A young girl gazed at the sinking sunlit skies from her window through the crystal clear glass. The hues of red and orange filled the scene with subtle melancholy as they pranced like cruel burning flowers.
She touched the glass with her pale shaking hands as she looked at her reflection in the windowpanes.
Her silver hair was in disarray like silent violent wind as her eyes watched in the shivering worry with her thoughts in mind.
Lost in the abyss of her mind as she drowned in it, she didn't notice the clack of the oak door as an old woman entered.
"Noelle-sama... I need to tell you something. Nora-sama...if she was here would-
"Was there any sign of her, Nanny Ania?"
The olden wood gray of the older woman shook in subtle weary dread as she spoke out in her worry only to be interrupted by the silent silver haired girl.
"Noelle-sama...I-"
Ania blurted out in dreaded hesitation as she clenched her fist not wanting to say it out loud.
She couldn't say it. She couldn't say that they couldn't find even a single speck of Nora.
But, even if she didn't say a single word neither was foolish enough not to know the silent yet painful truth.
It's been weeks. She just simply never could say it. How was she to tell the young girl the truth that...
How could she admit honestly heart wrenching to those tired purple eyes that there was a chance for her sister...Nora...to be dead.
Nonetheless, she sighed a tired heaving breath but it took all of her soul to strengthen her nerves.
"Noelle-sama...-Nora wouldn't want to see you like this..."
The old woman said not even bothering to hide her trembling misery to have to be the one who says this to one so innocent to open those eyes to the cruel truth.
"Hmm... why's that?.."
The little silver haired girl replied softly to humour her elder despite knowing exactly what the other was dreading painfully to say to her.
"I sure she's watching you well, Noelle-sama...You wouldn't want to worry her, yes?"
Ania said despite her trembling slowly turning to tremors in her soul as she gazed hawk straight at the young girl. Her foggy eyes looked red and teary as the clear rain like drops she held back shook.
"Watching? How's that?.."
Noelle asked as she held back her own storming misery as she stared back at her reflection on the glass.
"Somewhere far and high up... it's a lovely place there. You shouldn't worry about her. The only thing that could stop her from enjoying herself would be watching her sister tire herself to an ugly troll."
Ania said still shaking as her hands clasped together as she spoke. She hated to say this to the girl yet she knew there was nothing to be done but be honest to her.
Noelle scoffed. The youngling knew she couldn't help it.
She found it irritating...the fact that they think her so naive that she doesn't know her sister's likely fate.
Even she wasn't foolish enough not to hear it from everyone's mouths. They didn't really bother shutting those cruel gossiping lips even in her presence. Only the old woman tried to hide that in fact.
Her siblings...even sounded like they found it better off that her dearest sister, Nora, was dead. Thinking such things she felt bitter taste in her mouth.
Yet...even just thought of it...drowned her in subtle sudden misery.
Her silver hair shivered as her silent sorrowful rain turned into a furious storm.
Nonetheless...she held into tight into her lips pressing tightly with her teeth.
Maybe...just barely a tiny splatter of a drop of her storming rage fell to the ground.
"Like okaa-sama you mean? What's next, are gonna tell me they're having tea up there? Haaah...why? when do you think she'll come visit me again? Both of them."
Noelle said sarcastically in spite. Her tightened lips quivered into held rampant breaths.
The girl watched the old woman gaze at her with those wrinkled wide eyes worry evident in them.
Ania didn't bother to try to speak anymore. She sighed finally showing the hidden so hard incredible grief in her face as she lost to her speechlessness.
Those held raindrops in her eyes finally fell sorrowfully.
Nonetheless she sighed again as walked towards the girl calming her own old tears.
There beside the silver haired child looking blankly at the windowsill Ania sat then taking one of the chairs from the mirror table supposedly meant for two.
"Was I...how did you hear about it... Noelle-sama?"
Her weary elderly voice spoke out. She hated having to say it still but at the same time she knew it would be foolish to withhold something the other already knew.
All that was left was to sigh and curiously ask even if it hurt them both to think of.
Despite so, she loathed to admit the slight relief on her chest as a tiny drop of the worries piled heavily in heart lifted.
Noelle clenched her hand as she bit her lip. It seems she wasn't able to hold it in she thinked to herself.
The past few days have been like walking on ice between the two. She knew Nanny Ania wanted to hide the cruel truth of it all but she herself couldn't be truthful that she already knew that truth.
It was stupid of them both really but in that thin ice neither wanted to fall through refusing to open up.
Noelle herself thought it was just fine like that. She really just didn't want to say or even hear much about it.
Trying to drown her thoughts away only to be fallen in their depths.
And...
She just had to screw it all up and break that thin ice of stability just because she was too weak to hold it back any longer.
How could she?
She wasn't deaf but at times these days she might've wished she was.
Nebra... Solid...the whole lot of them didn't bother to ever shut their mouths...worse even cackling at that thought..
Mind trying hard to relax she gave the old nanny a short reply.
" Hah..you were the only one really bothering to hide it..."
(And the only one who didn't seem to celebrate it out loud)
"Noelle-sama... truthfully I have no words to say...but please atleast have some fresh air.."
Ania said softly as she walked towards the door to open it as the wind entered the desolate child's bedroom.
The child's silver hair blew softly at the gentle wind. Not having much to say Noelle decided to give in and nodded. Just anything to have the old anny leave the girl to her mind.
In the same silence, Ania left the room remembering then the amount of tasks she must perform in the household.
Meanwhile...
Rudy pov
I gazed away from the crowd. I don't want to bother with this crap.
I think the tavern's attic is open. Not the best but atleast it should get me some sleep.
Finding the stairs, I began to go up but suddenly-
*Crash--*Shatter-shatter*
WHAT WAS THAT!?
If I didn't dodge I would've been dead.
I gazed around to find a shattered plate just inches by my side.
"NOSY STUPID BRAT-"!!
I heard someone shout behind me. Nosy stupid brat?? Me?
But I've been quiet the whole time...oh no
Don't tell me..
"Lwet go of her stupid baldy!!"
That tyke from just a minute ago said loudly enough to shatter my crappy ears.
Hah...I was wrong. The tyke's probably got something wrong with his head. Is he crazy!?
I watched the nearly comedic sight as the stupid tyke tried to hold his ground to someone ten times his size.
I was speechless. The tyke might be right that I'm a horrible person but I'm not a demon enough to watch this go through.
Great...now I'm the one at a dammit lost.
But...what am I even gonna do.
I ran towards the scene but I froze.
Maybe... I'm not a demon enough to bit those bandits are...what should I do-
*Bam*
Whilst thinking that I watch the man whamm the stupid tyke across the table.
I knew full well what that hit felt like.
If I get a freaking broke bone for one of those, that little brat's worse off.
I don't know what that brat said but whatever it is the man's furious.
I looked at the brat seemingly unconscious on the floor.
Someone's gotta help. Come on
..
I eyed the crowds around me but they only laughed. That moment I remembered it again.
I guess I almost forgot. This place is absolutel hell. Where mutts like us are thrown. Thinking somebody would sense would help that brat is stupid.
And I..?
At this rate, I'm not any different from them.
To my surprise even as the blood dropped his nose the brat stood up. He wobbled as he stood but ran raging towards the man.
"AHHHH!-THE BRAT FRICKIN BIT ME!!"
The bandit shouted in pain. I couldn't say more but the brat wasn't just stupid...
He's a dammit rabid dog!
Is he trying to die here!?
Nonetheless the man just kicked him away harder than the last yet...
Kick after kick the brat stood up...
Not knowing magic or the right way to punch or kick...
He bit..
Scratched and gnawed his way through...
At that moment, the thought kicked...
The brat was right...
I was... a true coward no matter how you looked at it..
The tyke... had more guts thta me no matter how I despised to admit it...
Everytime those guys gave I hit I stood by and bawled.
I could never be...
I watched the tyke again at his pathetic display.
Nonetheless... despite the nearly admirable scene there was nothing a stubborn fool could really do.
I stood by as I watched those determined eyes never fade but...
The body isn't always agreeable with you. Despite trying so hard it came to the point the tyke couldn't stand.
I remembered a scene I watched while dozing off one day.
I saw a little butterfly pass by but it foolishly got itself into a spider's web.
I watched again at the present scene as the brat crawled and scratched despite his bloody nose flooding.
The butterfly struggled against that sticky web as I watched that spider eat it alive despite it's desperation to run.
Blood sprawled out on the floor as the brat stayed unmoving.
The butterfly despite drowning in the webs struggled beneath the cocoon as it shook.
The brat's hand shivered but even though he never lost that resolve his eyes faded to darkness.
In both scenes, maybe just maybe I remember thinking or perhaps hoping that one thing for once could go different from how I expect it to end.
Yet the butterfly in that webbed cocoon stopped moving.
But like always was I guess that was stupid of me.
Unexpectedly perhaps, I keep getting things wrong today I suppose.
A weird robed man entered the tavern the winds blowing in his ever step. He pushed the bandit away as held the brat in his arms.
His bright red hair shone in light with the same eyes as that foolish brat.
I didn't understand exactly what happened but to my surprise the bandits in the tavern shivered in fright.
"That guy... don't tell me..A MAGIC KNIGHT!?"
One of the men in the crowd spoke.
Gazing again at that purple robe...I recognize that symbol...
The Purple Orca...
"It's best you leave this place at once. The Purple Orca won't show any mercy to people like you..."
The odd man said as his blue eyes gazed in rage.
"The Purple Orca?.. they're coming here!?"
One of the bandits shouted.
The rest of the crowd ran. The bandits included.
It was... incredible...
Never once in my life had I ever seen someone bring the crowd to such chaos and fear like those bandits...
Yet this was so different from that...
What presence...I nearly feel suffocated...
Suddenly a bandit instead running away into that farting crowds ran closer.
"You...magic knights...how dare you act so noble when you're worse crooks than the rest of us!! You just keep taking from us and acting like heroes. I can't stand it!"
The brigand yelled as he held out his grimoire.
"Fire magic: Blazing Spears!!"
The angry man shouted as he ran towards the magic knight.
Nonetheless those determined eyes tood still unwavering despite the attack.
Suddenly, the raging brigand was pushed back by a great force as his spears were aimed back at him.
Watching such commotion the crowds ran faster as they stampeded out the tavern.
Pushing me along like waves. As I stood outside still frozen at the set of events, one of the bandits held me harshly by the shoulder.
"OI, BRAT YOU DON'T GET TO RUN!! GET BACK THERE AND GET MY STUFF!"
He shouted as he pushed my roughly back inside.
There...back turned as I entered I stood still. I didn't know what to say as my knees shivered.
Finally overcoming my own somehow excited fear I looked behind me to see the man I had never even thought of meeting in my whole life time...
Yet instead of a magic knight, I found myself looking at two kids.
"Cil-chan, You awake?? You can stop playing dead."
The red haired young boy said softly as held the Purple Orca robe in his hand.
You've gotta be kidding me. Seeing the robe in his hand and those same red hair and blue eyes I could easily tell what happened.
"Are they gone?? Zora??"
The tyke replied half opening his tired eye even if I could hardly tell with that black bruise.
"Yeah, I think we're good."
The other laughed as patted the the other little boy.
"That was awesome!! You were really cool!"
The tyke shouted at the the redhead namely Zora it seems.
"You think so? I almost run out of mana in the middle of it. Good thing, that guy's spell was faulty or I would be the one in trouble. I'm still practicing..Cil.."
Zora said embarrassment shown on his cheeks.
"No! You were awesome!"
Cil spoke out loudly.
"YOU BRATS!! YOU TRICKED US!?"
One of the crooks screamed as the pair didn't notice him coming.
"Oh no!! Zora do something!"
The tyke whispered in fear.
"I know but... I'm a-all out of m-mana.."
Zora replied mouth quivering in honest fear.
"LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE LITTLE BLUFF DIDN'T WORK! WHEN WE'RE DON-"
*Bam*
The foolish brigand tried to threaten them again but was then interrupted as I whammed his head with a bat I found lying around.
" Hah..you guys do know you don't need mama to handle everything."
I said toying with the heavy wood in my hand as I gazed at the unconscious man.
"Uhhh... we'll keep that in mind...thank you?"
The red haired boy spoke despite not really knowing what to say.
"Wait! You're that mean oniii-chan-"
"What are guy's playing at?"
The brat tried to talk about that again but I cut him off as I went straight to the point
I hate dilly dallying.
Seeing the seriousness in the situation, the older red head's eyes grew wary.
"What are you trying to say?"
Zora said voice hard to the tone.
Really...I was just kinda annoyed that I was fooled...I really thought that maybe sometimes miracles happen but let's pretend not...
"You guys were fools. Those bandits aren't above killing you two for what you did. Really... You should be thanking the heavens for them even taking you're bluff. Lucky enough they had a bad encounter with magic knights just the day before."
I said as I looked at them coldly.
"It ended well. I don't think we should argue over something already done."
Those blue eyes said as they gazed at me.
He's right...but I'm still annoyed
In reply, I roughly grabbed the purple magic knight robe from him.
"Maybe... those bandits aren't really much of a worry but magic knights are. You think they'll spare you after stealing this??"
I said as I held the likely stolen robe at his face.
The room was then silent. I guess I could think I was right then.
"Don't lump Zora-oniichan with you!! He wouldn't steal! That's from his father. He's a real magic knight if you hurt Zora-oniichan that Mr. won't be nice!!"
The little tyke yelled with that ever irritating voice.
But that thought got me...
"You're father? Are you noble then?"
I asked honestly curious.
"No... I'm not-"
"Then I guess you're just screwing with me.."
Zora replied but I them interrupted.
"I'm not lying...my father's a peasant magic knight.."
The red head's words then surprised me. A peasant magic knight...
I've heard of it but I thought it was just some crappy rumor.
"Yeah! The first of his kind. His Papa's amazing"
Cill added excitedly.
Hmm... by the robe that looks legit and the look in tyke's eyes neither seemed to be lying. It still sounds surreal but I should get them out of here.
Having good word with the son of a magic knight should be useful with what I have in store right now.
"Yeah, yeah no need the details but you guys should leave quickly...oh and get the tyke's parents patched up. There's a small heal house out south the village."
I said as I slowly urged them out. I still had much to do after all.
I slowly picked up or rather pulled the unconscious man towards them giving the weight to the older red headed boy.
To which he nodded in appreciation.
Not seeing the distressed lassy from earlier I figured she must've ran out with the crowd in the commotion.
I don't need to tell them much on that. The village is small enough they'll find her one way or another.
"There are horses near the village. Before the bandits find out you're bluff... Luckily neither of you seem to be from here...so you guys should go"
I added as I shut the tavern door.
Not having much to say between us they began to walk away but...
"Hey...I haven't caught your name umm??"
Zora said whilst looking at me despite heaving from the weight of the unconscious man.
"You don't need to know it. Something tells me I won't be seeing you again."
I said as I tired to avoid further conversation.
"Well... that could change...I didn't hear much. But if you really don't like here... would you like to come with us? Think of it as a thank you for the help."
Oddly enough the red head said suddenly.
I knew I was tempted but little did they know I already had something in store. And it was certainly much better...
"Too much of thank you... I'm just cleaning my hands off the trouble but if you could a letter from time to time would do."
I replied nonchalantly despite the raised brows the pair gave me.
Even so the confusion...Zora smiled brightly as nodded and waved goodbye.
Now that's done as I looked at the sky seeing it darken to the night by the time.
I ran towards the back of the tavern. Passing through the thick shrubbery behind the place I looked the caravan parked there.
I stopped to grab a rough blanket I hid this morning and walked towards the caravan.
There, I grabbed the keys from my pocket as I opened the lock.
Inside it I watched the shivering silver haired girl breathing softly as she held her sparrow tight.
"Nora-chan..."
Indeed, I really have something better in store.
I wouldn't mistake it. That silver hair she's definitely from House Silva.
What's better than just simply getting away from this place?
Being a hero getting the reward and getting away as I get rid of those bandits...
Really quite the prize...
Those two brats seemed to just make it more realized.
This should be a piece of cake.
I thought greed obvious in my eyes.
"...R-rudy-kun...is t-that y-you?"
The little girl whispered quietly.
"It's alright...Nora-chan, you must be cold. It's not the best but I got this to keep you warm."
"...Thank you... R-rudy-kun"
I said gently as I could muster as she replied.