Enmity's Lost Prodigy: Chapter 13 - Ascension

Just as before, the shadow downs were treacherous, the winds blew into the shoreline and hindered their travel. The smell of sulphur was something they had not missed. Dread pulled back to Farrah as she knew that they were now wet in their most dangerous journey all anew. As she stood on the cliff earlier, Farrah's mind was apathetic, the reality of this journey seemed pale as compared to her faded sight now. She knew she could not return, only press into the eye of the storm she had embarked to endeavour.

Beside the fracture and uneven ground, Farrah began to mellow out in cruse control. She fought it once before and she survived, with an idea of what to expect her body set to autopilot and she was haunted by her thoughts.

Once out into the mists fully, she began to set astray her mind. The silence and the wind, her old friends came to meet her. For the long voyage she continued to where she left off, before Gregory arrived. She had built a new resolve, the past could not be altered, so she would face the reality that she was wrong to hunt him down; but he was wrong too. Gladious sparked a fury within her, her fury over heinous atrocity in and of itself. He was less her enemy than he was a carrier of the true enemy she sought to quench and silence. The only way to save her Haven was to stop the man who endangered it by an equally brutal conquest that Farrah was committed to. She would have to finish the job.

Farrah flew bitter, she didn't want to, but it was her only option to stay alive apart form running away once more. She wanted to run away but nowhere was safe and no new safe haven rose up from the ground, least not for her sake. Farrah was tired of living in fear, tired of having the world against her, tired of loosing the people that were close to her. She had to fight, there wasn't anything else. If she were to be damned, she would make sure it that meant something.

After a while, Farrah began to wondered about the world. How closed away from it she was, she never knew much more than what she could see outside of a glass bubble. Farrah wondered how the people lived in dire straights in the shadow downs, then again to eight years ago, and she wondered how the kingdom lived now. Did the upheaval make life better, did their justice enrich the lives of the unfortunate? Could an action that wronged many good people still blossom a good ending in order to dispel evil? Was the world for those people brighter because of harsh actions against the magpies or were they disillusioned by hateful people? As the blade turned inside the wound, were the new leaders, still sore, fulfilled by it's sadistic pleasure? Did her own suffering go to waste just on someone's game of revenge eight years later? The whole world she thought she knew from the outside of the snow globe was skewed even now. She had no idea. It was too much for her to bare.

What Farrah wished and what has handed was so distant. Nothing was right. No one was right. She stripped the thought from her mind and kept flying. The daunting voyage pulled her aside to rest. With sun fading, and a trickle of rain, it may be time to head in but nowhere safe was in sight. Her journey just began, there was no time to wait until morning, every moment weighed another drop in the glass. Farrah would have to continue while there was still strength left to use. The rain stopped, just a small passing of spatter and on again into the mists she continued, hoping to find shelter so she may change her mind.

Farrah started to laugh. Some lining irony fell onto her. It wasn't anything she thought to expect, just in passing she realized how similar she was to all the locals. Like her, they were cast away from the lands above; and though the shadow downs harboured their own dangers, it began to feel more and more like home. She could never live here though, it humoured her for a moment. For now, she sure felt like a local, but Farrah knew very well what the real blood thirsty monsters looked like.

Her mind returned with the thought. When Farrah saw the monster within her, when she saw the sorrow in Gladious that is when she realized the compassion she had with her enemy. However, unlike him, she relinquished that hate; he however, still stewed upon the feast of his own prejudice. Maybe it brought him joy to hate, maybe he wasn't ready to move on. Maybe even now, Farrah was childish and prideful herself to think she was better or more matured than he was.

There she went again. Farrah tried to ignore the thought that weighed her down but it returned. She knew something was wrong, she knew that she was wrong, Farrah accepted already this but it would not leave her. His words still echoed in her. Voices saying that she could never understand because she didn't live as he did, else she would feel the same. She could not deny this, she simply didn't know his life. Her life may very well have been much better than his. Maybe Gradious was hurt to the point where he physically could not overcome or find the will to forgive. Maybe he learned to hate so it may relieve the sorrow. Maybe the atrocities he saw, as Farrah did, he too blamed on those around him. Each moment of her empathy drove her less and less wanting to fight him.

Farrah had every reason to feel hurt, the people who rebelled had every reason to feel hurt. It would be wrong to let people suffer tyranny, but it wronged Farrah and many good people when they struck the magpies back; and though they were on opposing sides Gladious and her both felt righteous to strike the other in consequence of those long past events, even now.

Maybe neither side were to blame, Farrah hoped. Maybe there was no one to blame. Farrah flustered, frustrated that there must be some point to all of it. To her rampant mind, to the everyone's careless judgment, to why it burned her up so badly. The whole ordeal was senseless. After long enough of two sides fighting a war, does the spark that started the war to begin with no longer remain relevant. What else is there left but vengeance, could the line ever be drawn?

With a reality in front of her outside either's control, Farrah began to wonder if she would be taking the hurt she felt too far, or if her justice would retain the peace between peoples. Would her justice not then turn the tides against her for her wrongs, was it not just to want freedom or was it not just to ascertain it. Though three men ventured out where no one dared go, it would be a shame if no one ever heard from them again.

Night fell, Farrah was tired and rested a while again, Talia was well on watch, oblivious to the force of the storm brewing inside her best friend. In the distance, something caught their attentions. Farrah was relieved, though she made herself seem tough, she desperately needed rest. As they approached, Farrah was still uncertain about how she felt. To be honest, Farrah was trying to talk herself out of this whole thing if she could. Some ideas came to her, crazy alternative ideas. In the moment of her uncertainty Farrah devised something much, much bigger than her. Talia was with her all the way, but Farrah worried that even this thought was too much. One extreme after another. Farrah put her pride away, she was not the only one in this. Maybe, just maybe Talia could give her what she needed to head. Action had to happen, but action must be governed to protect from the wrath of our own judgments.

“That's the craziest thing I've heard yet!” Talia exclaimed. She could not believe what Farrah just told her. “Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

“You are 'with me all the way' right?” Farrah played out. “Then just tell me what you think.”

“I just did!” Talia replied hysterical “...What happens if you get caught? What happens if you can't persuade him, what if we are too late?”

“We are prepared for that one...”

“...Yeah, but... You want to talk to the king?”

“I told you, I'm tired to running away, and I'm tired of living in fear.

“The King, the guy that wants you the most dead?”

“I'm tired of hating people, alright!” Farrah defended.

“Look, it's like you said, no one will suspect a thing out here. It's that simple.”

“And maybe I don't want his blood on my hands after all!”

Talia understood. She hushed up. “I guess if I told you to, then it would be on my hands too right?” Talia sighed

Farrah dug her head into her arm wrapped knees. “I'm sick of hate, I'm sick of fear, and I'm sick of running away.”

Talia sat and stumped. “So, we wait for this to all blow over?”

“I'd Rather die... I can't stand living a life in fear anymore, always running. I can't keep living when I can't hold onto anything. I can't just do nothing and hope everything to go away, so I rather fight until I succeed or... Well...”

“Brave words. I always figured you were shut in and frail. There is some strength in you yet. Farrah... I wish I had that spirit.” Talia paused. “You know... I really I kinda had to talk myself into this, I didn't really feel like launching an assault anyway.” Farrah still curled up beside the wood, looking deeply into her options. “Do you... Think you have a chance?”

Farrah didn't know, she lowered her head deeper.

“I'm with you either way.” Talia assured.

“We should sleep here.” Farrah peered into the cubby inside the tree. “I can't keep going at this pace, I'm falling behind and my mind is a mess.”

Silently they crept inside. Between the cavity of the dead tree, Farrah slowly fell asleep, nodding off in the chill moist air. Talia laid against Farrah's shoulder, well awake. She wasn't worried like she used to be, she wasn't thrilled either. Talia poured over the idea, whether they had a chance, what Farrah could even say to prove her life's value. She was a fool, so was Talia to follow. Farrah couldn't possibly succeed alone, not without Talia's help. It was time to accept that Farrah had her own will, She couldn't help it and Talia couldn't change it. Everything sucked. Farrah finally opened up to her and now headed into the dragon's lair. Wouldn't be the first time, or the second time, or the sixth time and came out alive. It still sucked. Talia hated taking chances, with only a few lives left maybe it was time to make good use out of them before retiring.

Morning came, dim lit. Talia woke up, taking in the mist. She let Farrah sleep a while longer before waking her friend up. Farrah, weary moved her head, she had nowhere near the rest she needed. “Farrah.” Talia announced. “I think you can do it...”

Farrah wasn't sure what Talia meant but it was encouraging. Talia still didn't know whether she believed it or not but the cat didn't have much choice in the matter.

As before, the sights were dull. The day dragged on, no sign of danger. The first time through here was definitely an eye opener however Talia sleept her missing hours as they reached the end.

Before sundown they began to climb again. It was tiring to ascend the great height, but the shattered ground and something they could smell told them that they were closing in. They could not tell which way would they would need to go once they arrived at the shores. Running into Oblavaeya was definitely the last place they wanted to pass by.

At last, their stealth under the tides vanished and they were greeted with the pours of light following a large wall. This massive wall was the shores of homeland, they made not only one journey across but two successful voyages past lands no one braved to cross. Now the danger was above, unable to see anything much more than the cliff side and the rolling fog below.

Peering off the edge of a hanging plate, they could see nothing dangerous. Actually, it seems that they veered off course dramatically. The area they were in now was different than the prisons', this filled them with some hope that lasted them atop and well into the valley. They saw formations and ways the ground fractured that were familiar to their decent but this was not their original trail. It reminded Farrah just how stable Safe Haven was, what it lacked was the extremities of homeland's brittle decrepit plates as such. It was shocking that here too didn't fall into the shadow downs with the rest.

Their flight had to be kept as swift and out of sight as possible. The gloaming Valley walls were the best they could ask for, the sun had faded and so had they. Her experience flying the thick mists aided Farrah's flight in the dark passage. She never had the nerve to traverse these canyons past dark but time held her steady in pace. After her whole ordeal, she hid the fact very bravely that it wore on her. The muscles were well used, and she rode on the borderline of her ability, her bones ached which helped even less. She was riding out of determination, unfortunately determination has need of clairvoyance. In the haze of flight Farrah accidentally came too close to the sides and rubbed the wall. Quickly she recovered, stopping the momentum and waking Talia quite well to the fact. “You need to rest.” Her passenger announced.

Farrah didn't respond, she was embarrassed and prideful. Talia continued to lecture her about her rest but Farrah kept going until almost colliding with the rock and took an evasive roll. It was now that she realized that her trip here would mean very little without her life. Farrah gave in. They came out of the canyon and found a place for the night. Talia worried greatly. Farrah was too tired to sleep.

The stars that came out to play between the clouds made dancing figures in weary sight. Half moon rays shot dim beams across the sky. Farrah smiled. She had made plenty of distance. Maybe Gladious had rested more frequently. Farrah wished that she could have eaten more. The last meal before leaving was the hardest. She could barely find the apatite and had overindulged for the long road. Now she had very little and a hunger still yearned in her. The moon did little to light the underbelly of the bushes behind them as they looked off, finding food now would be a struggle. For a moment she feared that she too had slowed down tremendously due to her wavering stamina. The worry of this many times kept her awake.

“Farrah,” Talia mentioned, knowing very well her friend couldn't sleep. “What are we going to do after this?”

“I'm not sure we can think about that.” Farrah admitted, hopelessly. “I don't know.”

“Well, we keep wondering what will happen if the worst happens and that's gotten quite tiresome. I want to think about something happier like, what happens after win and show that punk up.”

Farrah thought about it. “I'd love to return to Safe Haven.”

“But you'd be free, right?” Talia suggested, as though hinting that there was more.

Farrah couldn't believe it. “No...” She knew that acceptance was more than just a one day reality. “Even when I'm old like Leanna, I will still be hated.”

“I guess that makes sense.” Talia sighed discontentedly. Farrah nodded slowly. “I was thinking there was something here I kind of wanted to do.” Farrah tilted her head. “I could only bring myself to do it if I had you by my side.” The little cat explained. “I want to introduce you to my family. I...” She paused. “Guess I've been...” Talia pouted. “It's nothing.” Looking away. “I've been a little homesick lately. “

“I know how you feel. You still have a family.”

Talia agreed calmly. “They're kinda nutty, and overly playful, and embarrassing and stuff but I guess they mean well. It's just, I wish I could give you a family.”

Farrah broke out laughing. “Give me a family?”

“I don't mean it like that!”

Farrah continued to laugh. “If you could give me a family I would already have one with Greg... It's not something you just give someone. You just have it. Like you and me.”

“So, what am I to you anyway?” Talia lightened up

“You're like my sister.”

Talia smiled. “I really couldn't ask for more.” Talia nestled in.

“I guess I wouldn't mind though.”

Talia's ears perked up. “hm?”

“Meeting your family before I return.”

“Yeah... I miss them... More than I like to admit.”

The night danced, Farrah's sight slightly bettering but hazy, she would be soon asleep. The brighter thought brought her some peace and the world began to drift away with her hardships. Moonlit linings and stars pierced her mine and seemed to lead in through her eyelids. She could see them clearly, and she wondered if she was actually awake in this moment of piece, the first she had all day.

“Wait...” Talia questioned. “Like, big sister, or little sister?”

Farrah placed her hand on the cat and hushed it to sleep.

Farrah woke up early, not by the new light but by a hunger that pained her and made her nauseous. Without much thought, she rose rolling Talia to the ground. She ran off in search of food. At last, some berries on the bush. She cared little at that point whether they were good or not. A few bites in and she recalled the taste well. “Grouber berries!” Talia exclaimed, diving into the bush. After a long awaited nourishment, the two sat along the valley. Strength returning, Farrah rested again. When she woke, she was determined. “Any closer to knowing what you are going to tell that guy?” Talia climbed mount and gave a strangling hug. Farrah shook her head.

They had read a map on a few occasions now, it was no question of wonder. Farrah could picture the placement of the capital in her father's study, it hung on the wall, and the top pointed north. She knew where the prison was that she lived in, as well as the rough area. Merely a short ways off from there was the capital, if anything if she got close enough she could ask someone. They came from the bottom mid right, or east, of the island. To reach their destination, they would go north west, and a little luck would guide them.

Farrah knowing her little time left had to dart for it, seen or not. If Gladious spotted her, he was too close to the king to begin with. It was a gamble she had to take, else gamble the time either way and pray she was not too late.

Familiar hills formed, memories passed her, some good memories. After passing by all of them she knew she was closing in. If anyone she could trust, Farrah knew there was a slight detour to be made. In a small town on a pedestal, she fell. People around stared as always but it made little difference to her. Their concern meant very little. The shop bell rang. Turning the corner, the shopkeeper noticed her and leared. “You again! Out of here!”

“I don't have time for you old man, give me your son.” Farrah retorted, taking control.

The old man tilted back. He placed both hands on the counter and leaned forward in a powering pose. Lifting his hand to the door and demanded she left. “If you do not go, I shall inform the authorities.”

“Yeah, and what are they going to do?” Farrah returned assertion, she had a bone to pick with the intolerant coot and she tried her hardest to contain her frustration with him.

“What is the fuss?” The young man asked, exiting the back. Farrah looked at him and turned around, beckoning the rabbit to follow. He did so without hesitation.

“Where are you going?!” The old man barked.

After asking the son, Farrah left. He told her exactly how to reach the capital. It was less than half a days flight even yet. She held strong and bolted in her race to the king.

“You were so... COOL!” Talia remarked. “You were all like, Get out of my way old man! And whatnot.”

Farrah chuckled a little. She had started the timer. As long as she got to where she was going, it wouldn't matter what trouble she caused and the guy was really asking for it, even though she didn't have the best thought argument to dish him.

In time Farrah began to notice the outskirts and city walls of the capital. Past here, she would be in the midst of the hornets nest with enough guards to tackle an invading army. Talia took a peek above, and astonished. “It's huge!” Which accurately described it. The area she would have to traverse would be eminence. Talia was her eyes, the small creature that no one would expect. A relay for their path.

They closed into the walls. Farrah did her best to look out for guards from the trees. Hoping to find a weak spot she waited for the prime moment and left to hug the wall. Talia made the large flight to the top and peeked along the parameter. Giving Farrah the signal, she climbed up and peeked around. When it was safe, they jumped the wall. On the other side they found a low class part of town, people were everywhere and there were scarcely any alleyways to duck into. Farrah noticed something before falling down. She glid down and made the best attempt of sneaking around that she could. Talia had a taste of what was to come in directing. Farrah soon found one of the options she had in front of her. A dark purple cloth awning waged, slightly torn. She dismantled it which was effortless and the cloth was so old and fragile that it could be easily ripped from it's holding. She wrapped herself in it, which was enough to cover her features.

She kept moving along until crossing a good portion of the town's lower class. People here didn't seem distraught. They didn't seem sickly either. There were a few that they passed by but it seemed as though even the poor managed to do well for themselves. After entering the higher class, the buildings gained in size and the ally ways became more abundant. There were some dark and damaged ally ways which made every street that much more sightly. The great amount of people was dazing. Talia never expected how difficult her job would be. The off guard roamed but otherwise it was hard to spot them in the crowds. They must have zig zaged half across the town by the time they could finally approach the castle.

In the centre of the capital stood the tallest, stone towering monolith of them all. Though they could see it from far away, the sight from below was incredible that such a structure could exist. Master masonry and a few magic incantation could have been the only thing to erect it. To think, Her father, Daven, the king's own brother lived here for most of his own life. Cedric would often visit or reside, but the Grey Quarter estate was elsewhere. Of all her royal blood, she never came close to entering it's doors.

Farrah couldn't see any way of breaching it's walls, the fortress was well designed and would take a master thief to enter. They circled it for a while looking for a way in until Talia had a plan. They found their entrance and the little monster went to work. On the wood awnings of the castle, Talia reached and with a little phoenix magic she started fires on each tinder dry roof. Once there were enough distractions, Farrah took a chance and climbed up to one of the windows. Men were heading down the stairwell, so she had no choice but to hang off the edge for them to pass. She got another brilliant idea. Farrah made her ascent to a flag mantle facing outside and clung to it. She became the new flag in it's place. Talia who after causing the distractions went in search of a window leading to the king. Eventually, he would have to return to his throne room so naturally that was the first place in mind.

Farrah was out of ideas, and had to wait until Talia could find her. At least, she managed to gain half the height of the building. Not much longer Farrah heard a whistle. She looked around. Talia was somewhere. After some time Farrah spotted her. She returned with a whistle herself but Talia was blind. Talia began to look around the tower but Farrah broke their code “No!” She whispered harshly. “Here!” Talia looked about but was oblivious. “The dark thing.”

Talia tilted her head. “The flag?”

“Yes.”

“You're behind it?” she asked, getting closer.

“I am the flag.” Farrah chuckled.

Talia's eyes lit up. “You are the flag! I couldn't even see you. I never knew that could be a thing.”

“Yeah, well, it's a thing alright.”

“Follow me.” Talia found the room. Farrah agreed and left with Talia. Hopefully they could navigate without being spotted. The fires were on the other side of the castle so they should at least avoid the attention of the guards.

“So, is he there?” Farrah asked.

“Take a look for yourself.” Talia provided.

Inside the window, though she was cautious to peer through. The king was busy talking to someone, he must be the king, he wore a crown though his garments were more military. A steel plate under his open robe and chain mail wrist gauntlets. For a king, he was not very flashy nor flaunted exquisite jewellery. Merely a small pointed coronet with one gem in the centre. It was neither gold nor silver. Farrah wondered. The old king wore a much more extravagant crown as her father mentioned and visitors joked upon. Still, he was the only noble man in the court.