Free Remembered by E. D. Brady

outskirts of town.
    “Careful, Kellus, your approach could be misconstrued as
unnecessary force. The man claims he merely wanted to say hello to the girl,”
the other apprentice scolded.
    “She was frightened, I could tell. It was definitely
harassment, Loc,” Kellus argued.
    Loc nodded. “Danus and Borm will escort him from town. You
can go about your business.”
    “I’ll escort the girl home,” Kellus said.
    Annie felt her stomach flutter.
    “If you think it’s necessary. However, as I’ve said, the
others are escorting him back to the docks. They will not allow him back in
town. She has no reason to fear him further,” Loc replied.
    “Her hands are shaking,” Kellus said. “I think she would
feel safer if I walked her home.” He looked at Annie questioningly.
    She nodded.
    They walked through the market and up the hill in awkward
silence for some time.
    “My name is Kellus Kir,” he said finally. “We were not
properly introduced.”
    “I’m Annella,” she replied.
    “Yes, I know,” he said confidently, “Annella Derlyn. Is that
correct?”
    She was about to ask him how he knew her name, but settled
for a simple, “Yes, but I prefer to be called Annie.”
    He smiled and nodded. “Okay, Annie,” he said.
    “That horrible man did mean to harass me, I’m sure of it.
Thank you for coming to my aid,” she stated.
    “You’re most welcome,” he answered. “Men of that caliber
disgust me.”
    “Your friend Loc felt bad for him. He seems a little uptight
for a man of the Citadom,” she remarked.
    “Loc is not my friend,” Kellus replied. “He’s an idiot, a
fool that takes himself much too seriously. He is the only apprentice that
spends his time trying to win the approval of our elders. And he’s appointed
himself our leader, somehow. Not that we pay him any mind.”
    “I live up—”
    Kellus cut her off. “I know where you live. I haven’t
forgotten so soon.” Judging by the amused look on his face, he was remembering
her blundering performance from two days ago.
    She blushed.
    “Do you live there with your husband?” Kellus questioned,
glancing sideways at her.
    “No,” she chuckled. “I live with my brother and sister.”
    “No husband,” he mumbled. “But you have a sweetheart, of
course.”
    “No, no sweetheart either,” she answered, smiling shyly.
    “Is that so?” he replied. “It must be a full time job
rejecting all of your many suitors.”
    “There are no suitors,” she confessed.
    “Give me credit, Annie, I’m no fool. A beautiful girl like
you must have dozens of men competing for your attention. Surely, you’re too
modest.”
    “I’m sure you’re no fool, but I really don’t have any
suitors. I don’t meet many people. I don’t go out much,” she confessed.
    “Why not?” Kellus pushed.
    “I don’t have many friends,” she answered, feeling a twinge
of self-pity.
    “Well, you have one now,” he replied, putting his hand on
her shoulder briefly.
    They reached her front door far too soon.
    “Thank you again for your help today,” she said in a low,
timid voice, tucking her wind-blown hair behind her ears.
    “It was my pleasure, Annella Derlyn,” he answered, flashing
a beautiful smile. “That’s what friends are for.” He walked back down the hill,
leaving her gazing after him.
     
    The following morning, she stood on the steps in front of
her house, kissing both Cora and Max on the forehead, and then watched as they
walked down the hill towards their school.
    When they were out of sight, she turned to enter the house,
but stopped when she spotted a blue uniform from the corner of her eye. Kellus
was walking up the little path to the right of her house that led to the ocean.
He smiled and waved to her.
    “What brings you to my neighborhood this early in the
morning?” she called to him.
    “Community service,” he answered. He walked up to the front
of her house and tapped the little gate with his hand. “I noticed that your
gate