An Old Friend

As they emerged into the city, they found themselves in front of the shattered gates where Shantotto's wondrous lanner patiently waited. The hyurian children played around the bird.

However, Shantotto brought up that there was no room for all three of them on the lanner's back. Unfazed, she began casting another spell, this time without the flourish of a poem. The incantation, "Na Zan Neutral," caused her to float in the air, freeing the lanner for Adachi and Zeid.

She just wanted to be left alone.

She turned to Adachi with a tired expression, her eyes reflecting the weariness of dealing with the king's demands. "Take Zeid with you on the lanner, Yanas. Head back to my grove. I've had enough of this royal nonsense for one day." She said as she left ahead of them.

Adachi nodded in understanding, helping Zeid onto the lanner's back. As they prepared to depart, Zeid hesitated and then spoke to Adachi, his voice carrying the weight of a father's concern.

"Yanas, I have a daughter. I need to bring her with us. She shouldn't be left alone," Zeid explained, his eyes filled with a mix of duty and paternal care.

Adachi considered the request for a moment and then nodded. "Of course, Mr Knight. We can't leave her behind. Let's make sure she's safe."

They strolled toward Zeid's humble abode, the kids frolicking with the lanner, their laughter echoing in the air. Adachi couldn't shake the curiosity gnawing at him. "Why did Shantotto leave?" he pondered aloud, his voice carrying the weight of unanswered questions. "Did she feel uneasy after what the king said?"

Zeid, taken aback by Yanas's contemplations, perceived Shantotto differently. To him, she was a Tarutaru tyrant, unshaken by anything. Yanas's few words painted her as an emotional being, a side of her Zeid had never considered.

Lost in his thoughts, Adachi finally realized he was blindly trailing behind the knight. He couldn't contain his annoyance and asked, "Are we there yet?" Zeid, caught off guard, hastily replied, "We're almost there. Just take that turn." as he pointed towards the road intersection.

They reached Zeid's modest home, and as they approached the door, Zeid turned the handle, stepping inside. The air was filled with a sense of familiarity and warmth, contrasting the chaos they had left behind at the castle. As the door creaked open, a young girl with vibrant red hair emerged, her eyes widening in surprise at the unexpected visitors.

"Father! Who is he?" she asked, her curiosity evident in her gaze.

Zeid smiled warmly, "Lion, this my friend, Yanas."

Yanas exchanged greetings with the young girl, who seemed both intrigued and a bit cautious. Zeid, ever the gracious host, extended an invitation. "Would you like to come in? I can offer you a cup of water to refresh yourselves."

Adachi nodded appreciatively, and Zeid gestured for him to enter. The interior of the house was simple but cozy. Lion scampered off to prepare the water as Zeid turned to Adachi, "Make yourselves at home. I'll be right back with that water."

Zeid told Lion, who was preparing the cups. "Lion, pack your things. We'll be leaving for a while," he informed her, his tone a mix of urgency and reassurance.

Lion looked up, her eyes reflecting a blend of surprise and curiosity. "Leaving? Where are we going, Papa?"

Zeid sighed, "It's a long journey, my dear. I'll explain on the way. Just gather what you need."

Zeid left Lion to finish packing and returned to where Yanas—now Adachi—was waiting. "I just need a little more time to pack our things," Zeid explained, ready to hurry back to his daughter.

As Zeid was about to leave, Yanas stopped him, a gentle smile on his face. "Call me Adachi."

Zeid, slightly puzzled by the sudden request but not wanting to dwell on it, agreed, "Sure, Adachi. I'll be back shortly."

Boredom gnawed at Adachi like a persistent rodent. He traced the chipped hilt the cup he was holding, eyes glazing over the dust motes dancing in the afternoon sun. Then, the creak of the stairs broke the quiet, and Lion descended the stairs, clutching a bag and a tattered doll like a lifeline.

The young kid showed the toy she held dear with all joy, "Behold, Brayflox the Brave!" she declared, her eyes sparking with mischief. "She was given to me by Brayflox the Goblin, hence why she's a Brayflox herself!"

Adachi groaned, in an effort to dispel the boredom, Adachi engaged with Lion, turning the situation into a play. He played the villain in her imaginary world, orchestrating a dramatic encounter.

Zeid returned to the scene, witnessing Adachi fully immersed in the play. Adachi, as he got caught in the act, felt a bit embarrassed, shivered as he realized he was having fun playing with a child.

Zeid chuckled, looking away, and thought to himself, "Is this the tyrant's servant?" Amused, he couldn't help but blast in laughing.

Adachi, catching Zeid's reaction, couldn't resist a playful retort, "Looking away and laughing doesn't make it any better!"

Zeid, now dressed in more casual attire, gathered himself and told Lion. "It's time to go."

He called out to Yanas. "Lets go Mr Adachi"

As the party makes its way to the lanner, Adachi having fun with his new small friend, Zeid called the kids out to leave the lanner, as they were about to depart.

Lion's eyes widened with pure joy at the sight of the majestic creature. "We're riding that?!" she exclaimed, her excitement palpable. as she locked eyes with Adachi

Zeid felt a sharp entanglement in his hear, he felt jealous of Adachi at that moment.

As they mounted the lanner, Lion couldn't contain her enthusiasm. "This is amazing! I'm going to fly!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with a childlike wonder. Adachi, observing her reaction, realized that flying wasn't as commonplace as Shantotto had led him to believe.

In fact, many things seemed different in this world without the eccentric Tarutaru present. somehow, everyone seemed to talk normally, without using poetic lines in their speech.

As the lanner carried them through the sky towards Shantotto's hideaway, Adachi couldn't shake the lingering questions in his mind. Leaning towards Zeid, he voiced his thoughts, "What do you think the king and Shantotto are hiding?"

The knight, maintaining his stoic demeanour, responded, "I'm a knight; I'm just here to serve. I don't have an opinion of my own."

Adachi, recognizing the limits of the knight's perspective, simply shrugged.

He thought to himself, "Well, it is what it is."

The wind whistled past them as the lanner continued its flight, carrying the trio back to Shantotto's sanctuary.