Cal laughed.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffff00">âEmbarrassing? I think maybe you are looking at it the wrong way. Think about this, Sumeragi, would you rather be like me, having to pay for a little company? I know youâre nobility and a knight and all that, but does that really mean you have to be above enjoying yourself? You have features some women would kill for, be proud of them.â</span>The northern gates of Seranto loomed a ways ahead. Dozens of people and carts swarmed the streets. Both men and women stared at Misako as the two strode down the main road.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffff00">âSumeragi, if I had a body that made people stare, I wouldnât be wishing I could hide it. Iâd be walking tall and showing it off with a smile. But hey, maybe thatâs just me.â</span><br/><br/>-------------------------------<br/><br/>The image in the glass cleared, but all Nall could see were bits and pieces of images: a broken cart half covered by a large bush; a thin trail winding through the forest; a clawed metal gauntlet on a muscled caramel-coloured arm; and wild long blonde hair. After that, the mirror went dark. Various travellers continued to go by, many on carts, most on foot. A small wooden hut with a low fence could be seen in the distance on the edge of the forest. It was the Silver Road tollbooth.<br/><br/>-------------------------------<br/><br/>The young man eased his grip a little and slowly looked her over. His eyes widened.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00bf00">âYou arenât an elf are you? You-youâre a tree nymph!â</span>He took another slow breath and calmed himself.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00bf00">âOk, you can speak a little, and Iâm guessing from that you understand me too.â</span>He moved off her until he was sitting next to the beautiful nymph. He still held one of her wrists.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00bf00">âIâll let go as long as you promise not to run away from me.â</span>He paused and thought for a moment before continuing.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00bf00">âNod your head if you agree.â</span>