Guilty Escape

Town of the Blades

I stared in pure shock at the sight before me. A small town was settled in the middle of two mountains. I glanced to Carly, who was on my shoulder, and faintly smiled. She flapped her wings in joy and gave a happy screech.

"A town! Finally, something decent to eat!"

"What's wrong with my cooking…?"

"Nothing! It's just… I guess it is just old news now."

"Oh, gee, thanks."

"Anytime!"

I gave a sigh as I began to walk into the town.

It wasn't really a town, so much as a group of houses crammed together. The flowers around her beautiful neon colors and gave a sweet aroma. I glanced to my left and noticed an elderly woman picking fruit and placing it in a basket.

"Uh… excuse me…?" I said as I lightly tapped her shoulder.

She glanced up at me with a face of pure shock at first then frowned.

"Yes? How can I help you?"

"I was wondering… where am I?"

"This is the Town of the Blades."

Carly frowned. "Town of the Blades?"

The old lady nodded. "The Town of the Blades is home to the Blade Temple, where The Prophecy is kept. Unfortunately, outsiders are forbidden."

"Is there anyway I could see or hear this 'prophecy'?"

"No. You could talk to our elder though. He lives in the tallest house, naturally." I nodded and smiled.

"Thank you." I turned and walked away. I frowned to myself as I thought she stared at my swords.

I opened the door with a slight creak and slowly stepped in.

"Hello?"

"I will be with you in a sec lad. Let me finish tightening this screw… ah there we go, friend. I'll be down in a minute!"

I frowned and faintly smirked to Carly as she yawned and lay on my head, lightly digging her claws into my scalp.

"Sorry about that… I have been working on-"

Everything else in the world stopped as the old man came down the stairs. I stared in utter shock and felt like I was going to drop on the ground. Why did I feel this way…?

The man wore circular glasses and had laugh lines that were easily noted. He wore a lap coat with pens and pencils sticking out of the pockets. His hair was grayer than mine, but it was still rather white. He paused as he saw me, frowned for a second and smiled again.

"Pleasure meeting you. I must say, you are rather young to be adventuring the world." He shook my hand with a calloused grip. "Though my son was adventuring the world around age 12!" He gave a laugh. "Oh, excuse my poor manners! Come, come, make yourself at home. I'll have my robot feed you and give you something to eat. Why, you must be famished!"

"N-No not really-" I said as he lightly shoved my back and into a chair. Before I could say any more a robot came in with a cup of water and forced to into my hand. I frowned and glanced to Carly, who had awoke during his shoving. She looked around and sat on the chairs armrest, blinking up at the man.

"I am Julien." He said as he smiled at Carly petting her. I stared wide eyed.

"J-Julien!?" I shouted. He widened his eyes as though he made a mistake and stepped back. "I thought you-"