A dire situation in a merry town..

The town lit up before Eleanor's eyes, it was like thousand of stars decorated the many trees, shops and houses surrounding them. Eleanor accompanied by Anne, Elise and Miel was having a lot of fun. There was a lot of merchant that provided luxury, like jewels or rare items, foods were displayed everywhere and there was all kind of delicious culinary. Eleanor stayed with Miel while the other two went to try dresses and buy for themselves accessories. Miel and Eleanor went to look at some show that was played at the center of the market, to draw a lot of attention.

"Why are all these peoples gathered here?!" Eleanor said and tilted her head in wonder.

"It is a show, talented person play in this show and lot of family and kids love it since it is entertaining." Miel replied as she smiling while looking at the excited children jumping in happiness for the show.

"I see, it look fun let's go and watch the play Miel."

"Yes of course, I actually wanted to see it since, the last time I saw it was long ago." Miel replied happily with an excited tone.

"Then it is decided, let's go." She said before dragging Miel with her toward the show.

The show displayed the prowesses of their emperor, in the war that unified all the three kingdoms. They were embellishing the war so that the citizens will only see the good part of it. 'Unfortunately a war isn't something to boast about, it is still a source of dead and grief, it bring all kind of grudges from all kind of peoples be it defeated or winner' she thought and turned her face from the show to look at the people's expression. The viewers as well as Miel enjoyed the play greatly but contrary to them Eleanor had a sour expression on her face. While her eyes wandered from one viewer to another she was wondering how this show could mesmerize them so much. In her case, war always scared her since she learned about it in book and hear story from the elves back home, and to her young self who only knew peace and harmony, it was too much to handle. She moved away from the crowd, letting Miel enjoy the show and thought about the other two. 'I wonder if they are having fun, they didn't return since...' As she thought about their whereabouts, Eleanor suddenly saw pictures of Anne and Elise being assaulted by dangerous man in black, Eleanor saw the swords in the assailants hands. They attacked Anne and killed her while fatally injuring Elise. Panic overwhelms her and she tried to calm down and collect her thoughts 'lets think about it calmly, it is a vision so it still didn't happen, I can save them if I think clearly about the situation that's gonna happen. It was near a shop and there were peoples around, if they didn't bother to do it quietly then it mean those killers must be professional. The shop's name was....Elflora shop, yes that is it, but I don't know where it is located, maybe Miel will know...' She was holding her head with both her hands while thinking hard about the vision thus the hood covering her head fell, letting her hair and face exposed. Miel who was intensely watching the show, didn't notice Eleanor leaving her side and got aware of her disappearance only after being alerted by people's talk.

"She is pretty, shall we go and ask her out."

"Idiot, she will never accept an ugly guy like you. Heheh!"

"Is she okay? since a moment ago she keep holding her head while looking down."

Miel passed through the viewers on her path and went toward Eleanor. When she spotted her, panic submerged her and she approached Eleanor and said,

"Miss Lea! Miss! are you okay? what's wrong?! you look pale."

"Miel! quickly take me to a shop called Elflora shop. Please! it is an emergency!"

Miel didn't understand the situation but after looking at Eleanor's pale face the first thought that came to her mind was to take her to a safe place or get her back to the palace.

"No, it is not reasonable, you look sick. We have to get you back to the palace and ask for Sir cain's help. But where are those two? they should have returned by now, are they playing around?" She said while looking around in attempts to find the girls in the crowd.

"It...it's about them, we don't have much time Miel hurry take me there, something bad is gonna happen if we don't hurry."

At Eleanor's answer Miel jolted from fear, she felt Eleanor's anxiousness and said,

"Why? did you see them? you said the Elflora shop?! I know where it is, this shop's not far from here."

"Then let's go, we don't have much time." She took her hand and ran toward the location Miel was telling her. They were running through the crowd and Miel feeling Eleanor's hand getting cold asked,

"But miss, why will anyone attack Elise and Anne. They are just maids. Even if they work at the imperial palace, they are still mere maids, it doesn't make sense!"

'That's right...Why would they attack them?! maybe they mistook them for another person, but the way they attacked Anne and not Elise is weird...' While she was deep in thought Miel continued and said,

"Do you think that it is because of the dress Anne borrowed from you?! did they get in trouble for acting like nobles?! Anne this idiot, I told her not to do that, but she still insisted." She said with her voice trembling.

Eleanor's heart shook after hearing Miel, she stopped running and looked blankly at the floor while thinking, 'don't tell me they killed her because of the dress... Did they mistook her for someone else? if so, then who?! Oh my god! did my decision in lending Anne the dress, kill her?!' tears began to appears on her eyes and Miel wondering why they stopped asked,

"Miss Lea, are you okay? we are almost there."

Remembering the tragic situation that could still be prevented, she wiped away her tears and looked at the shop in front of them. The shop displayed all short of weapons, looking through them she took a bow and arrows along with a whip, then turning toward the shopkeeper she said,

"I-I don't have money on me, but I am taking these for an urgent situation. My friends are in danger."

"Well I am sorry miss, but I must survive too with the money I make by selling these weapons."

"Ah, I know that but I will pay you later...."

"I don't even know you, who can garantee that for me?"

"I am from the palace and my maid over her will garantee it for me.."

"From the palace?! are you the emperor's lover?! since you are pretty, it's plausible." Said the shopkeeper while looking at her with a smile on his face and eyes filled with lust for her.

"Ah well, yes....yes that's right I am the emperor's lover and my maid can certify that, so I will leave her with you." she said loudly with her head high, she was bluffing so that the shopkeeper will believe her.

'If I don't tell him this lie, he will never let me go with the weapons and we will waste our time here.' She thought and turned toward Miel.

"Miel stay here and explain the situation to the shopkeeper, I will go by myself and see what happened with the girls. So tell me where the shop is located."

"But I can't let you go alone, what if something happen to you Lea?! I can't let you face the danger."

"Then call the guards, and tell them about it. Don't worry nothing will happen and I know how to shoot arrows." She winked at her to reassure her and held her hands tightly.

"Okay, the shop is not far you go straight, turn right and then left. I will call the guards right now so please be careful."

"Don't worry, I will be careful." She replied before running toward the indicated place.

Miel was looking at Eleanor's back, getting further and further away until her figure disappeared between the crowd. She was too concerned about Eleanor and didn't pay attention to the shopkeeper talking to her, neither to the unknown man with a black coat and a hood passing beside her and following Eleanor.