A Hero With/Out Time

Chapter 22: Our change of pace. (Part 3)

Though of course things couldn't be easy forever. I opened the door to the palace roof. Lara was already sitting at its edge, her feet dangling. It was a nice view and we could see most the city. The night sky was illuminated with stars and below us displaying a beautiful tapestry were the lights of the Capital.

I sat down next to her, "Getting some fresh air?"

She nodded.

After a minute of silence I turned to her, "So about what I said the other day, how about it? Come with me and Taylor to Axel. Earnest wants to come as well and I'd really appreciate a way to get him off my back." She remained silent. "Lara?"

Her eyes stared out into the city, "I'm going to the Empire tomorrow."

"What?" I replied shocked. "Since when?"

"Just before. A messenger came and requested the Hero to grace them with her presence. I can't really refuse."

"But...."

"It's okay. Ronalt is already signed up to come with me plus a sizeable group of knights so I won't be alone. Also Ardent did promise to look into getting me a way back home and he's based in the Empire so...," she smiled at me, "you don't need to come."

I heaved a sigh, "The Empire... they're not entirely trustworthy, plus with the Imperium, it worries me."

Lara scoffed, "I took down the Demon Lord. I should be worried about you. Without Marley Earnest might actually kill you. Besides, your family miss you."

"You're my family as well," I said firmly.

"I'll be gone less than a month. Heck, why don't you meet me at the Magician's guild once you visit home for a few weeks. Ardent has given you a free pass."

"Ardent still wants to experiment on me and I'm still not sure how I feel about that," I grimaced. My hand reached out and patted her head, "But yes I'll meet you there. Once I check up on everyone in Axel I'll head right over, just don't do anything stupid."

"I should be saying that to you," she pushed me lightly and laughed. "You're still young. Don't blame me if you suddenly have a kid."

"We haven't-," I stopped myself short. "The age of marriage here is a lot lower than where we came from."

She looked at me in distaste, "You weren't meant to take me seriously."

I flicked her in the forehead, "Watch it you. Who knows maybe you'll be swept away by the Empire's prince. Unlike the Kingdom I heard there are quite a few of them."

Her eyes turned down, "Nah, I think I missed my chance."

"Hmm?"

"Never mind," she picked herself up and stood leaning over the roof with perfect balance. "Before coming here I would have been too scared to even get this close to the edge, but now, even if I fell and did nothing I'd survive without a scratch. Scary huh?"

"Well I'd still die at least," I stood up myself.

"Not unless I caught you."

"Don't tempt me," I smiled to her. "Well this conversation didn't go the way I thought it would but, who knows it might be for the better." I stretched my arms, "It's late, I'm going to bed. Don't leave before I say goodbye."