Chapter Sixty-Nine - Friends Never Die

''Going...somewhere?'' Demeka stammered.

Cornered and with their backs against a wall, the innkeepers couldn't move an inch as Troy advanced on them. Huddled closely behind him were Marina and two more White Knights, a man and a woman. Glancing at their weapons strapped to their hips, Demeka could feel their weight.

''That is the question I'm asking you, yes,'' Troy said.

Demeka shivered as an unexpected chill clawed at her body. The cold shackled her mind, preventing her from giving a coherent response. She then felt her husband grab her wrist.

''It's about time you showed up!'' Sinley barked. ''Those troublemakers tore through our streets. We were hoping someone would come and put a stop to their ruckus. Thank the Gods you arrived when you did.''

Troy's lip curved into an intrigued smile. ''You two weren't part of the protests?''

''Don't be absurd. Young man, we thank you for what you and your group have done for the Kingdom. My wife and I can now return home and rest easy knowing that you are protecting us.'' Sinley nodded his head confidently, though it eventually broke into frantic trembling as he dragged Demeka by the hand.

Before they could leave, Troy held out his hand to halt them. ''Is that a belief you both share?''

Demeka forced a warm smile. ''With all my heart.''

In their hurry to escape, they failed to notice the twitch on Troy's brow as he gazed at Demeka's smile. He let them pass as he pondered, trying to understand why the woman's smile felt familiar. He pictured the smile on the face of another. Once he was able to paint a vivid image, a smile crept over his face.

Checking to see if the couple were still within listening distance, he turned to Marina. ''What was the name of that girl we kept in the castle? The one who saved the Princess.''

Marina's forehead creased. ''You mean Ailith?''

As soon as they heard that name, Demeka and Sinley hesitated.

Troy's smile widened. ''I thought so.''

The White Knight flicked his wrist, casting a layer of ice upon the ground where the innkeepers stood. Their feet were locked in place. The muscles in their legs throbbed and strained like they were being twisted. They reached down and clawed at the ice, their nails dragged against the hard, cold surface, but couldn't break it.

Demeka felt Troy's cold breath hit the back of her neck as he circled her. ''Well, I wasn't expecting to make a catch like this today, but that's why I love surprises.''

''What are you going to do to us?'' Demeka questioned with a hiss.

''Your daughter was one of the last people spotted with the Princess. I have a feeling that once she discovers we have her dotting parents, she'll come out of her hiding spot. When that happens, the Princess should follow.''

''And if she doesn't?''

''Well, something tells me the dungeons are going to be quite full now, meaning there's not going to be many vacancies for you two.''

As fear clutched the throats of the innkeepers, Marina rushed over to Troy's side. ''Wait one moment, Troy...''

''What? They're keepers of an inn we can't even find on any of the city maps because it doesn't have a name. Who's going to miss them?''

Marina stared into his cold eyes. He waited for her response, but it never came.

''You heard Kardas,'' he continued. ''Do whatever it takes to find the royal family. I'm not going to waste a glorious chance to be the hero of this story.''

Just she opened her mouth to speak, a loud clatter from behind made them jump. The White Knights turned around and unsheathed their swords.

After anticipating a threat, Troy almost laughed when he saw a frail-looking individual covered in torn, dirty clothing crouch down to search for something. Their bandage-wrapped arms patted the ground a few times before finding and grabbing a small jug. Rising to their feet, the mug jingled with the sound of coins inside.

''Hello?'' Wanderer called out, approaching the group tentatively. ''Do you have a coin or two to spare?''

Troy waved his arm dismissively. ''Get out of here. This doesn't concern you.''

''What doesn't concern...'' Wanderer began to reply before stopping. She tilted her head down and to the side. Her ear faced the innkeepers who were still struggling to break free from the ice. The cold crackle tickled her covered ear. ''Oh, I see.''

Waiting for her to leave, Troy sighed when the beggar didn't move. ''Are you deaf as well as blind? Leave now, or I'll make you leave.''

''I'm not deaf. I heard you.'' Wanderer said quietly. ''I may not be able to feel aura like I once did, but I know a bad egg when I feel it.''

''Can you feel this?'' Troy marched to Wanderer and raised his hand to her.

''Troy, stop!'' Marina cried out.

He brought his hand down hard on where Wanderer's cheek was. A sheet of thick ice coated his knuckles, ensuring this slap would hurt if it landed.

It happened so fast, no one could tell if Wanderer dodged or if Troy simply missed because his arm arched without making any contact. Before Troy can guess what happened, Wanderer's hand closed around his face. She pushed him back and slammed his head into the ground. His body bucked as the ground cracked. He gasped, trying to keep himself awake with his head now buried between the debris.

The White Knights watched on in shock while Demeka and Sinley were in awe.

''Can you feel that?'' Wanderer asked the downed soldier.

A growl slid through Troy's bared teeth as he grabbed his sword and aimed for her head. She didn't move, yet the blade passed through her and sliced into the ground next to them.

Another White Knight gathered their senses and attacked. Two curvy daggers made from bones emerged from his bruised wrists and slipped into his hands. Two powerful jabs aimed for Wanderer's chest seemed to hit their mark. However, the White Knight's eyes widened as he watched her bandaged body turn transparent and he phased right through her. The moment he passed by her, Wanderer's body became solid and she swung a powerful kick that sent him crashing into the wall nearby.

The third White Knight grit her teeth and unsheathed two short swords. Sparks surged from her hands and travelled up the blades, igniting the weapons with electrical energy. The flickering bolts sizzled and snapped loudly, alerting Wanderer to the last attacker. She waited for the swordswoman to come to her. Once the gap had closed and Wanderer could feel the buzz of the swords, she feinted to the left. The White Knight tried to block a kick that she could see coming but wasn't ready for Wanderer's leg to ghost through her body before coming back to strike her in the back.

With all of her opponents on the ground, Wanderer sighed. ''They don't train them like they used to.''

Picking himself up, Troy grunted and backed away from the beggar. ''You're going to regret this, you wretched worm.''

''I can't tell what's more hurt, your head or your pride.''

Wanderer listened to the sound of three pairs of legs scurrying away before disappearing into the distance. Once she could only hear the sound of the heavy breathing coming from the trapped innkeepers, she sighed and pressed her hands against her back until it clicked. ''It's been a while since I've exercised like that.''

Following the noise, Wanderer strolled to the couple and reached down until she could feel the ice encasing their feet. With a few quick jabs, she shattered the ice and freed them.

''Are you hurt?'' Sinley asked his wife, inspecting her for injuries.

Demeka shook her head and kissed his hand that tenderly cupped her face. She turned to the beggar and smiled. ''Thank you.''

''I don't fully understand what's happening, but I wasn't about to let a cub too small for his mane walk over me. These past few weeks, all I've heard about is revolution-this and protest-that. And something about White Knights?''

''Aye, I imagine it's a lot to...'' Demeka paused when she noticed the beggar bouncing the cup in her hand. The coins chimed faintly.

''Oh dear,'' Wanderer sighed. ''It sounds like I've dropped some.''

Demeka and Sinley looked around at the damaged area. They were so taken aback with the beggar's surprising fighting skill, they only just noticed that she fought three White Knights whilst holding a cup in one hand. Rubble and broken bricks were scattered along the ground, making it impossible to find any coins.

The couple shared a glance and smiled.

''Why don't you come with us?'' Demeka offered. ''We own an inn, and we'd be more than happy to let you stay and rest for however long you need.''

''Oh, that is mighty kind of you. Many blessings and thanks to you.''

''And who do we have the pleasure of welcoming?'' Sinley asked.

''I may not remember my old name, but I'm quite fond of Wanderer.''

~X~

It was fortunate that Demeka and Sinley gave Wanderer a quick explanation of what was happening in the kingdom regarding the White Knights and the protests because once they returned to their inn, they saw that all was not well.

They hurried inside, helping Wanderer in the process and were greeted with overturned tables, broken furniture and smashed bottles of liquor in all directions. Jerimoth's slurred taunts echoed off the walls as he stumbled his way around like a lost animal. Peering over the counter and watching him was a quivering Anoke, whose face filled with relief once he saw the return of the innkeepers.

''You let him drink?'' Demeka gasped.

''How were you expecting me to stop him? He was going hysterical. Then he started drinking. Then he was crying. Then he drank again. It continued from here.''

Demeka stared long and hard at the rampaging drunk. ''Wait here!''

Sinley reached out to stop her. ''Don't...''

''He's going to kill himself.''

''Don't you think that's what I want?'' Jerimoth screamed, falling off a chair he was trying to take a seat in. His arms flailed around. ''I only wanted one drink to ease the pain. But, the pain won't stop no matter what I do. Why can't I forget? Why can't I forget? Why can't I forget?''

He repeated that question over and over again, rocking back and forth, slamming his head against the wall until it left a crack.

''Drowning yourself isn't going to help you,'' Demeka said softly.

Jerimoth's face darkened. He turned and looked at her. ''I know that. I thought I could get better. But, what's the point if I'm alone?''

Much to Demeka and Sinley's surprise, Wanderer was the one who stepped forward. ''Oh, Jerimoth...what happened? Why are you in so much pain?''

He looked up at the blind and bandaged beggar slowly approaching him. ''And who are you supposed to be?''

''I wish I could tell you my name, but I don't remember,'' she walked on until she was close enough to hear his whimpers and know he was right in front of her. She kneeled so that their faces were lined. ''I do remember some things. I remember a man who barked at everyone but truly cared. I remember the joy in your eyes when you mastered your skill with a quarterstaff. I remember the night I joined you and Kuval on a mission to find Grand Master Kardas.''

Jerimoth's face lost all colour. ''It can't be...Dakota?''

''Dakota...'' Wanderer lifted her chin. ''I remember my first name.''

Watching on, Demeka needed a moment to catch her breath. ''She was a Knight?''

''After her earlier display, that doesn't surprise me,'' Sinley said.

Jerimoth's mouth went dry. He couldn't stop himself from shaking. ''You were...we were told you had died long ago.''

''I suppose in a way I did.'' She sighed. ''I still remember that day. It wasn't a mission. I wasn't on duty. I returned to my hometown to visit my family. A man came and threatened to burn down my town. I fought him off, but everything was aflame. My magic allowed me to pass through the fire and save everyone I could. However, I could still feel the heat. After a while, my skin boiled and burnt until I was unrecognisable. I was only recused by the townspeople when the fire was out. I was barely alive.''

''Why didn't you return to Arsalan?''

''I did,'' Wanderer said hoarsely then fell silent. She lowered her head. ''I couldn't see. I couldn't sense aura anymore. My magic was also out of control. I thought I was still consumed by fire so I phased through everything. After a few days in the infirmary, I was released into the streets and left to fend for myself. It took a while, but I got better.''

As if something inside him snapped, Jerimoth pushed himself away from her. ''No, this isn't real. It's all in my head. You're not real!''

''I am real. I am here.'' Wanderer said softly.

''No, get out of my head! I can't do this anymore. I can't do this again!''

Wanderer moved closer. ''I know you're hurting. It's not fair on you. But, I'm here. Let me in.''

''No! Get away!'' Jerimoth yelled feverishly, lashing at her to stop her from getting closer. His hands passed through her transparent body.

The frantic cries that filled the room ripped out the hearts of everyone listening. Incoherent words slipped out of his mouth as Wanderer wrapped her arms around him and hugged him. He felt her body against his. She was real. Jerimoth cried into her shoulders, sobbing uncontrollably as she stroked his thin hair.

Knowing that it was best to leave them alone, Demeka and Sinley stepped away, wiping away the tears in their eyes. They walked over to the counter to join Anoke. At last, the mountain of a man emerged from his hiding spot.

''This place is going to be a nightmare to clean,'' he frowned, glancing around the messy interior. He turned to the couple. ''What happened with the march? Are the others still there?''

''There's been a complication,'' Demeka said. ''Kardas has called for the imprisonment of anyone he considers an enemy. The White Knights are going to be more aggressive than ever before.''

Sinley nodded. ''If it weren't for our new companion, we would have suffered the same fate as Katelyn and Jozi.''

''Then what's the new plan?'' Anoke asked.

''We stick with the old plan,'' Demeka answered somewhat hesitantly. ''The only problem is that I now fear we're only going to get one chance to search for the King. And we don't even know where to begin.''

Wanderer slowly pulled away from Jerimoth. ''Is it King Kiros you're looking for?''

Everyone snapped their heads in her direction so quickly, she could practically hear the clink in their necks.

''I never said this aloud out of fear, but I was always a curious girl when it came to castles. Before becoming a Knight, I wanted to be an architect. Arsalan Castle intrigued me. I found myself exploring it, more than I dare to admit. During that time, I happened upon a few places that were not only new to my eyes but also the eyes of many even close to the royal family.''

''Wait, you know...'' Demeka said breathlessly, daring to hope again.

''I might know where Kiros could be hiding.''

It was a long shot. It might be their only shot. But, it was one they were willing to take as they quickly huddled around the older woman to listen.

With all their focus on Wanderer, they failed to notice the transparent figure outside of the window. Lowering her head, Marina's heart raced upon realising what she had discovered.

A/N: Hello guys, girls and everyone else. I hope that you enjoyed this new chapter. I've been looking forward to Wanderer's reveal for a while now, and I'm not going to lie, I did get emotional writing Jerimoth's scene in full. Writing can be a strange thing, can't it? Don't be shy, please do let me know your thoughts and don't forget to vote too. More chapters on the way. In the meantime, stay safe and well. Wash your hands and drink plenty of fluids. Thank you all and please do take care.