Chapter Nine

  Part Four

  The travelling market sat in the centre of the city of Yor, placed in the city park. Tents of various sizes and colours surrounded them, and people flocked inside each tent. It would’ve been the last day to visit, so of course there would be an abundance of people. But still, Line wasn’t prepared to come into contact with so many of them.

  But even though they were surrounded by so many colours and sounds, Line still managed to immediately spot the familiar red long coat. And it was headed straight for her.

  “Line” Vax’dian then linked arms with hers “It’s quieter this way”

  Vax’dian then led the group to a clearing next to a green and purple tent, while heavy smells of perfume emanated from within it.

  “Don’t worry” Vax’dian began “I’ve talked to the people who I needed to. The travelling market won’t be leaving any time soon”

  “Thank you”

  “We have a problem” Hyde said “It’s Deaths Touch”

  Vax’dian paused “Alright then, we’ll need to keep this case quiet. And I will have to inform my father of this”

  “I’m sure the doctor would have done that already” Line continued “But for now, let’s just focus on finding the killer”

  “And... how do we do that?” Ali asked “It’s not like we can search every single tent”

  “Of course we can. There is four of us, we can split up-“

  “Line, I’m not leaving you in a crowded place” Ali cut in “Lets stay together”

  Line sighed “Alright fine. Lets go together”

  As they walked through the market, they passed by various tents selling various stuff. Line didn’t really think there was any other way to explain what was being sold, it really was just stuff. Trinkets, baubles, shiny jewellery, and not so shiny jewellery. Various scents of food being cooked, meat getting grilled, and baked goods being baked.

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  There were games set up with people shouting to play them. But Line’s ears caught some one shouting “... Pull the blade from its sheath, and you can keep it!” Line glanced at the blade and suddenly stopped walking.

  The sheath was made from a pure crystalline material, showing off the equally crystal-like long sword. And the hilt was made from the same crystal, carved into a delicate looking lily.

  She knew this sword, and yet here it was. Sitting in a stand, being used by some man to earn money. Line watched as someone walk up, paid the man who was shouting, and tried to pull this sword from its sheath. And Line found herself shaking.

  Line could hear Ali calling her name, but she ignored it. And as soon as that one person left, Line headed straight for the sword. She also ignored the shouting man, and reached for the sword. Line felt the runes on the handle of the sword warm as she held it. Even as she pulled the sword from its sheath, she could feel the slight vibrations ebbing from within the crystalline sword.

  The man was taken completely aback, but Line once again ignored the man’s calls as she turned and walked away. She passed her friends, but kept walking. She didn’t want to explain herself, she just had a sudden urge to go back home.

  *

  When Line had snapped herself out of it, she was sitting on a bench. Her legs were crossed underneath her, and she was holding onto the sword like it was some kind of life support. She was in a quieter area of the market, her friends not in sight.

  She forced herself to take a deep breath, before deciding that she should probably find her friends. But before she could move, she spotted Vax’dian. Who was headed straight for her.

  “Are you alright?” He asked.

  “I’m fine”

  “You’re fine? Line you disappeared on us, we thought something bad would happen”

  “Something bad did happen” Line sighed “I’m feeling rather nostalgic right now”

  “Nostalgic? Really? Right now?”

  Line smiled and held up the sword for Vax’dian to see “This is my fathers sword” her smile dropped “Why is it here? It shouldn’t be here”

  It was Vax’dian’s turn to sigh “I thought I recognised it”

  “You know it?”

  “Of course I know it. That sword is pretty famous”

  Line’s smile reappeared “The most deadliest sword in the kings army, and I used to play with it when I was younger”

  Vax’dian sat next to Line, listening to her quiet voice.

  “My father often went against my mother, letting me watch him and his two guards practice sword fighting. They even let me join sometimes. Mother hated it, she thought I should do more girly things. But they never argued, they were hardly ever mad at each other. It was nice, our perfect little family. I wonder what happened... after I was taken...” she took another deep breath, tears threatening to fall down her face “I hope they didn’t miss me too much. But I’ll be back soon, hopefully”

  “You will be”

  She turned to see Vax’dian gazing at her intently, he then suddenly pulled her into a hug. He repeated “You will be”

  Line slowly returned the hug “Vax”

  “Yes?”

  “Thank you”

  “For what?”

  “For everything”

  Vax’dian didn’t respond, he just held her tighter.