha said, "Urgent business."

"I see," Saito said. He bumped against a broad shouldered man, who turned with half the thought of speaking up, but the thought died out at the sight of a strange kid with a bright red chicken strapped to his chest and an even stranger smaller blue kid next to him.

"Is the circus in town?" the man said instead, before nearly lopping off his tongue as his brain connected the strange animal with 'familiar' and the staff in the girl's hand with 'mage'.

He hastily made his way out, quicker than a man on fire.

Saito blinked, and stepped forward. The line was still long, but apparently they had cut some time off.

Feather chirped and started to fight against the constraints that held her still. "I want down!"

"No," Saito replied. "You'd get lost."

"I want down!" Feather exclaimed again, resolutely.

"No," Saito said firmly, rolling his eyes.

"I want down! Dad! I want down!"

Saito looked down at Feather, and shaking his head, really, why was he always letting her win it, he unclasped the straps. "Stay near," he said.

Feather chirped her 'yes' and primly stood right next to Saito, eagerly looking up Tabitha. "You've got blue hair," Feather pointed out, before sniffing the air like a dog. "You smell of water."

Tabitha looked down at Feather. "Sharp," she said. Whether it was a compliment or an ironic statement, Saito didn't know.

A few seconds later, Feather groaned again.

"I want up!"

Saito pinched the bridge of his nose. Tabitha's lips twitched if ever so slightly as Saito proceeded to give in once more.

"Spoiled," she said.

Saito nervously chuckled. "She can be a bit of a hassle," he acquiesced, holding Feather's sides to keep her straight on his neck, "But she's a good girl at heart, I'm sure."

Feather gripped onto Saito's hair to hold herself steady, and as she looked around with big wide red eyes filled with curiosity and wonder, she looked every bit the little child of a poster card. Well, if she didn't have wings and weren't half-bird, of course.

"We're filled, we don't have rooms any longer!" the innkeeper yelled from the end of the line. "No more rooms! You hear me! All rooms are finished! No, I don't care who you're the son of! I've settled Marquis and Counts in my inn already when I never see anything more than fishermen! There's no space left! None at all!"

Tabitha stepped forward quietly as the line dispersed, and slipped a paper out of her hand and onto the innkeeper's own.

The innkeeper snorted as he opened it, and paled soon thereafter. He swallowed thickly, and nodded once. "O-Of course, i-immediately," the innkeeper stuttered, rushing upstairs. Saito raised an eyebrow, but Tabitha remained quiet.

A hassled and terrified man came down with an equally scared woman next to the innkeeper soon, and after bowing at Tabitha, they hurriedly made their way out with bags on their back.

"T-There's a free room, your Excellency," the innkeeper said, "for you and your friend."

"I'm not-" Saito began, but Tabitha nodded.

"Thank you," Tabitha said, and taking the key, began to walk upstairs. She didn't seem to have any luggage, but as Saito surrendered and followed, he couldn't help but ponder what it had all been about.

The innkeeper had said he wouldn't have free room for anyone lower than a Marquis or a Count. Now, Saito didn't properly remember the ranks of noblemen, but maybe Tabitha was something above those ranks? She was a mage, and mages were nobles, so…maybe she was the daughter of a duke like Louise was?

The room had been left and tidied in a hurry, and as Tabitha sat down on the edge of the bed, Saito gave a quick glance around. There was a large couple's bed and a window that gave on the square outside, as well as a table surrounded by four chairs.

"What now?" Saito asked.

"Talk," Tabitha said. Feather jumped off Saito's neck and fluttered her way towards Tabitha lap.

"Feather!" Saito exclaimed, but the bird-girl was already snuggling on the blue haired girl's lap, utterly uncaring. "I'm sorry, she's a bit expansive and-"

"No problem," Tabitha said. She gingerly touched Feather's head and plumage, before muttering, "Warm."

Saito sighed, and brought his back against the wall. He doubted that if he sat the chair would hold his weight, armored as he was.

"So, why are you here?" Saito asked.

"Gandalfr," Tabitha said. "Want to see."

Saito waited a heartbeat, but when nothing else was added, he remained silent. The silence in the room was interrupted only by Feather's chirps every now and then, and by the loud noises coming from outside the window, from the square below.

"Uh, why?" Saito asked with his arms crossed as he looked at the ceiling.

"Curious," Tabitha said. "Want to see him."

Saito chuckled. "A lot of people seem to share your idea," he acquiesced. "It should have been a secret visit too, but someone leaked it to the masses."

Tabitha raised an eyebrow, and nodded. "Surprised you know."

"Ah, well, you hear a lot of stuff in inns and whatnot. Conspiracies and stuff like that," Saito said. "Adventuring really opens up your view of the world."

"Interesting," Tabitha said in a whisper. "Talk about some?"

"You mean, talk about some of my adventures?"

Tabitha nodded once, firmly, both hands still on Feather who seemed to enjoy the attention.

"Well, I entered an adventuring party in Tristania," Saito said, lying through his teeth. "I started off small, checking forests for orcs, doing side jobs, escorting merchants and so on, we were four, Frederich, Roderigo and Vespucci," he used the first three names he could recall. "We did our best to get some money in, and when I earned enough I left them and moved to Gallia. Little by little I'm getting closer to my home, so…there's not much to say."

"Are you happy?" Tabitha asked.

Saito hummed thoughtfully, and looked up at the ceiling. "Well, I'd lie if I said I was, but I'm not as sad as when we first met. I'm a bit resigned, I'd say."

"You're free," Tabitha said. "Freedom is happiness."

Saito shrugged. "Maybe, but it's also scary, being free means you're the one choosing what to do, and what if you don't know what to do? Do you still live on if you don't have a purpose?"

"Find another one," Tabitha said softly.

"What's yours then?" Saito asked. Tabitha looked up at Saito and frowned. "What's your purpose, then?"

"Mother," Tabitha said. "I want her to recognize me."

Saito looked sadly towards the window. "I'm sure she does."

Tabitha shook her head. "No," she said. "She can't."

"Can't?"

"Don't want to talk about that."

Saito nodded. "What about your father, then?"

"Dead."

Saito would have gladly eaten his boots. He really should have thought about it better. "Sorry," he muttered, but Tabitha merely shook her head again.

"It is fine. It is an old story."

Feather fluttered off Tabitha's lap, and back into Saito's arms, snuggling closer to his chest. "Are you done acting like a spoiled brat?" Saito asked the humanoid bird, who merely yawned back and fell quickly asleep.

Tabitha took out a book from her small backpack, and began to read it dutifully. A little bit later Saito removed his armor, and dropped it on the floor as he took a seat on the chair, holding Feather in his arms.

"If you could speak to the Gandalfr," Saito said suddenly, "What would you ask him?"

Tabitha turned a page of her book, and said nothing. Saito remained quiet for a while longer, and finally the girl whispered out, after a long drawn-out moment, a single word.

"Help."

"Help?"

Tabitha nodded, and said nothing more.

"If you need a hand, I can help you," Saito said, but Tabitha shook her head.

"I'm very cheap," Saito said, but Tabitha again shook her head. She preferred shaking her head rather than verbalizing her words.

"You don't trust my skills?" Saito hazarded, but again, Tabitha just shook her head.

"What if I told you that I'm the Gandalfr?" Saito said.

"Blasphemy," Tabitha replied, gazing at him with soft eyes. "Thanks," she added, "But no."

Saito sighed, and dropped the argument. As the sun began to dwindle, and Feather woke up with her stomach growling, Saito proceeded to pull out of his bag his money pouch. "You're not having dinner?" Saito asked as Tabitha didn't appear interested in moving from her spot on the bed.

"Not hungry," Tabitha said.

"You're not going to grow if you don't eat," Saito pointed out. Feather took the cue and fluttered straight for Tabitha's head.

"Come eat with us!" Feather exclaimed chirping, gripping on to Tabitha's shirt with her hands, hanging and making the most wide-eyed face she could ever make.

"Feather!" Saito exclaimed with a defeated expression.

"Spoiled," Tabitha said once more, a shaky smile on her face. "Fine."

Saito quickly wore the armor once more, before descending the stairs with Tabitha and Feather in tow –the bird-girl really did like hanging on to the young mage. Maybe she was looking for a female figure? Like, a mother?

The innkeeper had the inn filled and packed to the brim, but dinner was still easily served, and even though they had arrived later than others, they were still served first.

"I'll have to go back to my inn soon," Saito said as the warm stew in front of him cooled off a bit. "Shall I meet you here tomorrow morning?"

Tabitha shook her head. "Day is over."

"A day is made of twenty four hours, we barely spent an afternoon," Saito pointed out. "There's still a morning. I don't want to make my clients feel shortchanged."

Tabitha's lips quirked up. "Tomorrow, at sunrise."

"I will be there," Saito said.

He didn't really know why he had offered; just that it had felt right. As he walked back to his inn in the crowded night streets, Derflinger finally spoke.

"Partner, the girl has a Void object on her person."

Saito stilled. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am," Derflinger said. "I don't know which one it is, but she most certainly has one, maybe a ring, because I couldn't really see it properly."

"Void attracts void, uh," Saito said.

"That it does, partner," Derflinger said, "Though you could have come out as the Gandalfr and asked for it."

"You didn't tell me," Saito pointed out.

"Mah, something told me it wasn't the right time to tell."

"What do you mean 'something'?"

"You were trying your hardest not to be the Gandalfr after all, and I have ears all right. I'm not stupid. You can't be ousted as the Gandalfr by someone who knows where you came from, right?"

Saito nodded. "I'll just have to wear the full suit of armor and ask for it tomorrow afternoon."

They went through an alley, stepping out on the opposite side and suddenly shrieking in surprise as he jumped back.

The scoffing face of Anton stared back at Saito with an unimpressed gaze. "Holy Gandalfr," the man said. "I found you."

Saito nervously laughed, scratching the back of his head as he looked sideways. "So you did."

The man crossed his arms in front of his chest, and cursed under his breath. "You understand you really shouldn't be going around alone and without an escort."

"I can take care of myself," Saito pointed out.

"I understand, but we were tasked with following you," Anton said. "Displeasing the Black Lord is the last thing we wish, especially Percival; he was on the verge of tears."

Saito took a deep breath. "Really, my brother worries too much."

"His royal highness worries the right amount," Anton drawled as he escorted Saito back into the inn, "a lucky shot is called such because it does not take into account the skill of the opponent, only the luck."

"Let's not be hasty in preparing my tomb, will you?" Saito grumbled. "It was fine. I went around the city a bit, there were no assassins trying to take my life, and nobody even knows this is my real appearance."

They stepped past the innkeeper –and the many bodies of sleeping people on the floor, all people who had arrived too late to find a room, but not that late that the innkeeper had run out of floor to let them sleep on in exchange of a pittance.

"Tomorrow afternoon we'll step out of the city, and then we'll return fully donned and decked for the great day," Anton whispered as they reached their room. "But really, going through such great hassles…did you at least find out anything about the noble?"

Saito hesitated, a nervous smile on his face.

"You just dallied around town all day, didn't you?" Anton asked.

"Well, I…"

Anton shook his head. "So wills the Founder, I suppose."

As Saito removed his armor once more and settled Feather on the bed next to the already sleeping Percival –the boy had insisted on being part of his retinue, no matter what- the Japanese boy couldn't help but settle his back against the wall of the room near the window and sigh.

He was just supposed to partake in an exchange of gifts with the Count as a gesture of goodwill between neighbors.

But somehow, he just knew he had to help the girl. She had helped him once after all, and it was only fair now to return the deal.

Author's notes

'It's alive!'