Chapter Fifty-Nine – Talk at Dusk

Ailith's eyes snapped open and she bolted upright from her makeshift bed. Her nightmare blurred into obscurity, leaving her behind with a heart that pounded her chest.

Once she became aware of her surroundings, she sighed with relief. She was thankful that she wouldn't have to worry about her throbbing head worsening as the Silverbacks had stopped to rest. The only sign of movement was whatever the gentle breeze brushed against. Crawling out of the small entrance, she was surprised by how dark the outside world had become. There was no moonlight to comfort her from above as the trees chained themselves together. She looked around, spotting the few sources of light coming from small fires belonging to those keeping watch.

Ailith rubbed her eyes. Now, too restless to drag herself back to bed, Ailith grabbed her boots. Blobs of dry mud and leaves covered them completely, though she found it to be an endearing decoration for her attire.

She wandered around the camp quietly. Her face became wet the longer she walked around in the damp, cold air. A chill crawled up her spine. Ignoring it to the best of her ability, she enjoyed the alluring splendour of Mameth Forest at night. Insects, birds, even some of the trees glowed in an array of different colours and tones. Filling her with all the warmth she needed.

''Couldn't sleep?''

Ailith's blood boiled hearing Cadere's voice coming from behind. ''I could ask the same of you.''

She glanced over her shoulder. In a cage used to hold horses, behind strips of metal bars, Cadere was barely visible in the darkness. He sat against the inside wall, rubbing his fingers together, picking at his overgrown, dirt-ridden nails. An empty plate sat next to his foot. Shadow masked half of his face, only fully coming into view when he turned to face Ailith.

Against her better judgement, Ailith turned to confront him. ''I'm surprised you're still there.''

''Well, I can't go for a wander like you can.''

''You know what I mean,'' Ailith responded firmly. ''You could break out of there easily. Why don't you?''

Cadere sighed. ''Because, escaping here means being out there, which will result in certain death. The gruesomeness will depend on whatever creature preys upon me first. I prefer to take my chances in a cage.''

''As long as you don't try anything that will hurt Nassandra...''

''You've come to care deeply for the Princess, haven't you?'' he interrupted condescendingly.

Taking another step forward, Ailith gripped one of the metal bars. ''If you hurt her, I'll put this cage under the foot of a Silverback...with you in it!''

He narrowed his eyes at her, shifting slightly so that she could see his face more clearly in the fire's glow. Crumps of his last meal were splattered on his unkempt beard. ''Between the Princess and I stand Kuval and Emlyn, just to name a few. I'm not stupid enough to try something.''

''You've given up? So much for your cause.''

''A true survivor knows when they've lost a fight. You would do best to follow suit as Kuval has.''

Ailith's brow creased as she eyed Cadere suspiciously.

''I could see it in his eyes.'' He lowered his head, avoiding Ailith's gaze. ''He knows he can't defeat Kardas. No one can.''

Shaking her head before he finished his sentence, Ailith released her hold on the bars and backed away, leaving them dented by her firm grip. ''I refuse to believe that.''

''You're refusing reality,'' he countered. ''You'll throw your life away for nothing. All that pride and optimism you hold needs to be cast out. You must learn to steel your heart if you're to survive in this world.''

Ailith turned on her heel, and stormed off, but not before throwing one final glance over her shoulder. ''I like my heart the way it is.''

There was only silence from their prisoner.

She longed for the sights, smells and sounds of the forest to keep her from being suffocated by her thoughts. However, the vivid image of Kuval's defeated expression earlier in the day persisted. Now, fused with Cadere's taunts, any hope that the warrior yearned to cling onto seemed out of her reach.

A strong current of wind brushed her face. Carried with it was a familiar scent that stopped Ailith in her tracks. Her stomach growled impatiently as the smell of damp earth was overwhelmed by Bonamy's cooking. Following the scent, her smile slowly returned. With a flick of her wrist, she hushed away a group of birds and insects that were also tempted by the delicious call.

Seeing a faint orange glow around the corner of a small tent, Ailith loped around before halting completely, surprised to find that Bonamy was not the only one sitting by the small fire. ''Oh? Hello there.'' She greeted.

Nassandra almost dropped her bowl. ''Ailith?'' she choked, startled by her friend's sudden appearance. ''Is everything alright?''

Ailith shook her head, walking over to join the Princess while Bonamy returned to stirring the small pot hanging over the fire. ''I couldn't sleep.''

As soon as she sat down, Bonamy handed her a small bowl. ''I was just speaking with Lady Nassandra about my cooking and how it always seemed to call to you.''

''Well, it's like you say, if I didn't have a nose for your food, I would only have a nose for trouble.'' She brought the bowl to her lips and gobbled down its contents without even checking to see what had been cooked. She hummed with delight at the taste of sweet potatoes and melted cream filled her mouth.

''Food has a special place in the world,'' Bonamy said. ''It helps us better understand other cultures and bring people together. If you share a meal with someone, you will not only be filling your stomachs, you'll also be filling your heart with new friends and mind with new stories. I've always been drawn to that aspect of cooking, ever since I could hold my first spoon.''

Nassandra smiled. ''That's wonderful.''

Bonamy's cheeks dimpled. ''I only wish I had the opportunity to create finer meals for you, Lady Nassandra.'' He gestured to a small, half-full bag nestled that sat next to him. Beyond that, hanging over the barrier of the walkway were half a dozen buckets tired over the edge, left to collect water dripping down from above.

Nassandra sat quietly for a moment. ''If...when we return to Arsalan, I shall recommend you for a position in the castle. If you are interested?''

He stilled. Staring in disbelief, it wasn't until Nassandra shared a knowing look with Ailith that Bonamy's lips slowly curved upwards. ''I would be honoured. Thank you.''

The sudden sound of boots scraping the floor dragged everyone's attention away from their food. They looked to the side and saw Levana come out of hiding.

She cleared her throat and puffed out her chest. ''I apologise, I was patrolling when I...I came to investigate...strange noises...your talking sounded strange...from a distance...'' her shoulders dropped. ''I shall leave now.''

''Please, there's enough for more,'' Bonamy said kindly, pouring her a small bowl and offering it to her.

Hesitantly, Levana reached for the bowl, only for Turrock to walk out of the shadows and snatch it nonchalantly from Bonamy's grasp. ''You've very kind, good cook.'' He thanked, taking a seat opposite the rest of the group and enjoying his meal.

Bonamy had to pour another bowl for Levana as she sent a vicious glare the gangster's way. ''I must commend you, Turrock. In such a short time, and with little effort, you've become a great pain in my side.''

Turrock smirked. ''I'm afraid I can't commend you. You're still a terrible liar. Emlyn Baldur is patrolling tonight, not you. There's no shame in admitting you are restless like the others.''

Gritting her teeth, Levana took the new bowl and sat down. The moment her tastebuds and food embraced, her anger melted away.

Snorting in amusement, Ailith turned to Turrock. ''And why are you awake? Frightened of the ferrets that'll crawl in your pants while you sleep?''

''You may want to hold your tongue on that statement, diamond-rough. Ferrets in this forest are known to gnaw off the limbs of those caught unaware.''

Levana sighed. ''I would fight a ferret any day over that Terragwangi monstrosity.''

Nassandra's head snapped in Ailith's direction. ''Did you inform Master Kuval about our discovery?''

''I did...'' Ailith replied quietly. ''We didn't talk about it much. He talked about Kardas.''

Nassandra flinched. ''What did he say?''

''Kardas can't be defeated,'' Emlyn said behind them, surprising the group.

Seeing her march towards them with arms folded over her armoured chest, Turrock grinned. ''Do you ever sleep?''

Emlyn's lips remained sealed. She chose to remain standing. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Bonamy cautiously handing her a bowl. Without a flicker of emotion, she accepted it.

Ailith fidgeted. ''Do you think he can be defeated?''

''I can't say,'' Emlyn answered, staring at her food for a long time. ''I haven't felt an aura from someone as strong as Kardas since...'' she paused. ''For a long time. Coupled with his mastery of Spathísorman, I stand no chance.''

''So, you've given up already?'' Ailith interrogated.

''It's a fight I can't win.''

Levana's eyes dropped to the floor. ''Kardas was a Grand Master Knight. The only one of his kind. It would have to take someone great to stand up to him.''

''Someone greater us is what you're trying to say,'' Turrock said.

Ailith slammed her empty bowl on the floor. ''So, we're just going to push this fight onto someone else?''

''Someone more capable, yes,'' Emlyn replied bitterly.

''It's my father.'' Nassandra protested. ''It's my home, I...I can't just run away. I want to take a stand.''

Emlyn faced her fully. ''It's not about taking a stand...''

''That's exactly what this is about!''

Nassandra's voice echoed through the trees. The group froze in their place. Emlyn, however, was unflinching.

''I'm happy to see everyone enjoyed the meal,'' Bonamy whimpered, quickly grabbing the pot and rushing out of the way with his head bowed. ''I'll go and make seconds.''

The Arsalan group were alone in the darkness. The fire at the centre faded with every passing second.

Nassandra brushed her teary eyes with the back of her arm and locked eyes with Emlyn once again. ''My family are not blameless. I've cowered away and hid in a castle my whole life. In...in doing so, we've allowed Kardas and the White Sword to infect the gaping wounds inflicted on my Kingdom, and they've spread. I should have been out there trying to understand my Kingdom and help it heal. I want to do that now. But, I can't do that if everyone around me gives up.''

Emlyn's expression was blank. ''We're not strong enough to fight him.''

''Today, we're not. But who knows how strong we'll be tomorrow?''

A warmth began to blossom in Ailith's chest. It grew inside of her, spurring the flickering flames in front of her to burn brighter. She bolted to her feet. ''Kardas wasn't born unstoppable. He started from the bottom, just like the rest of us. I'm sure that throughout his life he's given up, or been defeated. That hasn't stopped him, and we can't let it stop us. Who is stronger? The warrior who always wins? Or the warrior who refuses to give up, even when things are at their bleakest?''

Turrock shrugged. ''The one who always wins!"

''You're missing the point!''

Nassandra rose to her feet. ''The only thing greater than the desire to win, is the absolute refusal to lose.''

As the two basked in their newfound confidence, Levana slowly stood up. ''This is a forest with a thousand possibilities of death...it wouldn't make a bad training ground.''

Turrock snorted, casting an amused look on all of them before he also took a stand. ''There's still quite a way to go before we reach Fylian. We won't have any difficulty being pushed to our limit.''

''No,'' Ailith said firmly. ''If we're going to have a shot at defeating Kardas, we can't train to reach our limit...we need to surpass them.''

Nassandra raised her hand, balling it into a fist. Once she was certain all eyes were on her, she extended it over the fire, glancing at everyone with a smile. ''For our home.''

Ailith nodded and clenched her hand before extending it, letting their fists touch. ''Four our families.''

Swallowing her doubt, Levana followed their example. ''For our honour.''

Though Turrock's demeanour was casual, that didn't stop him from joining the others. ''For the fun of it.''

Everyone turned towards Emlyn. They could see her guard being gradually worn down by their actions. After a heavy sigh, Emlyn took one step forward and brushed her closed fist against theirs.

They stood together with their hands above the fire...unbreakable.

A/N: Hello guys, girls and everyone else. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter. This is one that I've been looking forward to writing for a very long time. I love writing moments with the group together, and there'll be more to come in the future. Thank you all and take care.