Chapter Seven - Welcome Home

A variation of beastly sounds kept Ailith company on her travels. Some animals gazed at her curiously, while others stared at her with apprehension. A colony of Padril-Buck Deer skipped out of the forest and down a long meadow bordering the small country. Ailith kept pace with them, testing her speed against the wild animals. They realised she was no threat when she made no attempt to attack.

Ailith would only take a break when she felt the muscles in her legs stiffen. The thick mug of air loomed over her throughout the start of her journey, but that was nothing a quick stop by a river wouldn't fix. She would have to take caution when approaching. With the ocean not too far to the west, the rivers could have been a potential set up for wandering pirates. As much as Ailith would enjoy a good battle to combat her boredom, figuratively and literally, she feared it would take too much time.

Sapphire lakes leading towards raging waterfalls divided Padril and Arsalan. In the distance, silent mountains with snow glistening on their peaks cried out for adventurers to brave their storms. There was still so much of the world for Ailith to see. She'd only ever kept herself on the western side of the continent. She longed to explore everything the world had to offer, to dive down the deepest oceans and traverse the most dangerous of dungeons.

As days dissolved one after the other, Arsalan's harsher climate became more evident. When the storms rolled in, she would find shelter under the giant leaves of the trees and enjoy a scrumptious meal provided by Bonamy. She didn't flinch when a flash of lightning struck, or when the wind howled with ferocity like the Dragons that ruled the skies in ancient times.

It took hours before the storm calmed enough for Ailith to continue. The thick clouds above drifted away, giving Ailith an awe-inspiring sight.

Sorasama, the fabled and metallic sky continent, home to the illustrious Elbaf race. Its walkways stretched for miles, casting shadows across the land as the sun passed over. It was a place that Ailith heard very little of.

The day of the tournament was drawing closer, so Ailith picked up the pace. She sprinted across the green landscape, leaping over debris in her way. Her ragged breath was the only sound she heard until she caught the distant sound of a whistling horn. She glanced over and beamed when she saw a steam locomotive gliding down a railway. Puffs of steam billowed from the vehicle. If there had been a stop within walking distance, Ailith could have used that to get back home. But she wanted to save every bit of coin she could. Locomotive transport was not a cheap leisure.

As she continued racing across the land, she skipped and waved at them. Her inner child squealed as the vehicle responded with two more horns before they parted in separate directions.

Either way, Ailith would have preferred not to be confined in a boxed cab. It was freeing to experience everything the world had to offer her, even if her footwear withered.

It was on her fifth day she could see home. Grassy lands soon turned into bumpy, gravel roads. A faint drizzle of rain welcomed her. Her clothes clung to her sturdy, sweaty body. She stood rooted to the spot with arms extended, letting the water wash her.

''Get out of the road!'' A voice barked, startling Ailith. She jumped aside in the nick of time, dodging a carriage being pulled by two horses. ''You better watch yourself if you don't want to decorate these roads with your flattened bones.'' An older man with a cloak three sizes too big for his frail body glared at her as he drove past.

Ailith folded her arms over her chest and grinned amusedly. ''Can't go wrong with that Arsalan welcome.''

~X~

Not much had changed over the years. A dull atmosphere gave her a sense of nostalgia. Although, she couldn't help but feel something was out of place. It wouldn't have been ludicrous to label this place a ghost town. The once busy road was frail and empty, remnants of papers and plants scattered everywhere. The grey roofs darkened from the rainfall as the water funnelled down off the small buildings and hubs.

If not for the tournament notices blustering in the wind, the colour from this place would be gone. One of the notices brushed against her leg. She grabbed it, seeing it mirrored the leaflet from her camp. Settling it into one of her pockets, she glanced at her surroundings.

A soft light glimmering called to her. She raced forward, unruffled by the mud that tried to trap her feet. She jumped onto the dishevelled porch and burst through the door. It didn't matter how long she would be away for, she recognised every part of the Inn. She could spot every crack and remembered every squeaking floorboard. Except for the new ones acquired while she was away.

She heard a ruckus coming from behind the counter. ''Yes, I'll be with you in a...'' Sinley stammered as he hurried out to greet what he believed was a new guest. He stopped, staring for a second before breaking into a smile and hurrying around the counter. ''Ailith!''

''Papa!'' Ailith leapt forward and wrapped her arms around her father, lifting him off his feet. ''I've missed you!''

''You too,'' he replied before squirming out of her arms and brushing himself. Dust fluttered with every pat. ''Forgive me. If I'd known you'd be coming, I'd have cleaned myself. We're doing some...fixing-up.''

''That's okay,'' she smiled, her eyes twinkling bright enough to glow. ''Is Mama here too?''

Sinley turned his head around. ''Dear, we have a visitor!''

Ailith waited impatiently, tapping her foot on the floor until she saw her mother emerge from the kitchen. The older woman froze. ''Ailith? You're home?''

The young warrior giggled and rushed to embrace her mother tightly. 

When they eventually pulled apart, Demeka brushed a stray strand of hair out of her face. ''I'm sorry. We must look a mess...''

''I don't care about that. I'm just happy to see you both.''

''As are we,'' Demeka placed a tender hand on Ailith's shoulder. ''But, what are you doing here? We weren't expecting you to visit for another two seasons, at least.''

Reaching into her pocket, Ailith yanked the notice out. ''There's a tournament being held here in Arsalan. I wouldn't have missed this for the world.''

Demeka smiled. ''Yes, we heard about this tournament. We actually sent you a letter about it to see if you were interested. You didn't receive it, did you?''

''No, I didn't.''

Sinley exhaled. ''I told you she wouldn't get it in time.''

''You were the one who insisted on second-class mail!'' Demeka pointed out.

''Because the price for first-class airmail has soared. Second-class letters are already expensive enough.''

A feeling of guilt jabbed Ailith after hearing this. She didn't expect her parents to go through the effort of trying to contact her about this tournament. ''I'm sorry, I...''

''None of that,'' Demeka dismissed. ''We knew that you would want to take part.''

Sinley rubbed the back of his neck and groaned. ''The only qualm is that we won't be able to watch you. We need to watch the inn.''

''I understand,'' Ailith replied before scanning the interior. Dust floated in the air and coated the tables. ''Why is this place so quiet?''

''Everyone has gone further into the Kingdom for the tournament. Apparently, the inns closest to the castle are filled to the brim, so we're waiting for any late arrivals.''

A rush of exhilaration gripped Ailith. ''T-the tournament is being held...''

Demeka jumped in. ''In the castle, watched by the King himself. That's what we've heard.''

Ailith let out an audible gasp. She'd figured that important people would be watching. But the King? This was better than she could have ever dreamed. She would have one of the world leaders in attendance.

''Do you have enough to enter?'' Sinley inquired.

''I do! Oh, and I thought that while I was here, I could give you this...'' She retrieved the fat pouch from her belt. Coins chimed together. The couple could only guess the wealth judging by the size of the pouch grasped in Ailith's palm.

Sinley reached out. ''That won't be needed.''

Ailith stared at them. ''But, you said you were doing some fixing-up.''

''There's no need for you to trouble yourself with that,'' Demeka said quietly. She cupped her daughter's cheek, brushing her thumb over Ailith's rosy, freckled skin. Warmth radiated from her skin. ''Grace the winds, your skin is on fire.''

''Yeah, I ran here from Padril...''

''Oh my,'' Demeka squawked. ''You must be starving.''

''Not really. Bonamy gave me some food for travel.''

''Bonamy?'' Sinley chimed. ''How is everyone back at your camp?''

Ailith opened her mouth to respond, only for her mother to rush around until she was behind the warrior. Demeka placed her hands on Ailith's back and guided her towards the stairs. ''There will be plenty of time for that later. Right now, you need rest. The tournament will start tomorrow.''

If it weren't for Ailith lifting her feet, her mother wouldn't have gotten her very far. She glanced over her shoulder. ''I don't mind...''

''I won't hear it,'' Demeka stated firmly. ''Get as much sleep as you can. When you wake, you'll have a lovely breakfast prepared for you.''

There was a brief pause before Ailith responded. ''Well...''

''When food is mentioned, then you back down?''

Giving her mother a lopsided grin, Ailith knew that she wasn't going to talk her way out of this. On the one hand, she did want to divulge her parents in stories of her latest adventures and travels. On the other, she had travelled far and wide, with only a discomforting mattress to rest on for a few short hours at a time. Finally home, her eyes did feel heavy and the muscles in her legs burned.

Once she was directed to the stairs, Ailith turned to them and gave each a hug. ''Goodnight.''

''Goodnight, dear. It's so good to see you again.'' Demeka smiled kindly.

''You have a big day tomorrow,'' Sinley interjected. ''Don't get out of bed until you are properly refreshed. Unless it's time for the tournament to start. In that case, please get out of bed.''

They shared a light laugh. Ailith wished she could force herself to stay awake all night to talk with her parents. But she knew better. She galloped up the stairs, about to reach the top when her foot stamped right through the wood. She heard a gasp from below as her parents almost rushed to help. ''I'm okay, I'm okay. Sorry, I didn't think I would...''

''That's fine,'' Demeka responded and gave an agitated look towards her husband. ''That was part of...our fixing-up.''

Ailith lifted her foot out from the wooden board. She'd figured that the inn was deteriorating over the years, but not to this extent. Even when she was free, she was slow towards the bedroom. A quiet hum filled her with uneasiness. She couldn't remember the last time her family's inn was barren.

She entered the closest bedroom and carefully closed the door behind her. The room was cold and dark, something she easily fixed by starting a small flame under the fireplace. She warily dropped her travelling gear to the floor. The sound of wood crackling and rain scraping outside the window soothed her. After slackening her aching muscles, thoughts about tomorrow swept over her.

There was no telling what to expect. Many people would rely on magic to fulfil mundane duties and tasks. But, there were those who used their magic to push themselves beyond their limits. She'd faced many individuals with such skill and power. This tournament warranted a prize bountiful enough to draw many from across the land, sea and sky. In the end, it didn't matter. Ever since she was a child, she knew that to become a Knight she would have to become strong.

Discarding her attire and sword, she collapsed on the bed, listening to it creak under her weight. Her head rested on the pillow for only a moment before she drifted into a well-deserved slumber.

A/N: Things aren't looking too good for Ailith's family back home. Hopefully, this tournament can help them in more ways than one. She'll have to do her best to make that a reality. Thanks once again to everyone for keeping up with this story, I really appreciate it. Take care.