Iter {A journey}

When Arya came back to her room she found a note awaiting her. Gently placing her books on the desk, she picked up the note to read the following

Dear Arya,

I request your presence at the gates of the academy after you have arrived from your classes. We will be travelling as such it is important to pack all the necessities. Eclipse will be waiting for you at the front.

~Lady Zelie

Arya let the slip of parchment fall from her grasps before quickly gathering everything that she needed. Lady Zelie had taken Arya on many trips so this was nothing new. She expected them to be going to one of the cities and gathering information or simply doing royal duties. Arya walked briskly towards the gates of the academy a bag slung over her shoulders. Anaz was resting at her hips while her midnight blue hair had been tied back in a tight bun.

When Arya approached the gates, she saw Bianca standing beside Eclipse.

"Am I to travel with you?" she asked confused.

Bianca was about to open her mouth but someone else answered.

"No, I just told her to bring Eclipse to the gates."

Arya turned around to see Lady Zelie's familiar face and seafoam eyes penetrating her. She was dressed in a royal blue cloak that had been fastened around the neck with the royal emblem. The hood was covering her golden waves and her sword was resting on a belt. Arya and Bianca both curtsied.

"You may go now," Lady Zelie said to Bianca.

The guard nodded before giving her another bow and taking her leave. Now it was only the two of them standing in the courtyard.

"Shall we?" Lady Zelie questioned as she motioned to her own horse, a pure white Andalusian.

Arya nodded before mounting on Eclipse. Pretty soon they had left the academy in the dust and were pasting through Dzfrah.

"Do you know how much trouble Madame Kenna gave me for trying to take you away?"

Arya shook her head. "No, but I would assume a lot."

Lady Zelie made an un-ladylike noise. "She wouldn't shut up about it. This girl needs the practice, she is the champion for goodness sake, are you trying to lose? Those were only some of the words she uttered."

Arya could just imagine Madame Kenna scolding Lady Zelie. "How did she let you leave?"

Lady Zelie rolled her eyes. "I had to make a promise that I would continue your training and not miss a single day, like I wasn't going to do that anyways."

Arya looked surprised. It would be an honour to have Lady Zelie has her teacher. "Where are we going?" she asked.

"To the castle of course," Lady Zelie relied.

"What business do we have there?" Arya asked.

In all her times, she had never visited the castle with Lady Zelie. In fact, when she had taken a trip with Bianca and Silvia had been one of the few times she had actually seen the castle.

"My father is asking for a report on the Heres Gladii participants. I would take someone else but since you're the champion, I thought it would be best to take you. Besides, I'm sure you will enjoy the break from dancing lessons." Lady Zelie finished with a wicked grin.

Arya couldn't help but agree. She found herself subconsciously touching the pendant around her neck, something that she had been doing more of lately. It seemed to have integrated in her life. As much as she did not like jewelry, the pendant was different because it had a story and it represented the faith the Lady Zelie had in her.

Lady Zelie's eyes seemed to follow the pendant and a soft smile lit her face. "You're still wearing it, huh?"

"Of course," Arya replied.

"Well that makes me happy." Lady Zelie finished.

They rest of the way they both remained silent submerged in their own thoughts. The sun was setting and the trees were illuminating that color. Hints of color peeked thought the dark shades and reflected light on Arya and Lady Zelie. Strands of her that had come from beneath Lady Zelie's hood looked like the sun itself with its bright colour giving it a lustrous glow.

"Just one of the things I love about travelling," Lady Zelie commented quietly.

Arya nodded. There were no more words needed between the two of them because right now, their minds were one pondering over nothing but the beauty of the sun. They watched until the sun kissed the horizon and departed beneath the surface to their eyes were unable to track it anymore.

Lady Zelie broke the silence by covering her hair again with the clock. "Let's get back to travelling. It will be late soon and we need to reach Caydeh by nightfall."

Arya nodded and they both mounted their horses leaving a trail of dust behind them. Almost a good three and a half hours later they made it to the city of Caydeh. Arya had been here many times as it was the nearest city to Dzfrah and in the middle between the academy and the castle. It was almost like a safe haven. Caydeh was one of the cities that did not have a noble manor as the Baron liked to travel a lot.

Instead, when they used Caydeh as a mid-way stop Lady Zelie and Arya would tend to rest in a nearby inn. The city was bustling with people even though it was almost midnight.

"It's like these people never go to sleep." Lady Zelie mumbled as a women brushed past her almost making her cloak fall from its place.

The cloak was the only thing that hid that Lady Zelie was a princess. She was relatively well known and knew how to fight but for her own safety, the King and Queen had requested her to wear a cloak when travelling. Lady Zelie had refused the idea originally but when people would begin to treat her differently and stop her from doing her important tasks she had no choice but to oblige to her parents' wishes.

"Kathoria probably has more people bustling about." Arya replied to Lady Zelie's comment.

Lady Zelie let out a light laugh. "Of course it does, it isn't called the city of lights for a reason."

Lady Zelie abruptly stopped in front of a wooden inn that looked pretty normal to Arya.

"Shall we stay here?"

Arya shrugged her shoulder. "It's up to you My Lady."

"Arya don't call me that in public!" Lady Zelie patronized her.

Arya didn't respond. She was not stupid. She had only called Lady Zelie by her respected name because she was well aware of the fact that nobody was in their vicinity. Otherwise, she wouldn't have dared to do something like that.

"Would you like me to take care of your horse?" A deep voice interrupted.

Arya peeled her gaze to look at the man that had approached them. He was tall, well over 6'2 and his curly beard and wrinkled face only made him look more terrifying.

"Yes, that would be much appreciated." Lady Zelie said formally before throwing him a light smile.

They both dismounted their horses but when the man tried leading Eclipse away, he nearly bit his hand.

"Vicious, ain't he?"

Arya ignored him a stroked Eclipse softly. "Don't worry boy, I'll see you in the morning. This man is just leading you to shelter. Nothing is going to happen."

Eclipse neighed as if he understood. Arya released his reigns. "You may take him now," she said.

The man approached Eclipse with small carefully step as if afraid that breathing in the wrong direction would make the stallion act widely. Well he wasn't too off. Lady Zelie stood in the corner of the situation looking very amused. This time Eclipse did go with the man which left Lady Zelie and Arya in front of the inn.

"I gave that horse to you for a reason you know?" Lady Zelie asked wistfully.

Arya looked confused. "I thought he was a present for me."

Lady Zelie smiled lightly. "He was. It was just that he had been cast of the side and nobody in his heard believed in him but he found strength. Right away I knew that he was a survivor, much like yourself so I knew you two would be perfect together."

As much as Arya tried to deny Lady Zelie's words she knew they were true in her heart. There was nothing better than Eclipse. He had shadowed her life, something that she would find comfort in often. His presence seemed to calm Arya and made her forget her worries for a brief moment.

The entered the inn and the innkeeper came to greet them. "How may I help you?" he said.

"We'd like two rooms please."

The innkeeper nodded. "Right this way."

He led them down the hall until they were able to see their rooms.

"If you need anything, I'll be downstairs."

Lady Zelie inclined her head slightly, "thank you."

The innkeeper left leaving Lady Zelie and Arya alone once again.

"Quickly get fresh we should go downstairs for some food." Lady Zelie said.

Arya nodded and entered the room that she had been given. It was very simple with a single bed in the corner of the room and a small table beside it. The rest of the room was bare and there were no windows. It wasn't like the rooms she was used to but she wasn't going to complain about it. After all, it was better to have a roof over your head then none at all.

Arya slipped off her grimy clothes before taking a quick bath. She needed to get rid of the sweat and dirt that had accumulated overtime. When she finished with her bath, she slipped into a fresh pair of clothes that she had gotten from her leather bag before closing the room door and locking it.

Arya proceeded to travel to Lady Zelie's room before knocking lightly. "It's me." She said.

"Come in!" Lady Zelie's voice replied.

Arya open the door slightly to see that Lady Zelie was still wearing her cloak. Her hair was still damp; much like Arya's which indicated that she had taken a bath as well. Arya looked around the room to notice that it was slightly bigger than hers but the same layout and furniture. Lady Zelie never once complained in whichever inn they stayed at because she had a sense of thankfulness. She saw the brightness even when everyone else could only see the dark.

"Shall we go to dinner now?" She asked softly placing the hood over her blond waves.

Arya nodded but then noticed something, "where is your sword?"

Lady Zelie pointed to the corner of the room. "Don't worry, I won't need it."

Arya opened her mouth to protest.

"If anything, I'll be able to see you save me when I am in mortal peril."

Arya sighed slightly. There was no use in arguing with Lady Zelie when she had made her mind.

Seeing Arya's expression Lady Zelie laughed lightly. "I'm not stupid. I do have daggers hidden under my cloak if someone does decide to give us trouble."

Arya's allowed a small smile to make its way onto her face. Of course she should have expected something like this from Lady Zelie. They made their way down the stairs to where an eating place had been set for them. Pulling out Lady Zelie's chair for her, Arya waited for her to be seated before taking her own seat. There was a steaming bowl of broth awaiting them.

Arya took a tender sip letting the goodness devour her taste buds. The broth was excellent. It had the creaminess texture as well as the right amount of flavour and meat.

"This is excellent," Lady Zelie commented after taking a sip from her own broth.

"It is," Arya echoed.

They elapsed into silence until Arya broke it again. "What does his highness want to know about the Heres Gladii?"

Lady Zelie finished chewing before answering. "My father wants to know how the competitors are doing and how we are training them. He would also like to know how many delegates have replied to our invitation and how many other royals will be arriving."

"How many people are coming so far?" Arya asked.

Lady Zelie subconsciously tucked her blond hair behind her ear. "Right now, we have the Caliph of Egypt, Emperor of Japan, King of Great Britain, delegates from India as well as other foreign sovereignty."

"Will they all be watching the tournament?"

Lady Zelie nodded. "Yes, I think they will be in attendance for most of the tournaments but I am certain they will be there for the dueling portion. After all, it helps boost the reputation of the Narvian and Narvanian Academies and will help with the enrollment of many other students."

Arya focused on Lady Zelie's words. The pressure seemed to be getting greater and greater and she felt as if a thousand bricks had landed on her shoulders and she was expected to carry them without making a big fuss. Arya knew that the Heres Gladii was going to be a large event but she had not predicated it was going to be this large with foreigners coming into Kalvaria as well.

As if reading Arya's thoughts Lady Zelie spoke, "you shall be fine. There is a reason why Madame Kenna and I took you're training into our own hands. We won't leave you hanging."

Arya nodded showing her gratitude. She knew that Lady Zelie would not abandon her. That thought alone pushed away her inner worries.

"Let's get to bed now we have to travel early in the morning." Lady Zelie said.

Arya nodded. They ascended the stairs and said their goodbyes. Then they entered their separate rooms, to each on its own.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sorry this chapter was short but I can promise you the next one will be really long! So we learned about Eclipse a bit more as well as the Heres Gladii. We also got to see more of Lady Zelie. Guess who will be making an appearance next chapter? ;)  Anyways, please remember to vote and comment as usually! I love you all:)