Chapter Thirty-Eight – Breaking Free

Ailith was awoken by the sound of knocking on her bedroom door. Lifting her head from the desk, the sunlight blasting through the window scorched her face and caused her to squint and moan.

She never went to bed after her night overcoming the Javelin. As soon as she returned, she sat down and comforted herself by drumming her fingers against the wooden surface to imitate melodies sung around Thwak's camp. Simpler times. The happy memories helped her drift into a brief slumber. Looking out of the window and staring at the sun hanging high above the castle, Ailith released a loud yawn and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

There was another knock at the door, firm and consistent.

''You can leave the tray outside, I'll get it later.'' Ailith called out, rubbing her temples.

''Princess Nassandra wishes to see you.'' Fethawi said monotonically through the door.

Ailith leapt out of her chair haphazardly, tripping over it and rolling on the ground before dashing to the door. The bruises on her arms and legs stung as a reminder of last night. She opened the door, baffled to see only Fethawi and the Knight guarding her. ''Wait...where is Nassandra?'' she inquired.

''Her Highness wishes for me to take you to her room,'' he replied, oblivious to the shock written over Ailith's face. He scanned her from head to toe, noting her ragged attire. ''I shall wait for you to get dressed before...''

As he spoke, Ailith rushed to the wardrobe and practically jumped inside of it. After half a minute of fumbling, she emerged with a brown short-sleeved jacket covering a traditional green shirt and tied at the waist with a belt.

The Knight glared at her unorthodox attire, not that it mattered to the young woman, who hurried back to Fethawi excitedly. ''I'm ready!''

~X~

Ailith's intrigue grew with every step closer to Nassandra's room. She patted her face to shake the heaviness out of her drowsy eyes. The last thing she needed was to fall asleep in the Princess's presence.

They stopped at a large door, and Fethawi knocked.

''You may enter.'' Nassandra announced.

Fethawi pushed the door and held it open. After taking just one step inside, Ailith gasped as she tried to absorb the sheer scope of the room. Far more spacious than any she had seen in the castle so far, her feet pressed on top of a red and gold carpet draped over a hard, polished wooden floor. Thick wooden shelves adorned with books and antiques lined the walls. Facing opposite was a large window with the sunlight gleaming through to give the room the glow of a warm, comforting fire.

''Ailith,'' the soft voice belonging to the Princess finally ripped Ailith's eyes away from the decor. She turned and saw Nassandra approach her. A tiara rested atop her head, and her elegant red dress seemed to sparkle under the sunlight. She turned to the Knight guarding her guest. ''May we have some privacy, please?''

Reluctance was evident in his posture as he fidgeted. Eventually, he bowed to Nassandra before growling and throwing a sharp glare at Ailith. He left without any words, closing the door behind him.

Ailith hummed and rubbed the back of her neck. ''He seems to be having a particularly bad morning.''

Nassandra's brow arched. ''You can tell that just from his growls?''

''He's guarded me twice now. I think I can understand him,'' she mused. ''Either that growl meant he missed his breakfast this morning...or he's constipated.''

The Princess couldn't hold back a small giggle, covering her mouth with her hand. ''I had no idea you were bilingual.''

Nassandra's laughter was an infectious sound that caused the corners of Ailith's mouth to twitch upwards. ''I can be full of surprises sometimes. How many languages do you know?''

''Five,'' Nassandra admitted bashfully. ''Technically, six, but my Hucray is still rusty.''

''Wow, that's amazing,'' Ailith beamed.

The action prompted Nassandra also smile, leaving her in a comforting silence. Before the quietness could drag, the Princess walked over to a tray sitting atop a desk where two cups stood. ''Forgive me, could I offer you a cup of Kamacocoa Tea? It's my favourite.''

Walking over to the tray, Ailith glanced at the contents. The soft brown beverage glazed with a thin layer of cream called out to her rumbling stomach. She licked her lips and reached for the closest cup on the tray. ''If it's chocolate, I'm never going to turn it down.''

''Great minds think alike.'' Nassandra smiled.

Ailith glowed as soon as the tea poured down her throat. The unmistakable taste of chocolate helped temporarily quell the aching still present around her body. A satisfied sigh escaped her. ''That really hit the spot. Thank you.''

''Something sweet to warm you after the night you endure-,'' she said before she could stop herself, causing Ailith to pause with her beverage. ''I'm sorry, I sh-should...I mean, no...''

''How did you know about last night?'' Ailith asked, more curious than angry.

Nassandra shifted uneasily, turning away from Ailith and noticeably breathing heavier than before. The Princess opened her mouth to speak but hesitated and instead gestured for Ailith to follow. They walked across the room, turning the corner of the large bed. It was as if the room had no limits; a small maze within this labyrinth of a castle.

Ailith's eyes bulged when she saw something at the far end of the room. ''Is that a...''

Nestled in front of a small open window and staring at the outside world was a mounted telescope.

''Have you never seen one before?'' Nassandra questioned.

Shaking her head, Ailith couldn't resist approaching the instrument and inspecting it thoroughly. ''I thought only astrologers could have these?''

''Yes, but...'' Nassandra hesitated. Colour flushed her cheeks before she continued. ''If I got the chance to study abroad, astrology is...it's something I'm passionate about.''

The telescope was affixed at the perfect height for Ailith to glance through the optical lens. Even if the stars and moons were slumbering, it was too good an opportunity to let pass. While her vision was blurred, she could tell that she wasn't staring at the sky, but instead a thick patch of marshy green. Looking up from the instrument, Ailith gazed out of the window and saw that it was pointing towards a large forest that separated the castle grounds from the distant ocean west of the country.

Through the trees, Ailith could faintly spot wooden brackets circling some of the trees. It finally clicked in her head. ''You saw me on the Javelin?''

Nassandra grimaced. ''I didn't mean to...it-it was, I was cataloguing stars when...I saw something happening in the forest and I saw you. I couldn't see everything and I couldn't hear what was said, b-but you seemed upset, s-so I thought...'' she stammered uncontrollably then fell silent, clutching her hand to suppress the trembling.

Ailith faced her. ''Is that why you brought me up here? Because you saw that I was upset?''

Doing her best to ignore the doubts plaguing her mind, the Princess's eyes found Ailith's. ''You saved my life. Even now, you've still been doing everything you can to help us. I want you to feel comfortable here. I know that I've been a disappointment since you've been residing here...''

''What are you talking about?'' Ailith interjected, surprising Nassandra. ''You've been nothing but nice to me since I got here. You defended me in the trial. You've shown me around your home. You allowed me to go on a mission with the Knights. You helped one of my biggest dreams come true. I can't thank you enough for that!''

Seeing Ailith gush like that left Nassandra feeling dazed. Even the cynical thoughts in her head ceased for a short while. Unsure of where to take the conversation next, her eyes flickered out of the window. ''I've heard rumours that the Javelin can be quite gruelling.''

''Oh no, it wasn't that bad.'' Ailith fibbed poorly.

''Did you succeed?''

The warrior nodded. ''After about twenty times.''

''Twenty?''

''Maybe thirty?'' Ailith ruminated. ''You can tell I'm not good with numbers.''

Her half-hearted stab at herself didn't stop Nassandra from staring wide-eyed. ''But...in one night? How are you still standing?''

''Shakily,'' Ailith admitted.

Nassandra continued to look at her in astonishment. Then, her brow creased in confusion. ''Wait, if you completed it, why were you upset?''

The hurtful memories of last night imprinted themselves into Ailith's mind once again. She felt tightness in her throat as if sandpaper was scraping inside. For a split-second, she considered brushing the topic aside and pretending that everything was fine and blaming it all on exhaustion. However, staring at the Princess's concerned expression, she couldn't find the strength to lie.

She sighed. ''I knew it wasn't going to be easy to become a Knight. But, I didn't know it was going to be unfair as well. I thought that if I could prove that I was good enough, that would be it. I can't go back, and I can't move forward. It feels like I'm trapped.''

Nassandra listened carefully, unnerved to see someone who constantly surprised her with her resilience and strength falter.

''You know,'' Ailith blinked. ''With everything going on...Kardas, the White Sword, the bribery going on in the academies, and now this...I'm starting to think I don't know the Knights as well as I thought I did.''

Her chest pained at the confession. And yet, it strangely felt relieving to say.

''I'm sorry,'' Nassandra said. ''I know what it feels like to be trapped. You can't be what you want to be because of something holding you back. External or internal.''

Ailith nodded and forced a smile. ''It sounds like we both need to break free.''

Nassandra wrung her hands together, appearing deep in thought. ''What would you say...'' she gulped heavily. ''If I suggested we leave the castle for the day?''

The warrior did a double take. ''What?''

''Just for one day. I believe that we both need some time away from the castle. As big as it is, it can feel quite claustrophobic at times.''

''Where would we go?''

''I don't know,'' Nassandra fidgeted, showing immediate regret for her words. ''Somewhere in the Kingdom. We'll stay close so that we can return before anyone notices we're gone.''

''What about the White Sword?'' Ailith sputtered.

''Remember what Kuval said? They might have already infiltrated the castle. The danger has just as much potential occurring within these walls as it does out there.'' She pointed to the window.

It was a difficult point to argue against. Ailith looked over to see Fethawi floating against the wall. He had remained still and silent for so long, she almost forgot the Drasa was still in the room with them. ''Don't you have something to say?''

''What would you like me to say?'' he inquired routinely.

Ailith huffed. ''I should have realised that wouldn't work.''

After a moment, Nassandra lifted her chin and locked eyes with the worried warrior. ''I realise that it's a risky thing I'm asking of you, and I'm putting you in a predicament once again. If we are caught, I promise to take full responsibility for my actions. I need some time, even fraction of time, away from all this. My own home no longer feels safe and I don't know whom to trust anymore.''

''Why do you trust me?''

Despite herself, Nassandra smiled. ''Because I look into your eyes, and you see me as your friend rather than a princess.''

Ailith felt her heart tug at that statement. ''I like to look at you as both.''

Every rational thought inside of Ailith's mind was screaming at what a horrid idea this was. With that being said, the longer she thought, she soon recognised the ingeniousness of the idea. In the castle, the Princess could be found and targeted. But, out in the open world, no one would be looking for her. With a disguise, she could blend in with the crowd. They wouldn't be hunted and cornered like with Jozi. She also empathised with Nassandra's need to find some time away from the castle.

Finally, Ailith nodded. ''Okay, but how do we leave without Growly noticing us?''

Nassandra couldn't stop a small giggle from escaping. ''Is that his real name?''

''No, I just like calling him that.''

After sharing another laugh, Nassandra quickly glanced at her bedroom door checking to see if Ailith's guard was still positioned outside.

Once she had confirmation they weren't spied upon, she quietly made her way over to a section of her room shadowed behind a large jewel-encrusted, mahogany wardrobe. Ailith followed with keen interest. At first, she believed that the Princess was fetching a disguise, but looked on bewilderedly as Nassandra leaned down to reach for something attached behind the bottom of the wardrobe. The royal woman hooked a finger around and managed to pull a small latch upwards. A rumble reverberated off the wall. Before Ailith could question what was happening, Nassandra pushed the wardrobe aside with ease, revealing a hidden doorway that led to a passage shrouded in darkness.

Ailith's jaw dropped. ''How long has that been there?''

''Since my grandfather's time,'' Nassandra replied. ''Only the royal family knows about these passageways. They're to be used for emergency escapes. I use them whenever I need time to myself, or if I need to reach my studies faster.''

''And this leads to outside the castle?''

The Princess nodded as she now reached for the door of her wardrobe and began to browse around for a disguise. Not an easy feat considering the amount of sophisticated attire she owned that would give away her identity in a heartbeat.

As she searched, Ailith gazed down the hidden passageway. It reminded her of the tunnels stretched throughout and underneath the Kingdom. At least there would be no Ayek Beetles to trouble them this time.

Nassandra walked over, wearing the most casual outfit she could find, though it was still quite refined in Ailith's eyes. A simple white dress flowing from top to bottom with the flow broken up by a thin rope belt worn quite high around the waist. The sleeves reached her wrists, and she could reach behind to pull up a hood that cloaked most of her face.

At the entrance of the passageway, Nassandra glanced over her shoulder at Fethawi. ''You'll attract too much attention if you come.''

''Are you certain that you will not need my assistance while you are away?'' he questioned.

Nassandra bit her bottom lip, unsure how she could answer that. ''I'll have Ailith to protect me if anything happens.''

''I am referring to sudden anxiety attacks.''

''I think I'm having an anxiety attack right now.'' She muttered.

Fethawi moved closer. ''Shall I assist-,''

''It was sarcasm,'' Nassandra retorted. Truthfully, it was half-true. Her heart thundered louder than any of the country's most infamous storms. ''If anyone does enter, tell them I am exploring the castle with Ailith and we will return by dusk.''

The Drasa bowed. ''As you wish, Your Highness.''

Now that they were covered, the two women looked down at the dark path before them. They exchanged a quick glance. ''Are you sure about this?'' Ailith asked.

''No.''

Offering an assured smile, Ailith stepped forward. ''You showed me your home, so it's only fair I show you mine.''

A/N: Hello guys, girls and everyone else. What did you think of this chapter? Are you enjoying the friendship between Ailith and Nassandra? Do you think their time around the Kingdom will go without a hitch? Hmm, we'll have to wait and see. A big thank you once again to everyone reading this story. Every read, vote and comment greatly helps this story improve and reach a wider audience. Until next time, take care.