Astra Fracta

Chapter 17: Scattered paths.

Meanwhile, after Tiva and I dusted our clothes from the dirt the fight caused, Tiva spoke up, breaking the silence.

Tiva said, “The people we keep running into are really tiring and stupid as hell. They don’t even f*****g know what they’re dealing with. Their stupidity is frying me.” She said those sentences like she needed to strangle those men.

I said in a calm tone, huffing softly, “There’s no need to get worked up because of a bunch of men. Just forget it and let’s go back to Leo—” Before I could even finish my words, she cut me off in her usual playful tone, her ears flicking. Tiva said, “You’re no fun at all! You’re just as stoic and boring as Leora, hmph!” She pouted as she continued talking, “How about… hmmmm… like, meet the sister of the count? She is a kind woman and helped us, not like her big brother, stuck with rules and yada yada yada.”

I looked at her, not offended, not even a bit by her words, as I sighed and said, “I will not go like that and talk to her out of the blue. If you want to, go. I will not go with you. We need more important things to do—what’s waiting for us after that.”

Tiva looked at me like I had murdered someone. “HEY, I will not go alone, you know! If I get into a problem, you’re getting in with me. And go? I don’t need you to come. You and Leora are too boring, urgh.” She turned around, pouting. I sighed and started walking away to learn more about Luneth and its people. Tiva turned around, seeing me walking away.

“HEY, WAIT! DON’T WALK AWAY LIKE THAT!” she shouted as she ran after me while we were heading back to Luneth.

Meanwhile, with Leora and the blacksmith Garrick.

As Leora entered the forge, she said in a calm tone, “Long time no see, Garrick.” Garrick looked up from the sword he was working on. “Oh, long time no see, Miss Leora. Want something?”

Leora said, “Actually, I want a favor from you, Garrick.”

Garrick looked at her, confused. “And what is it miss leora?”, Leora looked around, then fixed her gaze on Garrick. “I need to improve my relationships with the people of Luneth, and you’re one of them. I want to get to know people properly to avoid being misunderstood. And I need you to help me with that.” Garrick looked at her, a hint of playfulness on his face. “That sounds more like a deal than helping. Anyways, I can help with that, but what do I get in return?”

Leora looked at him and sighed. “Shut up, Garrick. I don’t know what you’ll get in return. We’ll decide that later.” As they talked about how they would improve their relationships—

One of the blacksmith workers, named Dravin, spoke up. “Wanting to improve relationships with other people in Luneth? I kinda know some people you can improve your relationships with. Like the owner of the main library in Luneth, Miss Colette. And other peo—”

Garrick glared at Dravin. “I told you a thousand times not to eavesdrop when I’m talking to people.”

Dravin scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but your voices were loud… so I thought, why not help… heh.” He grinned awkwardly.

Garrick was about to reply, but Leora cut him off. “Stop, Garrick. The ginger man might be helpful. I’ll borrow him to help. Thanks, and don’t forget your part, Garrick.”

Dravin replied, “I’m not a book you borrow whenever you want…” he said, as Leora dragged him out of the forge.

Garrick looked at Leora, then sighed. “You haven’t changed a bit… woman, what can I do…” he muttered as he got back to working on the sword.

Meanwhile, with me and Tiva as we entered Luneth.

Tiva’s stomach growled, and she grinned. “Heh… I’m hungry… mind if we go eat something?”

I looked at her, confused. “But… we don’t have any money?”

Tiva smirked at me and said, “You know those bunch of men… ehm, I took money from them. Ehehe.”

“What the hell did you say? You took money from them, for God’s sake?” I said. She just stole money from them.

Tiva shrugged. “Hey, don’t make it hard. It’s more like a reward after a fight, you know? Anyways, let’s go. I know you’re hungry too, am I right?” She grinned at me.

“No, I’m not hun—” my stomach growled.

“I knew it! Let’s go, pal!”

I sighed. There was nothing I could do, so I followed her.

When we were eating skewers, I spoke up, “Okay, now we need to find where Leora is after we finish eating. Where do you think she went?”

Tiva looked up at me, her tail swaying while she was munching on skewers. “Hmmmm, I don’t really know. I think she said she would go to the blacksmith.”

“I don’t think she told us exactly where it is,” I muttered quietly.

Tiva spoke up with her mouth full, “I think it’s Garrick, the blacksmith. The only one I think she would go to. She knows him well. He might help us.”

“Good. Where is the forge?” I asked.

Tiva paused.

“Uhhh… I dunno…” she gave a wide, stupid smile.

“God help me…” I pinched the bridge of my nose, sighing. “I think we should just find Leora or the blacksmith. Come on, let’s go.”

Tiva followed me, still not finished with her skewers.

Meanwhile, with Dravin and Leora.

“The librarian, Colette… but why exactly her?” Leora asked.

Dravin raised his finger. “Interacting with her is easy and will go smoothly. It’s a good idea to talk to her first. She’ll help us a lot once we become friends with her. It won’t be that hard anyway!”

“Fine. Lead me there. But before that… I need to find those idiots,” she sighed.

“What idiots?” Dravin said, confused.

“You’ll meet them soon when we find them,” Leora said nonchalantly as she turned on her heels, and Dravin slowly followed her.

End of Chapter 17.