Disclaimer: I own nothing

'Thinking'

"Speaking"

SPELL/ABILITY

(********) = Scene/Location/Time Change

Chapter 11: End of the Beginning

Saito and Leon were crouched in the side alley beside the inn. Shortly after they had been dropped off Wardes had arrived in disguise and taken a seat in the restaurant part of the inn. His seat was in the corner of the room and he appeared to get more and more impatient as each minute passed.

"We should make a move before he leaves." Saito informed Leon as he peered through the window.
"Great idea," the older boy replied, "but what exactly is your plan?"

Saito leaned over and began explaining in a hushed voice, "One of us is going to distract him while the other one will steal the letter."

Leon instantly regretted even entertaining the thought that his kohai had grown up and matured. Before he had believed it was possible but now he seriously doubted if his friend's head was on right.

"Hey, don't give me that look." Saito said with embarrassment, "I'm a swordsman not a thief."

"You're hopeless is what you are." Leon said receiving sounds of affirmation from Derf and Vandal.

"Well then, what's your plan?" Saito challenged indignantly.

"Bar fight." Leon said, "Take the letter in the confusion and bolt."

"You sir are a ruffian and a scoundrel." The group rest of the group responded collectively.

"Well we're running out of time," Leon defended, "so it's my way unless you want to fail her Highness."

Saito shuddered thinking of having to tell the princess he went on a fool's errand to prove her boyfriend was unfaithful and came back with no proof. He nodded to Leon and the boy smiled and stood up to walk inside the inn.

"Vandal do you know any invisibility magic?" questioned Leon as he put his hood up.

"No," Vandal replied, "sorry."

The boy entered the inn and started walking towards the bar. He looked towards the window he had recently been looking through to see Saito nervously observing before directed his attention to a particularly nasty looking group of adventurers.

'Ok now what?' the boy thought to himself as he approached the group.

Before he could gather his thoughts a member of the group called out to him.

"What is it boy?" the man asked in a gruff voice.

Leon decided to play innocent and responded, "Well you see sir. That man over there is a tax collector from my town and he put my family out of business. I've been following him to get him back, but I can't seem to bring myself to confront a noble.

The man, though drunk, was skeptical as he spoke to the boy, "That glove on your hand says you work for the queen. No one like that should need OUR help."

"I'm her royal highnesses dog walker…" Leon replied revealing Vandal, "I had to get a job after my parents were forced out of business by that wretch. Please could you just rough that noble up a little? I'm sure such hardy adventurers as you could do that to help a boy in need."

"Of course," the adventurer said buying Leon's sob story, "pay us back by putting a good word in with the queen."

The group of adventurers, some of whom had been moved to drunken tears stood up and lumbered over to the table in the corner of the room. This drew not only Wardes's attention, but the curiosity of several people occupying the inn.

Leon was expecting some sort of confrontation, but that never came. The first adventurer picked up Wardes and through him against the wall. The grey haired villain was in a daze, so the rest of the adventurers descended on him. Some other patrons stepped out to call the guards. Leon snuck up to the chair that the man had been sitting and pulled the letter out of his coat.

"That was easier than expected." Leon stated bluntly to himself as he slipped the letter into his own pocket and made a dash for the door.

Once outside Leon found Saito waiting for him. Before the two boys could talk they were abruptly reminded of the approach of the guard. Not taking the risk of being interrogated regarding the recent events which had just unfolded the two boys ducked back into the alley and made a dash for the back alleys they had used to get here from where they were supposed to meet up with their ride home.

(********)

The two boys made it back to Tabitha and co. after a couple minor misadventures involving getting lost, rats, and fire. Showing the group the enveloped letter and receiving a cheer of triumph they became the flight home.

They landed back at the school and left the student's there. Sienna decided she'd like to stay at school a little longer and she would join the Strays whenever they need her, but not entirely until school was over.

"I'd like to improve my abilities as a mage." She said a little sadly now thinking of it as a way to get closer to her roots.

"Sure thing." said replied understandingly.

"We wouldn't want a useless mage any way." Leon said teasingly.

The group laughed, but when their gazes met they still had tears in their eyes. The three had always been together. Now they found themselves together again in a strange world. These Strays had found a home with each other. Now they looked forward to a bright future and long quest for the truth.

(…)

Wow. That took waaaaaay too long. Sorry for the wait but tbh I wrote this chapter like ten times and only liked this last one. It may be short, but I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. Thanks for the continued support. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'll try and get more out relatively soon, but I'm very busy all the time now T.T fml. Still loving you guys and would love some feedback. Thnx.

~Lion

P.S. if anyone can draw and wants to draw a cover pm me or comment.