[On Hold] The Assassin's New Beginning

17

It was only late morning now. The town was chattering with people. Children were running around throwing balls and irritating the vendors. Celaena strolled, going no where in particular.

Her escape into the forest had been interesting. She was not out for as long as she hoped, but she guessed it was because she didn't know what she was searching for. And now she was back.
The sun was already high in the sky. Still the paper boys were out, selling newspaper. Celaena decided to see.

The boy's face was smudged with soot and his grin showed a set of crooked teeth, like he had gotten out of an ugly fight. His cap and overalls were dirty, but he didn't seem to mind.

"Newspap'r s'here!" He yelled as he waved them out.

Celaena gave him a coin and he handed her one.

"Did ye hear 'bout our new victory?" He said smugly, as if he had been in the front line to fight. "Ardalan captured Terrasen."

Celaena widened her eyes a bit before returning to normal. "Really?"

"You bet. After they lost their king and queen, they were already done for. But still they tried to fight us. We got them anyways. It would've been much easier if they just surrend'red. Much less blood shed."

Celaena nodded, horrified.

"But hey who doesn't love a good bloody massacre."

Celaena would've wanted to strangle the boy right then and there. But she was too sickened to think straight.

Her people still fought for Terrasen even after her parents had died. They died trying to save Terrasen and now she let them down. Their loyalty driven them for freedom but brought them to death instead. And it was because of her. She couldn't save her own country as she stayed here safe on her own enemy's ground. They would probably be holding a bounty over her head too if they knew she was still alive.

Celaena quickly turned around to a side of the street and leaned against the buildings. She stayed sick for a while.

Finally colour rushed back to her and she began walking again. When she felt ready, she read the paper. The battle had lasted for two days. It was amazing how long they fought for, considering there was no one to lead them. But within the second evening, the King had marched through all defence, raided every house and burnt what was left. Everything was searched through and houses were turned inside out, but nothing was taken.

He must have been looking for something, Celaena thought.

Nothing stated that they got to the castle, which soothed Celaena. No one could get in without the king or queen, or her. That meant the King found no way in, but neither did her people. If she was there, maybe they would've been safe within the walls.

The rest of the news was about how well they did, and how less casualties they had compared with the people of Terrasen. Glamorizing their victory. After all, history was written by the winners.
There were a lot of deaths; the people of Terrasen weren't soldiers. But they had fire in them. It was frightening how many were killed. And how many were left. It seemed as if the king wanted to expel from the world of her kind. Maybe he did.

Celaena passed by a few window shops. She saw someone familiar loitering by the jewellery shop. It was Lysandra. She began to turn around and walk away.

It wasn't that she hated her. Naturally, living around without the female population meant not interacting with them either. She hadn't minded that. But having Lysandra be the only one that was the same age as her wasn't the best thing anyone can wish for. So maybe she didn't exactly like Lysandra. It wasn't her fault.