Altora: The Chronicles Of The Ren-Ky Warriors

Scarlett watched at the people around her acted as if a war was never around them as she sighed, drinking tea in the local café. Lance walked over to her, hoping that she would have cheered up with the beautiful weather.

"Scarlett, is everything alright?"

Scarlett looked over at him, "No, not really. When I look at the people of Grand Dale, all I see are people unaware of the war ravaging Serl." Scarlett leaned into her arm. "Besides, I worry that everyone will die before we finish this war. Where I could not stand seeing the others dying around me like Lovell had done to us."

Lance looked out of the window, "Well, you're right to feel that, but I think the others might have different thoughts. When you said you wanted to see my home? I thought you would have wanted to see more than just the capital?"

"I did, then I just wanted to hide from everything. It's been—what over a month since we've been here, and you still haven't talked to the king or your father?" Scarlett watched Lance turn away. "What are you so afraid of?"

"Well—to be honest—how the king is going to react to Gales predicament and my father calling me out for not doing my duty?" Lance shivered as he looked over to see a father and son walking down the street. Their faces filled with joy. Lance sighed before getting up. "We should head back to my place soon. It would be nice too—"

Scarlett got up in a huff. "You are just hiding! We are going to enjoy the day. I have had enough mopping! I want to see the city of Grandia more, and you'll be my guide?!"

Lance blinked blankly as Scarlett grabbed him by the arm. She dragged him around, seeing the children and playing with them. Then heading to different bakeries and buying bread. Scarlett handed out food to the homeless and the needy. Lance could not figure her out as the day dragged on. Her kindred spirit shined as she seemed to enjoy helping others.

Scarlett smiled as she handed the last of the bread to a mother of six. Her face saddened as she waved to them with a smile. Lance noticed it as she slowly lowered her hand. Her expression seems lost and distant.

Lance touched her shoulder, Scarlett jumped as she turned to him. "What's going on, Scarlett? You seem not all here?"

Scarlett smiled softly as she looked down at her hands. "Well, to be honest, I miss my home, and today is my little special day. As of today, I turn twenty-five."

Lance stared at her for a moment. "Wait, is today your birthday?" Scarlett nodded. "Why did you not tell me? I could have done something special for you?"

Scarlett felt warm as he said those words. "Well, to be honest, I would have preferred to spend it with Hunter, and besides, we did spend it my way. Every year I would have slipped out to give to the needy since my father was always busy preparing my party. I enjoyed it today, even if I was a little homesick."

Lance's face went blank. "Wait, you like Hunter, don't you?"

Scarlett went red. "I-I n-never said I did! Did I?"

Lance couldn't help himself as he burst out laughing. Falling to his knees as he laughed so hard, it began to hurt. Scarlett huffed at him as she began to hit him. Lance tried to defend himself but to no avail. Scarlett socked him in the gut causing him keel.

"Sorry, Scarlett, but that was funny to see you fl.u.s.tered. Yet I am surprised that you like him?"

Scarlett turned her back to him as her expression softened. "Well, to be honest. When I first met him, I felt like we have know each other for a long time. He seemed lost like me." She turned to see Lance sitting on the ground. "after he joined us, I got to know him and how much he and Lovell were alike. At first, I told myself it's like loving Lovell, but then he showed me that they were different. Where Lovell was a great leader in showing us the way to hope. Whereas Hunter is a strong leader where he could lead an army."

Lance stood up, brushing himself off. "But?"

"but he has no confidence within himself. I think that if I were to journey with him I would mother him too much. So, I left instead of thinking it was the right thing to do."

Lance smiled as he touched her shoulder. "Well, we all make mistakes—heck look at me. Compared to my father, I prefer to be free to choose my own path over some else, dictating it for me."

"Hence why you are the Ren-Ky of wind. The freedom we all d.e.s.i.r.e?" Scarlett began to think. "Just like I am the earth of kindness."

Lance smiled as he began to walk away. "Come on, let us return to my home. So that we celebrate the rest of your birthday? In the morning, we will talk to my father and tell him everything that has transpired." Scarlett nodded as she ran, pasted him.