Chapter Thirteen - Lost and Found

The first round?

How could she be a Knight if she couldn't make it through the first round? How could she become the greatest warrior in the world with a performance like that?

She couldn't blame Turrock. He defeated her fairly. But, the pain in her chest didn't lessen with that knowledge. Since she had been guided away from the Colosseum and out of the castle, her eyes stung with tears. Thankfully, she could pass it off as an aftereffect of her fight. Time slipped by before she even realised that she was back outside, over the moat that circled the castle. Since she was no longer a participant, she had no reason for being inside the castle anymore.

She took refuge on the bench of a nearby corner shop, owned by someone who was thankfully kind enough to donate a bucket of ice for her to dip her feet into. Grabbing a handful of ice cubes, she rubbed them against her warm skin. She hissed, waiting for the pain to die before exhaling. Gazing towards the castle and listening to the cheering crowd, her mind contemplated on what could have been.

Lost in her thoughts, she hardly noticed two people approaching her from the open gate, drawing a few curious glances and worried whispers from other onlookers nearby. One person approaching was the gentleman who escorted her to the Colosseum and the other was the Knight that Ailith encountered before her entry. In her arms, she carried Ailith's soaking sword.

Ailith wearily rose to her feet and faced them as the Knight returned her sword. The gentleman cleared his throat. ''I believe this belongs to you.''

''I'd almost forgotten about it,'' Ailith said, trying to smile. ''Thank you.''

''You're lucky we didn't keep that. The blade is unmarked and could sell for quite a bit.''

''Yeah, I don't use it much. It's more to fend off any...''

''Fine, fine, fine,'' he interrupted and waved his hand to silence her. ''I must be on my way. I can't dawdle with those no longer in the tournament.'' His eyes shifted towards the Knight. ''You should be on your way too, Lady Levana.''

The Knight placed a clenched fist over her heart. ''Yes, sir.''

Without another word, he turned heel and trotted back towards the castle entrance. His arms folded behind his back and his head held high, there wasn't any slack in his steps.

Ailith's body leant forward. She kept her feet planted, fighting back the urge to return to the castle. A slight bit of movement coming from Levana caused Ailith to fix her gaze on the armoured woman.

''Try not to take Bricen's words to heart,'' Levana said. ''He's not as good with people as he believes. I hear that you fought admirably.''

Ailith's lips curled slightly. Hearing words of praise coming from a Knight made her feel jubilant, even if only for a brief moment. ''Thank you,'' her gaze lowered to the ground. ''But, I still lost. It doesn't matter how well I fought.''

Levana shuffled, rubbing the back of her neck. ''I wish I knew what to say to help.''

A thought came to Ailith. ''When is the next tournament? I need to start saving so that I can enter.''

The Knight's face wrinkled, filling Ailith's heart with dread. ''I'm sorry. This was a one-time event. There won't be another tournament.''

Those words hurt Ailith more than any physical pain she endured from Turrock. She closed her eyes and rubbed the palm of her hands over her face.

''I really must go,'' Levana spoke, already pacing back towards the castle.

Ailith watched her leave, staring at the symbol of the Knights. The image was carved into her mind as well as on their armour. She'd come so close. The closest she'd ever been, and now she believed it might be the closest she would ever get. Her hands clenched. To stop them from trembling, she pressed her knuckles against her forehead until she left a red mark. A groan rolled out of her throat, threatening to burst into a scream as she slumped against the shop wall and slid down.

Those that meandered along the nearby streets left her. Ailith watched them go by. Shoppers argued over the inflated prices, and children talked about the different magical arts they witnessed.

''Any coins to spare?'' a frail voice whispered next to Ailith. She turned and her eyes widened when she saw the beggar she helped before, extending her arm to hold out her mug.

Finally, a genuine smile returned. ''Hey, I remember you.''

The beggar flinched. She tilted her head as Ailith's voice drummed through the bandages wrapped around her ears. ''Oh, you're the young woman who saved me earlier. I'm sorry for disturbing you.''

''No, no, it's fine. You couldn't have known,'' she paused. ''You can't see me, can you?''

''I'm afraid these eyes lost their flame many years ago.'' She admitted.

''I'm sorry.'' Ailith scooted away and patted her hand loudly on the ground. ''Do you want to sit down? You must be tired walking around so much.''

A shocked gasp escaped the beggar. She hesitated before slowly planting her hand against the wall of the shop they sat outside and sat. ''I've been given everything from coins, to shirt buttons, teeth and a baby hamster. But, never has anyone given me a seat since...'' she stopped briefly before continuing. ''You are too kind.''

''Thank you,'' Ailith beamed. ''Also, if you hear any strange noises, don't worry. I'm just crunching on ice.''

''Very well,'' she laughed. ''But, I thought you were in the tournament?''

Ailith's smile faltered. She was grateful that the beggar couldn't see the disheartened look on her face. ''I...I lost.''

''Oh, I see...'' She replied quietly with a sympathetic tone sprinkled in her voice. ''That's too bad. It sounded like you were excited to take part.''

''It wasn't just about taking part. I had to win.''

''Why?''

It was an innocent enough question. Ailith was warned about revealing her ambition to anyone, but it couldn't hurt to confide in her new, elderly friend. Could it?

Her emotions were feeling cramped inside her chest. She had to release them.

''I want to be a Knight. If I won this tournament, it would have proven to everyone that I have what it takes. I know that a commoner can't become a Knight. I even had a Knight tell me that many years ago. But, I wanted to prove him wrong. I don't want to be told what I can or can't do. Also, my Mama and Papa are having financial troubles, even though they won't admit it to my face. I try to support them, but it's not enough. I could have done more, I could have...'' She sealed her lips, stopping her rant by slamming her head back against the wall. Though, all this resulted in was the return of the throbbing in her skull. She let out a long overdrawn groan.

The beggar was still, hooked on Ailith's every word. ''You had a lot riding on this.''

''I had everything riding on this. I wanted to win so badly. I did the best that I could.''

''I'm sure that you did. However, even when you do your best, you don't always succeed on the first try.''

''But, I only had one try.'' They sat in silence. Ailith was unsure if talking about this was aiding her or making her feel worse. Her heart reached out to this kind woman, willing to listen to her rant and offer words of encouragement. ''I'm sorry. I just...I don't know what to do.''

''Ask them.''

It was such a blunt response. It took a few seconds for Ailith to register what was said. She turned sharply to the woman and arched her brows. ''What?''

The beggar chuckled. ''Ask them if you can become a Knight. Ask for an apprenticeship or scholarship or...however it works nowadays.''

Ailith wanted to believe that she was pulling her leg. It was such a simple solution. But, now that the idea had crept into her subconscious, it tightened its grip and never let go. She glanced back towards the castle. ''Do you really think that will work?''

''Who knows?'' She answered honestly. ''In times of uncertainty, it's not a terrible thing to ask for help. It's what I do.''

Ailith's pulse raced. The dream was slowly returning. Her smile came back in full force as she leapt out from the ice bucket and quickly grabbed her footwear. ''I'm going to do it! I'm going to ask them. I could find Levana or...or another Knight and ask them. They might say no, but then, I can find a way to prove myself to them. Offer myself as an apprentice. I can't give up now that I'm here!''

After strapping her drenched sheathed sword to her belt, and fumbling with her boots, she hurried to the castle. Her dreams carried her so quickly she almost forgot one final thing. She skidded along the ground before coming to a halt and turning back. The beggar was gradually standing back up, using the wall for support. ''It sounds like you've found your way again. So, I shall leave you to it.''

''Thank you,'' Ailith grinned from ear to ear. ''What is your name?''

The beggar tilted her head, rubbing her fingers tenderly over the cracks on the mug. ''I honestly can't remember.''

Ailith's shoulders slouched, but the sorrow didn't last for long. With an affectionate smile, she cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled loud enough for the world to hear. ''Thank you, Wanderer!''

The beggar, Wanderer, raised her arm as high as she could and waved. Ailith returned the gesture and watched the woman mosey along down a narrow street.

With a renewed sense of passion and desire, Ailith rushed towards the castle entrance. She darted across the bridge and stepped underneath the enormous, marble-arch doorway.

Taking a few gracious steps inside, she searched for any guard or occupant. It would be unwise to stroll into a castle unannounced, especially with a weapon by her side. She admired the chandeliers above her as she waited. And waited. And waited. It was a stark contrast to her previous entry in the castle, with no one in sight.

Ailith mused. With the tournament underway, it was likely that everyone was further inside. Taking a chance, and keeping her eyes peeled, she advanced forward.

Following the path she memorised from before, she hoped to stumble across someone. As she searched, she awed at the artwork that lined the castle walls. One painting was most likely more expensive than her family's inn. Not a speck of dust could be seen in the hallways. However, this led Ailith to question the whereabouts of the workers. How could she travel so deep into the most fortified structure in Arsalan and find the space empty? No matter how far she roamed, the only face she could see was her own staring back in reflections.

Before long, Ailith found a marble staircase that she didn't recognise. A sense of dread dawned on her. She might have taken a wrong turn. There was no telling where she was at this point. If she were discovered now, there would be consequences.

''I better turn back.'' She mumbled.

Passing through more corridors, Ailith stopped as she came upon the entrance to a library. There was no doubt in her mind now. She was hopelessly lost. A chill crawled up her spine as she now hoped that she didn't come across a new face.

She scolded herself. This is exactly what she deserved for charging into this mess. All she had to do was wait. Someone would have come to the castle entrance. At least, that's what she believed. Did something happen to the Knights patrolling the corridors? What about the workers labouring in each of the rooms? Where were they?

Her curiosity overpowered her worry, and she slowly walked into the library.

Ailith's jaw dropped when she gazed upwards. Grandiose and endless, mahogany wooden shelves stretched high towards the windowed ceiling. Books of different shapes, sizes and colours were stacked on the sills. The most eager bookworm would salivate at this selection. Ailith walked onwards, reading through the titles of the books that nestled closer to ground level. Even the ones written in her language were still unfamiliar to her. Some of the books bloated to such preposterous lengths, Ailith wondered if anyone could even finish it in their lifetime.

She followed a trail of sunlight pouring through the transparent ceiling until she spotted someone.

Ailith froze and bit her tongue, fearing that she had finally been caught. However, it looked as if the library's sole occupant didn't notice her. Realising this, Ailith eased and focused on the individual. Sitting on the top step of a spiralling staircase was a woman enjoying a book, with dozens more piled next to her. Her skin was a beautiful shade of brown, with black hair like coal braided and hanging over her shoulder. The elegant red dress that flowed over her body suggested class and wealth.

For longer than she realised, Ailith watched the woman. If she could capture this moment, it would become a painting greater than any she saw displayed on the walls earlier. The woman rose to her feet and stepped away and out of Ailith's line of sight. She waited for something to happen. A moment of complete silence passed, and Ailith could finally breathe a sigh of relief. She twisted her body to leave when she suddenly saw a flash of red.

The woman in the dress was holding a bow with an arrow lodged and aimed right between Ailith's eyes.

A/N: Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Can Ailith ever catch a break? Who is this woman in red? And can Ailith get herself out of this mess? You'll find out very soon. I hope that you're enjoying it. FYI, I have another story up and will be updated every Tuesday and Thursday. If you're looking for an urban-fantasy/romance with mermaids, I would recommend it. Thank you, until next time, take care everyone.