'Whoa, I'm sorry!'
'Sir Rin! My apologies!'
Arin had taken two steps back to avoid the collision, and was internally congratulating himself on not stumbling and falling flat on his back like an idiot. The young girl – Lana – stood supporting herself with a palm to the wall, quite possibly doing the same. After a moment, she laughed softly.
'My apologies,' she repeated. 'I've been running around for ages, in search of lady Elara. I'm afraid I simply wasn't expecting to find someone else in this part of the building right now.'
'Please, it's my fault for not paying attention to my surroundings,' Arin responded hurriedly. He then braced himself for her to inevitably ask why he was in that part of the building.
I was looking for the bathroom. I was looking for the bathroom. I was looking for...
Lana grinned up at him.
'Well, have you and Sir Siel made up your minds to remain in Silvershade? For the celebrations?' she asked.
'I was looking for – uh…' Arin blinked. 'I was… looking for… Siel. He's gone to speak to Sir Grif, to turn him down. It wouldn't be proper for us, as tower magicians, to seek benefits in such a manner.'
…Did he get that right?
Lana raised her delicate eyebrows. 'How… honorable of you!' she exclaimed. 'I've heard tales of the arrogance of tower magicians. Of how they, if ever deigning to come to the aid of outlying villages such as our own, would seek to obtain additional profits, or recognition, for their trouble. Most only focus their attention towards the wants of those from the capital city and other central regions, after all.'
So, he didn't. He didn't get that right at all.
Oh, well…
'In the short time I've known you, both you and Sir Siel have made me reevaluate my understanding of and expectations from your ilk,' Lana was still speaking. 'How wonderful that we've had the good fortune of you being our saviors. The tower you hail from must be one among the best.'
Arin chuckled awkwardly.
Recalling the so-called House of Grace, with its remote location, crumbling structures, and mysteriously banished ex-noble master, he somehow doubted their standing made it anywhere past the bottommost rung of whatever ranking system this world used.
Besides, the way everyone spoke of the cities gave him the impression that that's where the real powerhouses resided.
Skirting past the young girl's praises, he instead asked, 'Why were you looking for lady Elara, if you don't mind me asking?'
'Oh, it's nothing too important,' Lana shrugged. 'Do you recall me mentioning how the lady spent the earliest parts of the morning distributing rations and ensuring our fellow villagers are looked-after, while we await supplies?'
Arin did remember her having said something like that. He nodded.
'Well, some of the small children, belonging to the families who live by the marketplace, have come by with flowers. To thank her in person, I believe.' The girl's eyes curved with her fond smile. 'If she has the time, I know the lady would like to greet them in person. She'll probably want to send them off with even more snacks. That's the way she is.'
Hmm?
It seemed that Lana was quite close to Elara. Seeing as they were about the same age, they might've even grown up together.
He might be able to get some answers by speaking with her a bit more.
'But, sir Rin!' the young maid said suddenly. 'Those children would be even more overjoyed to see our village's savior – the one who broke that terrible curse, and freed us all from its never-ending sleep. Word of your deeds has already been spread, thanks to the efforts of the village messengers and criers. What do you think?'
?
Arin took a small, half-step back. 'Well, I'm looking for Siel…' he said quietly.
'Is it for something terribly important?' asked Lana.
'Uh, yes...'
Arin watched as the young girl pursed her lips in a faint display of disappointment.
'…but, I'm sure it can wait a while.'
Lana's expression changed immediately, and her face lit up with a brilliant smile.
'Then, let us go introduce the children to their glorious savior, Sir Rin!' she cheered, turning to lead the way before Arin could change his mind.
…
Dammit.