The massive hills were vibrant, a hue of light moss and shimmering that the two youth began to tumble down its towering structures with thunderous laughs that boomed through the small village nearby. "I think we've angered my mother again, haven't we?", the first one said, a soft feminine sound. She turned to her companion, her most faithful and loyal friend in the entire world. He was brushing away tiny pieces of grass and grime from the wrinkled black cloth of his knees. He glanced to her when he realized there was no point in his actions; he looked filthy. A grin stretched itself across his lips when he saw that she appeared even more horrid than he. Her already worn gown was disastrous, covered in wet soil and patches of smut. He watched as she attempted to remove dirt from her auburn hair and clicked his tongue loud enough that she huffed and threw her arms down in frustration. "I am in no state to face her shouts." Sighing, she began a slow walk back to their cottage, a compact house ready to collapse at any given moment. "William?" He gave her a low grumble in response, his long black hair wet and greasy with substances unknown. "Where's your father? At the whorehouse again?"

His shoulders fell a little rigid but he nodded. "Most definitely for the rest of the night." The girl clapped her hands enthusiastically.

"Mother won't yell if you're staying with me. How quaint. We can stay late too, mind you." She rambled until they reached home. Unfortunately, an older woman stood at the foot of the door, her long arms crossed in irritation. "Oh dear," William uttered, feeling his friend shrinking back against him in slight fear of what was to come. The weather was warm with gusts of wind occasionally drifting into the spaces opened by windows. He waited and heard the sound of footsteps in the household, clearly Clarissa's father.

"Where in heaven's name have you been?" The stern voice was shaking in rage. Clarissa was silent yet she remained staring into her mother's orbs, a little more than defiant. "Clarissa, you answer me this instant, young lady. Look at you! Covered in dirt!"

"I was simply playing. It is not my fault nor my wrong that nature must intervene." William scoffed and tried to cover his laugh with a hacking cough.

Her mother growled, loud and fierce. "Quit with that tongue. I expect better from you. How dare you speak to me like that? All morning your sister has been cooking with me and helping with the chores while you have been 'playing'!"

Clarissa's hands fisted. "Oh, don't bother! I will never be like her so do not urge me to. I am going into my room and William is staying too so you had better not make a fuss!" And her small figure stomped past the larger one, her fiery curls of hair shaking.

William remained outside, fighting back a reoccurring smile. He tried not to look at the older version of Clarissa. She looked tired after the altercation with her daughter. Instead, she peered at him with softened eyes and nodded her head. "No matter how much I try, that girl is a wildfire." She stared at the sky above for a few moments, her palms holding a wet towel. She was probably cleaning before they had arrived. "Come in, Will. I am a bit exhausted and I could use less of a temper from Clarissa since you are here." They walked inside and he had to duck his head abruptly for his height was taller than the actual door.

xx

"Pottage again?" The large man bellowed, patting his grumbling stomach. "Jocelyn, my dear. Where is the fish? The meat?" He was smiling, sitting on the ground where a ratty table was set. He was always at the top of the table. The king of the house. His wife tucked her strands of hair into a bun and settled herself beside him.

"Bring in the meat and then I will cook it, Luke. Clarissa will capture some fish for us tomorrow. Come on, Aline. Grab that bowl and fill it up, dear." They began to alternate tiny plates of food amongst themselves. William waited for the soup to grow a little colder so that he could drink it. He felt Clarissa shift beside him. She was silent as her father spoke about the farmers nearby. Every time Will found himself in their house, he usually always heard stories about the neighbors. Some good. The rest mostly gossip. Luke was at the center of it all. He was a gigantic man, the biggest from miles around. He worked as a farmer. Gathering herbs and plants for those who wished to purchase in the village. He was a funny fellow, joking more than he was ever serious.

William grabbed a slice of the cut radish and felt the brush of Aline's finger against his. He pulled away quickly and noticed that she didn't give a sign of attention, her dark brown eyes glued to her mother who was speaking about some of the other girls in the neighborhood. She looked nothing like Clarissa. Her hair was a light brown, straight and usually let down elegantly. For a couple of peasants, Aline appeared better off than anyone else. "I will be in my room. Call or shout if you need me, mother." Clarissa stood abruptly, not bothering to speak to the rest of them. Except she nudged him with her foot before sauntering off. Like he unfailingly did, he followed soon after.

xx

Clarissa shared a room with Aline. Yet Aline slept on a mattress in her mother's room now. So the closet sized space was usually empty other than the two of them. Will found Clarissa drawing on the cracked and already wrecked wall. Her paints were scattered on the ground. They weren't really paints. Just things she made out of dirt and a bunch of other materials found on the streets. He sat, crossing his legs so there was still room for her to move. "You seem a bit off today. I do not suppose it has something to do with what your mother said?" His deep voice echoed. Low and curious. She dropped her hands down and he noticed blue and brown colors dripping from her skin.

"Suppose it is, Will. Every time I try to help, I seem to blow the roof off this hut. I am tired of being constantly reminded of Aline's perfection. I am nothing like her. I will never be." She gathered her little cups and pushed them aside. Her large green eyes watched him, waiting for an answer. He shrugged. "I wish you could speak more. It is a bore pondering what you are thinking. Some of the time tiring. Can I not understand you?"

He rolled his eyes at her conclusion and flicked her forehead. "You never bore me, you foolish girl. Is it not enough that I am here?" She beamed, her face lighting brilliantly enough that it nearly dimmed the oil lamp beside them.

"Let us slumber. My legs ache from that hill. It nearly broke me." He chuckled and grabbed a blanket, pulling it over the two of them. Her hair spread across the cotton pillow and landed on his eyes. In annoyance, he pushed her head forward and listened to her giggle.

"Pleasant dreams William."

"The same to you."

xx

They both scrambled awake to the sound of trumpets sounding. Clarissa leaped forward, her eyes bleary and her legs almost stumbling if it weren't for William's grace who was able to push her ahead. They ran to the front of the house, finding Luke, Aline, and Jocelyn already outside. The villagers were all whispering, their words muffled and barely understood. Someone was in the center of the small area and Clarissa shoved a few of the neighbors aside without a word so that she could get a better glimpse. Will was behind her. She scanned the small houses and her eyes landed on four knights. Her eyebrows rose. Knights of the high King. They were wearing full armor, glistening from the shining sun's rays. A few horses were set aside to a corner. The men looked powerful, their shoulders broad. She had never seen any of the kingdom's royals before. She waited eagerly like everyone else.

One stepped forward and tugged a scripture that was tied behind his mount. He unrolled the paper and began to read, loud and clear for all to hear. She leaned forward. "The time has come, villagers of Sidereal. The King has been ill for years now and you are aware that death must take its course. His majesty has one last request for the people of his kingdom. His son shall take the throne. He shall rule you. Become your guardian. In a fortnight, Jonathon Wayland will be announced amongst your lips as the ruler of this nation. Festivities and sacrifices shall be given in his name." He took a breath. Began again through the silence of the streets.

"King Micheal has asked for a wife. One who will fit his young and powerful son. From all ranges of the country and even outside of its borders, he implores the women of all areas to enter this tournament. Meant to challenge on all aspects of a woman's nature. Skill, beauty, knowledge and so forth. We, the knights of the King shall escort all who wish to compete. For a year, these women will stay unless voted out by further judgement. Families, stay resilient. The journey is long and ill fated. Choose and decide for when the night comes and the birds halt their singful chirping, we begin on our path." The knight stopped. He put the scroll away, somewhere underneath the protection of his covering. He performed a small salute and sauntered slowly to his companions.

Clarissa heard the soft cries of residents who mourned the soon to be loss of King Micheal. She watched an old woman sob on the ground, her gray hair shaking. Mostly, she noticed the men of Sidereal staring at their daughters. Their expressions were emotional as if trying to figure out if a family member was going to leave soon. She turned her gaze to Jocelyn. Found her speaking to Aline. Aline was wiping her face, nodding briskly. "Will?" She knew he was beside her.

"What do you make of this?"

She felt him move behind her. Aware that the crowd of people had irritated him. "Load of rubbish." The absurdity of his words made her laugh and she earned a few sharp stares in advance. She shrugged.

"Come on. Let us hunt. We need to eat something. I suppose fish will do. If we are lucky, a plump rabbit will taste delicious." They moved away from the source of mass attention and picked up their weapons from the hut. Making sure her mother was still preoccupied, they quietly found themselves in the secluded forest. Clarissa smiled. Stretched her arms.

Her bow was used plenty but when she felt its flexible material, her chest soared. She fingered the arrow. Sharp and thin. She pulled it backwards and trudged silently with William, scanning the trees and bushes for potential meals. They found nothing for the first minutes. Then Will managed to stab a squirrel with his sword. A bit of a bloody mess but Clarissa was too distracted by something else. She hungrily peered at the skinny rabbit sitting on the mossy ground. She ushered for William to go to the other side just in case her arrow missed. Fat chance of that occurring. Her breathing was warm and rapid. She tried to steady herself. She pointed the arrow at the poor animal's head. Allowed her fingers to slip back.

Swift.

"William! It was a sure hit! Oh, mother will be proud tonight." She rushed to the dead body and grabbed it by the ears. A little blood dribbled from the small puncture. She showed the rabbit to Will who shook his head. He hated seeing dead things or anything bloody. Upon his dislike, she announced their victory and scurried home, excitement mounting at the thought of what her father might praise her for.

When they arrived, the groups of people had disassembled, moving back to their respective jobs and homes. A few stayed outside, observing the knights in all their glory. Afternoon came. The sun became more transparent. Clarissa saw a young girl talking to her parents. She made out the words 'I want to go'. She looked away quickly. They slipped inside and found the room oddly silent. The family had set the table. They were sitting in their usual spots. Jocelyn kissed Aline's head. "Look, mother! A rabbit. I've caught a rabbit! And William has captured a squirrel!" Luke glanced up as if he was in a daze. His small eyes met her face and she saw this emptiness she would never forget. No one responded to her. William dropped the dead animals to the ground.

"What is going on? Has something happened?" She asked, her shoulders rising with her tone. The air was filled with tension, enough that her mother began to cry. Luke held her, his large arms enveloping her thin body.

"Mother!" This time she screamed, her lips furiously frowning. She turned to look at all of them, waiting for some sort of explanation. William held her arm. She was shaking with worry and her mind was reeling with all thoughts possible.

It was Aline who spoke. "Clarissa, I am leaving. I intend to compete to wed the future King. I depart tonight. It is my decision."

William caught the younger of the two as she staggered backwards. She sucked in a breath. Luke looked at her. He didn't argue the statement. The wrinkles on his tan forehead were harder to look at now. His mouth was formed in a tight line, like it wasn't there at all. She had always been closer to her father than her mother. He was the one who taught her how to fight, taught her how the bow and arrow could be the most powerful instruments in the world. She listened to his advice better than anyone else's. This time, he shook his head barely and she caught sight of the movement knowing it held the magnitude of the universe. They had all accepted it. She tried to move but Will had a strong hold on her. He whispered into her ear, his voice almost relaxing, "Do not rush to action. Listen, Clarissa." She did not heed his warning nor his suggestion.

"How could you?" The question was strong and forbidding. She felt betrayed. Her heart was thudding violently in her chest. She could see her fingers trembling. White spots dotted her vision. Her sister would leave. An entire year of separation. What was to come next?

"I must." Aline was always quiet, even as a child. She preferred older company rather than the children who ran playfully outdoors. She favored the people with stories to tell. Lives lived out. Despite her lack of friendship with others, she loved Clarissa. She was the older sister, the set example. She was not silent with her. She spoke. She played. She hugged. She kissed. With Clarissa, new colors were discovered and she felt like a rare jem found in the deep depths of the ocean.

"What do you mean, sister? Leave us? How can you say you must when you have a choice?" It felt good releasing some of the strain from her body. She pulled away lightly from William and he gave a questioning glance as if asking if it was time for him to go. She shook her head no.

Aline was staring at mother and father. Her orbs looked sad but her shoulders were held with such confidence, it was difficult to tell what she felt. "Do you remember what I told you when we were children? At the pond we used to gaze at, Clarissa?"

Her face turned white, realization flickering through her features. She called back that time, her mind going back to its origins.

"What do you want, 'Line?" She splashed her feet into the water, laughing when it tickled her toes.

Aline stood outside the large body of water. She peered at her sister with some sympathy. "What do you mean?"

The village was quiet. The air humid around them. It was night and the moon and the stars were their friends. The two sisters had managed to escape from the hut again to play.

Clarissa grinned, all teeth. "Father says I can be a warrior. He taught me how to use a sword today. Sister, you should have seen me. You would be so proud!"

Aline could not help her dimples from displaying. She sat carefully on the ground, making sure her clothing would not get filthy. "Of course, I am proud. I am your sister. Your-"

"Hero, I know." The impatience showed in her voice but the younger girl was still beaming softly, pushing her curls away from her cheeks.

"I suppose I would like to be a leader."

Clarissa scrunched her eyebrows. "A leader? A leader in what?"

The brown haired girl shrugged. She appeared to be thinking. "I do not know now but I would like to help people."

"Help people? I want to help too! That is why I will become a warrior!" She feigned a lion stance and roared a high pitched girlish sound that did not at all resemble a growl. Aline giggled and they both covered their mouths with their palms so that their parents would not catch them.

"What does that-that has nothing to do with what you have said." Her bottom lip trembled and she tried her best to be strong.

Aline waited a moment before finally speaking. "Do not be so dense, Clarissa." Her voice was cold. Not at all like the times they shared when they were young and innocent. "A leader. Someone who commands. This is my opportunity. This is what I want. I can become queen and if I compete and lose, then so be it. At least I would have tried. Do not blame my dreams for getting in the path of what we are."

"What we are? We are sisters. We are family. I do not understand. Explain it to me 'Line." It was the first time she had uttered the nickname since their early days. Aline's eyes widened and she looked equally surprised.

She rose, tall and graceful. She almost appeared angelic. "I will not explain to you further, sister. Time has neared. I have already spoken to the guards. They have allowed family to accompany me. You will not be separated from me if that is truly your only concern."

Clarissa blinked. "We can come? All of us?"

"Mother and father will stay. They need to take care of what they have grown. If you wish to remain with them, then do so. If not, horses are set for the riding near the inn."

Jocelyn wiped her face with her own dress, covered in food stains and dirt. "Be strong, my dear." She stood and lifted her hands to her daughter's face. She kissed her cheek and Aline could feel the salt of her tears on her skin.

"I will. I was raised by you, mother. How can I be anything else?" The statement made Jocelyn laugh, through the emotions taking over her. Luke managed a smile.

Clarissa observed, as if from afar. She felt isolated. Like she was behind bars they could not possibly see. William was looking at her. She did not dare meet his eyes. All her feelings and thoughts would be revealed.

Aline took a very small sack. Old and nearly ripped. In it were the little clothes she owned, delicately folded. "Vale." She brought her hand forward in a tiny wave. A little farewell. She walked out the wooden door, to the open.

"Wait!" Clarissa ran to catch up to her sister's fast pace. She did not notice she was crying until Aline smiled. A genuine smile. The first she had seen in years.

"What is with you, Clarissa? You are a warrior!" She embraced her, deep and warm. Aline's arms looped around her waist, her head tucking into her shoulder. She smelled like flowers and night air.

"I am coming with you." Aline tugged away from her in startlement.

"Pardon?"

"I meant what I said. I am coming with you. William shall come too."

Aline's face searched hers, trying to catch if there was anything else occurring in her mind. "It is only family that can go. William cannot-"

Clarissa waved her fingers dismissively. "He will. I will simply say he is my brother. Mother and father will agree, I assure you."

Aline pursed her lips. She turned so that her back faced Clarissa. "Do what you please, sister. I will travel with the knight. You travel with William."

The youngest uncertainly regarded her sister's footsteps, going further away from her no matter how fast she scampered.

xx

[review. new story. 'vale' means goodbye.]