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The Third Chapter

They had probably known each other for only ten minutes, but Kaori was asking Miles many questions about himself. Where did he come from? Why was he here in Cairne, but there was one question that got to him. "Your eyes, they glow beautifully. Why is that?" Miles couldn't tell her that he was Kattarian, so he lied. "They've always been like that. I'm not really sure why." Kaori shrugged and pointed out, "Well, there's my place." pointing at a very elegant mansion. Miles was surprised to learn that Kaori was a noble. "You live here!?" Miles exclaimed. Kaori smiled and answered, "Yes. I do live here." "Who's your father?" Kaori only replied, "Farun, and yes, Cervantes is my uncle, and I'll see what I can do for him to get to talk to you." Miles then bowed to her. "Thank you Ms. Kaori." Kaori had to laugh at the sight she was seeing. "Please don't bow to me, and I hate formalites too. Just call me Kaori, okay?" She had asked. Miles stood up, looking embarrased. "Um..sorry." he apoligized. "It's ok. That stuff always happens when you’re the daughter of a wealthy noble."
It took some convincing, but thanks to Kaori, Miles was able to get through the front gate gaurds. As they enter the place, Miles was amazed at how one place could be so big. Kaori's mother saw them enter, but rushed down the stairs as she saw blood on her daughter's face. "My god, you've been hurt! Are you alright?" she asked worryingly. "It's ok mom, Miles here protected me, so I'm fine." Her mother turned to Miles, and curtised. "Thank you so much for watching over my daughter." Miles felt that by instinct, he bowed to her and replied, "It was no trouble. She was in danger, and I felt that I should have helped her."
After formalities were exchanged, Kaori had asked, "Mom, do you think that Miles might be able to talk to Uncle Cervantes?" "Kaori...you know that it isn't my decision on that. You have to ask your father about that, but he left for the castle a few minutes ago, and should be back in a couple of hours. Why don't you show Miles around, so that he doesn't feel lost around here." Kaori agreed with the idea. "Of course Mother. Come with me Miles." Kaori urged him to follow. Miles felt that he had no choice, but he always wanted to know what a noble person had in his or her home, so he followed.
Kaori showed him the Grand Room, which was the living room of the place. Miles couldn't believe how big one room could be, but he didn't have a lot of time to admire it, because Kaori led him more around the place. He saw many things. Artworks, statues, vases, all kinds of pottery and artworks. Kaori told him to wait as she went into the washroom to clean herself up after the incident, but Miles decided to look around on his own, and found a room that really grabbed his attention. In this room, the walls were painted like as if he was in the forest. He felt very serene here, letting the pictures absorb into his mind. Kaori came in, relived to find that he was in here, but she saw that he enjoyed the pictures that flooded his mind, then she began to explain.
"My father did this for me when I was little. He would always tell me stories about how animals are gaurdians of this world, but then he would explain about a certain group of people existed to protect us. They were called Kattarians. He told me this story because one day, my uncle came across a tablet four days away from here, and brought it back here for the king to examine. The king is very smart, and can speak many languages, but he wasn't able to decipher the tablet. That's when they came to the assumption that it was Kattarian. The king didn't believe it, but my dad and uncle then dedicated their lives to their study. Of course, Kattarians are only fairy tales, so I don't know why my dad would waste time with that matter." Miles couldn't believe what he was hearing. Him, just a fairy tale? That was nonsense, but Miles knew that if he told her, then she would probably think that he was making fun of her, and would hate him for the rest of his life. Kaori looked at him, and then asked, "Are you ok? You look like someone said something bad about you." "What? Oh, sorry. These pictures are fantastic." Kaori had to agree, but then ushered him out. "We better get back downstairs. My father should be home any moment, so we shouldn't keep him waiting."

The Fourth Chapter

Farun was considered to be one of the best noblemen in the country, but not only that, he was also considered one of the King's best knights. Just as Kaori had predicted, Farun had stepped into his home as Kaori and Miles rushed down the flight of stairs to greet him. "Welcome home Dad" Kaori jumped into his arms. Farun gave her a tight hug in return, then he noticed Miles standing right next to him. "Who is this person." Kaori tugged on his sleeves. "This is Miles. That bandit group saw me walking in the streets, and they...they started to beat me. Then Miles came outta nowhere, and took care of them. He came with me to make sure that I was safely returned." Farun was shocked, but surpised at how one person could take on such a group.
"Never seen you around here boy. You knew here?" Farun had asked. "Well sir, I came to meet Cervantes, and..." "Yeah, it seems that everyone wants to see him nowadays, doesn't it? Well, don't expect any help from me." Farun gave his answer. "Father, how can you say such a thing? Miles saw to that I was protected, and then you decide to just throw him out? I can't believe you!" Farun hated to see his daughter upset, which was one of his true weaknesses. He sighed, then gave him an ultimatum. "Tell you what, you and I shall have a duel here in this house, just you and me. If you win, I'll get you to see Cervantes. If you lose, then you must leave this place, and forget about my daughter. Agreed?" Farun stuck his hand out. Miles thought about it for a second, then shook his hand. "You’re on."
The dueling chamber was immense. Swords, spears, bows, and all sorts of armor hung on the walls. Farun then grabbed two boukens from a bin, and threw one at Miles. "If my daughter says what is true, then a real fight this shall be." Farun bowed to Miles, and Miles bowed back, signifying the challenge. They circled each other before Miles striked. Farun sidestepped, and landed a nice hit square on Miles's back. He fell, but rolled as Farun came with a downswing. He stood up, and they parried for what seemed to last forever, then Miles did something that Farun didn't expect to come. He smacked the bouken, causing Farun's hand to drop the weapon because of the shock, and Miles swung his bouken at his throat, stopping only an inch from the neck. Farun was impressed with what he saw. "You have a talent for battle, my friend. Shall we try another approach?" Miles was confused, but decided to play along.
The next match contained two spears, blunt at the tips. They touched tips, signifying the match to begin. Farun then made a sweep at Miles's feet, but he easily jumped, and blocked the stab that was coming. Spear upon spear clashed, ringing in the room. Miles thought to himself that this was never going to end, and what was Farun trying to prove? Miles saw that Farun was attempting to rush him at his open point, but Miles took the tip of the spear, stuck it to the ground, and vaulted himself into the air, across Farun, and swept at Farun. Farun noticed the swing, and blocked it. They soon were both growing very tired, but they weren't going to give up. Farun took the advantage, and smacked Miles across the face. He fell, blood dripping from his mouth and nose. Farun twirled the spear, ready to strike for the final blow. Miles knew that there was no way he could win this, but a thought came to him, and acted swiftly, taking his spear, and jabbing it into Farun's gut. The wind was knocked out of Farun, giving Miles the chance, and swung at his knees, knocking Farun to the ground. Farun laid there, knowing that he had been defeated. Miles wiped the blood from his face, and helped Farun to his feet. "An excellent fight you have proven to me. I shall keep my word as a nobleman and a knight, and see that Cervantes shall see you."
As they walked out the room, Farun questioned his fighting skills. "Where did you learn to fight like that? Your reflexes are excellent, and never seen anyone wield a spear like that." Miles was embarresed, but told him, "My gaurdian taught me how to fight with my fists, then I taught myself the use of weaponry." Miles then unsheathed the dirk he had kept hidden in his sleeves, and let Farun examine it. "My gaurdian gave this to me before I left home, to come here." Farun inspected the dirk, then noted. "This dirk is made out of adamantite! How did you come across adamantite?" "Well, that's a long story, but..." "Nonsense. You'll have to wait till tomorrow to see my brother, but stay here tonight. You can tell us everything about yourself." Miles feared that he would be offered this, but gulped. "S..Sure, I'll stay."