The Death Market *Obi x OC* (COMPLETE)

Far From Home

Song: Far From Home- Five Finger Death Punch

Harlowe is very hesitant to get anywhere near Mitsuhide, so she quickly retreats to the far corner of the tent after taking Iladriel from me. I settle down across from him and hand over the sword before starting to finally speak. I don't get very far into the explanation when Iladriel wakes up and immediately starts to panic over Torin and the face that she's near Harlowe. She looks around the tent before calming down just enough to notice me and clings to me tightly.

"Obi do you think Torin is okay?" She asks, her voice muffled against my shirt.

"I'm sure he made it out just fine."

"Who's Torin?" Mitsuhide cuts in.

Once Iladriel is calmed down again I manage to explain everything without issue. Mitsuhide is silent for a few minutes afterward, looking between Harlowe, Iladriel, and myself before running a hand down his face.

"So, the question now is what are we doing with Harlowe and Iladriel? They're both technically criminals and we are under Prince Zen's employ."

"I promised Harlowe that I would not pursue her unless she created a problem once she got into the outside world, isn't that right?" I shoot her a pointed look and she nods.

"What about her?"

I look down at Iladriel who looks up at me with her big blue eyes and I sigh.

"Obi, can you help me find my parents?"

I don't have the heart to tell her that it's very likely her parents are dead since they were criminals taken by the castle but I nod. "I can't guarantee anything but we can see what information we can get from the castle."

Mitsuhide, Iladriel, Harlowe, and I all weave through the market stalls toward Wistal Castle. Mitsuhide and I are finally going home. Its been over a month since we left in search of the sword. Now we're coming back with the sword, a young criminal, and an ex- criminal leader in our company. Mitsuhide is now the only one who isn't or hasn't been a criminal. I voice that thought to him and he sighs.

"At least I never have to worry about going to prison or being executed."

"You could always be executed, tried or not." Harlowe chimes in and I snicker as his face pales slightly.

He and Iladriel are still wary of her presence. I'm still on alert but I don't fear her.

"Have you decided what you're going to do yet?"

"Not in the slightest. I will be okay though."

"Is there anything you wanted to do with your life before everything happened Miss Harlowe?" Iladriel asks from my other side. Despite being uneasy, she's started to speak to her on occasion.

"I was baker in my home country but studied medicines when I could."

"You could try to be a baker or become someone's apprentice to be an herbalist!"

"I know an herbalist who isn't affiliated with the castle and owes me a favor. I can get you in with her if you'd like. I also know an old lady who runs a diner. She's always looking for kitchen help." I offer and I can see a bit of light in her eyes but it quickly gets smothered by her unease.

"I-I am not much for people and what of my appearance? I am sure old lady would not appreciate my looks and customers would not want to go to healer who look like me."

"Customers wouldn't care as long as you helped them and with Miss Peya, she's almost completely blind so she wouldn't notice. I can help you with either but it's up to you."

Our group takes a slight detour in our journey home to head through the forest to the cottage of an herbalist I'd gotten to know during my time before I came to work for Master. I'm not sure if it's her true name, but she introduced herself to me as Molina. At the time, she hired my help to protect her from some men who were harassing her and stealing from her cottage. Instead of taking her money, she agreed to let me call upon one favor from her in the future. Favors are much more valuable in my opinion. I will bring Harlowe to her and negotiate her taking on Harlowe as an apprentice. It may be only a timed thing but it will get her started at least. After that, Mitsuhide, Iladriel, and I will return to the castle and I'll have to negotiate her admittance into the castle to meet with Master. Mitsuhide and I just have to prepare her for that. We won't mention her background but we will tell him we found her during our travels and she wanted to ask the prince's help in possibly locating her parents. If the search, if Master allows it, turns up empty, we will have to figure out from there what to do with her. Perhaps Master will let her be taken on as castle staff so she can stay near me. If not, I will cash in another favor somewhere in the world, somewhere I know that she will be safe.

"Obi, are there any people my age at the castle?" Iladriel asks as she peels an apple Mitsuhide plucked from a tree for her.

"There is a court herbalist named Ryuu. He's really good but he doesn't talk much."

"I-It's a boy? I-I've never met anyone my age..."

"Well while we're at the castle, perhaps I'll bring you by the medical building and you can meet him."

Her face pales before she quickly looks away. Harlowe laughs quietly on my other side.

"You can not bring a girl to meet a boy Obi. They are shy."

"Besides, knowing Ryuu, he'd just shut down and disappear into herbs or a book." Mitsuhide adds.

"True but wouldn't it be amusing watching him get flustered? Ila too judging by the blush that's already on her face."

"S-Shut up Obi before I punch you." She huffs as she tosses her apple core at me.

I dodge it and ruffle her hair as I chuckle at her glare.