Repanse was one again under the surface of the lake. She saw the bubbles under the waterfall, the carps, catfish, and crayfish lurking in the clean water. The light swiftly pored through the oak crowns. And once again, she stepped up and submerged her clumsy dark bowl cut from the pleasantly chill water. She took a few steps to the shore where her chevalier always awaited her, bowing. Her thin white gown sticked to her body as water streamed through cloth. Smiling sadly, she came to him and laid a hand on his grey short hair. His towering helmet laid nearby, staring deep into her soul. She knew full on that if she does what she intends to do, it would all end, but how could she not do it? Repanse slid her index finger under knight's chin. She once again saw the silver glass in his eyes and started melting. She knew that soon the time would be up. She tried pulling him up, but the chevalier refused to stand despite shining with loyalty and admiration. In despair, Repanse hoped down on her knees so that her bright blue eyes would face his. The confused knight tried looking down, but her hand refused to let him go. This was it. She leaned forward to give her loyal defender a kiss of sincere unending love and
The silver glass of his eyes took over her vision and exploded, leaving her in the bed.
For all of the year she knew him it was always despair and pain. Stupid, stupid peasant girl. She laid staring at the ceiling, decorated with the scenes of glory of Bretonnian knights. The heavy chest slowly rose up. She hated herself for being so naive and letting her admiration of Henry develop to such hopeless love. Repanse knew there was only one woman he was loyal to. Maybe he did not even see her as a woman, if he can see someone as a woman, if anyone except her. Ze Lady, he and other grail knights chanted, Ze Lady. Am I not A lady? She remembered how peasant boys looked at her, perhaps the only Bretonnians who expressed desire towards her. But the knights? No, they are all loyal to one woman. Repanse covered her eyes as she felt tears coming down her cheeks. She never felt so hopeless and lonely thinking about anything else than her stupid love. Her shoulders shook as she once again was crying her eyes out. It was hard to be truly alone in Al-Haikk, but in rare moments of privacy, she allowed herself to be fragile and weak.
In three turns of sand clock, she found herself looking on the blue sky above her balcony. She knew this day would be a hard one and she already spent too much time indulging in her silly dream. It was time to refresh herself. She stood up and walked to the balcony to see the city from her tower. The noise from spice quarter and the harbor became apparent as she leaned over the top rail. She felt the discomfort of shrinking pupils in her tear-stained eyes. But it were not mere buzzing of Arabian and Bretonnian merchants, she heard horns of her newfound allies, the High Elves of Ulthuan. The squadron of Elven battleships awaited their masters at the harbor – and it will be a couple of days before they set sail back to the Straights of Lothern. Repanse turned around and rushed to her chest where her dress laid. She never found any of noblewomen's dresses to suit her, except this gift from a young Elven ambassador. The handmaids never escorted Repanse de Lyonesse, as well as the fancy clothing. Maybe, the squires and armor are the ultimate handmaids and dresses? Smiling to that thought, she brushed her messy hair. She thought that she would not need to embarrass a young squire with the task of tying the lace of the cleavage – or to embarrass herself calling for Henri to do it. She took a close look of her face and curves in the mirror and remembered that no man called her a beauty. No man except Henri, but that was a long time ago. Maybe, there was some hope for them back then, but certainly not now. Of course, the Elven ambassador gave her a complement, but it should have been a diplomatic gesture rather than a genuine thought, and he was not a man. At least not a human man.
She left her room and made her way gently down the spiral staircase to the fountain where she could quickly wash off all reminders of her broken heart. Repanse went through several thin corridors before arriving to the great hall where chevalier and Elven officers were arguing over something. The young ambassador sat to the left of the Master of Al-Haikk, an old kind Arabic noble who was so helpful to assist Repanse's army retreating from the sandstorm and later to invite High Elf fleet into his harbor. The wise man must have known how much money the guests from Ulthuan could spend in his city. Strangely, she did not see her guardian anywhere in the hall.
The voices went silent as Repanse walked through the great hall to her seat to the right of the Master's. Her grail knights bowed as she walked by, but Elven officers stood almost arrogantly. They knew about who she was and where she came from. No high elf would taunt his pride by bowing to a peasant girl. Even the one dressed as an Elven noblewoman. No high elf, except the young ambassador.
'Damoiselle de Guerre! I am honored to meet you in person. The news of your deeds and conquests have spread far and wide since you knocked off our common Chaos foes to the sea. The kingdoms of Ulthuan are grateful to you and your courage.'
She noticed how weak did his body really was when he slowly rose up.
'Prince Teclis, there I have heard many times of High Elf courage, knowledge, and wisdom, but never had I expected you to be so humble and heartfelt.' She sincerely smiled in awe of what she has seen from a noble elf.
She bowed to the ambassador once again and followed to her place to the right of the Master. Repanse had a chat to the City Master before all three of them calmed down their respective followers.
High Elf prince rose his thin and seemingly fragile body to make an address to everyone in the hall.
'The hospitality of our allies of order from Araby is only matched by the bravery of lionhearted defenders of faith from Bretonnia.' The Arabic merchants and warriors alongside the Grail Knights pounded tables with mugs in approval while High Elves in enamel armor and white lion cloaks sat sullenly arms crossed. The years of life with soldiers and officers told Repanse that Prince Teclis had a long way before gaining the respect of his own soldiers. I see he has merits of his own and could certainly gain what he needs, especially in the span of his life. 'We came here in the time of need and you welcomed us. This is a gift that we would never forget. It is time, however, to tell all of you, fellow friends of the Asur, what only my kin and Master Rahmad know about the reason of us being here.'
The hall turned silent as City Master ordered to open the gates. 'From the dark lands to the far west we carry a host of unimaginable power – a host we captured fleeing from attacking our lands.' Repanse felt disrespected by the fact that something of such importance was hidden from her until the last moment, but she was too curious to express anger. The sunlight did not allow her to see the figure, but as guards moved giant cage to the center of the hall, Repanse saw a metal chair and shackles where a woman figure was tied up. Though immobilized and not able to lift a single finger or say a word, she looked with despise on people surrounding her. 'Honorable allies, this is why we could not allow such a cargo being exported by a small squadron and needed a harbor. I present you the Hag Queen and Sorceress of Ghrond, the Mother of the Druchii, Morathi.' Her pale face rejoiced in recognition of her authority before she looked at Repanse with shining eyes.
By this point the hall was erupting in anger and fear; Repanse never seen her chevaliers being so undisciplined. She wished Henri was with her now. Henri. Henri, where did you go?
'Lady Repanse?' she heard the voice of Elven Prince.
'Prince Teclis?'
'My Lady I must tell you something.'
'What should that be?'
'Our prisoner is of terrible danger and is extremely hostile to your kin. You should return to the safety of your chambers where she would have harder time reaching you.'
'Hostile? What are you talking about?'
'I am incredibly sorry to be telling you this but last night one of your knights sneaked to the cage and my guards failed to stop him. He was slain by her foul magic in attempt to slay her before Loremaster Telarion and I could save him. Lady Repanse?'
The walls of the castle collapsed in front of her, the throat and chest filling with bitter and painful lamps. Her short breathing ceased, as she was not able to inhale any air. Repanse fell to the floor, drowning herself in tears. Her dreams of Henri would always remind her how she failed to protect who she loved.