Spirit Hunters

Chapter 3: Reunion

It had almost been a day when they arrived at the royal city, the streets were busy and noisy as usual with people selling things at the market and having a loud bargain with each other. The gates was surrounded by marching soldier's, moving people along as the fresh produce starts coming in from the farmers and their wooden carts. The royal city is a place mainly for the rich to live but on the outskirts of it is for the people to set their stalls up and make some money from time to time.

Sven works at the nearby farm and helps out with Lynn's family stall. Erika, Leon, Lynn and Sven have all been childhood friends since they were young, they did everything together until Lynn had to move house because her family had problems with money. Sven's grandmother knew Lynn's mother very well and they decided that they would help each other with the money if they moved to the same place. Its been about six years now since that happened.

Erika and Leon stood amazed at the royal city, they haven't been here for a few years and a lot of things have been changed. The ground was paved in cobblestone and the streets were sparkling clean. People wore suits and dresses, top hats and pointed shoes. Everything was elegant and sophisticated as expected of the royal city. As everyone passed the two of them you could hear distinctive whispering about their spirit beasts. Most people was discussing if it was dangerous to have them around cities like these.

"Look Leon, you can see the palace from here!" Erika nudged him and pointed straight ahead.

"There's not time for site seeing, we have to get to the markets for all the stuff we're going to need" Leon grabbed her hand and pulled her along. The crowd started to get larger as the more farmers starting coming in with their carts and animals. Erika looked at her white tiger, it started licking its teeth and snarled. Its easy with Leon's dragon when it can sit on his shoulder. But when its a tiger that's a whole new problem.

"Leon, I think we should stop going this way..." 

"Why? Your not claustrophobic are you?" he laughed rather mockingly.

"No, its just that COWS ARE COMING THIS WAY AND I HAVE A TIGER WITH ME!" Erika spoke too late  her white tiger pounced onto a cows leg and sunk its claws in. The cow broke free from its grasp and started causing havoc at the markets. Screams and shouts was heard from the distant and the clattering of stalls made the horses join in the ruckus. Erika face palmed herself and ran after her tiger, as did Leon followed by an interested mob of people. They arrived at the center square, where the tiger was now lying on its back with a girl stroking its belly. Erika and Leon both squeezed their way through the circled crowd and and ran towards the middle. 

"Excuse me, that's my pet- I mean spirit beast" Erika tapped the girl on the shoulder.

Her back was still facing Erika as she spoke " Ahh, sorry I was just trying to calm it down, its hungry you should feed it" 

"Yeahhhh I sort of got that message after it started biting the cows leg" Erika spoke in a nervous voice as she was the one that made all this mess.

"Why don't you come--" the girl turned around and locked eyes with Erika and her voice started trialling off. “--to my store..." they both stood there looking at each other for another silent moment before they both point at each other and laugh. 

"Erika, I cant believe its you!"

"Lynn, I cant believe its you!" They both say in sync and Lynn stood up.

Lynn had changed so much Erika could barely recognise her. Her chestnut coloured hair was in a high pony tail and reached down to her waist. Her eyes always reminded Erika of summer, hazel on the outside but a slight green in the inside which twinkled in strong sunlight. She was about the same height as Erika which was around 5’6’’.  She used to be the shortest out of all of them but it seemed not so true any more. Lynn then moved her eyes over to Leon finally noticing he was actually there.