" will uncle be alright?" I was sitting at a table with the kids eating breakfast in a tavern i rented out, after what happened with the local lord and me still feeling weak i didn't want any unknowns around
After giving larna my family crest showing who i was we were released immediately the next morning, Edward however was forced to stay behind and i didn't see a issue with that he had to take responsibility
" you dont have to worry about that scoundrel he's just suffering the consequences of his actions but he will be ok."
Looking towards the entrance were zauto was guarding i asked if he wanted to join us i swear I never see the guy eat
" I am fine my lord thank you." I didn't argue with the guy he looked to be doing fine
Turning back to the kids I smiled " what do you guys say to having some fun? i saw a fairgrounds nearby when we were looking for a place to stay." They all looked at me confused
" nevermind finish up the go get cleaned im taking you guys out for a bit."when everyone was doing eating the kids rushed upstairs to get clean I went over to zauto
" can you go ahead of us and scout it out."
"But my lord my duty is-." I held up my hand stopping him
" I know but you dont have to worry i have shadow and ajalentem...please I just want to spend a day like a normal father with their daughter." Zauto's eyes grew distance but only for a moment
" I understand my lord I'll go ahead." As he walked out i went upstairs to get cleaned up myself
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An hour later i held the hand of my daughter as we walked down the marble road the life of the city caught in a whirlpool captured my attention
I always find myself in wonder of the city's we came across it was hard not too in my opinion the beauty of this world truly couldn't be understated
Out of nowhere loud upbeat music assaulted us followed by pops if fireworks " come one come all the traveling fairgrounds opana is now open. We have prizes, rides and animals of all shapes an sizes just watch out for those splitters folks they will get in you eye."
As the man standing on a box continued his speech people wearing colorful face paint scattered around the area doing flips and cartwheels causing the bells attached to their clothes to jingle
" come please enjoy our curiosities and entertainment." One of the flipped over to us pushing and pulling us towards the entrance
Before to long the place was full of people trying to get in either haven been gently pushed in that direction or just drawn in by the fanfare
Just as quickly as the clown appeared they disappeared moving to their next target
" now that's so aggressive advertisement right there." Walking to a little booth i paid for all of us to get in, being one of the first there we didn't really have to wait in a line
" let's go guys." The kids barely even heard me their attention was already drawn to the life around them
The smells of food sweet and savory blew through the air. colorful streamers were hung everywhere as all sorts of attractions went off in the background some to far for us to see
Voices were calling trying to get people to check out their stalls while others got a bit more inventive figuring out a way to use their elements to entertain people hoping to draw in a crowd
It was all a little overwhelming for me and the kids but excitement overshadowed it
" come let's enjoy ourselves,let me know if you find something you want I'll get it for and never wonder off alone. do you understand?"
They all nodded in unison as we began to explore the fairgrounds smiling
It well we all had fun trying new foods and candies a lot of them ocean themed for obviously reasons, I watched the kids go on rides like a carousel and a waterside
They enjoyed it so much they went on them multiple times, it bought me some peace seeing them so happy and enjoying themselves
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That was at least until we got to the animal section i should have know from the speech earlier he wasn't talking about llamas
" im still too naive for this world." In front of me were cages small an large housing all sorts of animals....and people a few were allowed in a small fenced in field that people enter to interact with them
I felt sick watching this and if wasthe only one each of the kids had similar reactions shane just stared ahead eyes lucid
Emily sighed walking over to Shane taking his hand in her's then reaching with her free hand she grabbed frida's hand as well,seeing her friends gems go from pink to black
Next to them Salem's brother looked around with a morbid sense of curiosity like he found it odd looking at the suffering from this side
Closing my eyes I calmed myself, then rounded up the kids. " come on."
I didn't want to open up old wounds for these kids or give them new ones by staying here any longer, at least we already spent most the day here
" go, get ready for dinner guys." The mood on the way back to the inn was somber I tried cheering them up or getting their minds off it but it didn't work
After taking a shower I returned to the ground floor were a table was already set for us " im sorry my lord i should have let you know."
Sighing i sat down " no your not the one treating people like that, I forget most places allow this."
Slowly the kids joined us still effected by earlier but I had one last idea to cheer them up
Opening the box I got from alaine I pulled out a plate of baked goods and placed it on the table for us to share
It wasn't a lot but it was enough for tonight
Finally after taking a bite of a pastry I saw them smile again at least for now,after eating we each went to our rooms
" what is it."Feeling cool wind blow across me i looked towards the now open window were a hodded figure stood
" i need a big favor....can you help me assassinate the lord of this place ."his tone was unusually somber and forward
" im not going to help you kill your baby mommy's father, take responsibility for what you did." He moved closer unlatchin one of the hidden blades on his wrist he held it out towards me
" this is serious please,I've been ordered to kill him he's apart of the convert." that's why he's be so weird lately
Sighing i shook my head " I cant my blade has taken the lives of innocents."
" tck...dont give me that we both know the situation around that allows for leeway even among the tenets of the creed." Placing it on my lap he walked back to the window as the moon light outlined his figure
" what would you even want me to do." He stopped on the ledge to look back
" what you do best cause chaos." Smiling he let gravity carry him down and out of sight.
Sighing i got up strapping the hidden blade to me then stared at it before steeling my nerves and walking to the window
" watch over the kids zauto." I didn't confirmation from him as I leaned out the window plummeting towards the ground
The cool air of the night felt good against my skin as I released a deep breath " I really miss my wife."
Pulling my mask down i teleported just as my body was going to splatter across the ground
" wha-?" Carried by the momentum i slammed back first into a guard blasting both of us through a gate and into the courtyard skipping a couple times
" we're under attack!" On the balcony overlooking everything a guard saw what to place
Guards began to quickly flood the courtyard trying to surround me
Knocking the guard below me out with a elbow strike i stood up grabbing my staff
***
In the open halls of the home three figures were arguing
" you cant be serious father you cant force this." Halting in his tracks he wiped around to face his daughter
" it's not like I dont know about you other escapades but this is different you allowed it to go to far and now I have no choice or this will be a stain on our family you only have yourselves to blame."
He continued walking when a group of guards came running to him confusing him until the hall across from them exploded with blue light as someone was tossed across the hall
Two guards quickly ran into the hall from were the light came from and turned going into a defensive position
" goddammit most of them are already gone we have to hold."
" How! That thing is a monster-" suddenly a staff flew into the chest of his friend tossing him against the wall
Before the staff fell to the ground a figure appeared spinning it around their body hitting the second guard in the back sending him back where they just came from
" move!" The group of guards surrounded the lord as they rapidly moved down the hall an turning the corner
Covering them two guards aimed their spears as a jetstream shot towards the invader from the tips, they were left stunned when the streams parted like a river against a immovable rock
Barely catching this as they rounded the corner the group hurried their movement to another section of the compound
The entire time guards covered their retreat to no avail
As they ran they the sounds of their soldiers failure drew a vivid picture in their minds of what is happening
Stopping at a seemingly normal wall segment out of view of the intruder the lord manipulated his element causing water to seep into the wall at specific points
The white marble split revealing a hidden pathway " quickly inside." The group rushed to enter the hidden path but just as the last soldier entered he disappeared replaced by the intruder
Reacting to this the lord shut the path on them but it just deformed around their figure
" keep going we'll hold him off. " with the path being narrow the soldiers formed a wall of bodies as the lord continued on
His daughter's breath began to get heavy when they finally got to a dead end with a door
His movements stopped when the sound of steady footsteps could be heard coming towards them,the occasional flashing blue light accompanying it add to the dread of the situation
" damnit go protect my-" a searing pain shot through the lord's chest, looking at the blade piercing him then the one wielding it and grimace as blood dripped out his mouth
" bastard! I always knew you were a coward" Using the strength he has left he turned to strike only to falter when another blade pierced him from behind
" requiescat in pace."
***
The world stilled for a moment, out of my control before returning to normal
Edward gently laid there man's corpse to the ground after I retracted the hidden blade
" man, you are scary when you're like that. no wonder you were such a great bounty hunter."
I stayed silent as I looked at him " sigh, still as a thank you i found out the location of the object your looking for its below the city." He pointed down
" thanks." I turned to leave walking back where I came from
" your just going to leave me here?" Stopping i pointed at the sobbing mess clutching at her father corpse
" do what I said and take responsibility, beside I have a showman to see." I left that as my last words to him before I disappeared from view