A FAVOR

Outside the Orphanage, Gretel is shouting for them to open the door.

The kids stopped fighting as if cold water was splashed at them. As they stopped, they looked at each other. Sage dashed out first with her braids flying in the air, everyone rushed out from behind the door to greet their Eldest Sister Gretel.

Little Sage was running blindly, that she has knocked Mr. Murphy from behind, making him spill his water a little. But that didn't stop little Sage. She stood up from her bottom and dashed to the door like a wild ferocious beast. Ms. Sarah wasn't able to hold it in and spat water at Mr. Murphy. She screamed in fright from the children's surprise. And as she slowly gained back her sense, she couldn't help but be apologetic to poor Mr. Murphy.

Ray arrived at the door first. As his hand was still on the door handle. He gave a disturbing smirk at the gang before returning to his deadpan face as he slowly opened the door.

"Sister, Welcome Back." Replied Ray softly.

"About time!" Gretel dropped her loot bag and gave Ray a big and tight sister to brother embrace. His Deadpan face suddenly looked at the Gang, giving them another disturbing smirk. He is taunting at them victoriously, at the same time trying to be meek and timid in front of his big sister Gretel.

The Gang can barely contain their jealousy. They could just only give back a menacing look at the smirking Ray.

"Um. Big Sister Sarah, Can I talk to you privately?" asked Gretel

"Gretel, What did I tell you if there are guests in the house?" Ms. Sarah asked Gretel.

"Oh Right! I'm sorry. Good Afternoon Mr. Murphy!" Gretel greeted Murphy. Murphy nodded back with a smile.

Sarah never forgets to teach the kids properly. From basic reading and writing to proper etiquette, she wanted the kids to grow up civilized and somewhat educated to the best of her abilities. She treated the kids as if they were her own.

"Good Afternoon Gretel, I am just about done talking to Ms. Sarah. How was your day?" asked Murphy.

Gretel started twitching and gave Mr. Murphy a thumbs up with a deranged face. "My Day is great!" she replied.

Sarah knows that face Gretel gives by heart. Gretel is lying or hiding something.

The kids were also skeptical about what Gretel said. They know Gretel better than the entire world does. They know Gretel is lying. All of them gazed at her, with faces full of curiosity and excitement. It is not every day that their bright and honest elder sister lies.

"Well everyone, it is getting late so I should be taking my leave." Said Murphy as he stood up from his seat and ruffled little Gretel's long silver hair.

"Ms. Sarah, if you need anything, you know where to find me." Murphy reminded Sarah as he wore his coat back on.

"Goodbye, kids! Be good and listen to your Big Sister Sarah, Okay?" He reminded the kids as he finally left the orphanage grounds.

Gretel made sure Murphy was outside the orphanage grounds before she talked to her siblings.

"Guys, stay here okay? I really, really need to talk to Ms. Sarah." The Kids all nodded in agreement as they would not want to incur the wrath of their Big sister Gretel.

But as soon as Gretel turned her back on them, All of them, even little Sage, wore mischievous faces. They could not hold back their curiosity any longer. As Gretel went to Ms. Sarah, Griffin grabbed everyone behind the room they were hiding from earlier and huddled together.

Gretel knows how curious her little siblings are, so she decided to talk to Ms. Sarah alone.

"Big Sister, I want you to meet someone. He is just outside the town."

As Gretel was about to say something more, she was interrupted by Sarah "Gretel! What did I tell you about talking to strangers?!" Sarah scolded Gretel.

"But Mister Gus saved my Life! you can trust him, I promise!" defended Gretel.

"YOU ALMOST DIED?! What were you doing? Wait. Don't tell me, because I already know! You went to the Guild when I specifically told you not to! didn't you?"

Gretel clasped her mouth as she blurted out something she shouldn't have.

"I will have a long talk you tonight young lady, so you better be prepared! You were lucky this time, but if you died then that's it! No do-overs! Think of your siblings you will be leaving behind! Anyway, Let me talk with this savior of yours. Just promise me not to do something dangerous again, okay?"

Gretel nodded with an apologizing look.

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Outside the town walls, A suit of Armour sits under the tree. Gus was comfortably resting enjoying the afternoon breeze but was soon disturbed by the silver-haired little girl knocking on his shiny metallic head.

"Um, Mister Gus, This is Big Sister Sarah!"

Gus consciously stood up and extended his hand to the beautiful Ms. Sarah. "Greetings Ms. Sarah, it is nice to finally meet you."

"Thank you for saving Gretel's life. Gretel mentioned that you have a favor to ask?" asked Sarah.

"Yes, Actually I need a bit of your assistance. entering the town, madam. I lost my identification papers so I'm afraid they might deny me entering your town. I would appreciate it, if you acted as my guarantor for me to be granted safe passage."

"Identification papers? I have never heard of it. But it shouldn't be a problem if you just pay the Town's Toll fee right?" replied Sarah.

Gus realized that identification was not something the Kingdom cared about. the only identification they were worried about, is if that person is either a noble, of royalty or if you are a wanted criminal. Everything else can be settled with money.

"Unfortunately, I lost my money as well." said Gus as he embarrassingly scratched the back of his head.

"Excuse me for a while, Mister Gus, I would like to talk to Gretel for just a second." said Sarah as she took Gretel to one side where Gus can't hear them.

Gus nodded in agreement to her request.

"Can we actually trust him, Gretel? I mean he wouldn't even show his face! Maybe he is a dangerous convict on the run! or worse!" asked Sarah.

"But he still saved me, Ms. Sarah! and he can cook Very Delicious Food! Who has heard of a bad guy that can cook so good?! I know that a bad guy can't cook that good! Couldn't we help him just this once, pretty please?"

Sarah resigned and shook her head as she surrenders to the demands of her little adoptive daughter.

"Just this once Gretel, Just this Once!" Sarah was still defensive and being protective. Who could blame her? She couldn't even defend herself from giant rat, let alone from a fully armored knight equipped to the teeth, As if it will take on a Fire-breathing dragon before supper!

"Okay Mister Gus, I will cover for you just this once, because you saved Gretel's life. But after this, I cannot help you with any more big favors. I hope you understand Mr. Gus, I simply just want to protect Gretel."

Gus nodded in agreement. As Gretel has told Gus on their way to Yellowleaf, Ms. Sarah alone is taking care of her and her siblings. Gus understood that Sarah was only protecting the children. Gus is actually impressed and praised her silently.

Gus prepared himself to enter the town with Sarah and Gretel. Gus picked up his sword and shield resting under the tree when suddenly, a voice was heard from nowhere!

"Leave them alone you monster! Griffin tackled Gus with all his might. Gus Fell on the ground bottom first.

"Die you Scum!" Shouted Cindy As she threw herself at Gus pinning him down. Ray just went right in after Cindy and dog piled Gus down the ground.

Then lastly came little Sage, Although she was a bit slow, because of her small legs, Her Cute long battle-cry "RAAW" resounded the area as she blindly flails her favorite book and "Bopped" Gus' helmet off, exposing an empty suit of armor.

Time stood still for everyone. Silence was everywhere.

As the Helmet rolled to Sage's cute little feet, her cute battle cry turned into a continuous shriek of fear, as she bopped endlessly at the defenseless helmet. Ray just laid down with his dead eyes, now slightly open from shock. Cindy shrieked as well as she tried to stand up but she struggled because Ray was too heavy for her to push aside. Griffin was hiding behind Ms. Sarah. Everybody panicked in their own way.

Gretel will never forget this unforgettable scene. She never knew that Ms. Sarah can actually stand still and pass out at the same time!