"These are my companions, you don't need to worry," I said with a smile and made my way around them to meet up with the others. Emily did not slow down in her rush over to me and nearly tackled me with a hug.

"I was so worried about you. Are you alright?" Emily sniffed loudly, apparently crying while still hugging me.

"We are just fine," I said calmly, while patting her back.

"Forgive this humble servant's failure," Istan said with a bow. I noticed a subtle s.h.i.+mmer was also on his cheeks. However, I was quite impressed that he was not groveling on the floor and screaming 'Forest Mother.'

"Why are the city guards with you?" Gray asked with a raised eyebrow.

How did I want to answer this…? I needed to find a way that would cause the least headache in the end. Leafia noticed my hesitation and answered for me. "We ran into a pile of trash and Laurel kindly let me take care of it," she said brightly. She must have really liked getting to fight.

"But why the guards?" Istan asked. I could see some panic starting to form on his face.

"They just wanted to make sure that we did not have a run in with any more trash?" I supplied this time.

"Did you have a run in with some humans?" Istan asked. He looked from me to Leafia and back repeatedly. It seemed like he was close to having a breakdown.

"I don't think they would qualify as human," Leafia said looking at me for confirmation.

"They might qualify as monkeys, but even that is generous." I responded. Emily started to laugh through her tears at my comment but everyone else just looked at me blankly, including the guards.

"What's a monkey?" Leafia asked in confusion.

I had to think for a moment to find a good way to describe it but I did not dare take too long. Istan was starting to piece things together and I could tell he was going to lose control. I wanted to keep the topic derailed. "Think of them as little hairy humans with a tail." I paused but then realized something was missing. "They are a little smarter than racc.o.o.ns."

"You were attacked," Istan said falling to his knees in horror. "I was not there when you needed my help. I must resign from your service immediately."

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"You are not allowed to," I said sternly as Istan was nearly crying on the ground. "You promised to help me find Faun. I will not let you out of it." Istan looked up from his grovelling in wonder. It seemed that he was nearly ready to start praising me for my benevolence. From what I heard, I thought it was supposed to be women that suffered mood swings, but Istan seemed to be most p.r.o.ne to them of the mortals I have dealt with. Istan's reverence s.h.i.+fted once more to what I could only think was determination to be better in the future. This made me think over what I had said. I found it hard to believe that there was anything that incredible about it. Internally, I heaved a mighty sigh. I then realized that I made a small slip and looked to see that the guards were still here. "Thank you for your a.s.sistance. You are welcome to go. As you can see, we are safely back with our companions."

To my surprise the guards started to panic a little at my suggestion. One of them nervously stepped forward and spoke. "Please let us remain with you until you reach Madam Brightmoor. If anything were to happen after we left, it would be the end of us." Their concern did seem genuine and I could not find the heart to refuse them.

"As long as you do not get in our way, I will allow it."

"Thank you so much." "We are greatly indebted to you." They spoke over each other in their eagerness, both with sincere looks of relief. It felt wrong for the guards to be thankful to the one they were protecting, but oh well.

Not letting the conversation make its way back to the previous topic, I said, "Let's go inside and find Maximus." Istan opened his mouth to say something, but stopped. The complex series of emotions continued to cross his face. I couldn't read most of them and I thought it might be odd for me to stare at him trying to find out what he was thinking. I also had a feeling that I did not really want to know. At the end of this odd display, his face seemed to settle on a determined look once again. It seemed that he had made a plan on how he would be an even better, more devoted servant in the future. While I was tempted to roll my eyes at his wors.h.i.+pful att.i.tude, I resisted and instead gave him a simple nod. Were those tears in his eyes again? Seemed like a bit much for a head jiggle.

As we started walking, I saw that the guards fell back so we did not have to worry about them overhearing us talk.

"You know, I am older than all of you combined. I am capable of taking care of myself," I said wryly to the others as we reached the steps.

"That is why we are worried. We elves believe you have to take care of the elderly," Leafia said with a grin. To my surprise, my jab aimed at her side managed to find home. Luckily I had removed the stinging nettle effect from my hands. She did not need to repent that much for insulting her G.o.ddess. My eyes flicked to Istan who had just turned around to reprimand Leafia for her barb.

Not wanting Leafia to undergo Istan's form of correction, I said, "There is no harm done. Leafy is just playing around." A mix of emotions ran over his face: a wors.h.i.+pful/piercingly pensive/penitent expression (I think that is what that look means?). There was no way I wanted Leafia to go back to that.

"No harm done to you," I heard Leafia say while rubbing her side. She was also looking at Istan strangely intently until he once again turned to lead the way. It seemed that he was trying to communicate something to her without saying anything, but I know I at least did not get his message. As soon has his back was to us, Leafia returned the jab at my side. But that worked out just fine for me since I had not yet softened that part of my skin from our scuffle. She was soon shaking her hand. I could not keep the smile from spreading over my face.