The Path to Redemption

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒮𝒾𝓍

↞･:*✵*:･↠

I stumbled onto a bench positioned on the outskirts of the festival, my heart still hammering in my chest as I took the seat. I was still shaken by what the eccentric man had told me earlier, his words ringing throughout my head. The events continued to replay in my mind over and over, scarring me just as they had earlier.

I'd taken a good amount of time to search for the book I'd come for in the first place—it had become a sort of obsession. I was somewhat glad I had something to shield my mind from the previous events, if only for a short while.

After an hour or so, I'd finally given up on my search, and so here I sat, alone. On a bench. In the midst of all these dancing, joyous people, I'd still managed to make myself alone.

I leaned forwards, placing my elbows on my thighs as I stared at the ground. This day had been a waste. Not only did I feel far more unsafe than before, but I also had failed to complete the one task I had told myself would be the easiest.

Clenching my eyes shut, I exhaled audibly, attempting to relieve all of the tension built up within me. The sound of music began to grow faint as I remained glued to the chair, my hood pulled up over my face. I looked like a beggar, no doubt, but I didn't mind.

Occasionally, I'd scan the area for Raquel, though she was nowhere to be seen. I was eager to find her and head home. Well, not home, to the palace, to my prison.

I kept the bag of money clenched between my palms, almost afraid to loosen my grip in fear that I'd lose the one thing over which I had control. It seemed everything else in my life had either disappeared or was uncontrollable. My powers. My memories. My freedom.

Shaking my head, I scolded myself mentally for thinking such negative thoughts. I had more than most people, and so I should be optimistic, even if I felt as if the world was crumbling down upon me. I still had a place to stay, food to eat and a large assortment of books—even if most of the books I read weren't the ones that interested me.

A shiver ran down my spine as my thoughts drifted back towards the man from before. Who was he? Why was he talking to me about some choice I had to make? Who was his master? It was all so odd yet chilling, as if I knew the answer but my mind wouldn't let the knowledge break through.

Footsteps approaching caused me to snap out of my thoughts. I raised my head, prepared to see Raquel ready to snap at me for not being at the spot she'd designated. I would've made up a lie had I felt better, but at this moment I felt drained, frightened, scared. I held the odd feeling that if I made an attempt to get off this bench, I'd be dragged down towards the chilling man and his leader, drowned in an abyss of terror with no escape.

I paused, frowning, as I noticed the person in front of me was not Raquel, but instead, Gale. I tried to retreat back into my hood as he approached me, desperate to avoid a lecture. I did my best to keep my face from him though it seemed to no avail as he already knew it was I who sat here. He took a seat beside me, sighing as he did so.

After a moment of silence he began, "I had a feeling you'd be out in town today--with the festivities and all," Gale's voice was soft and smooth, nothing like what I expected. It reminded me of the old Gale, and it made my heart ache.

"If you're here to scold me, you can go ahead. I'm...not in the mood to fight, Gale." My voice was hushed, my words truthful, too tired to get into another yelling match with the King.

"And you think I'm ever in the mood to fight?" Gale chuckled at my words, shaking his head, smiling softly. "No, that's not what I'm here for. I searched around the palace for you and when you weren't there I-..well, I assumed you had left. I just wasn't sure where you'd gone off to. I was afraid you'd fled, that you'd ran away to never come back until I recalled the festival today." I frowned at his statement, soaking in everything he'd said, blinking as I turned to face him.

"You thought I'd run away? Oh, Gale," I shook my head, the very thought of his worrying about my fleeing making me swell with regret. I smiled slightly beneath the shadows of my hood in an effort to make him feel better. "I just...needed to get out," I admitted. "And I was afraid to ask you because of everything that's been going on. All of your royal duties, our argument the other day, I was... afraid you'd say no and force me to stay."

"Well, when I discovered you'd snuck out, I wasn't exactly content on the matter," Gale pointed out before continuing. "But I took a while to think about it while the guards were asking around for your location, and....I was wrong for being so rude. I never meant to be forbearing," his tone was sincere. He meant every word he said, and I could tell. "I didn't mean to torture you, I just didn't want anyone finding out that—"

"That you were harboring a fugitive in your palace?" I finished Gale's sentence for him, watching as he rubbed his eyes. I only now noticed the dark bags present underneath them. How many sleepless nights did he suffer through? What kept him awake? Was it nightmares, like mine? Or was it something else? The pressure of his duties?

"Yes, that," he nodded, his voice soft. He placed his hands down on his legs as he turned to face the empty space in front of us, his chocolate eyes surveying the area as his mind appeared to be elsewhere, soaking in all of the beautiful decorations and frameworks of the buildings that cast long shadows against the paved ground.

The two of us sat in silence for a good amount of time, both staring out into the now desolated square before us as the moon peeked through the transparent clouds, sending soft beams across the dark cobblestone streets.

A faint breeze drifted by, providing a chill in the fall air as it swept past. I closed my eyes for a moment, inhaling and exhaling slowly, enjoying Gale's company beside me, even if we were not talking. It seemed he appreciated my presence too, as he said nothing either, almost scared that if he started the conversation, this feeling of tranquility would falter and die.

I don't know how long we sat there, but I was aware that it must have been a while, for by the time Gale finally broke the silence, all of the lamps and candles inside of the homes surrounding us had been dulled—the windows now a blank abyss of darkness.

The Royal cleared his throat as an indication that it was time to leave. He stood slowly before waiting for me to do the same. And I was about to, until I saw the man standing behind the fountain, a bow held tightly in his grasp, with a gleaming arrow aimed directly at Gale.