Arrival in the Night

[Ailena]

Night had fallen quickly over the kingdom of Avaren. Here and there one could see the random torches and lanterns that lighted the weary traveler's way as he or she entered the city from afar.

Following the main road leading to the city, a lone rider could be seen upon a dark horse. The weary footfalls of the animal and occasional nickering were all that disturbed the silence. Once in a while, a pale hand reached out to pet the animal's neck, in a way of encouragement.

As the rider neared the city, she, for it was a woman, gently sat up straighter in the saddle. The hood of her dark cloak was pulled high over her head, hiding her features from any of the towns folk. She was sure that having ridden so far, she would not be recognized, but she could never be sure.

Passing the gates of the city, Ailena wondered if anyone would require anything of her or if visitors were free to enter. The newfound freedom she had acquired was strange to her, and she had to wonder how long it would last.

Looking around for anyone who could guide her along the way, the girl didn't notice when her hood slid off her head revealing her dark wavy hair and blue eyes. A few red scars could be visible on her cheeks, for no matter how much she tried, those she could not conceal. Still, now that she had arrived, hopefully, at her final destination, she planned to leave her past behind, for as long as she was able to keep it hidden.

[Riley Lambert]

The darkness of the night had seemed to taken over the kingdom, but there was still alittle moonlight. Riley, out with only a cloak for warmth, his sword for protection and using the light of the moon, had been inside the city long enough to have a reasonable amount of city. He was only 18, but his parents taught him well in everything he wished or needed to know to become a warrior for the king. He listened closely as he heard hooves, keen hearing being one of the lessons he learned from his father. He moved into the darkness of a wall as he listened and watched for any sign of a horse or a rider. He soon saw a rider, a female figure was all he could make out. He didn't wish to scare the horse nor the rider so he slowly made himself known.

"Hello? Are you in need of assistance?" he asked calmly

[Ailena]

Averting her gaze, Ailena spied movement in the shadows along the road. The man's manner seemed to be genuine, for if he had wanted something from her, Ailena had learned well enough that such men do not spare time for talk. And, seeing that she was in an unknown place, she couldn't pick and choose which offer for help to accept.

"Your offer is greatly appreciated, good sir, and I'd like to take it up partially," she replied softly. "Could you tell me whether this is the city of Avaren? For I have been on the road for a long while and fear that I might have strayed from my path in the dark."

[Riley Lambert]

Riley walked slowly towards her and stopped after he had gone two feet, as so she could hear him and see him clearly. He listened intently to her words and then nodded his head.

"Mi Lady you are in the City in which you seek. Indeed this is the city of Avaren. Is there anything else you may think my services are needed? I'm more then willing to help if you wish it".

[Ailena]

Seeing him emerge from the shadows, Ailena was able to see him more clearly. There was no hostility in his posture or voice, which calmed down the young woman somewhat. Suppressing her fears, she decided that it was safe to trust this man, this armed man, for the time being.

Letting out a shaky breath, the girl swung herself over the side of her horse and landed softly on the ground by the stallion's side. Fixing her cloak around her travel-worn dress, the woman then pulled the reigns over the horse's head before facing the stranger. Yet face him she did, right after she walked around her steed to stand before the man.

Bowing her head, she offered him a small bow in greeting, "I'm very grateful for your help, good sir. I hope that I am not keeping you from anything. For, should that be so, I'd be more than grateful for a little insight as to what sort of town Avaren is. I've heard other villagers speak rather highly of this kingdom, but have yet to see whether their talk holds true. I'm sure that you, just as I, know that women's gossip may lead to very wrong results."

[Riley Lambert]

Riley watched her movements and then returned her greeting with a bow. He stood as he was, listening to her. When she was finished, he merely smiled and replied.

"Mi Lady it is a pleasure to help you. Please forgive my manners for not supplying you with my name. My name is Riley Lambert, Son on Ash Lambert. You are not keeping me from anything I assure you and it would be a honor to tell you anything you wish to know, even if a woman's gossip is right or not".

[Ailena]

Seeing as he had told her his name, Ailena saw no other alternative but to give him hers, no matter how much she did not wish it. She had to choice, of course, to tell him a false name, but she couldn't live a life of a lie for long. Hoping beyond all hope that no news from Malderel reached the kingdom of Avaren, she decided to reply in all honesty.

"My lord Lambert, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Ailena. I would rather not bore you with my insignificant lineage. Instead, I would rather hear of this city I have been urged to visit and perhaps seek shelter in. You see, I'm in search of a place to stay for a while, and am wondering whether this will suit my purposes. In this choice, I'd like to receive some insight from those that already reside inside these walls. Perhaps you sir would be kind enough to tell me of the Lord, or King of this kingdom and of the life these people live."

[Riley Lambert]

Riley nodded and kept a warm smile.

"Pleasure to meet your aquaintance Ailena. It is quite alright if you wish to not tell me the name of your last. I will just assume that either you have had a painful past or that I'm still a stranger to you. Now the King of this kingdom and city is a great man. He does not judge one on their past, but on their actions. He is quite kind and a wonderful leader Lady Ailena. I assure that you will feel at home here. Life here is much to the normal, there are two general classes in which has their separate ranks. There is the Warrior Class and the Mage Class, everyone else besides the king is a peasent, but are free to choose to go down which ever class's path".

[Ailena]

Nodding gently, the girl took in every word that was said. Riley's words collaborated what she had heard so frequently on the villages along her way. It was nice to see that fate had not let her down thus far. Perhaps now she'd be allowed more choices on her way.

Taking note of his kind smiles, she decided to be curious and return them for once. And when she did smile, her features seemed to lose a few years from her pale skin. She looked to be twenty years old, upon usual circumstances, when in fact she had not lived for longer then eighteen years. Lowering her blue eyes in respect, she let her small smile drop as she cleared her throat to reply.

"Forgive me, good sir, but I would like you to know that I've withheld nothing from you. My family name is simply unknown to me, for my father has not been part of my life for many years. As for my mother, she never told me of her past, therefore, I was unable to learn that information from her. Moreover, I am most grateful for your time, and your aid, Sir Lambert. Thus, I'd never dare consider you a stranger, but more like a trusted acquaintance."

This time, Ailena allowed her eyes to rise up to meet his for a moment. She wished to see what his response to her small tale would be. Hopefully it had satisfied and explained enough to him so that she would not have to continue. She rather hated any forms of lies or deceit and disliked being forced to wind either into her life.

"As for your King, I have heard only good tales on his behalf. I've been searching for such a home for a while now and feel inclined to stay. Some of those women I spoke with told me of a great academy that was built here for the study of magic craft. Do you know anything about that, perchance? I've been quite interested in that aspect, seeing as I will probably have little luck with a sword, and am in need of learning some means of protection."

Fearing that she had said too much, Ailena added rather hastily, "For you, Good Sir, will know better than I what dangers lie ahead for women when they dare to travel alone."

[Riley Lambert]

Riley simply nodded and looked into her eyes as she looked into his, giving her his reply.

"Yes, well I was not sure and I would have understood. As for your parents, I give you my condolences to not knowing your exact past. You are right in the rumor of an Academy. There is one here, somewhere near the castle in which those with magical ability may go to learn to their hearts desire".

[Ailena]

Ailena knew that she possessed very little magical skill. Unless that skill included living at others' expense. Letting out an inaudible sigh, she bowed her head gently in gratitude to Riley. It was nice to meet someone who did not pressure her to reveal that which hurt her more then any physical pain ever could.

"I shall look into this academy then, and perhaps I shall find what I'm searching for. Once more, I thank you with all my heart for enlightening a stranger, such as myself, especially so late at night. I would like to let you go about your way then, my good sir, however, there is one other question I'd like to ask of you. I really do hope I am not being too much of a bother with all this. Believe me when I say this, I know what it's like to lead a busy life and what torture it is to suffer someone by the likes of me. And, if that is true, please tell me so that I will know not to hold you up any longer."

[Riley Lambert]

Riley listened to her words and couldn't help but to softly chuckle.

"My dear Lady, you are not a bother to me nor holding me. I was out here for merely a walk and it was my pleasure to help you in anyway you see is best. For tonight, I am your obediant servant. Id you wish me to accompany you anywhere wish to go within the city I am honored to do so".

[Ailena]

Upon hearing the word 'servant' Ailena's blood seemed to drain from her face. The pale skin that had become a regular feature of hers turned a pasty white color.

For her, the words servant and slave were intertwined. The horrible connotation that the words carried for her seemed to overwhelm her being. Struggling to regain composure, Ailena turned her face away from Riley in hopes that he would not catch the change that she underwent.

"No. I'd much rather you not be a servant, mine nor anybody else's. I could never accept your... help, Sir, unless it was given from the level of an equal, or from someone greater then me. Forgive the curtness of my speech, for I hoped to not be as harsh as I might have sounded."

Taking a few deep breaths, Ailena continued with more control. "My last question to you is on account of housing. Would you know where a light traveler like myself could spend the night in this city? For, until I make up my mind completely, I'd like to sleep somewhere other then the- well, other then where I've lived for the past week while on the road."

[Riley Lambert]

Riley sensed the uneasiness in her actions and felt a pain of guilt wash over him. He bowed his head and spoke in a soft tone.

"I'm sorry my lady, I meant not offense nor pain on your part. Please forgive me for a serving formality. Perhaps it is best I reword my phrase. Tonight I am merely a serving friend who wishes to serve you in anyway I can in formality. The only place in which I think a weary traveler may stay is either the tavern or stay at the warrior's barracks as my guest and friend or ask that someone keep you in their house until you see if fit".

[Ailena]

"Tis all right," she whispered softly before looking up to meet his gaze. Ailena could tell that he knew that she was uneasy and decided it was best she hide such feelings for his sake.

Listening to her choices, she could see that there weren't many. "I'd much rather not impose upon anyone, thus I am sure that the tavern must have some guest rooms to offer. I'll try my luck there, although I'm most grateful for the offer, my lord."

Her horse by then had grown tired of standing in one place and gently pulled at the reigns to get her going. Ailena held her ground for a moment longer.

"Thank you then, Sir Riley Lambert, for everything that you've done for me," she told him as she bowed her head low in respect as well as in thanks. "I feel much more secure knowing that I have met a trusting warrior, such as yourself, upon who's words I can easily place faith in."

With another powerful pull from the black horse, she added, "My horse, it seems however, is much more impatient then both ourselves and wants us to keep moving. I'd be eternally grateful if you'd point me to the direction of your tavern. And, should we be heading in the same direction, I would most greatly welcome your company further. However, please know that you are not required to do so and that the choice is entirely behind you, my good Sir."