72 In-fighting (1/2)

By the time we made it to the front door of the magic association there was already a distraught Istan and a worried Emily standing there. Gray still seemed to be calm but was on alert. As soon as they saw us they started to hurry over. The guards who had been accompanying us through the crowd stood in the path of those running at us. One of the guards turned to me as if to ask if these people running at us were invited.

”These are my companions, you don't need to worry,” I said with a smile and made my way around them to meet up with the others. Emily did not slow down in her rush over to me and nearly tackled me with a hug.

”I was so worried about you. Are you alright?” Emily sniffed loudly, apparently crying while still hugging me.

”We are just fine,” I said calmly, while patting her back.

”Forgive this humble servant's failure,” Istan said with a bow. I noticed a subtle shimmer was also on his cheeks. However, I was quite impressed that he was not groveling on the floor and screaming 'Forest Mother.'

”Why are the city guards with you?” Gray asked with a raised eyebrow.

How did I want to answer this…? I needed to find a way that would cause the least headache in the end. Leafia noticed my hesitation and answered for me. ”We ran into a pile of trash and Laurel kindly let me take care of it,” she said brightly. She must have really liked getting to fight.

”But why the guards?” Istan asked. I could see some panic starting to form on his face.

”They just wanted to make sure that we did not have a run in with any more trash?” I supplied this time.

”Did you have a run in with some humans?” Istan asked. He looked from me to Leafia and back repeatedly. It seemed like he was close to having a breakdown.

”I don't think they would qualify as human,” Leafia said looking at me for confirmation.

”They might qualify as monkeys, but even that is generous.” I responded. Emily started to laugh through her tears at my comment but everyone else just looked at me blankly, including the guards.

”What's a monkey?” Leafia asked in confusion.