Strena Youngest Bounty Hunter Arc Part Three

The Royal Toads

After the job with the duck, Strena felt good in her mood. She knew that she would have to choose her next job but she just could not help it, but she could not shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen. It had plagued her since the moment that she had woken up. It had stayed with her. her right up until she walked up to the board. She looked at the jobs and wondered which one she should take this time.

Find A Lost Friend

2,000,000 Emeralds

Find My Friend Who Is Currently

In A Form Of A Toad. He Was Last

Seen Speaking With A Wizard In

A Black Robe With A Cage Filled

With Frogs And Toads

Well, I'm pretty sure that it's not like the one with the dog. She thought. She looked at the price and, she was sure that, that was a great deal of money. She had not yet asked Zaryb to explain how the whole money thing works, but she did not want to at the same time. She had to jump and tale it. She then walked over to where he was drinking and eating his beans one toast. She ordered her meal and gave it to him.

She saw his pupils became smaller and then return to it's original size. He smirked and placed it down.

“Sounds interesting.” he said. “I guess that you could do this one.”

He then gave her the poster as her meal came to her.

“Thank you.” she said.

She soon dug in.

“Well, let's pack once that you've finished your breakfast.” he said.

“Yes, Master Zaryb.” she sighted which led to a bean going down the wrong hole. She coughed and he hit her on her back several timed until it came back up and she forced herself to swallow it down the right hole.

“Breathe.” he said. “Slowly and deeply.”

She did what he had told her and she soon got over her.

“Thank you.” she whispered.

“Well, next time try to keep your one liners to yourself until you have swallowed your food alright.” he said as he looked at her in the eye.

She nodded.

“Alright.” she said as she returned to her food. She then did not speak until she had finished. She then left to pack. She then put her bag on her back and they set off. They journeyed to the nearest city of Toaphracropylis. She looked around awed by the large marketplace. She had never seen so many shops, nor as many people in one place! Her senses were overwhelmed by the shops, people and colours. She looked all around as her eyes drank in every detail. She even spotted that there were many animals and she could have sworn that some of them were speaking.

“Move it!” shouted someone that had barged by her and Zaryb. She looked at him afraid that he was going to kill them for what they did. But he just shrugged, clearly determined not to give into petty spite.

He grabbed her hand like a parent would their child to make sure that he did not lose her.

“You know daddy I can walk on my own.” she remarked as she tried to yank her hand out of his.

“Not here.” he said.

She looked around and spotted a man looking at them. He had a black hooded robe on with gold lining and runes stitched in the lining in silver. She could see his smile as, she knew he looked at them. Even-though she could not quite see them she knew that they were the eyes of a predator.

Did he recognise me? If so, then-

She jumped as Zaryb put a hand on her shoulder.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

“Yeah, just don't do that will you?” she snapped.

“Sorry, it's just I was worried about you. Now, as for that toad that you wanted.” he said.

She put on a sneaky smirk.

“Didn't mummy tell you not to get me one?”

He pulled her in close and kissed her on the cheek.

“Well mummy isn't here is she?” he smirked.

“No.” she said as she took a glance back and spotted that the man was following them.

She felt a hand push her onwards.

“Plus, why wouldn't I want to spoil me favourite daughter.”

“I'm your your only daughter.” she said as she followed him as they squeezed past the crowd.

“Now, where do you think that it is?” she asked.

“Oh I think I know.” he said.

She looked back as she saw the man was still on their tail.

“Ahh! Yes, I took short cut down here.” he said as he walked down a street with a lot less shops and people.

He's seen him! She deduced.

She then looked back and spotted that the man was still following them. She felt her heartbeat increase as she knew that the man was going to die if he continued to follow them. This also told her that he had recognised her and now she was going to be used the bait to kill this strange man.

“Now as for another short cut.” he said as he ushered her down an isolated ally where he walked deeper and deeper.

“Oh, and may I just ask why are you following us Froat the toad turner.” he said.

She screamed as she looked back to see that the man lowered his hood to reveal a face that resembled that of a frog.

“Oh, how did you know that it was me?” he asked.

“From the moment the girl picked the job.” he said.

“So this is Arielsa Zuve'! Well hearing about this it one thing but to see it is another!” he said.

She took a step back as she knew that was going to happen next.

“What? Why are you so scared?”

“Alright, how many people know?” he asked.

“Everyone that matters. After all you killed the the king and queen. Not to mention that everyone knows that the little princess vanished and a month later it is revealed that you had a child apprentice? Anyone with a brain would be able to figure it out.” he said.

He looked at her.

“By the way, have you told her who you are yet?” he asked. “Or have you told her what I do?”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“He turns royals into toads and frogs.” he said.

“You mean-”

“Yes, I want to add the two of you to me collection. Although judging by that bracelet that the pair of you have, I'm going to have to sell you off as a pair.” he said.

“What? He's not royal!” she snapped.

“Strena, please be silent.” he said with a high-pitched cold tone to his voice.

He then took out a few small tiny blades at him faster than she could even see. He looked at them slightly confused as he fell. Then a cage rolled out from under him and the door opened then frogs and toads jumped out and with a flash she was soon surrounded by teenage boys and girls. She looked at the dead body.

At least he didn't put any blood on my this time.

“Look if you're going to break a spell like that, you have to kill the enchanter.” he said.

She nodded.

“So, there are people who know the truth out there.” she said.

He nodded.

“What did he mean by have you told me who you are yet?” she asked.

“I might tell you.” he said. “But that's up to me.”

She nodded.

“Time to collect your bounty.” he said.