Andre was surrounded by inky, oppressive darkness, but the sound of a relentless, rhythmic ticking pierced the stillness. He glanced up to see a single beam of light peeking through the gloom, revealing a red-haired figure brandishing a whip of pure light. She was standing before a writhing mass of darkness, whose shape seemed to shift and reshape with every passing second. Andre's golden eyes were wide with fear as his gaze shifted between the mysterious figure and the almost-unrecognizable foe before her. “Andre!” Someone called his name and he desperately searched the murky surroundings for the source of the voice. He was overcome with a sense of dread as he watched the pair battle in the darkness, each form that the beast took more intimidating and dangerous than the last. A feeling of impending doom began to consume him.

“Andre, wake up.”

Cold water covered him and Andre shot up in his bed. “The Fuck?!” Andre shouted. As his mind cleared and the pounding in his chest slowed. Andre surveyed his surroundings.

“Language,” His mom was standing next to the bed with a cross expression and a bucket in hand. She was tall and slender with dirty blonde hair set in a single braid that extended down her back. Her pale skin was the result of all the time she spent indoors managing the kingdoms finances.

“I’ve been trying to wake you up for fifteen minuets. You need to hurry before Derek gets pissed off and you two get in another fight,” she said.

“I’m sorry mom. I just had a really weird dream with a monster and this girl…” He trailed off remembering the girl. It wasn’t the first time he had seen her in his dreams. She felt, familiar somehow.

“Are you feeling all right? Your not going to be to sick for the ceremony today are you?” she asked voice heavy with concern. The dream had shaken Andre up so much, that he had forgotten that his Knighting ceremony was today. She placed the back of her hand on his forehead to check his temperature. Her touch and the gentle look in her emerald eyes had a calming effect on Andre’s psyche.

“I’m fine. I’ll get up and be down in a couple minuets,” he replied.

She looked at him skeptically, “Alright, Derek and Zale are waiting on you down in the dinning area.” With that she left his room.

Once she left Andre realized that he could still hear the ticking from his dream. Only now, Andre was awake. Why could he still hear the ticking?

Pushing that concern to the back of his mind, he went to the adjoining bathroom to wash his face. While Derek might try to leave Andre behind, Zale would make him wait. Still it's not a good idea to keep a prince waiting. The back side of his right hand was itching like he had been stung by hundreds of ants. Andre looked at it to see flakes of gold as if someone had sprinkled glitter all over his hand. Contrasted against his chestnut colored skin the gold flakes looked like stars in the sky. Andre tired to wash it off but no matter how hard he tried he couldn’t. Andre was running late, so he pushed it to the back of his mind. Just like the ticking, which to his annoyance, had not faded.

Going back to his room Andre took out his dress uniform. It was a dark gray overcoat done in a practical military style. On the front left side was his family crest. A silver fox resting on a green field. The fox was meant to represent the craftiness that his father, Marcus Skinner, was famous for. The shirt was the same color as the green field of the crest. It was a common practice among the nobles to have there dress shirt match the color of your family crest. The pants were just a simple dark gray. Andre had never really liked his dress uniform. He associated it with the large noble parties and he really hated those. He took out his dress shoes and set it all aside for the knighting ceremony later.

Andre tossed on a pair of shorts and a simple shirt for the jog he, Zale, and Derek, went on every morning. He headed downstairs to the dining room. As Andre approached he heard one of the serving girl giggling. Entering the room he saw Prince Zale with his medium length dirty blond hair unkempt but still styled in a way that framed his clean shaven face. His cousin and best friend was whispering into the ear of Maria, one of the younger serving girls, when she saw Andre enter her face flushed a deep red and she exited quickly. Zale smiled ear to ear his piercing green eyes filled with laughter.

“Hey man, stirring up trouble as usual?” said Andre with a shit-eating grin.

Andre didn't think it was possible but Zales smile grew even larger. “Well a prince has his duties,” said Zale.

Andre and Zale both laughed “Is Derek already outside?”

“You know it. 10 coppers says he’s pacing,” the prince responded.

“That’s a suckers bet.”

They rose and headed out the door to meet Derek, who was probably livid by this point after having to wait for so long. Their footsteps echoed in the cavernous expanse of the hallway as they raced across the marble floors, past the guards, and through the palace doors.

Upon exiting the front door they found his brother, who had indeed been pacing. Derek looked up with a scowl on his face. “Well, took you guys long enough. If you and the lecherous prince over there are done dicking around. I want to finish the run, before the ceremony starts.”

Even though Derek was five years younger than Andre and Zale. He would also be knighted today, the youngest to ever receive the honor. Andre would never admit it but he was proud of his little brother. So instead Andre said “ I have a serious question for you. How do get your head so far up your ass? I have been seriously trying to see things from your perspective. I just can't seem to get mine up there.”

“Whatever” Derek said with a glare and turned south jogging down La Salle Street.

Andre looked at Zale who was barely stiffing laughter. Both quickly headed off after Derek. The buildings along the street were varied some still stood tall and proud and others were mere metal skeletons twisted in the fires that had consumed much of the city during the great war thirty years ago. At the end of the street stood the market building. The large tower had remained untouched during the war. There was a clock-face visible the whole time the companions were running down the street. Andre felt like the clock was mocking him. He still heard the ticking as clear as ever. Of course, the towers clock had not worked since before the war when the power cut out.

“Do you guys hear that ticking?” Andre asked

“Ticking, what the hell are you talking about?” Derek questioned.

“Are you alright, man?” Zale asked a look of confusion on his face.

“I'm fine, it"s nothing, forget about it.” Andre said.

As the companions approached the market place. They prepared to make the turn west along Jackson Boulevard. As Andre made the turn a flash of red caught his eye but then disappeared around the corner a block away. People were bustling in and out of the market place to meet with the merchants who were set up inside. Andre decided that it must have been his imagination.

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Continuing down Jackson Boulevard, a thought occurred to Andre so he asked the others. “Hey, can we stop by the library?”

“I don't see why not.” Zale said

“As long as you don't spend all day there." Derek insisted.

Quickly finishing the handful of blocks to State Street. They turned south and passed under the old L. Every time Andre saw the elevated track he would remember how his father had told him that. Before the war people used the rail to get around the city at speeds that sounded impossible to Andre.

As the companions reached the front of the library Zale quipped “I don't see how you can spend so much time inside reading. There is a giant world of possibilities right outside. You need to get out more, man.”

“What would our grandpa Roland say if he heard you say that?” Andre questioned his cousin.

At the mention of the name Zale looked over his shoulder at the statue of King Roland the Wise that towered over him. He was responsible for the preservation of the library and numerous other cultural sites during the Great War. Shortly after his death King Colin had the statue erected in his honor in the middle of the street in front of the library. “That's not fair, man.” Zale whined.

“Who are you to talk? you've been lazy your whole life. If you had applied yourself you would have been knighted years ago. Instead you screwed around and let me catch up to you.” Derek said accusingly toward Andre.

“And if you took that stick out of your ass, you wouldn't still be a virgin.” Andre shot back with a glare.

“Just like Grandpa Roland would have wanted.” Zale said through his grin.

“Shut Up, Zale!” The brothers roared in unison.

They entered Derek decided to sit on a bench near the door as the other two entered the vast main lobby. Andre noticed a familiar face sitting behind the desk. Stacey was a couple years older than the cousins. Her dark hair was tied back and she dressed modestly for a young woman.

Upon seeing the young librarian Zale looked from her to his cousin as a mischievous smile crossed his lips. He then made a beeline for Stacey. Shaking his head Andre followed his cousin, knowing all to well what was to come.

“Hey Stacey, have you met my cousin Andre, he is a Duke's son” said Zale smiling boldly

Without looking up from the book she was reading Stacey replied “Yes Zale. Hi Andre. did you finish those books you checked out the other day?” she said focus still on her own book.

“Almost, I should have them all back here in the next couple of days. Since I was in the area I thought I'd stop by. Maybe grab a few more. We have tomorrow off so...”

“Aren't you proud. Our man Andre will be getting his knighthood today?” Zale asked Stacey.

Andre feared that if he remained Zale would start planning his wedding to Stacey. Instead Andre headed for the stacks. As he did Andre let his mind wander. It wasn't that Stacey was unattractive, far from it, the problem was that they were to similar. Andre preferred women who are more bold and daring. He then started to think about the beautiful girl from his dream facing off against the monster.

Before he knew it Andre found himself at one of his favorite sections, Mythology. Reading the legends of the gods of ancient humans and there power to manipulate the very forces of reality always fascinated him. While browsing the shelf Andre found a book on Norse Mythology that he hadn’t read. As he pulled the book from the shelf he saw a flash of red hair from the other side of the stacks.

Andre’s mind was racing as he sprinted to the end of the shelf and whirled around the corner to see who was there. To Andre’s disappointment the row was empty. He didn’t understand how anyone could move fast enough that he hadn’t at least caught a glimpse them. He turned to storm off in frustration, only to immediately collide with someone.

“Shit!” Andre exclaimed in surprise. He looked at the girl he had just collide with. She was shorter than him by almost a foot, had wavy brown hair, tanned skin and the most intense copper eyes. She was scowling at him, “Mikayla?!”

“Don't you ‘shit Mikayla’ me. A girl tries to come to the library to get some time for herself, but low and behold you can not go anywhere in this damn city without some royal trying to knock you down.” Mikayla said never breaking her scowl.

“I'm sorry, Kay I’ll buy you a round tonight.” Andre replied. He had known Mikayla since they were kids. they had been assigned to the same patrol. Her, Zale and Andre had been friends ever since.

Her scowl melted away leaving a smile. “Cheap bastard, you know drinks are free tonight, at the gala. Aren’t you just soo excited about finally being able to leave the city on patrol. How long do you think we will have to wait? Do you think we can convince the others to go anywhere exciting, like Toronto or someplace far?”

Andre returned her smile, “You’re right. So how about this I’ll vote we go wherever you want for our first trip out.” Andre knew that Mikayla had dreams of traveling the world for as long as he had know her. She enjoyed studying old maps or researching cultures. She had a need for adventure and always loved exploring. She had mentioned on more than one occasion that she would like to learn about the dwarves, elves and some of the lesser known races that now populated parts of the planet.

“Perfect, I have some great ideas you’re going to love it.” Mikayla said.

“I bet.” said Andre without a hint of doubt or sarcasm. The ticking in his head made him think of the time. “Derek is going to kill me.” Andre mumbled.

“What are you mumbling like a idiot for” said Mikayla with a slight smile.

“Nothing, I just have to go get ready for the ceremony. I will see you there later,” he said before racing back to the main lobby the book of Norse Mythology still in his hand.

“I still expect that drink,” she called after him.

Andre reached the main desk just in time to hear Zale saying “ So when do you think you and my main man, Andre, are going to be going out?”

As Andre approached the desk, Stacey put down her book for the first time since they had entered the library. In Andre’s opinion she was one of the only people in all Chicago who had read as much as he had. “Did you find anything you liked?” a warm and gentle smile across her lips.

Andre placed the book he had in his hand on the counter. “ Yes, just this one. I hope my cousin didn't give you to much trouble.”

“Do not worry yourself, I know how to deal with him.”

“Ouch, you wound me. How can such a beautiful flower have such thorns.” Zale soothed sarcastically.

After Andre finished checking out his book he looked to Zale and asked “ Where is Derek? I thought he'd be pissed.”

“Oh he is. he stormed off like fifteen or twenty minuets ago. He said something about how at least he wouldn't be late.” Zale replied.

“Yeah we better double time it back, or our dads will be pissed” With that the two of them left the library and returned to the palace.