Anything For You
Chapter 82

The duo, Estella and Valor both headed to their way of the Tribal village, when Valor mentioned about Egon and Akhim planning to see a witch who could answer everyone's questions, and was probably known to help them too. Estella, and Valor both had their own intentions regarding that witch, as both wanted something. For Estella, it was her long lost family, her dead mother. But for Valor, it was still not so clear.

Here Egon was going insane searching Estella, blaming himself for her sudden disappearance. He was the one who brought her here with him, and she was his responsibility to bear. Now that she was missing, only he himself was to blame for that. Time was running way too fastly, and it was just one hour left for Egon to head for the Witch's residence. But he seemed be in no mood to do so. For him, his only priority was to search Estella, and safeguard her at the time being.

Just when he was about to burst out, his gaze caught two people coming from afar. The whole Tribe had been searching that lady since Egon asked them to help him out, in spite of the elder lady trying to convince him that nothing would happen to the girl. He narrowed his nodded eyes, and soon the vague and blurred figures hot clear enough for him to recognize them. He left all the shackles of his mind, and immediately started to run in that direction. Soon after reaching to them, he engulfed the girl in a huge bear hug, wrapping his arms around her shoulders over protectively, murmuring something which Estella wasn't sure about.

Valor was awestruck witnessing this scenario in front of his eyes, and so did Akhim, while the elder lady smiled faintly from afar. The reunion lasted for a split second more, when Estella slightly pushed the man away from her, breaking that tight hug, only to breath properly.

Watching her catch her breath, Egon somehow felt ashamed, and retreated back by two steps. His mind was running errands, and this girl wasn't saying anything at all except staring at his figure. He had been like a lost puppy all the time.

But his blood boiled when he saw Valor holding Estella's hand protectively. He was a man too and hence could sense what could probably go wrong and when. Leaving behind all the manners, Egon approached Estella again and held her hand, making Valor to slightly step back, and started checking on her all body parts in order to assure that she was safe and sound. "Egon, what are doing? And what happened to you? You look like a mess."

Estella could no longer hold back. She had been wondering about why Egon was acting so weird. Although she knew that he had been searching for her, all thanks to Valor who told her this, but she never knew that he cared for her to this much extent. "Where have you been? I have been searching you like mad person since morning, while the tribal ladies told me they last saw you the previous night. Do you know how worried I was and what kind of thoughts were going on in my mind, regarding your safety! And why are you with Valor?"

Egon roared at her like a mad man, scaring her off, and she jolted in her place. Looking into his deep hooded eyes, she could only witness care and fear. She was happy from inside to have him as her true friend who cared for her so deeply. It was a feeling she had been longing for since a long time. Smiling faintly, she patted his shoulders,

"I was feeling alone, so I headed for a walk last night. But I got lost in the darkness, and ended up in the nearby village. I didn't know the way back, so, I sat there hoping that someone would come looking for me. Guess what, Valor arrived there, and the next moment, I am here. No need to worry, I am still in one piece."

Her words were genuine, and she didn't want to Egon to worry for her. Egon sighed in relief,

"Don't do any such thing next time. If you wish to take a stroll, tell me. I will accompany you. Look, everyone here was looking for you."

Feeling the eyes of others over her, she was guilty, and apologized immediately, narrating the whole story to them again. The people wished her good health, and warned her to take care of herself in the future, because there were wild animals around, who could hunt humans too.

But the Elder lady seemed off. She wasn't ready to buy the whole story Estella narrated. When Estella passed by her side, she whispered,

"Don't leave your skin in the middle of a remote place, lady." And headed back to her respective resting place. Estella didn't understand the meaning. She didn't carry it further, and approached Egon to dig out some information about that rumored witch. "Hey, where are you going?"

Estella saw Egon packing some stuffs, which included his clothes, and some eatables. He was loading the things on his horse. Since she had been missing from here, she didn't know that the witch Egon had been going to seek, lived far away from here, and he may had to stay there for some time.

"I am leaving for the other village, to meet someone."

Egon was engrossed into his packing and loading, that he didn't notice the sudden change of expressions on Estella's face. She felt sad, hearing that he had been leaving. Valor didn't inform her anything like that.

"Take me with you too." She insisted on going along with him, which he profoundly denied. But he constant nagging made him change his decision,

"All right. Pack your stuff immediately then. We have to leave within some time. And say goodbye to everyone, for we may not be able to come back soon."

Estella chirped happily, but the thought of leaving everyone saddened her heart. She had been with these people, and they considered her a member of the family. She didn't want to get separated from them. But she had to search for her father too. She nodded immediately and headed towards her room.

After packing and saying goodbyes to everyone, she headed to the room of elder lady, where the latter was resting sitting on a cot. Hearing the similar sound of footsteps approaching, the elder lady smiled a sad smile asking,

"So you are leaving?"

At this point, Estella was aware that the elder lady was a psychic, and hence she knew every before handedly. She sat down besides her and placed her head in the lady's lap.

"I didn't want to, but, Egon had heard about a witch, granny. She could help me find my father, and help me reconcile with my family. She..."

Before Estella could say something else, the elder lady cut her amidst,

"Estella, be careful on your way. Don't leave Egon's side. Also, take Valor with you too. And beware of that witch. She practices black magic. No matter, whatever help she offers you, she will always want something in return. I suggest you and Egon both to be very careful."

Estella frowned her eyebrows, and asked,

"Why should I also take Valor? I mean he ..."

"Talk to him. He will tell you the reason he is still here. You can help him find peace."

Estella got up and sat properly with teary eyes. She didn't know why the lady was saying things like that, but she knew that there was a reason behind all this. She trusted this lady. She loved her like her grandmother. Estella nodded her head, and planted a soft kiss over the lady's hand.

The lady took off her necklace, and passed it to Estella, saying,

"Always keep it with you. It's a gift from your granny, as a token of my love and care for you, my child. It will guide you, and protect you as long as it is with you."

Estella bid her farewell, and hauled up from her sit. Just when she reached by the door, the elder lady spoke up warning her again,

"Don't shed off your skin anywhere before confirming the safety."

Estella nodded in understanding and left to fetch Valor from his tent, so that she, Egon, Akhim and Valor, all could head on their next journey.

After she left, the elder lady spoke up worryingly,

"I wonder for how long you are safe. I wish you to realize the true intentions of that witch, before it's too late."

~DESTINY LAND~

Choice was selecting a dress for herself to wear in the most beautiful fairy competition, that was going to be held within some days in fairyland. She was chirping like a sparrow in the whole of castle, jumping here and there with her new blue colored gown gifted to her by Myna and Kahi.

"Sister, how do you feel about this new gown? Aunt and uncle really have such a nice choice. What you say?"

She kept on asking Destiny about the dress hoping for her to respond, but Destiny was engrossed in witnessing the events happening inside the book, with a tinge of guilt.

Not getting any response, Choice sensed something off about her sister, and patted her shoulders in assurance,

"You are not at fault, sister. You were doing your duties. Besides, it was fate, right!"

Destiny nodded her head, and both the sisters got engaged in preparing Choice for the competition.