Chapter Fifty-Eight – Turn To The Next Page For Death

An ear-splitting howl sliced through the air, startling Nassandra and shifting her attention away from the healer's tent and towards the trees. The sounds were becoming familiar to the young woman. Her hand had found a new home hovering between her bow and quiver strapped to her back. Even with the booming footsteps of the Silverback's keeping the creatures at bay, her worry lingered. She tried not to show it, fearing it would insult Emlyn, who stood beside her, always on watch.

Emerging from the healer's tent was a Majan with bandaged hands, dirtied and torn slightly, and an exhausted look upon her wrinkled face.

''Princess?'' the Majan called, turning to cup her hands into a barrel of water next to her tent and splash the sweat off her brow.

Nassandra swallowed a lump in her throat. ''Is Fethawi...'' she couldn't find the courage to finish her question.

The Majan cleaned her face once more before turning to Nassandra with a grin. ''I've repaired him to the best of my ability. He's an incredible model. I have never worked on a Drasa like him before.''

A sigh of relief escaped from the Princess. ''Thank the Gods.''

''Keep him in your tent until we reach Fylian,'' Emlyn ordered. Her sudden command caused Nassandra to snap her head in the swordswoman's direction. Emlyn was unflinching under Nassandra's questioning glance. ''He won't be safe out in the open.''

''But, I-I need...'' Nassandra sputtered. She could feel her already unsteady heart begin to race. Every terrible possible outcome of their journey scratched at the back of her mind. The one thought that plagued her mind more clearly was one of the damages inflicted upon Fethwai becoming significantly worse. That outcome darkened her heart above all others. Begrudgingly, she nodded before turning to the healer. ''If it's not much trouble for you, you would be doing me a great service.''

''I'm happy to serve.'' The healer smiled. ''As long as my tent doesn't become flooded with people suffering from food poisoning or bite marks, they'll be room for your Drasa with me.''

Comforted by the healer's assurance, Nassandra's eyes passed over to the Silverback walking behind the one they were atop. Once it had been proven that the massive creatures trotted along in a single, straight line, efforts were made to construct bridges connecting each walkway. Ladders had been left for those that wished to climb down and not risk becoming prey for ariel predators. Nassandra took a moment to stare in wonder at the quick and effective work of the campers. It felt like a travellers paradise in her mind.

''I found it!'' Ailith's cried out from the next Silverback, scaring away a flock of birds perched on top of the tent.

Nassandra shot Emlyn a perplexed look before they made their way to the closest bridge. Gripping the side tightly, she stumbled forward, carefully stepping on the wooden steps until she was safely across. She glanced over her shoulder briefly, noting how Emlyn walked over the bridge without a flicker of fear in her harsh eyes. They hurried inside of the tent, narrowly avoiding the faint drizzle squeezing through the thick branches and leaves above. Nassandra had yet to enter this particular tent, one of the largest in the camp and was instantly taken aback by the size of the interior.

Hundreds of books and scrolls were stack on top of each other, littering the floor in all directions and making it difficult for anyone to reach the large, circular wooden table sat in the middle. Two sets of ladders rested on now barren shelves, once the home of the discarded books. Climbing down one of those ladders, who upon noticing Nasandra, greeted her with a polite bow.

''Your Majesty...''

''Highness!'' Ailith corrected from the other side of the tent.

Bonamy threw a humourous glare his friend's way. Not that Ailith noticed, as she and Levana were busy flipping through the pages of a seemingly never-ending book.

Nassandra tilted her head curiously. ''What have you found?''

Hearing the Princess's soft voice finally tore Ailith away from the book. She beamed and held it up to show her. ''It's a traveller's guide to creatures and myths. I knew it was somewhere in this camp.''

''You just lost our page!'' Levana groaned.

''Uh oh,'' Ailith slammed it back down on the table. Paper scattered in the wind as they began they studied the book once more.

Bonamy hopped off the ladder, clapping his hand together, creating a small cloud of dust that tickled his nose. He turned to Nassandra. ''Ailith says that before you found us, you saw some kind of large creature stalking the forest.''

''And it might be in that book?''

Levana nodded. ''That's what we hope to find out, Your Highness.''

A scowl began to form over Ailith's face as her eyes locked onto a small corner of the tent. ''We might have found it sooner if someone decided to help.''

Sat on a small stool was Turrock, currently engaged with a book of his own. He was the epitome of relaxation as he licked his thumb before turning another page slowly. ''I can't stop now, diamond-rough. I'm approaching the end of the second act.''

Ailith turned to Bonamy. ''Can you pass that ladder over?''

He hesitated. ''For what purpose?''

''So Turrock has a chance to get off his high horse before I knock him off it!''

Turrock merely scoffed at her threat.

Before anyone could throw more insults and rebuttals, Levana had stopped turning the pages. The trainee stared down at the book, her jaw hanging down and her eyes wide. Her reaction clutched at the group's chain and drew them in until they were all standing around the table, looking at a page with few words and the faint outline of a drawing. Though it was incomplete, the image was enough to make the memory of that night they were so close to death's jaws flash before their eyes.

Ailith's finger hovered over the text. ''Terragwangi. Status...unknown. Size...unknown. This mythical beast has been a ghost story for countless explorers. Undocumented sightings sprinkled throughout the centuries have made this elusive creature the prime target for hunters and poachers. No one has been successful in capturing the creature.''

Bonamy forced himself not to gulp as he patted his friend's shoulder. ''You're safe now. No creature, no matter how great, will attack a heard of Silverbacks.''

Turrock brushed his finger over the next line of text. ''The only evidence which hints at its existence are the remains of its prey, ranging from Albino Gigagators, Horn-Rimmed Aqua-Toads...and Silverback Mameth Tortoises.''

There was a long stretch of silence that followed. Ailith looked around at the group. She could see a different level of fear etched on each of their faces, even Emlyn couldn't mask her apprehension at the daunting possibility of coming face to face with the Terragwangi.

She closed the book. ''I'm going to tell Kuval what we've found.'' She hoped that her voice wasn't trembling. ''Does anyone know where he is right now?''

''I believe I saw him keeping Thwack company,'' Bonamy answered.

Ailith arched her brow. ''Willingly?''

Brushing a strand of hair out of her face, Nassandra surveyed the messy state the tent had been left in. ''I think I'll stay and help clean.''

Bonamy flinched and raised his hands. ''Oh, no, you don't have to...''

''I want to. It might do me good to keep my mind occupied on something mundane.'' She said, already kneeling to retrieve any books within reaching distance. It soon became apparent that she wasn't going to budge from the matter, so Bonamy and Levana elected to assist her with tidying.

Out of the corner of her eye, Ailith saw Emlyn marching towards the exit. ''I'm going to keep watch over Cadere.'' The swordswoman stated before disappearing out of the door.

The next thing that stole Ailith's attention was Turrock walking back over to his reading corner with his book. She folded her arms over her chest and stamped her foot, ceasing Turrock's movements. ''You can at least help the others.''

He turned heel, greeting her with a smirk. ''I don't see how that's fair. I didn't make this mess.''

They locked eyes. Ailith refused to leave the tent, while Turrock was already beginning to get comfortable in his seat.

''I love that book,'' Nassandra suddenly spoke up. ''I especially love the ending. I never saw it coming.''

One of Turrock's eyes narrowed on the Princess. ''Your Highness, are you threatening me with spoilers if I don't do as told?''

Hesitantly, Nassandra nodded before she could stop herself. ''I am.''

To her surprise, Turrock's smirk widened. He closed his book and set it to the side. ''Alphabetically, or colour-coordinated?''

Ailith laughed, finding great amusement in watching Turrock rise to his feet and joining to organise the books back onto their shelves. She and Nassandra locked eyes briefly, sharing a cheerful laugh before Ailith decided that now was the perfect time to head out.

As she weaved around the walkways ad bridges, Ailith had a chance to enjoy the sights around her. High above, a storm of pink petals fluttered in the wind. Looking closely, she saw insects riding the underneath the petals to catch the light raindrops passing through the trees and avoid the larger critters climbing up the twisted trunks. Every day brought about a new sight that filled the warrior's adventurous heart with wonder. She wished for a day where she could venture this forest without the looming threat of the White Sword hanging over her.

Deciding to leap over the last gap between walkways, she found Kuval leaning over one of the barriers. ''Kuval...''

Out of nowhere, one of Thwack's legs came crashing down on the top of her head.

Ailith bent down and rubbed the sore spot as Thwack towered over her. ''Do you have no manners? We were in the middle of a conversation.''

''I have actual important matters to discuss with him,'' Ailith grumbled back.

''What did you say?'' Thwack screeched.

The only thing stopping Ailith from receiving another crushing blow to her head was Kuval approaching the Krilleg. ''Don't be so disheartened by her words. I'm just as fascinated as you with collecting artefacts.''

Ailith looked up and saw something she would never get used to...Thwack genuinely smiling. They turned back to Ailith. ''See, why can't you be more like my future husband here.''

''You know marriages aren't one-sided,'' Ailith growled under her breath.

Her words reached Kuval's ear, who responded with an amused laugh. He patted Thwack's leg to get their attention. ''I do wish to speak with Ailith alone if that is fine with you.''

''Of course,'' Thwack replied, giving a curt nod to him before trudging along.

Ailith resisted the urge to stick out her tongue at Thwack, fearful that they would somehow notice and she would receive a neighbouring bump on top of her head. Once she realised that she and Kuval were alone, she rose and approached. ''I came to tell you some good news. We know more about the creature we saw.''

''Is there bad news?''

''Not if it doesn't find us.''

Kuval nodded before staring into the distance, watching the wildlife around him with a twinkle in his eye. ''I haven't found the chance to properly thank you.''

She nearly missed what he said as she too welcomed the sounds coming from the animals which passed by. Shrugging her shoulders, she rested her elbows on the bannister of the walkway. ''I'm just doing what I can to help.''

''And that's more than enough reason to thank you. You should be proud of getting this far and keeping Nassandra safe.'' He said with a warm smile, causing Ailith to blush.

''I didn't do it alone. When Cadere...'' She paused, clenching her fist. ''Turrock helped us when we needed it. He may have a face that only a fist can love, but he's the reason we're all still alive.''

The forest reminded Ailith of a painting. She'd never seen so much green in one place, with strokes of blue, red, oranger, brown, and whatever other colour under the stars had been discovered. She wasn't naïve to the dangers of the forest, but there was a voice inside of her that yearned to discover what secrets this place held between here and their destination.

''What will happen when we get to Fylian?'' Ailith inquired.

''What I hope will happen is we call on the world leaders for assistance, and they provide us with the aid we need to take back Arsalan. It's difficult. There are thousands of citizens caught in this crossfire.''

''Kardas has taken a whole Kingdom hostage just so he can get two people.''

''Perhaps, I should have seen this coming.'' Despite the topic, Kuval continued to smile. ''Knights don't take on personal apprentices, but I think he took me under his wing more so than anyone else. I learnt everything I could from him. We were brothers. I feel that I am the only one left alive who knows him best...''

Ailith watched his smile slowly fade away. ''He's not going to stop until he gets what he wants.''

Kuval nodded.

''Then we have to stop him.''

''No, not us.'' He frowned grimly, catching Ailith off guard. ''The world leaders will find a way to deal with Kardas. Our mission is to keep Nassandra safe. We can do that as long as we stay as far away from the Kingdom as possible.''

''Nassandra doesn't have to put herself in danger. I don't want that. I just mean that you should be in that fight too.''

Ailith became more frustrated as Kuval shook his head. ''I would only get in the way.''

''I don't believe that. You're the strongest Knight there is.''

He snorted. ''I appreciate your honesty...even if it is untrue.''

She recoiled, feeling her heartbreak listening to his dire choice of words.

''In all the years I've trained under Kardas, not once have I come close to his level. I could fight with everything I have in me, I could put all of my heart and soul into trying to put him down...'' he glanced at her, clutching his hands together to stop himself from visibly shaking. ''I can't win, Ailith. I'm not strong enough.''

Ailith sighed wearily. This was the last thing she wanted to hear, especially coming from her hero. However, the longer she gazed into his eyes, the sooner it dawned on her that he was speaking the truth.

If Kuval couldn't stop Kardas, what chance does anyone else have?

A/N: I hope that you enjoyed this chapter. Please do let me know your thoughts. Will the group manage to escape Mameth Forest before the Terragwangi finds them? Can Kardas be defeated? And if so, by who? Thank you all, and take care.