12 Head Merchant

Henri was getting tired of standing around and waiting for Zeriff to wake up all his remaining party members.

She had many things she planned to accomplish this week and knew that time waits for no one.

"We are going to have to leave soon, or we'll just go out separate ways from you." Henri announced as Marie finished processing the Spirit Beast.

Uncle Zeriff broke into a cold sweat, he had only managed to successfully wake up two of the guards and one of the merchants as of now.

What if more bandits came at them?

While before this incident Uncle Zeriff considered himself no pushover of a swordsman, after this whole bandit fiasco... his self confidence had token a steep dive right over the edge of a metaphorical cliff.

Hastily Zeriff says "Wait a little longer, will be leaving within the hour I swear. It's only a 2 day travel to Sunfall City."

Henri cocked her head at a awkward angle, and asked something odd.

"The closest city is Sunfall City?"

Uncle Zeriff couldn't believe they didn't know what city this path led to. Why were they even traveling this way if not to get to Sunfall city?

He was about to ask and try and clarify things, when Marie lit the announced that the funeral pyre was done burning.

"The pyre is done burning, hurry up and help collect the ashes boy."

Damien definitely knew that the girl named Marie didn't like him by now. But he really couldn't fathom just why that was. He had been nothing but nice to her, right?

And also, it was scary how she had practically incinerated all the corpses with the snap of her pristinely jade like white little hand.

He proceeded to quickly gather up the remaining ashes, putting them in cups that the guards would use to drink out of, and tied a cloth across the top of each cup to trap the ashes inside of them.

Henri just stood there with her arms folded across her chest, clearly showing she was just waiting right now to leave.

What that party didnt know was that Henri and co, had killed and captured so many Spirit Beasts that Sunfall cities Beast Hunters would be practically out of a job soon.

The merchant that had already woken up, turned his clear amber eyes towards Henri.

Henri sensed someone's gaze on her, and abruptly swung her head in their direction, a dead looking stare piercing the merchants heart.

'What sad looking eyes!' The chestnut haired merchant thought, without realizing it he began to unconsciously play with his thick wavy shoulder length chesnut curls.

The merchant named Alto was at first taken aback by that golden haired childs sad looking eyes, before he eventually noticed the color of those eyes

Golden-Yellow like the sun on her cloudless day! So pretty!

Unbeknownst to Alto, he had become mesmerized by Henri's otherworldly image so much so that he hadn't heard Zeriff Quinton calling his name and waving his hand in front of his somewhat feminine and youthful face.

It was only when Henri let out a ever so quiet chuckle that Alto snapped out of his dreamlike state.

Noticing the manly, and almost grubby fingers being waved in front of his face, Alto begrudgingly turned his attention from the child who had captured his attention and now faced Uncle Zeriffs blood speckled face.

Unconciously he flinched upon first sight of the blood on his parties recently added traveling companions person.

His trousers were covered in dirty, and had streaks of blood scattered across the surface of them.

His shirt was ripped open revealing the middle aged man's generous muscles.

Alto gulped, he hated musclely man as they reminded him of his muscle headed family.

A look a contempt moved across Altos genteel face before quickly disappearing and being replaced with a well practiced fake gentle smile.

"Mr. Quinton. Will we be leaving soon? Are those women and children going to be joining us?" Alto probed, not being able to help himself from swinging his gaze over Henri, and the other two now standing nearby her.

Uncle Zeriff really didnt know how to deal with this man, his social standing rank was league's above Uncle Zeriffs. He had to tread lightly with this fellow lest he turn him against his family.

"I was going to ask you, since Merchant Ramos is now...deceased, that would now make you this convoys lead merchant. The other merchants arent up yet, and 4 guards are still unconscious, but all of them are on stable condition and it is in my professional opinion that they can be moved. However, what shall be do about our lack of guards now? And also, I would like to ask you to allow Miss Savien, Henri, and Marie to join our convoy as after talking to Young Master Henri, it appears their little party may be lost."

Alto kept his amber gaze on Henri, and asked Zeriff, " Young Master Henri? Are you referring to the golden haired child?"

Uncle Zeriff didnt know why Alto would ask such a... well to put it bluntly, pointless question.

Obviously the white haired woman is a maid, or nanny, while the little black haired girl is Marie. What her relation to Henri is, is not quite clear yet, but she apparantly follows Henris orders, so she is either a family member of less ranking, or a highly favored servant.

Uncle Zeriff would never guess that she was Henris devoted werewolf childhood bestfriend.

"Hmmm... it would be wonderful for them to accompany us, you can have the women ride in Mr. Ramos's carriage. I will gladly entertain Young Master Henri..." Alto says as he eyes Henri.

Uncle Zeriff isnt sure what Altos intentions are towards the young boy, but he hasn't heard of any degenerate or unsavory rumors about Alto Stepheno's behavior, so it is probably just curiosity and nothing more... sinister.

Uncle Zeriff quickly made his way over to Henri.

Henri knew what they had talked about, her hearing was much better than the average humans... due to reasons that would be revealed later.

Deciding to just catch the arrow, she quickly turned to Savien and Marie and whispered that it was okay to follow along with what the others arranged, and to be careful and seem sympathetic and human-like.

She turned back around at the same moment that Uncle Zeriff arrived in front of her.

"Are we moving on soon? I noticed that two of your horses seemed to have died from some stray arrows, would you like me to summon some spirit beasts to make up for the slack?" Henri asked nonchalantly, as of it was no big deal to summon a spirit beast.

Uncle Zeriff who was about to relay his orders froze in place upon hearing Henri's last sentence.

Summon a Spirit Beast? Well, the kid had obviously had the Draigs that were beasts of battle, but they were clearly unfit to pull a carriage. Was this child saying he could still summon more spirit beasts?

Noticing his Uncles surprised, then confused, and lastly conflicted look, Damien stepped into the conversation to try and help save his poor uncle some face.

"If it's not to hard, that's a really good idea Henri, we'd really appreciate it!" Damien said, a smile beginning to bloom on his innocent looking face.

Henri looked at Damien trying to help his uncle, and sighed a sad sigh.

"Its no trouble at all, I've been meaning to test these Spirit Beasts out but they aren't very good for riding." Henri said as she reached her dainty hand into her warm blue messenger bag, and after a while, pulled out two light orange soul gems the size of strawberries.

"Are...those... Sunblade forest Soul Gems?!" Damien couldn't help but cry out in shock.

It had to be known that the Soul gems that could be mined in Sunblade forest were escpially high quality and were absurdly expensive.

You could tell the gem was mined from Sunblade Forest by the fact that the outside color of the gem was the color of the sun.

This childish outburst didnt escape the two guards, and Altos ears.

Marie and Savien looked at each other briefly preparing themselves to slaughter any of the humans present at a moments notice, if they showed any hostility towards Henri.

This stiffening of her companions didnt escape Henri's notice, or anyone elses. Save for Damien of course. He was completely oblivious of what danger he could of just brought to his new 'idol'.

Henri swiftly shouted an summoning incantation and held the two soul gems out and away from her body, and pointed them towards an open area nearby.

Two figures slowly appeared, in the form of shimmering sunlight that slowly formed and coalesced into two physical beings.