Javaid'sPOV

"Javaid, we are here. I expect you to be respectful towards the family. I do not particularly care what happened two years ago between you and their daughter," my father sternly told me as the carriage stopped.

"Dad, I've moved on. Nothing, I assure you will happen. Why are we even here?"

"We've been invited to watch a duel between two rivaling fighting schools. I figured it would be interesting to watch. There's a lineup between both of the schools, and whichever school has the most matches one wins. Besides, King Weylin owes me something, and this was how he repaid me for my deed."

I nodded, "So there's no business purpose to this visit. I'm sure this will be quite boring."

"You'll enjoy it. You love violence." I rolled my eyes in response.

Once we made it to the entrance of the arena, the royal family greeted all of us. I did not particularly like this family as they believed our kind deserved to perish, but to follow my father's orders, I've decided to be civil towards them. We were lead up the stairs and through a special hallway towards this box in the stands. The box was meant for special guests and was littered with tables of food, servants, and comfortable couches to sit in.

"King Rhory, the duel is about to start; let's take our seats and watch the spectacle. The two school owners will come out for the introduction before the fights begin." The king of Faylen informed all of us.

I took my seat and silently watched as two old men walked out onto the center of the arena, faced each other, shook hands, and left the floor. The fights then began. First, they had their weaker fighters go first, each match increasing with experience and skill. Most of them were boring, except when a female stepped onto the stage.

I watched a young woman with long, dark brown hair step onto the stage. Her hair was braided back with some hanging down. Her skin was slightly tanned from all of the training yet shined in the sunlight. The armor she wore didn't hide much from the spectators, and it was quite a sight as her muscles were all defined from head to toe. This woman was beautiful.

"Who is the dark haired woman, King Weylin?" I leaned over to the king. I had to know who this woman was.

He smiled, "That, my prince, is AilithOriven. She is one of Veles' best fighters. This will be a spectacle."

I nodded, "She's beautiful."

I leaned forward, intrigued with the fight. Deep down, I hoped that Ailith would win as that would mean she would also survive. I also knew I would most likely never get to meet her, especially since she was a fighter. Fighters are considered slaves as they are usually sold to the fighter schools scattered around the land.

Ailith fought with aggression, and as the match progressed, the woman gradually became angrier. It seemed the two women were having some argument while fighting. It all made sense when a little girl ran into the arena screaming.

"MOMMY!" the little girl ran towards Ailith. Everyone gasped, suddenly on the edge of their seats.

I watched Ailith push back her opponent long enough to pick up her daughter and place her back with the man in the archway. However, that put her on the defense for a minute or two.

How old is her daughter?

My mind continued to wander until everyone experienced a flash of light, and suddenly, Ailith was holding white fire in her hands. Here eyes were black, and the pointed ears were now shown to all the spectators. Shit. She's a dark fae.

"I thought the dark fae were extinct. How is she alive?" my brows furrowed.

My father nodded in agreement, "She should be dead."

Our conversation was interrupted with Ailith burning Elaxi to ashes. Damn. That was personal. The crowd was silent.

Who wouldn't be? Some girl was just roasted to ashes.

King Weylin stated, "That girl needs to die. That fighter and her daughter need to be executed. Her kind was killed for a reason. I do not need my people living in fear."

My father agreed, "I agree. Maybe we need to search another time for any last traces of the dark fae."

"Wait a second," I held my hand up, "are you saying you agree to killing another fae? Father, she is still fae, and so is her daughter. Killing a child is not necessary."

"Technically, fae living in my land are executed unless they are fighters. Either way, her and her daughter are to be executed." King Weylin added.

I shook my head, "Excuse me, I need some air."

I left the box immediately. The halls were busy with vendors and spectators here for the dual. So far, Veles' school was winning. Especially after that previous match. Boy, that was a sight to see.

My father's words didn't sit right with my conscience. Just because this woman was dark fae does not mean she is a bad person. Why should we take a whole group of people away from an opportunity to live just because they had dangerous powers? Not only did his idea show a point of weakness but also fear of her. I get it; who wouldn't be scared to be burned to ashes from an emotional outburst? However, training her to control her powers is not only safer but also more peaceful then just killing her because of her race.

I could not wait to leave this stadium and go back to Rivanerre. I missed seeing the floating mountains surrounding my city. It was always mesmerizing to look as the birds soared through the blue skies and weaved through the mountains. I took a deep breath, walked back into the box, and silently sat down to watch the rest of the duel. My mind, however, could not help itself but to think about that beautiful woman.

***

Ailith'sPOV

I woke up once again at the crack of dawn. The sun was rising, it was time to grab breakfast from the restaurant built into the inn. I once again shrugged on the black tunic, jacket, pants, belt, and boots before gracing my back with the cloak Veles gave to me. I walked downstairs, grabbing food for Meira and I. She was still fast asleep, and I wanted her to have as much sleep as possible. Today, we would be riding into Rivanerre, and we would finally be out of the territory I've known my entire life.

I walk upstairs with more oatmeal and fruit, softly waking up my beautiful daughter. Her green eyes flutter open, and a smile follows. I give her a tight hug and set her at the small table in our room. While she eats, I braid her long brown locks down her back so they're out of the way.

"Mommy, where are we going today?" She asks as she finishes her food.

I smiled, "Today, we are traveling into Rivanerre; there is a small city right across this bridge. We can hang out for a little bit there and get to know the area. We will still need to be extra careful because it is still close to Faylen's border. Remember, there are people trying to kill us, so we need to stay hidden."

Her eyes lit up with excitement, "Yay, can we explore a little bit of Rivanerre for a little bit?"

"Yes. Hurry up; we need to get going," she nodded and finished the rest of her oatmeal. With that, we left the little town we were in. The bridge into Rivanerre was only a couple of miles away from the town. However, the trick was passing through the guards without them realizing that it was me.

It wasn't long before Meira and I were on our horse, setting out to cross the bridge into Rivanerre. I'm so glad to be escaping Howlan, especially the fighter school; it holds too many distasteful memories. I'll finally be able to move on from my past.

I could see posters of my face all around the small village, I knew crossing the bridge wouldn't be the easiest feat. Meira and I strode toward the gate, and the butterflies in my stomach became more apparent as we inched closer. The guards then checked us at the gate, sizing both my daughter and I up and down.

"She looks similar to the girl from the arena," one of the guards claimed, double checking the poster nearby.

"Sure, but this woman's eyes aren't black. She's not the one."

I held in a sigh so my cover wouldn't be blown. We were given permission to cross the bridge, so Meira and I rode into Rivanerre, and along the shore of the new land.

***

Javaid'sPOV

As my father and I ride back to Echos, my thoughts wander back to the woman in the arena. Her power was raw and powerful; there is so much potential for her to be so much greater than she already is. Now, she's being hunted because people are scared of whom she could become. I'm torn out of my thoughts once my father yells something to the driver up front.

"Follow the woman on that horse!" my father yells towards the drivers. I peek outside my window and see a hooded woman on a horse. Her brown hair leaked out of the hood, cascading behind her. Slowly, the carriage passed by her, showing us the rest of her figure. In front of the woman was a small child with brown hair and green eyes. Her face held an expression of curiosity. The small child smiled at me and waved, and I responded with the same.

"Mommy, who is that?" the small child referenced to me.

The woman glared at me, "Nobody we need to know or meet, Meira."

I look towards my dad, "Father, did the king mention any information about that female fighter in the arena?"

He nodded, "Apparently, her name is Ailith. She has brown hair and green eyes and a daughter with the same features. He didn't mention her daughter's name though."

"Okay, this small girl out here fits the description to a tee. The woman also is appearing to be pretty guarded. Besides, wouldn't she be dead already if she was in the city still?"

He looks out the window, realization coming towards his face. I was right! That's the girl from the arena. Once my father decides to direct the drivers to cut the woman off, she turns around and speeds down the trail. I run out of the carriage and create a wall of fire, stopping the beautiful woman in her tracks. I then create a ring of fire around her horse, trapping her in place.

My father yells as he walks towards Ailith, "Who are you, and why are you in Rivanerre?"

"I'm trying to pass through to Starbrog. My mentor sent me there to further my training. My name is Rieka." Her voice stays strong, never wavering even though she could die as quick as the snap of my fingers.

I smirk, "Are you sure of that? You're on the trail coming from Howlan. You look just like the woman from the arena, the one who burned her opponent for ashes. Your daughter, I'm assuming, also looks just like you. Are you sure you are telling us the truth, Ailith?"

Her eyes waver a tiny bit, "Why does it matter that I look like that woman?"

"She's supposed to be dead. AilithOriven is a dark elf; the dark elves are supposed to be dead. Nothing good ever comes from that species."

"How do you know you that? Do you have proof of this accusation?"

My father interrupted our exchange, "I have killed many of your kind, slave. Your kind is the reason the Neglected Land exists. So, I will ask you. What is your name?"

She closes her eyes, taking a deep breath, "my name is indeed AilithOriven, and I am a dark elf. However, the mistakes of my ancestors are not going to be the reason for mine or my daughter's death. I do not know the full extent of my power which is why I am searching for someone who can teach me. I mean no harm. All I want is to create a safer and better life for my child. Having the ability to control my power will help keep her safe as well as everyone else. Now, would you release the ring of fire around me?"

I look over to watch my father's reaction. His expression is grim yet considering the option. In Echos, we have many people that can teach her to control her powers. Both Fae and Elves reside in our capital and would be happy to teach her.

"You can come with us and learn to control your powers. Your daughter will be safe in the castle as you train under my son, Javaid," he gestured to me. She nods, accepting the terms of her and her daughter's survival.

"Thank you, my king. May my daughter join you in the carriage? I can follow behind the carriage as a trail of protection," my father nods in response.

With the snap of my fingers, the fire disappears, allowing us to, once again, continue the journey home. I walk over to her horse, opening my arms to receive her daughter. Ailith carefully hands me the girl, and I set her down gently.

"Her name is Meira. Keep her safe, please." I nod, leading her into the carriage with my father and I.