Lowell

Chapter 23

Estelle laughed about with the children who were asking with wide eyes to see her artes. They cheered as she cast a photon spell. Karol sat off to the side watching as Estelle seemed in love with the attention. Karol glanced back to the hill waiting for Rita and Yuri to return. There was something more than a little weird about Yuri. From the horns in the bag to the fact that Karol had heard Yuri and Repede whispering in the night. It wouldn't have been odd if not for how in depth the conversation went.

All the oddities peeked his curiosity along with the man's great fighting strength. Karol was a coward and afraid to travel on his own so following along behind Yuri made him feel better. Though Nan would likely be pissed when they finally met up. A groan slipped his lips and he could already feel a new lump forming on his head alongside Rita's. It stung like a bitch. If Yuri had one of these bumps Karol doubts he'd be quick to deny a healing arte.

As he sitting he hears the heavy footsteps of armored feet and sees a group of three knights run.

"Lady Estellise! There you are!" The kids scatter and Estelle stands wide eyed. "We've been looking all over for you. Now, come back with us while you can!"

The leader of the group grabs Estelle's hand and pulls her along towards the edge of town despite her protests. "I say, we've come to courteously escort you back to the capital!" The tall lanky one says grabbing her arm.

"And then we can clamp Yuri in chains where he belongs!" The short stocky one proudly proclaims.

Karol runs in front of them arms widespread. "Hey, let Estelle go!" Karol sees Yuri come in from behind and the knights run at him.

"I've been waiting for you, Yuri Looowell! Don't you move a muscle!" The leader says pointing his sword to Yuri's face.

"Jeez, this guy never lets up, does he?" Yuri huffs and once more Karol wonder how this man can be so casual about everything.

"An old acquaintance you may be, but today I can overlook your transgressions no longer!" What did Yuri do to get on these guys' nerves? There is no way it's jailbreak. Yuri must have stolen something or worse.

Estelle pleads from behind. "Yuri isn't a bad person. I asked him to go with me!"

The man's brow narrows. "Argh, Yuri, you ruffian! You're coercing Lady Estellise!"

Estelle huffs a little. "No! This is what I really want! I'll go back to the castle. Just leave me be for a little longer!"

"I cannot allow that! Return to the castle with us!"

"I can't go back. Please understand this!"

The man sighs. "We have no choice. We'll have to apprehend the criminal as well..." He looks at Yuri and then to his sword. "Urrgh! What a shame!" The battle commences instantly. Yuri brandishing his sword out and parrying the knight. Karol pulled out his hammer nervously and struck at the spear wielding knights.

Rita starts blasting fireballs at the knights pushing them back while Estelle is defensively waving her sword to defend Yuri. Another fireball launches and the leader is pushed to the ground. "She says she's not going back, so get lost!" Rita growls.

Estelle lightly whacks the skinny one on the head and he falls down. "I'm sorry. I can't go back." They get up quickly and Estelle's eyes go wide and Karol's drifts to those he saw that first night in Halure. "Yuri! It's them again!"

"Damn it, I knew they were still after us."

"What is it this time?" Rita huffs trying to understand the situation.

Yuri huffs and pushes the knights back to ground while Repede distracts them. "I'll explain later!

Karol, which way is Nor Harbor?"