Helnion sat on a tree branch overlooking their spot in a grove of trees a distance from the school. She and Salis often came here when they wanted to get away from the others. She had fond memories of the things Salis plotted here. She knew that she was not as smart as her friend, but that did not bother her. It was fun just being with her. There was also that beautiful hair that she could not help but make pretty, even if the results were terrible at first.

Helnion did not have many friends. She still did not know why Salis had chosen her to be her friend. While she had trouble making friends but wanted them, Salis did not want friends but made her one. She also knew that Salis did not enjoy being near others but still let her near. Despite having known Salis for almost a year, she knew almost nothing about her.

So, here sat Helnion. She did not know if Salis would come back. She hoped Salis would come back. She did not know if she could make it another year like the way it was before.

Helnion had asked Salis if she knew why nobody tried to be her friend. Salis had answered bluntly as was usual for her. This was how she finally realized what kind of person she truly was. Salis had told her she got distracted too easily and that it probably made people think she was not interested in them. She also told her she often would become lost in thought and would often ignore others when they tried to get her attention. When she asked Salis why she became her friend, she shrugged.

Helnion sat in her tree reminiscing about the past year and hoped she could have another like it.

***

Now that I had what I had come for it was time for me to return to Kein. I still had a few days to spare, so I took the trip back slowly. This ended up being a waste of time, but I would rather waste time away from the school than at school. Now I found myself near the school I had made my temporary home.

I was regretting my decision to walk from Kein to the school. Aside from the sword, I was also carrying several other items I had bought. The heaviest things were a fine crossbow, a poleaxe I had strapped to my back, and some armored bracers that I used rather than shields in the style I was learning. I had also bought an assortment of smaller items including some high quality magic orbs of varying attributes.

The crossbow and poleaxe were the reason I had walked since students could not have their weapons on campus so I would stash my them in the secret place Helnion and I had.

It was after dark by the time I reached the secret spot. I quickly noticed Helnion asleep in her favorite tree. I didn't try waking her since I knew how heavy of a sleeper she was. This wouldn't be the first time she had slept outside like this and since it was still warm, she wouldn't freeze, though if she fell out of the tree again that would be her fault.

After a bit of looking, I could not find a spot good enough to hide my weapons so I would have to do my best hiding them in my room for now. I had never had a room inspection, and so as long as Arty didn't see them I would probably be fine. All I had to do now was to get them into my room without being seen.

***

Pali sat next to the window in his small office. He had still seen nothing of Salis. Since it was dark most of the students had already arrived. He figured that this was the most likely time for the child to return. He was not worried about her being so late since this would not be the first time she would have stayed out after nightfall. There was also the possibility that she would not return, but he did not feel that it would be the case.

It had gotten dark enough that Pali could not see very well, so he took a walk outside. He knew that if Salis saw him outside, she would probably wait until he passed by or would go in another side but that was her problem and not his. He also had no problem giving her a hard time. He knew this was not a good example as a teacher, but he also knew that she only looked like a child. He did not know her real age, but he knew she must not have been too far into adulthood with her attitude the way it was.

Pali had only been on his walk for a short while when he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. It had moved quickly so whoever it was probably did not want to be seen. This was surely Salis trying to sneak past him for fun.

He was wrong.

Pali woke up with a throbbing headache. He was not tied up but found himself on the ground with a tall figure dressed in black pointing a sword at him.

“Where is the child?” said a quiet but hard voice, “They tell me you know her best. Since she was not found with the other children, we… require your cooperation.” The man then pushed the sword against Pali's neck.

***

Helnion woke up. She almost fell out of the tree too. She was getting better at this. No bruises today.

It looked like she had woken up too late to catch Salis. Helnion's Salis radar was going off, and she knew she had only passed by recently. She wondered if she could catch up to her if she ran.

Helnion made it to the school with no sign of catching up to Salis. There was no hurry anymore since Salis would probably be in her room so she leaned on a nearby building to catch her breath. She had never been very athletic, although keeping up with Salis had helped some.

Helnion soon heard voices, a whistle, and the sounds of movement. It was not too far away, so out of curiosity she walked towards the source of the sound. As she rounded the building, she saw several figures chasing a smaller figure. She heard another whistle come from in front of the running figures and soon saw more figures run and then cut off the other figures. She wondered why Salis was being chased by so many people. Then, to her horror, she saw that the figures that had been chasing Salis were all holding swords.

***

I had been planning on placing my things under my window and then retrieving them from my room when I noticed them. Part of my swordsmanship training had been to rely on my senses and it was paying off now. I had already been in sneak mode and was watching out for anybody, but it surprised me I had noticed the person hiding in the tree. Unfortunately, it seems they had noticed me too as I heard them whistle.

I had a bad feeling about this. No teacher would hide in a tree-like that and all the other students should be in their rooms getting ready for bed. So I ran, though I would have run even if it was only a teacher.

Three black figures came from the shadows and rushed towards me. One of them shouted for me to stop. I ignored the male voice.

It wasn't much of a chase. Not only was I burdened with the belongings I was carrying, my legs were also much shorter than theirs. Then I got cut off and my running speed didn't matter anymore.

Seven black figures surrounded me, all with short swords drawn. I might have had a chance against one of them but with seven there was no way. Still, I would be more than happy if I could injure them even a little in compensation for my loss. So I readied my poleaxe. I figured the extra range would give me a slight advantage before I had to pull out my sword.

Instead of moving in I heard them whisper something amongst themselves in a language I didn't recognize. It didn't take them long to quiet.

“Put down your weapon. We desire your services, Child of Terra,” spoke the figure in front of me.

I was taken aback. I guess I knew the day would come when someone would hear about the source of all the new wonderful medicine but it was one of those things I put in the “There's no way it will happen soon” category of things that will happen in my life. Unfortunately, it was happening now, and I had to make a choice. From the looks of it, it wouldn't matter what my reply would be.

“What services and how much does it pay?” I didn’t want to work for people forceful like this, but if the pay was good enough... Nah.

“We desire your knowledge. We have heard of the great things you have imparted and desire to benefit from it. It has been guaranteed that you will live of a life of great luxury for your help.”

“No. If you had come and asked nicely, I would have considered it but I don't like people that force me.”

“That is too bad. We cannot allow you to stay,” And with a whistle, they began to close the circle.

I wasn't too sure if they would take me or if they would kill me because it would be too much trouble to keep me alive and unwilling. Either way, I would do my best to escape no matter the means.

I readied my poleaxe and ran towards the figure in front of me. The figure easily dodged my attack and soon knocked my weapon out of my hand. I had planned on something like this since whoever sent them wouldn't leave it to untrained grunts so as a matter I pulled out my sword. Upon seeing my sword, they all stopped. I don't know if it was because of the faint red glow the sword gave off thanks to the red moon overhead or if it was that they knew what kind of sword it was.

I didn't pause and struck at the figure in front of me. The figure dodged out of the way, weary of my sword. I didn't pause in my attack but used my momentum to attack another figure coming at me. It too dodged. Still, I continued my attack. It wouldn't be much longer until they captured me.

***

Helnion's mind had switched to what Salis had dubbed “Concentration Mode.” In times of stress she could somehow keep her thoughts on the situation at hand. It had helped her evade teachers chasing her after Salis persuaded her to do a prank of some sort. This was a good time for it too.

When Helnion had seen Salis surrounded by dark figures, her mind had cleared. What was the best way to get Salis out of this situation? She could not fight. What was there that she could do? Magic? Maybe. Magic was one thing she could do as long as she was not being distracted. Her mind was sharp at the moment so it might work. It might work long enough to take out one or two of them, but there were seven. Then, in a moment of inspiration, Helnion turned her back to the group encircling Salis and ran. There was no way the two of them could defeat those seven figures so they would need help.

Helnion was from a noble family and had access to many things. The school also owned one thing. The levitating carriage might work and since her father had spoiled her she had had a few opportunities to drive one.

It was sitting exactly where Helnion had remembered seeing it. It was one of the two owned by the school. While this one was the smaller of the two and more weathered, it would do perfectly.

It was not locked, so she could quickly climb in. Once inside, she placed her hands on the two large magic crystals that were used to control the vehicle and, with a thought, the vehicle quickly came to life.

This had all happened in less than a minute. Helnion hoped that she had been fast enough to make a difference. She couldn't imagine Salis going down without a fight and she knew that Salis' life was probably not in danger since the figures were probably here for her.

It took even less time for Helnion to get back to the scene. To her relief, Salis was still moving around.