Chapter Eight - Troubles at Home

Ailith leapt out of bed the moment sunlight touched her face. The pile of ash nestled in the fireplace lashed with her movements as she secured her modest armour. Once she was properly suited and equipped, strapping her sword onto her belt, she grabbed her overstuffed coin pouch and bounded out of the room.

Down the stairs, she found her parents already waiting for her. Sinley looked up at her with a kind smile while shifting a large tray of dishes onto a table. ''We were beginning to worry you wouldn't wake.''

Ailith almost responded until she noticed something on the other side of the room. Water poured from cracks in the ceiling, trickling into half a dozen buckets. Already, this early in the morning, the buckets were teeming and ready to overflow. Her mother was quickly placing another bucket in place to stop any more puddles forming. Demeka glanced up, catching Ailith's worried expression and forced a comforting smile. ''Don't pout, dear. The rain was persistent last night. Nothing more.''

That didn't stop Ailith from staring back up at the ceiling. She counted the new cracks and holes that had developed since her last visit. Her mind recollected the letters she had read from her parents. Not a single one had ever stated the dire state of their home and business.

She looked back over at the table. Piping hot dishes of toasted bread sticks, soups with cooked cabbage floated on the surface, and the creamy foam that was light on weight was full of joy. Ailith was so amazed by the lovingly prepared meal, that she almost missed something stashed under the tray. A letter of some kind? She couldn't tell now that it was hidden.

''Come, Ailith,'' Demeka called as she joined her husband at the table. ''Before it gets cold.''

Biting her tongue, for now, Ailith raced over to grab a chair and take a seat opposite her parents. ''Thank you.''

It was the perfect time for Ailith to recount her latest tales of adventure. While she saw how eager they were to hear her stories, she laughed when she caught the flashes of fear in their eyes. They were her Mama and Papa. She expected them to worry. It was a privilege to have parents who allowed her to follow her dreams, no matter the danger. Still, it didn't mean they were always happy with her exploits, especially when she couldn't hide a new procured scar.

Ailith consumed the meal before she said everything she wanted to say. She was one step away from literally licking her plate clean. Sinley wished that she would, it would spare him having to wash the dishes afterwards.

Feeling fit and ready, Ailith jumped to her feet and pressed her fist into the palm of her hand. Confidence blazed from her body.

Demeka clasped her hand over Sinley's and gazed upon her daughter with pride. ''How are you feeling?''

Despite the bravado, a heavy breath did escape her. ''Ready to begin.''

''I have to be honest,'' Sinley chuckled. ''The prize on offer almost makes me want to join.''

Playing along, Demeka placed her hand on her husband's shoulder and shook him gently. ''You should. It can be a nice father-daughter bonding experience.''

He glared at her, trying not to show a smile as she laughed.

''Well, if I win, you two can keep the prize!'' Ailith interjected.

Demeka and Sinley turned sharply to face her, stunned by her words. ''Ailith, we can't ask that of you...'' Demeka whispered.

''It's no problem. You'll get more use from it than I will. I'm entering this tournament to become a Knight.''

The couple fidgeted in their seat, sharing a look that painted a troubled picture. Sinley's face dropped and Demeka half turned towards Ailith, hesitating. Ailith felt anxious seeing her parents like this. A sigh passed her mother's lips before she finally spoke. ''Ailith...we believe it might be safer for you if...if you be careful with what you say and who you speak to whilst in the Kingdom?''

Her eyebrows rose inquiringly. ''Why?''

''Some people might think...'' she stumbled. ''Some people might not think that becoming a Knight is a good thing.''

Ailith physically recoiled. ''What? Why would anyone think that? Becoming a Knight is an honour!''

''I understand that's how you think,'' she sighed, feeling the room go cold in that moment. ''I just wanted to warn you. You might face hostility from people if they knew the reason you entered this tournament.''

Sinley tapped his hand on her knuckles, stopping her and giving him the chance to take over. ''There will be people coming from different countries all over the world. They'll have different views from you. Sometimes people try to show their views are superior in...aggressive ways.''

Like before, Ailith thought about voicing her strong opinions on the matter. She couldn't comprehend why anyone would see becoming a Knight in such a negative manner. How could it be so wrong to fight for justice and to protect the innocent? All they'd ever given her was hope and aspirations to do better.

However, she couldn't lie and say this was the first she'd heard something similar, even from her parents. From her recent encounter with Jarr a few days prior to eavesdropping on drunken rants down many streets and alleys. Ailith shrugged it off as nonsensical ramblings. ''I believe that the Knights are still a force for good.''

Demeka stood from her chair abruptly and walked over to the window. The sunlight tinting her face caused it to glow. ''The Gods have smiled on Arsalan today. Not a cloud in the sky.''

Sinley scoffed. ''After that downpour yesterday? I don't believe it.''

With a teasing smirk, Demeka beckoned for him to come and see for himself. Without hesitation, he rose from his seat and walked towards her, leaving Ailith by the table. The hastiness they displayed when shifting topic confused her. Although, this gave her the chance to solve one puzzle plaguing her mind. With their backs turned, Ailith discreetly lifted the tray and read the letter underneath. She almost gave herself away by dropping the tray, overcome with shock.

'Sixty-Five Thousand Ark per year?'

The taxes for homes in Arsalan were never this high. At least, not for as long as she could remember. This was a matter her parents kept her in the dark about, and now, she understood why. If she'd known that they were forced to pay this much to keep their home, she'd have given more of her hard-earned pay to them. It was criminal.

''I wish we could see you,'' Demeka stated, startling Ailith. The young woman turned and felt relieved when she saw her parents hadn't noticed her. As quietly as she could, she pushed the taxation letter back under the tray and lowered it onto the table.

It was the jingling of coins that caused the couple to turn. They watched their excited daughter shake a small pouch around before tying it to her belt. ''I promise to do my best!'' She declared.

Feeling that she had everything she needed, she sprinted around the table and out the door.

''Ailith!'' Demeka called out. Ailith skidded to a halt and turned with a confused expression. ''Shouldn't you also wash first?''

Ailith's stared deadpanned. Glancing left and right, she stepped closer to one of the beams that held the second-floor balcony. Giving it the gentlest of taps, a torrent of water splashed down onto her. She beamed cheekily before scampering away.

Demeka shook her head and tried to contain her laughter while Sinley stared at her with an amused grin. As he peered over his wife's shoulder, his grin dropped and his brows arched. ''What is that?''

Twisting her body to see what he was talking about, Demeka eyed something perched on the food tray. A hefty pouch sat on one of the empty food plates. There was a considerable weight to it, evident by the plate facing upwards because of it. A horrifying thought came to her. ''Did she forget the entrance fee?''

''She couldn't have. We saw her with it.''

They hurried over to the table, still befuddled by the situation. Demeka's fingers brushed over the pouch. Her jaw threatened to drop as she tried to comprehend the amount that had been left. Then, she saw the corner of the taxation notice poke out from underneath the tray.

She released a sigh through a growing smile as tears stung her eyes. She turned back to Sinley and smiled at him. ''Let's be honest, we knew she was going to do something like this.''

A/N: Happy New Year everyone! It's time for a new chapter. Thank you to everyone who had been enjoying this story, and also I want to take this time to thank those who have also given me some incredible stories of their own to read. I have a growing list on my profile page of my favourite stories on this site if you want to check them out. You won't be disappointed. Until next time, take care.