Taken

Chapter 7

Welcome back!!

I know I took so long to update, but hey....that's life.

Anywhore, ONWARDS!!!

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|Arthur's POV|

After being dragged away from the castle by Tessia, we ventured into the city of Zestier. The city itself was huge, filled with venders selling things of all kinds. From precious jewels and food, to weapons, elixirs and armor. The clammer of the bustling city echoed around us as we ventured around, looking from one vender to the next just to see what they had to offer.

Though, I could feel the eyes of the elven people staring at us, or more accurately, at me as we continued on. Most held subtle hints of curiosity. Others held clear disdain or even hatred, but thankfully those people didn't go out of their way to act on it. Tessia seemed to be aware of the stares we accumulated, but also completely ignored it, as if used to being stared at in such ways. The city itself was beautiful. Nature being completely incorporated into the surrounding city, making it feel more like a fantasy land than anything else.

"Oh! Let's go here! They sell the best cinnamon rolls!" She squealed cutely as she quickly grabbed my hand and made a mad dash towards what looked like a bakery. As she rushed me through the door, a small bell dinged as we entered and her smile grew wider. It was a quaint little bakery, the smell of freshly baked breads of all kind wafting through the air. Polished, dark wooden tables along with matching chairs sat in different places off to the left of the shop, while the costumer counter stood not even eight feet away from where I stood. Vines blooming white flowers wound around the columns in every corner and continued to grow on the ceiling.

"Princess Tessia! What a delight to see you again! How are you?" A tall, scruffy and well rounded man said cheerfully as he rounds the corner of the counter he stood behind. Tess pranced up to him as he knelt down to give her a warm hug. The kind a doting father would give their kid. "I'm okay—Oh! Look, look I made a friend!" She said gleefully as she points at me adamantly. I felt my face flush as she turns to look at me with that beaming smile I knew I'd never grow tired of.

"Really? And what is your name young fellow??" The burly man asks with a slight smirk and a raised brow.

"Ah, my name is Arthur. Nice to meet you, sir." Came my hesitant reply as Tess nodded frantically, looking between myself and the man before us. I don't know why he's smirking like that, and I don't even want to think of why. "Arthur, eh? My name is Aberforth! And just how did you two meet?"

"He was in the forest!"

"The forest? Alone??"

"Yes!"

I let Tess talk to Aberforth while my eyes wondered the shop front, taking in its quaint beauty. Everything seemed so rustic. It seemed like a good place to relax and wind down. Not to mention the smells.

"Art, c'mon we can go sit!" I was pulled from my thoughts as this silver haired beauty grabbed my wrist and pulls me along with a giggle. We come to a stop and sat down opposite to one another at a table centered in front of a window. It was then I noticed that she started to bounce in her seat as we waited, just barely holding back a laugh of my own at her eagerness.