Chapter Sixty-Six - Starwalkers

''...That's why people believe that if our world is not round, it must be flat. When in actuality...our world is a pyramid.''

Nassandra blinked, trying to remember how this conversation with a friendly camper took such a sharp turn from where it started.

Mameth Forest wasn't a place Nassandra would have considered for a wedding. However, fearing that death could be around any corner, a young couple were determined to make their vows on this night. Once they announced their plans to Thwack, the camp transformed into a joyfully raucous affair. Music blared and everyone waltzed to their heart's content. It didn't matter that most of their instruments had become chew toys for critters hitching a ride on the Silverbacks with them.

As the celebrations were underway, she looked for space to herself. Veering through the crowded walkways, she bumped into a short man with fuzzy white hair cheerfully swinging an empty ale mug. He asked her if she wanted to hear a theory he had about the world. She accepted, not wanting to dampen anyone's good mood, and intrigued by the topic.

Suffice to say, Nassandra wasn't ready for the camper's long-winded explanation over what shape the world was. ''That's quite the conspi-...uh, theory you have.''

''Pass on my message,'' he instructed, either ignoring or missing her stutter. ''Everyone around the world must know the truth. The world leaders are lying to us. Not you, you're a good girl.'' He said between hiccups before spinning his body around and staggered away.

''How can the message go around the world if...'' Nassandra mumbled to herself, stopping before she thought too much about his rambling.

She shook her head and leaned over one of the walkway's parapets. Despite the dangers lurking in the shadows of the trees, and the knots that formed in her stomach when she thought of her father, Nassandra smiled watching the camp become a flurry of delightful cheers and singing.

''Nassandra!'' Ailith's happy voice cried out. The warrior came galloping over, clutching something behind her back. ''I wanted to show you something I found earlier, but I had to give it a quick clean first.''

She glanced down as Ailith showed off a flowing red scarf. ''Oh, it's wonderful,'' Nassandra smiled. Stitched onto the scarf with black threads was an old fairy tale the Princess recognised. Tilting her head at different angles meant the characters knitted on the scarf moved, telling the story before her eyes. It breathed with life. ''Thwack will make quite the fortune with this find.''

''What they don't know won't hurt them,'' Ailith winked. Before Nassandra could question her, Ailith gently wrapped the scarf around Nassandra's neck. ''It's getting colder as we get closer to Fylian.''

''Ailith, I...'' Nassandra was lost for words. She rubbed the soft material between her thumb and forefinger. ''Thank you.''

''It looks good on you,'' Ailith beamed, making Nassandra's cheeks turn red. When Ailith opened her mouth to say something else, a commotion ahead caught her attention. She sighed with disappointment. ''The wedding's almost over.''

''Over?'' Nassandra gasped. ''But the vows haven't been exchanged yet.''

Ailith pointed to the main event, gesturing for Nassandra to watch.

The music stopped playing as two men walked forward, holding hands and sharing loving glances. Within the crowd, they could spot familiar faces. Levana was already a blubbering mess, wiping away her tears as Fethawi patted her back and soothed her with gentle words. Turrock snickered at her expense, though she didn't seem to care. Kuval looked on with a smile, whereas Emlyn's eyes were everywhere else. It was difficult to tell if she was looking for an escape or just being vigilant.

Thwack stood before the couple, grasping the hilt of a broken sword and pointing it towards the sky with a face of complete disinterest. ''Do you?'' they asked

''Aye.''

''Do you?''

''Aye.''

''Well done, you're married. Now kiss.''

The newlyweds turned to face each other, bringing their lips together as cheering exploded throughout the camp. Amid the exhilarating delirium, Thwack walked off to the side.

Ailith clapped as loud as anyone else. Turning her head, she giggled at the bewildered look written on Nassandra's face. ''Thwack is an ordained minister. So, it's official.''

''It doesn't feel official.''

''Oh?'' Ailith arched her brow. ''How many weddings have you been to?''

Nassandra dipped her head. ''None.''

''I've been to three. Therefore, that makes me more qualified to judge what is and isn't an official wedding.''

''Forgive me, I should not have doubted your qualifications.'' Nassandra raised her hand to her lips, suppressing a laugh. After a moment, she looked upwards and released a heavy sigh.

The sky was completely obscured by the thick tree branches laced together. There was no way of knowing if it was night or day. Ailith tilted her head. ''I miss the stars too.''

Nassandra smiled. ''When I was a child, I used to have a dream that I could walk next to the stars. They were as close to me as you are now.''

Ailith's brows furrowed. ''I've had that dream too.''

The Princess's brown eyes sparkled. ''Many people are said to have had similar dreams. It's why I believe the Gods did learn the ways of magic through the stars. Maybe they're trying to call to us in our dreams?''

''Is it possible for someone to answer that call?''

''I would if I only knew how,'' Nassandra said sadly. ''I was once terrified over the prospect of stepping outside my castle. Could you imagine me going to the stars?''

Ailith gazed at her, then held out her hand. ''Well, as your unofficial guardian...''

Nassandra giggled. ''Oh, you've anointed yourself my guardian, have you?''

''I'll ask Thwack to make it official,'' Ailith smirked. ''After I have journeyed to every corner of this world, I will set course for other worlds. I will walk amongst the stars.''

''Ailith the Starwalker. It suits you.''

''But, I won't go unless you come along with me.'' Ailith proclaimed, hoping that it would be enough to cheer her friend. It seemed to work, as Nassandra couldn't stop smiling.

''Careful,'' Nassandra looked around. ''We're at a wedding, that almost sounded like a proposal.''

Ailith's eyes widened. Her whole face reddened. ''What? No, I didn't, I mean I...it wasn't-,''

''I'm only jesting.'' It took half a minute before Nassandra found the willpower to stop laughing. She stared at Ailith's infectious, slightly bashful smile and that's when a curious thought came to her, one that she couldn't ignore. ''Have you ever thought about marriage?''

''As in...another person marrying me?''

''That is usually how marriages work.'' Nassandra teased.

A long stretch of silence followed as Ailith pursed her lips. ''I haven't thought about it. I'm not against the idea of finding someone. I think going on adventures with my other half would make them feel more special.''

Nassandra smiled at the confession. ''It sounds wonderful.''

Letting her fascination get the better of her, Ailith moved in closer. ''What about you? Do you want to get married? How do royal marriages work? You wouldn't be forced into one, would you?''

Another giggle escaped the Princess. ''No, world leaders aren't forced into marriage. That's an urban myth.''

''But, you will have to marry someone?''

Nassandra nodded. ''I will.''

Her short answer wasn't enough for Ailith. The warrior hopped up to sit on the parapet and faced Nassandra fully. ''What kind of person would you want to marry?''

''Oh Gods,'' Nassandra covered her face with her new scarf. Ailith pulled it down, waiting in anticipation. Laughing again, Nassandra lightly pushed her away. ''Someone who is not as persistent as you.''

Ailith hummed. ''You haven't narrowed your choices down by much.''

Rolling her eyes, Nassandra's gaze returned to where the stars would be. ''It would be nice to have someone who loves me despite my-,'' her throat hitched, stopping her sentence.

Ailith frown. Her heart deflated watching Nassandra's dejected expression. She jumped off the parapet, standing next to her friend. ''I think that you not only deserve someone who brings out the strength in you but, who also reminds you of how strong you already are.''

Nassandra couldn't find her words quick enough, so she smiled. A blush crept back into her cheeks, which she tried to hide by looking elsewhere. ''Uh...and what of you? What kind of person would you settle down with.''

Ailith shrugged. ''I don't know.''

''What?'' Nassandra gasped. ''I satisfied your curiosity. The least you can do is return the favour.''

With a playful smirk, Ailith turned and marched away. ''I can't have an answer if I'm not sure if I'll ever marry.''

''That's not what you said!'' Nassandra held an accusing finger at the warrior. ''You said you weren't against the idea, so you must have an idea.''

''Look who's the persistent one now.'' Ailith stuck out her tongue and ran away.

Nassandra chased after her, unable to contain her laughter. She doubted that she would get an answer from Ailith, but she didn't care in the end. For a short while, her world didn't feel like it was caving in. 

A/N: Hello guys, girls and everyone else. I hope that you enjoyed this new chapter. What are your thoughts? I felt like there needed to be some sweet levity here, because I'll be honest, from this point onwards...things are going to get more intense with each chapter. That's all I'm going to reveal for now. Until next time, thank you all and take care.