3
-You're late!- Amelia called as a huffing and puffing Celestial magician stopped in front of her trying to regain her breath.
-Sorry...Natsu...didn't want...to get out!- Lucy replied between heavy breaths.
-I figured it would be something like that! Anyway, I already bough tickets, the train is leaving in ten minutes.-
-Than we better board it or all good places will be taken.-
-Don't worry about that. I always travel first class.-the Soul mage replied as they made their way towards the train to the capital of Fiore, the city of Crocus.
-Really? You know, you are more ladylike than I have ever been.- Lucy joked.
A few weeks had passed since Amelia had joined Fairy Tail and she loved every minute of it. She loved the cheerful atmosphere, the smiles and stories everyone had told her. They had accepted and warmly welcomed her. She had taken part in some of the brawls, when an empty mug or shoe had hit her in the head. Makarov had forbid her to use her magic thou, because some members still couldn't stop laughing about the illusion she had cast on Natsu. It had happened two weeks ago yet the boy still refused to look at a chicken or anything linked with the bird. The first week she had spent by getting to know her new friends and Amelia quickly realized that she really liked Lucy. The two young woman had an immediate bound and by the end of the week they already had shared their stories.
To everyone's surprise, Amelia had found good friends in the Thunder Legion. While the trio had been more open to everyone after the troubles caused during Fantasia, they still liked to keep to the themselves, so it was unexpected to see the new member sitting with them like an old friend. The first to approach her was Freed. The Rune mage had been curious about her knowledge of Sibillian runes and Bickslow had crashed the party with his delight of meeting another Soul type magic user. They had ended up staying in the guild hall all night, with Evergreen joining them along the way, drinking and talking about different things. On the next day Evergreen had offered Amelia to see Fairy Hills, after the Soul mage had complained about her trouble finding a home. She had fallen in love with the dorms at first sight and was now the happy owner of a room between Levy and Evergreen.
Today Amelia and Lucy were going to Crocus for a job. With Erza and Gray gone on a special request and Natsu claiming he wanted to rest, Lucy was short on rent again and scanning the request board for any easy jobs. She had been surprised when an escort request was showed in her face and a smiling Amelia offered her to go together. The job was to escort a high standing Lady to her mansion outside Crocus. It seemed easy at first glance but the Lady was targeted by a group of mages for exposing them as illegal rare animal traders. The Rune Knights had failed to capture them all and several attempts on the Lady's life had already been made.
As they were guided to the separate cabin, Amelia glanced around. She had a strange feeling of being followed for a few days now and it was annoying her.
-Something the matter?- Lucy asked while stepping into the cabin.
-No, it's nothing. I always analyze my surroundings. It gives me advantage if anything would happen.-
-You know I don't buy it, right?-the blonde mage replied. It was a mystery how easily Lucy always was able to read the dark haired mage. Amelia sighted and took a seat.
-Someone has been following me for a few days now. I haven't been able to catch them or even sense them. I can only feel their gaze on me. The only places where it seems they don't follow are Fairy Hills and the guild.-
-An enemy?-Lucy asked seriously.
-No. It's probably just a stalker. My enemies usually end up in prison or too scared to look me in the eye.- Amelia replied easily and Lucy sweat dropped. Amelia didn't want to tell the more likely option. Not now, at least. A few feet away from the cabin, a male stared blankly at the wall. His ego was destroyed.
"Probably just a stalker? Have I really been reduced to that?" he thought miserably.
Next stop- Capital of Crocus! Please, all passengers mind the step on the platform! Thank you!
-That's our stop!- Lucy said as the intercom finished it's message.
-It is! Let's get going! We have to catch a ride to the Lady's town house!-Amelia answered as they made their way to the exit.
They managed to catch a chariot as soon as they stepped on the platform and were now arriving at the Lady's town house, although it looked more like a mini castle. The main road, which led to the building, was shadowed by an alley of threes with a magnificent garden spreading behind them like a colorful sea, filled with all kinds of flowers. The main building was an old style mansion, showing it's rich background with beautiful carvings around the edges and heavy old style designs, known to be used only by the high society.
-Is it similar to your house?-Amelia asked as she noticed the nostalgic look in Lucy's eyes.
-Some of it. We had similar carvings around the edges. Mama used to love them very much and tell me stories about the man, who made them. He had been a blind mage, who created his art works based on the things he remembered from the time before loosing his eyesight. When Mama asked him how he had seen so many beautiful things, he answered that he had seen ordinary things, which simply seemed beautiful now.-
-That's a very nice story.-Amelia replied softly.
-Ladies, we have arrived!-the charioteer announced as they stopped in front of the building. Amelia thanked and paid the man as Lucy knocked on the massive door. It opened within a second and revealed a tall, handsome young man, dressed in butler clothes.
-Lady Charlotte has been expecting you.- he said a little stiffly.
-I apologize for our lateness, there was an accident near the market and we had to wait for the road to be cleared.- Lucy politely explained as the young man guided them through beautiful corridors, filled with antiques and expensive paintings.
-Was it the apple cart once more?- the man asked and Lucy nodded.
-He had been told several times to repair that tire, yet he never listens!-
-Is it Fidel again, my dear Kai?- an elderly female voice asked, as Lucy and Amelia were led into a large studio.
-Indeed, Madam. It was the reason why the mages are late.-the butler Kai replied. The room was dim with the curtains drawn. It wasn't until they heard the sound of clothes shuffling, that Lucy and Amelia noticed the elderly Lady in the over sized chair. To say, she was not what they had expected, was an underestimation. Instead of the tall, jewelry clad and high nosed Lady they had imagined, an elderly woman in plain clothes and a handmade knitted coat was facing them with the most sincere and kind smile.
-Ah, you must be the Fairy Tail mages, who will accompany me today! I am Lady Charlotte Sweetling. It is a pleasure to meet you two!- she introduced as Kai prepared the table for afternoon tea.
-I am Lucy Heartfilia and this my friend Amelia Redcliff. It is pleasure to meet you too.-Lucy answered as they sat in two identically over sized armchairs. Lady Charlotte's eyebrows rose at Lucy's name. It didn't go unnoticed by the two mages and Lucy twisted in her seat uncomfortably.
-Heartfilia? Layla's daughter? Oh my! Child, last I saw you was on your first birthday! Jude threw a huge party at the mansion to celebrate his daughters first year of life. Look at how beautiful you have turned! But last I heard you had run away and your father was looking for you!-
-Lady, Charlotte, my apologies, but some things happened recently, which left a somewhat...strained relationship between Lucy and her Father. Could I, please, ask you to keep this a business meeting and tell us more about the mages, who target you?- Amelia asked, seeing how uncomfortable her blond friend felt. Usually the Soul mage didn't reveal her mind so simply, but for her friends she was ready to screw the manners to hell and back. Lucky for her, Lady Charlotte was an understanding woman and realized her mistake. She had heard about the Phantom Lord incident and understood quite well the reason behind the attack.
-I apologize, I get carried away rather quick! Now than, returning to the matter at hand, I am sure you read the job description and know the basics? Well, these mages, had a camp in the forest near my property out of town and I caught them smuggling and selling rare animals and creatures. They were even killing some and selling the body parts for forbidden potions. When the Rune Knights arrived, many had already run away and a few were captured. As it turned out, it was a large scale operation, led by two dark guilds. The Rune Knights found out that there was an entire network of illegal trades through all Fiore and going all the way Pergrande kingdom.-
-If that network is so large, why would they be worried so much about a small camp here?-Lucy wondered.
-Good question. There has to be a good reason.-Amelia agreed.
-What do you think it might be?-Lady Charlotte asked. She seemed quite excited by the whole situation.
-Sorry, I like reading detectives very much!-
-O, what a coincidence! Lucy here is actually writing a detective right now! I am sure she wouldn't mind telling you something about it while we travel.-Amelia told the old Lady, who's eyes lit up at the idea. Lucy on the other hand was throwing daggers at her friend, yet one glance at the clock made her realize that the time for their journey was approaching fast.
-Lady Charlotte, the chariot is ready.-Kai announced after a courtesy bow.
-O, is it time already? Right, allow me to grab my purse!-
As they neared the chariot, Lucy thought that she noticed something in the massive garden.
-Lucy, you sit with Lady Charlotte, I will sit next to the charioteer. We are not alone.-Amelia whispered while Lady Charlotte was checking with Kai if everything was truly prepared.
As they took the seats, Amelia was rather surprised that Kai was the one driving the chariot.
-I thought that you are a butler?-she asked the rather stoic man.
-As well.-he replied in a rather monotone voice and the Soul mage braced herself for a very long ride, which was actually good since silence allowed her pay more attention on the person, who tailed them.
Amelia listened how Lady Charlotte dropped question after question and smiled. She knew that Lucy will make her pay for this but it was best to keep the Lady occupied and Amelia really didn't have much to talk about with her.
-Is something the matter? You seem deep in thought.-Kai asked suddenly.
-No, everything is fine. I haven't actually been to Crocus before, so I am enjoying the landscape.- Amelia lied. Something about the man just seemed off. He had been glancing at her the whole time, even in the mansion, and it just irked the Soul mage.
-Ah, I see. Is that the reason why you decided to sit up here?-
-One of. Another reason is to keep an eye for any enemies.-she replied while raising her awareness. It was possible that he was trying to distract her and they could be ambushed.
-Dear God, you don't suspect me, do you?-
-I do.-her answer surprised him and it seemed genuine.
-Lady Amelia, I have been born in Lady Charlotte's mansion, I have grown up under her care, when my father passed on.-he replied gently and it was Amelia's turn to be surprised. Had she misread?
-Than why do you keep glancing at me so often? I am sorry, it just seemed suspicious.-she asked and nearly lost her balance, when the stoic butler blushed a new color of red. Now she understood.
-You are very beautiful.-he whispered shyly.
-Oh. Thank you.- not sure what else to say, she decided to apologize when her senses picked up something.
-Drive faster, we are under attack!-Amelia commanded as she stood up and created a rune shield just in time to block a sea of magic arrows.