Chapter Two
I don't own anything associated with the Tales of series.
"Speech"
'Thought'
After a good night of sleep and a conversation with Rich they were ready to continue their journey.
After their first encounter with monsters Estelle got curious "What happened to your sword Yuri? You usually carry it around."
Yuri simply smiled "I couldn't sleep last night so I went to train a bit. Seems like I outgrew my sword in power and it broke. I will have to get a better replacement in Deidon Hold."
Repede scoffed "Wuff…" he felt the tremors of said training yesterday. It was time for himself to step his game up.
"Wow I didn't think that you could outgrow your equipment like that. Does this happen often?" Estelle was looking at Yuri in wonder and awe. She had never heard of something like this.
"Not usually. It's more of a gradual thing really, in this case I think it's because I strengthened a lot of my basic skills overtime and never really went all out like last night."
It didn't feel right to lie like this to Estelle but what was he supposed to do? Just say 'cause I channeled the power of the entire planet against an indomitable foe and it wrecked my internal energy system?' Yea fat chance of that happening.
"Hmm really? Well, I'm glad it happened while training and not in a real fight… Hey look! I think I can see Deidon Hold!" she said while pointing forward.
Repede gave an exaggerated huff, how easy these human females lost their train of thought. Well not everyone could be as focused as him and his partner.
Yuri just chuckled, interpreting Repede's huff fairly correctly and bumped him "play nice. It's her first time in the open wilds."
Repede just shook his head and trotted along Yuri.
An hour later they arrived in Deidon Hold, small talking along their way.
"I think we should first stock up on our provisions and then I'll look for a new sword, who knows he may have some good stuff" "Sure! I wonder if he has any good books, I haven't read yet…" The group wandered toward the merchant.
"Well, hello hello who do we have here? A young couple on a trip for the first time. How can I help you?"
Estelle went bright red and even Yuri was startled "Now wait a minute! We are not a couple, what makes you even think that?"
"Oh, you seem to be quite comfortable with each other, so I just assumed. I am sorry no offense was meant."
"No, no we are not offended really, just surprised…" Estelle tried to explain, still as red as a tomato.
Repede was seen chuckling at their clear discomfort.
"Can you please just show us your wares? We need some travelling supplies like bread, eggs and if you have a decent sword for a fair price, I'll take that too."
"Well then you are one lucky man! I just got a Knight Sword from my associate in Capua Torim. It is really good work and rather cheap due to the high demand from the knights."
"How about 1200 Gald for the sword and the provisions? So, you could help this young couple out."
The merchant held his belly while laughing "Hahaha so this is how you want to rip of this old man! I'm sorry son but this will cost you 1500 Gald for everything."
Yuri just smirked "Come on "old man" we both know the general prices of these provisions and the sword 1300 and not one Glad more. Shake and it's a deal!" he held out his hand.
"Well, boy consider yourself a merchant in training you got yourself a nice deal!" the merchant said while taking the offered hand.
"Wuff" Repede barked his agreement and Estelle was a bit lost. As they were moving on, she decided to ask, "Yuri what just happened with that merchant?"
Yuri smirked, "It's called haggling little miss, it's something merchants and customers do a lot to agree to a price. Usually, the sword alone would have cost us around 1300 so we got the provisions basically for free."
"Really?! That's amazing! You have to teach me how to haggle, please?" Estelle was right in front of Yuri's face her eyes sparkling with interest.
"Ehm sure Estelle I'd be happy to teach you." Yuri was shocked to have her this close. 'We weren't this close last time we got here… or maybe I just didn't notice.'
Suddenly the bells went off and all the knights rushed into action. The annual monster attack came early, and they weren't really ready.
A young woman fell 50 meters before she reached the gate and was about to be trampled by the approaching monsters.
Estelle was about to run out, but Yuri held her back "Repede make sure they don't lock me out!" and he was off immediately. Yuri covered the distance in less than 2 seconds, kicked one monster away grabbed the woman and was back at the fortress in less than 10 seconds' total.
"Yuri! Is she okay?" "Don't know she probably sprained her ankle can you check?"
Estelle looked at him in surprise but nodded and started using her healing Artes.
The Woman, sobbing, was looking at both of them, "Thank you so much! You saved my life."
"It's all right ma'am we just did what was right, maybe next time don't trip" Yuri said and gave her a thumb up.
"Yuri! Don't be so inconsiderate!" Estelle was shocked at his horrible joke.
She was still crying in relief but had a small smile "sure sounds like a solid plan haha" Estelle just glanced between the woman and Yuri 'I guess I still have some things to learn…'
"I think she is fine now but better check out a doctor to give you a clean bill of health." Yuri stood up and reached for Estelle to help her up as well.
"Sure and thank you again!"
As they watched her runoff Yuri glanced at Estelle "Sometimes, when someone had his life endangered a little joke to take their mind of it works wonders." He was speaking from experience with his guild.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I haven't heard anything like that before." She looked at him sheepishly "But how did you know this would help her?"
"Well, when I was still with the knights Flynn and I used to joke around after every battle, it helped to relieve some lingering tension." 'Just like after the battle against Raven when we found out he lived through it' Yuri was staring off with a vacant expression.
"Wuff!" Repede let out a bark to get his attention.
"You're right. We wasted enough time as it is and Flynn doesn't appear to be here, he probably went towards Halure. Maybe we can take a different route." He let his eyes roam 'Huh there are the Hunting Blades, almost forgot about them being here. There is Kaufman I think she told us about Quoi woods the last time around.
They went towards the Merchant Guild's leader just as she finished her talk with her subordinate.
"Seems like we are stuck here for some time, but it shouldn't take too long." Kaufman noticed Yuri and his party as they passed her.
"Are you travelers? I don't think I have seen you here before."
"We were on our way towards Halure, but the monsters seemed to have a different plan." Yuri said.
"Well, you seem familiar with a sword so you guys could take the way through Quoi Woods. But take care, they say the forest is haunted." Kaufman gave them a once over "Meh I think you will be fine, the young lad seems strong enough."
Yuri was startled, he didn't think she could tell his strength with a slight once over.
Kaufman smirked "You know, I am the leader of a guild. I can tell if someone is capable or not."
Yuri put up a smile "Thanks for the vote of confidence. It seems my training paid off if you think I'm so strong. Where exactly is Quoi?" he still had to act the part of someone not intimately familiar with all Terca Lumireis.
"Just head west from Deidon and you will find the woods between two mountain ranges, you can't really miss it. But now you owe me a favor for the free info." She finished with a wink.
Estelle decided to cut in "thank you very much we really appreciate it! I am sure we will be able to repay you for your generosity."
Kaufman just waved them off with a laugh and returned to her business.
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As they easily reached Quoi woods Yuri froze 'dammit! Duke was at Deidon! I could have cut this whole ordeal short! How did I forget this?!' While Estelle was oblivious to his inner monologue, to busy admiring the scenery, Repede was watching his partner with confusion.
"ARF?" shaking himself out of his thoughts Yuri just shook his head. No reason to cry over a spoiled gel. This would still need further consideration. He would need to make a checklist of things he needed to try and change for a better future, best done when Estelle is asleep. He had to keep reminding himself that this was not his Estelle, no matter how kind and compassionate. His feelings were still there but Estelle only just met him.
"Yuri this is amazing! I never knew just how vast the kingdom really is!" Estelle's eyes were shining with joy and curiosity "There is so much to see that you can`t read in books!"
"Well princess, there is more to this world than just the castle and books. It is full of wonderful sights hahaha" Yuri let out a laugh at her enthusiasm and didn't notice her freezing.
"What… did you just call me?" she was looking at him with fer in her eyes
'Shit! Shit, shit, shit! I forgot she never mentioned it! Now think quick!'
"I called you princess why? Isn't that what you are? Because if you didn't want me to know you didn't really do a good job to hide it. You are far too regal and just…. Princessy I guess? Was it a secret?" he mentally clapped himself on the back, nice reaction. The best thing was it was the truth after all. He already knew the first time the moment they met what she was.
"Well, no not really… but it was nice to have you treat me like a normal woman I guess, and not like a princess…" Estelle cast her eyes down feeling dejected. So much for her freedom to enjoy.
Yuri couldn't take it. Even if she wasn't his Estelle yet she was still in there. So, he did what he did best. "Estelle, I knew the moment we met what you were. If you really think I will treat you any different just because you are a princess, then you have a bad impression of me. I am a deviant after all remember?" he finished with a grin and a wink.
"Yuri…! Thank you. This means a lot to me. I don't want to lose my first friend like this." Her eyes were shining, filled with happiness.
"don't worry Estelle, I'll be there no matter what." He kept eye contact to relay his seriousness.
Estelle went red like an apple gel as she saw his serious look, full of conviction that no matter what happens his word would stand, never before had she seen something like that. It made her heartbeat faster and her palms sweaty, all she could do to calm down was look at the ground and offer a weak thank you.
Yuri smiled gently "so let's get started through the woods, maybe we will reach Halure before nightfall." 'And maybe we will meet the Carol just the same'
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The track through Quoi woods was mostly calm, loitered with the occasional weak monster that were mostly taken care of by Repede and Estelle. When questioned by Estelle why he doesn't help them he chuckled "Repede would never forgive me if I started to take his fights, he would probably be happy to take care of everything by himself to get stronger, and you look like you need some real-life experience." Estelle pouted at him and all he heard was a "HMPF!" she probably was still a little bitter that he let her eat that Nia fruit and then immediately laughed at her.
Repede took a puff of his pipe and chuckled along his partner. He would catch up to Yuri, if not power wise than with greater experience and technique, it would not do in his mind to lag so far behind.
Their merry moment was interrupted by a scream of pure terror.
Yuri recognized the voice instantly 'Carol!' he was off the same instant and dashing towards the sound of young boy he thought of as a younger brother. "Repede protect Estelle and follow my scent!" he was gone so fast neither of his companions had a chance to react.
Estelle looked at Repede with urgency "Repede he may need help! Let's follow him quickly!" she was already moving, fearing for the panicked shout they heard.
"Wuff!" Repede took off and lead her through the woods after his partner's scent.
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Yuri was blitzing through the woods reaching the young man and took a second to assess the situation.
Carol was wounded on the forest floor clutching his left arm and blood flowing from a cut above his right eye. He was surrounded by three eggbears. They kept on advancing in their slow but threatening walk. Carol had a frightened but determined look on his face thinking this was his end.
Yuri was already moving, unsheathing his sword and in action "Ghost Wolf!" calling out his Arte to tell the boy help is here. He immediately stood before Carol the first of the eggbears head already sliding down. He focused his attention on the rest 'Azure Edge!' the flying sword slash went towards the second one, but Yuri was already moving on to the last one "Raging Blast!" The Aer explosion he released took most of the bears body with it.
He turned to Carol "Hey are you alright? Can you stand?" he was checking over the boy's injuries while asking.
Carol was looking at him with awe "Wow you really showed them whose boss! How did you take care of them like that not even Clint could have done that so fast, and he is the Chief of the Hunting Blades!" He winced having moved his arm in his excitement.
Yuri laughed "well you seem mostly okay nothing some bandages and rest won't cure" inside his thoughts didn't reflect his smile 'I'm really glad I managed to safe him; this could have been his grave. I can't just sit on my butt because I know what could happen, as I go along changing things the outcome will be different.'
"Yuri! Are you okay? Oh my god he is badly wounded!" Estelle and Repede caught up with him and saw him wit a damaged Carol and the remains of the eggbears. Estelle immediately went to Carol to use her healing Artes on him. Repede just huffed. Leave it to Yuri to make this much of a mess, but the boy looked like a companion Yuri described in his stories to him.
After getting healed by Estelle, he introduced himself "Thanks a lot for the help! My name is Carol and I'm a member of the Hunting Blades Guild, our job is to finish of monsters around the world. I am their strongest fighter after all!"
'Leave it to Carol to need help but still be the strongest' Yuri thought to himself. This was the old Carol after all trying to impress everyone.
"Well Mr. strongest fighter I am Yuri, this is my partner Repede, and this pink bundle of sunshine is Estellise, or Estelle for short. We are on our way towards Halure."
"What- who- who are you calling a pink bundle of sunshine?!" Estelle had an indignant pout on her face while Repede's barking sounded like he was laughing at her. Yuri just winked at her.
Carol smiled at them "Well in that case let me lead you out of the woods. I was in here hunting the eggbears but you took care of that anyway… Oh! Let me just collect their claws they are useful for medicine!"
Yuri smiled at him "Sure, take your time." 'Glad I picked a Nia fruit on our way here, if I remember correctly the tree is still sick.'
After collecting the bears loot Carol began leading them towards the exit, all the way telling stories of his greatness with the Hunting Blades.
End chapter 2
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It's funny how life can get in your way haha. I had half this chapter written by the time I posted my first one and promptly fractured my wristbone 2 times the following week.
Well after a slow recovery I am back to write so this is chapter 2.
I think I kinda lost a bit of my writing in the 2 months but ill get back into it, had to reread my first chapter to keep my facts straight.
TheRealSweezy and Zane Tribal Tyne Alexandros I've read your reviews and they are taken into consideration, thanks a lot I must agree especially with Zane on Yuris position, but I think I have a good idea for that. Thanks again for reviewing I am happy that the story is to your liking.