Free The Wrath Of the Forgotten by Michael Ignacio Page B

of the gang escaped us. Living in Jadai probably won’t be safe anymore. You might want to leave tonight.”
    Doctor Caosisti caressed her husband’s face again. “I don’t know where we’re going to go. I know it’s necessary for us to start over, but …”
    Rayko smiled at her. “You should go to Tolfalgas and seek out Dr. Radanashi. My mother is a practicing physician in Tolfalgas, and my father makes high quality medicine. They will help you get back on your feet.”
    “Truly?” Doctor Caosisti asked. “That would be wonderful.”
    Sweet warmth wavered in Nori’s throat. “You still have my lute case, right? I have the coins I’ve made from being a street musician. It’s not much, but you can use it to pay for a hotel room tonight and part of your ships passage.”
    More tears fell down Doctor Caosisti’s cheeks. “Your collective generosity knows no bounds. Thank you.”
    Nori stepped closer to her shop. “Collect some things to travel with, and then I’ll carry him to an inn for you.”
    Within the hour, Nori, Apisa, Rayko, and Flara left Doctor Caosisti and her still unconscious husband at the Under Dock Inn . As they walked under the starry sky, Nori noticed the girls gave him sideways glances.
    “What are you all gaping at?” Nori asked. “Do I have a wound on my face or something?”
    Flara averted her eyes. “N-no, it’s nothing like t-that. I think we’re all just… surprised.”
    “Why?” Nori asked. “I don’t recall doing anything unexpected.”
    Rayko said, “You’re not like other vile Onistans. It’s both confusing and refreshing all at once.”
    “Rayko!” Apisa said. “Can’t you stop being racist for once? We just survived something tough together.”
    Rayko glared at her. “I was trying to be polite. I gave him a compliment after all.”
    Nori winced, but waved them off. “It’s fine. I’m used to people thinking like that. It doesn’t bother me much anymore. I’m sorry that I’m making you all feel uncomfortable. It’s not my intention; I’m just trying to do my duty.”
    Flara walked up beside him. This time, she stared into his eyes. Her irises still waivered quite a bit, but she maintained her focus. “Y-you’re not the one making me uncomfortable. It’s the situation I dislike. I hate b-being who I am. I never wanted a life like that. Not only that, but…” Her volume shrank to a barely audible mumble. “I don’t like talking with people I don’t really know.”
    “You don’t have to talk to me if you don’t want to,” Nori said. “Qu-Tar are trained to be silent protectors.”
    Apisa frowned. “What’s a chew tar? Is that some kind of fancy word for bodyguard?”
    Flara stopped and surveyed the area around them, and Nori did the same. No one was within ear shot, and the people they did see moved with increased pace.
    Flara’s usually meek voice came out in an even softer whisper. “The Qu-Tar are the elite royal guards for the Empress and her immediate family. They protect the palace in Xian Ba. I seem to remember that only a hundred of them are in existence at any one time.”
    Rayko titled her head up at Nori and gently caressed her chin with a pair of fingers. “So this …rather large brute is an elite, then? I suppose that does warrant some greater degree of respect. After all, I doubt the Imperial Throne would knowingly employ an individual of dastardly morals. If Flara is any indicator of how her mother is, then perhaps I’ve been too harsh on you.”
    “Perhaps?” Apisa asked. “Let’s not sugar-coat it here. You were being down right awful to him.”
    Rayko rolled her eyes. “I apologize for my potentially dreadful behavior. Though I still detest your people, I’ll find restraint in my interactions with you.”
    Nori narrowed his eyes, but he said nothing.
    “Sorry, big guy.” Apisa pat him on the back. “That’s probably the best apology you’re going to get from her at this point.”
    “Like I said, I’m used to