Marked: Part 2; The Wronged

Chapter 31

It was the afternoon, a few hours after school had let out, it was Thursday. Amilia was watching the shop for the fourth day now. Oglm took the mornings and Amilia took the nights. Except for the weekends, that is. Amilia worked all day on the weekends. Anyways, she had a new order in today that was an express pickup. The person needed a chestplate, metal spear, helmet, and belt. Oglm's shop had tons of different alloys, but even though he specialized as a blacksmith, he dabbled well enough into other areas such as leather work and woodwork. So in turn, people came to the shop for just about everything, even for toys. It was getting later as six o'clock turned into seven. She was a lot slower than Oglm was yet, she had to get the order done for eight sharp. She already had the chestplate and part of the spear done already. She clanked away at the spear and soon enough it was all completed. She needed to grab some books from the Market library in order to do the leather work. Oglm had already written the names down on a sheet of paper, all she had to do is get them. She put the spear down on the cooling stand, took off her mask, gloves, and apron, hung them up and left the back room. She grabbed her vest, turned the sign over and left out for the book. When she finally did reach the library she went directly to the section she needed to and grabbed the books. She needed to get back and get started in order to finish on time. She rushed out of the library and back to the shop, trying to read on the way. Once she returned she started where she had left off. Within the hour she had finished and as it turned out, the man was late by five minutes.

"Thanks, have a nice day!" She said waving as he walked away. Amilia put the money into Oglms safe and waited for the next task. There was only the one order that had came in. And now that it was filled, she took off all her equipment and sat on the chair in the back workshop. Soon enough an hour passed as it went on nine thirty. She wasn't really tired or anything but she didn't exactly want to stay at the shop all night. Yet, Oglm wasn't back and here she was. As the time climbed up to ten, she heard the bell ring. She grabbed her apron and gloves and went out to the front of the shop. When she looked up she saw her mother standing there.

"Hey, can I help you?" Amilia asked.

"Have you seen your father?" Cristell asked Amilia.

"No, why?"

"He hasn't been home in quite a few days. I haven't even seen him around town and I felt inclined to check the three surrounding towns. I even went to the next city. I couldn't find him."

"The last time I saw him, well..." she stopped to think a moment. "I haven't seen him since Sunday night."

"How ironic." Cristell started. "He went missing on Monday."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I woke up and Yxeyhfkx wasn't in the house. I thought maybe he had just gone out to get groceries or went over to see you. But come to think of it, he didn't come into the bedroom Sunday night either."

"He wasn't upset was he? I couldn't get away to have a night with you guys."

"He was, but he wouldn't just go ahead and disappear like this over someone like that."

"Oh, well, I don't know. I'll definitely keep an eye out for him."

"I just hope he's ok. He's, well, he's never done this before."

"I'll swing by tomorrow for dinner, before I come here. Oglm has a late meeting. You can show me what happened, maybe I can see something you can't." Cristell smiled at Amilia.

"Could you mention it to Oglm for me? I haven't seen him around lately, I know he's been quite the busy man, but Yxeyhfkx left and who knows what he is doing. The council should be aware of his unexcused absence."

"I'll tell him the next time I get a chance."

"Thank you." she said putting her hand onto Amilia's. "Well I better go in case you get a patreon. I'll see you soon sweetheart." Amilia waved as her mother walked away. Amilia leaned on the counter. Her father was missing. Even Amilia knew he wouldn't just 'disappear'. He usually tells people. Yxeyhfkx is quite the charter box. She walked into the back of the shop. Amilia looked up to the wall and saw someone standing in the darkness. And, of course, out walked Nim.

"Dad's missing?"

"I guess so." Nim shook her head.

"Looks like I'll have to watch you carefully."

"What about your-"

"I have a duty to you Amilia. If the council ever finds out about our little 'arrangement' then I could end up as screwed as Akxfo or worse."

"I'm sorry."

"Hey, it's my job, I know the consequences. You're more important then my father's viewpoint." Amilia rubbed her arms and shook her head.

"Yeah, I get that a lot."

"Hey don't worry. You'll get older and you won't need a protector." Nim nugged Amilia's arm before she left.

"Yeah, maybe." Amilia mumbled.