Ataraxia

∞|Chapter 11: Choosing|∞

She startled at the name, and quickly spun to face Eowin. She oddly stared at Eowin for a long while, until the creases that met between her eyebrows diminished. She sighed and she strode forward to embrace Eowin.

"I thought you would never come back!" She fought the sobs that choked out onto Eowin's shoulder

Eowin quietly patted Alleaesa's back, and lifted her shoulders back so they faced each other.

"I've missed you too, but this isn't the time to be crying," said Eowin, releasing Alleaesa from her strong grip, "Alfhiem is under attack. I need to see Ayda."

Alleaesa's eyes widened for a split second, then she nodded quickly, spun around, and led Eowin further down the street. I went after them, gazing at the view of the sky and the surroundings.

It wasn't long before we reached a large, grey bricked house, safely guarded by a huge, black metal-fenced gate. The fence wasn't in the slightest bit rusted, yet creaked in the wind. I shuddered at the sound of the metal grazing on its hinges, and quickened up my pace to catch up with Eowin. Alleaesa was staring bluntly ahead of her; not gazing around, or speaking to Eowin. After a while, we reached the gate, and Alleaesa peered through its metal bars. She turned to face us, and nodded. With one push on the gate, it swung open without a budge, and banged loudly when its back hit the main stretch of the gate. The house was much larger than what it looked like from a distance. Elleaesa stepped onto its rough stone path up to the house. She glanced up at the top windows, as if to find a face peering down at her. When we reached the door, Elleaesa gestured for Eowin to take the greeting role. Eowin accepted her help, and stepped in front of Elleaesa. With hesitation, she knocked lightly on the door twice, and lowered her hand. After a moment or so, the door creaked open a shoulder distance apart, and a short, lightly-grey haired magpie peeked around the door. She was wearing a dusted apron and her hair was up in a clumsy bun. Her eyes showed fatigue, and they drooped down at the corners. Her lips pulled into a light smile, and she stepped outside of the doorway, and closed the door behind her.

"Welcome back, Eowin," was all she said.

Eowin cast her a gentle smile and bowed,

"I'm sorry, but I have no time for friendly reunites, there is an urgency I need to speak to Ayda about."

"Very well," replied the magpie, "I will go notify her immediately. Please come inside and make yourself at home."

With that, the magpie slipped inside of the house, leaving the door open behind her to allow us in. Alleaesa and Eowin didn't hesitate to step inside the doorway, and I stepped right in after them. What I expected to see was a royalty decorated room with diamond chandeliers and expensive mahogany furniture and tall white walls. What lay before me was a themed dungeon-torture room, with chains and weapons hanging and mounted on the walls. I creepily gazed around the room, looking at all of the equipment and devices. Eowin laughed,

"This place hasn't changed one bit."

I heard Alleaesa laughing, and she picked up a short sword from a nearby display counter. She swiftly swung the sword around, and tested its edge by stroking the blade.

"Ash," I spun around to find Eowin pointing at the sword on my hip, "Why don't you ask Ayda about the sword? Maybe she can get a trainer for you for the next few hours for basic movements."

I reached down for the sword, and weighed the metal in my hands,

"Sure, but is learning swordsmanship complicated?"

"Shouldn't be," replied Alleaesa, putting the sword back down on its display case, "It only took me 2 days to learn the basics and handling movements. Ever since then I've improved on my own."