The ball

I slowly but surely make my way back to the hotel where we are sleeping at. Eventually, I take some breaks because walking with this injured leg isn't easy. I eventually however hire a rider to take me there instead.

Which gets me there is half the time likely or more. As I get back to the hotel Arla is on the other side of the window speaking to the tiger.

Seems to be smiling in there conversation. Which is good people smiling makes me smile. I struggle to open the door but the noise attracts the man and Arla to look at my direction.

Arla is confused by my struggle but looks down and notices my wrapped up leg in bandages and runs over to me.

"What happend did you get hurt? How did you? Why would you?" she asks with concern

"I uh...got shot in the leg by a crossbow..."

"Are the new guidelines for joing changed? Strange I was not aware of being shot at was one of them."

"It wasn't I got shot from saving a litt-I mean a girl from hijackers. The guards mistook me as a member of the hijackers and shot me in the leg."

"Hmm, how unfortunate for you. But are you okay? Do you need to see better medical assistance or?"

"No it's fine I got to see a doctor properly and she patched me up better than the guards did."

"Phew" she says sighing in relaxation

"I am glad. I couldn't live with myself if you died or got severely hurt."

I am shocked by that response a little I didn't think I was that important to her. But I guess I am. I smile a bit and rub my feathers a bit and stand up without the crutch. I limp over to her and give her a hug. Gentle one.

She hesitates but reciprocates it back and hugs me. She seems to breathe heavily again for some reason. Maybe it is my body temperature. Nah that can't be it.

She puts her hand on my chest and feels it out a bit. Feeling the muscle of my pecs and feels my arms next. Why is she feeling me out? It sort of tickles but I sort of ...like this. I will let her do this a bit more.

She then moves her hand to my face and gives it a kiss on my cheek and whispers something to me "You are strong and amazing. You saved a stranger from thugs. You are too kind for this world."

"Thank you. That means a lot to me. Not everyone appreciated a good deed here and there but someone has to do them" I said patting her head.

I then decide to do something a bit uh...over the top. I take her and pick her up sweep her off the legs and swing her in a circle for fun. My physical strength makes this easy. I then toss her onto my bed and get on top of she snuggling against her. She embraces me as we play around like kids. My leg starts to sting a little but I ignore it as it is not every day I get to play around with someone.

I then hear knocking at the door. I turn my head and freeze as we are in a precarious position and get up quickly. And slowly start limping over to the door and check to see Arla standing at attention with her hands in front of her.

I breathe in deeply and relax and look through the small opening of the door like most hotels would have. I see a man in a black suit standing at the door with a smile oddly at his fingers likely. I open the door to see what this man wants.

"Hello are you uhm, Mr. Coda?"

"Yes? And who are you might I ask?"

"I am no one important. But my mistress is. She is waiting at the carriage waiting for you to speak with. I couldn't risk bringing her in and meeting a potential stranger. But please come out and follow me outside the building."

"Okay? Arla stay here I will be back"

"Very well" she responds

I follow the man outside of the room and downstairs where the tiger is cleaning some dishes in front. he seems to be puzzled as well but doesn't say anything.

As the door opens I see about 4 guards on horseback wearing plated armor instead of leather-looking armor like the city guards would. Am I in trouble again?

They look at me through their helmets and clutch their spears tightly. I guess they are suspicious of me as well. I wouldn't blame them since I barely know these people as well. I stop where the suited man stoped and he turns around to me. He gives out his hand for and shake and I shake it.

"So mind telling me what this is all about? Sir?"

"Better I let someone else speak first sir"

As he turns around he open the carriage to which a familiar girl walks out of it nervously but frantically runs towards me for a hug. It is the girl I saved from a few hours ago. What is she doing here and how did she find me?

"Cody!" she says

"Y-you?!" I say unable to respond without being shocked at our meeting again. Especially since she is hugging me again and likely won't let go again. She is 16 right? She acts like she is 9. Plus she is petite so she is misleadingly younger than she already is looking. Sort of creepy.

"She has been looking for you for hours since she left the guards barracks. But she was required to return home but kept on demanding I return and search for you sir"

"Wow. But how did you find me? Gotta be thousands of Lizardmen in this city at least maybe."

"We have our ways in a very short amount of time"

Sort of creepy if they can track me down that fast in a few hours in a city of this size. But not much for me to do about it. I wonder if they could track down anyone in this city. Hmm

"So why did you search for me? Is there something you guys needed from me?"

"Not exactly we-" he gets interrupted by the girl and she starts talking instead.

"I wanted to find you to properly thank you for saving me! I am also wanted to uhm...well..." she starts struggling to speak at the end of her sentence and begins to mumble.

"We-or I...I wanted to inv....Invite you to a ball with me as my chaperone!" she says with sudden boldness.

"I uhm, a ball?"

"Y-yes....I wanted to thank you properly for what you have done for me and I believe bring you to a party my parents are throwing would be a great way to celebrate. Plus I heard about you becoming an adventurer and earning some money from saving me. That was my butler whom you've already met put that up."

Oh so that's who placed up the contract suddenly. I guess I have him to thank for the contract money given. 1,000 silver coins is a lot so they're desperate or are very rich. But looking at their carriage I am guessing they are rich.

"Well thank you," I say while shaking the hand of the butler, "You've been of great help to my early career as an adventurer and will take up on that offer of joining you guys are the ball. I think it would be fun since I never went to one.

"A-awesome! I can't wait to see you there Cody!"

"Please just call me Coda."

"Oh okay! Sure thing Coda." she turns around no longer hugging me and returns to her carriage where a guard opens the door for her.

"We shall wait for you tomorrow evening sir. Thank you again for saving my mistress. Here is an address for where we are in the city as well as a pass to enter our domain if needed. Thank you again"

He turns around and walks towards the carriage himself where the guard closes the door behind him and returns to his horse. As they wave goodbye from the window the guards start moving with the carriage and they are off.

"So...how did it go"

"Eh?!" I say suddenly surprised by Arla standing right behind me.

"It uhm, went well thank you for asking...." We stand in silence for a while and she breaks the silence with a questioning.

"So who was the girl hugging you for long period of time?

"Oh shit I forgot her name I asked for it in the barracks but forgot!" I fall to my knees like a dumbass who hurts my leg.

"Well at the ball you should be able to ask for her name. Then we can go from there."

"Oh sorry Arla but I don't think you can come. They only invited me"

"Well it is fine. I can wait in the hotel from there if that is fine with you."

"I'm sorry about that Arla..."

She walks away with a calm smile on her face but I can't help but feels she is left out. I think I should do something for her. I decided to walk out for a while without my crutches a take a walk round the local market for something I could gift her.