Chapter 101

"We need to get to the castle today. Alistair, I need Apheles' help." I informed them after breakfast. Alistair's mood seemed to have lightened. She chatted heartily with Emiliar while cooking. Well, Emiliar has that skill. Besides, it was a full house in the kitchen. Claire and Emiliar had enough gossips to take anyone's mind off his problems. The group dispersed to pack their belongings and prepare the horses leaving Alistair and I in the living room.

Alistair walked to a window, made her usual whistling noise in the air while I wrote a note to the Army head.

"We are on our way to the castle. We'll stay at the castle till the day of the war. You promised our safety. We are Eight, by the way.

Karen."

I folded the note and placed in Apheles claws. Alistair kissed her and she flew away. She remained at the window, her dark mood slowly renewing itself.

"Alistair, are you okay?" I was forced to ask.

"Of course."She smiled. It was glaringly faked. "Katrienair, you should go get the key. It's in my room. You know, no other person would lift it easily." I left, to get the key.

*

" 'listair " Ethan called out, hugging her from behind. She was still at the window, lost in her thought. "Alistair!"He called out again. She didn't respond. After some time she began to speak. strange words.

"Light secluded itself from her. It was a dark stormy night. Yhe heart of the earth shook on fury of what darkness has caused it. Light wasn't anywhere near."

She paused. "It never really stays or does it? Ethan, will light stay?"

She turned and hugged him tightly. Ethan was taken aback by her actions. She is pretty weird but her actions always have reasons.

"Light will stay." He said, without thinking.

 Some moments later, he felt his coat get soaked. She was crying.

"Alistair, what's wrong?" He asked but she was muted, her grip only grew tighter. Ethan instinctively planted a kiss on her nape and then suddenly she detached herself from him and then the next minute, a slap landed on his face. She wiped off her tears and ran to her room.

But what the hell did he do wrong this time?!

*

I was still cleaning off dust from the key when Alistair walked in, she went straight to the bathroom but I could have sworn that I saw droplets of water fall from her face. My sister is going through hell and I can't help her. She has not been herself since she woke up from that horrible dream she wouldn't narrate to. I don't know what it is but I know it's the reason she's the way she is..I've never seen Alistair like this, well I haven't spent much time with her but I craved to help. My ear pinned to the bathroom door, I could hear her talk to herself, though not very audible. When she came out, she tried to fake her usual happy countenance.

"I thought you'd be out by now. You should have cleaned yesterday."She paused. "Well, I'll go join them, make sure you join us soon."She reached for the door but I stopped her just in time and locked it up.

"Alistair,"I held her hands. "Look at me okay? And tell me what's wrong. I'm worried about you sis. What did you dream about? And why is it bothering you this much?"

Her face darkened, though she tried so hard to keep her emotions but I could read her. She was mute.

~you really want to know Katrienair?~ She sent to me.

"I do. Tell me okay? Sulking doesn't suit you. By the way, it's eating you up. I can see it."

~i can't. It's not... I can handle it.~

She forced on a smile then finally spoke.

"Don't worry about me sis. I'll be fine. I promise."

"I know. I want to be a part of your life Alistair. I want to be a part of your struggles. You are my sister, for Christ's sake. You can't always handle things yourself. It's different now. You are no more alone. Please tell me who hurt you and I promise to avenge for you sis."

"Who hurt me?"She winced. That's a big question. "This is not just the right time. I'll tell you but not now."

"Okay, but why did you run in like that the other time?"I asked.

"Nothing really. Did I run?"I could tell from her look that she was lying to me.

" I don't believe that. I saw tears. And you ran. You startled me. It's not nothing."

Alistair thought for a while before speaking. "I hit Ethan again. And I feel really bad. I didn't mean to. It's just me. You would not understand."

"Well, I don't but I'd like to."

"Later then. Open the door."She said.

"Are you sure you'll be okay?"

"I've always been."

Completely true.

"I won't open it until you smile. I miss your smile. Smile for me sis."I teased. She did.

"Wider..."She widened her smile.

"Good."I giggled while unlocking the door. "Apologise to Ethan. I'm sure he will understand. I still wonder why you hit guys. You owe me an explanation."

"Sure"She embraced me. "Thank you Katrienair, for everything."

"I love you sis." I kissed her.

A bird flew past our window. Alistair was the first to notice. She rushed back in. "It's a Raven."She opened the window and retrieved the note in its claws. "It's from the army head, Katrienair."I joined her.

"We are expecting you at the castle. I hope the chosen one is coming with you. We will be honored to meet her.

The Army head

Israel."

I wished i could laugh. The chosen one, huh? Where did he get that info from?

*

"We'd better get going. All is set."Ethan said as Alistair and I joined them. 

"You guys spent a great deal of time up there. "Claire complained.

"I apologise Claire."I said.

"Hehehe! That's not genuine."Emiliar chipped in, in her usual funny way.

Alistair and I hopped on our horses and soon we began to ride.

The castle should be save for us now. But Who knows?