“Wow, that sounds like the situation’s entirely screwed.” The captain says to Miller as they stand on the docks.

Miller stands next to the captain as the other Pawns work to load a ship. “That’s why we need you. We need your ship specifically. It’s the best vessel we have for high-speed travel, and we can flee the area fast if needed.”

“I don’t know Miller. My ship is now a cargo vessel. Without her, our trade across the islands will slow down significantly. What would our little lord say about that?”

“He can complain about it after we save him.” Miller holds his hand to his chest. “I can still feel the Piece inside of me, so that means he’s still alive. And I can call upon Mila’s flames, meaning she’s still alive.”

“I get you’re worried about your mates. But do you even have a destination?”

“Kozrin Island.”

“Kozrin? That’s in the middle of the archipelago. It’ll take us days to reach there. Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I’m chasing someone. They’re leading me there.”

“Okay, but why Kozrin?”

“I followed Glyn’s charts and maps in his office. Kozrin was circled as an important island for some reason. It may hold some strong strategic value.”

The captain nods. “Fine. I’ll sail with you there. But don’t expect me or my crew to do any fighting. That’s up to you guys.”

“Understood. And thank you for this.”

“Don’t thank me yet. Sounds like we’re entering a death trap. If we survive, thank me then, not a moment before, understood?”

“Right, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“We’ll set sail tonight. I’m going to acquire more previsions for a long trip. Make sure your lot is ready for what’s coming.”

“We’re ready. That I can tell you now.”

Hours later, Miller walks into Glyn’s office room and looks around. He examines the maps and charts Glyn left behind, but his eyes are drawn to a notebook on the table. Opening it, the book is filled with random ideas and plans, none of them fleshed out or concrete enough for Miller to focus on them.

“For once, I wish I understood how your brain works. I need a plan, something, anything, to help me believe you're out there alive. The Piece may guide us, but….”

“You're still worried.” Sam enters the room, walking up to Miller. “Not just about Mila, but the others, too.”

Miller sighs. “Can’t hide anything from you.”

“Well, I have been beside you since we were kids. So, I hope I could read you better than most.”

“We’ve been together for a while now, haven’t we?” He leans on the desk, looking around the room. “But this is surreal. I never would’ve imagined any of this a year ago, even if you told me.”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“None of us would.”

“How are the others?”

“Tan is raring to go. It took Faye and Fiona to calm her down and stop her from flying off.” Sam laughs. “She’s ready to go on the search for everyone at any moment. Fiona’s ready for a fight as always, and Faye is napping but ready when she’s called on.”

“Ivar is talking to his uncle at the shipyard and trying to make some more preparations. Otso is double checking our supplies, and lastly Rufus is studying.”

“Studying?”

“Pepper and Glyn left him a pile of work to do for ‘magical homework’. He’s been going through it every day and making slow progress.” Sam explains.

Miller laughs. “It’s good to see him taking his training so seriously. Of course, he should get a rest before we set sail soon.”

“You should take your advice before you give it out.”

“What?”

“Miller, it’s been over a day. You haven’t rested since we drove Xia Bai off. You’ve been looking through Glyn’s stuff, or checking the Pieces to make sure we’re still linked, or who knows what.”

“I can’t help it!” Miller slams his hand on the desk. “I trusted Xia, I let my guard down around her and this is where it got us.”

“Miller.”

“When I fought her on that island. I thought we understood each other. We’re loyal protectors watching over our leaders and protecting our allies. I thought we could come to an understanding….”

“But she betrayed us at the drop of a hat. She left our friends and family to die at the hands of a powerful foe. No matter her reasonings that is an unforgivable act.”

Miller stares at Sam. “You're right. I won’t show her any mercy when we face her again. She’s proven herself to be a threat and will be taken care of accordingly.”

“Miller….”

“Thank you, Sam. It may not seem like it, but I appreciate everything you say to me and I appreciate you being by my side.”

Miller grabs Sam’s hands and their face goes red. They stare at Miller, embarrassed, as they turn their head.

“Sam?”

“Miller, before we begin, there’s something I want to say. Something I’ve been wanting to say for the longest time and I had difficulty understanding myself and that made it impossible for me to say anything.”

“Okay, go ahead. You can tell me anything.”

Sam lowers their head and takes a breath. “Alright, here goes. Miller, I love you.”

“What?”

“I had a hard time understanding who or what I was. I didn’t know if I was a man or a woman. But no matter what I was, my eyes were always drawn to you. I always want to be beside you. As a man or a woman, I…. I always….”

Sam lowers their head as Miller stands stunned. “Um…”

“We have more important things to focus on right now. I just wanted to get that off my chest before we left. Just in case.”

Sam pulls away, but Miller grabs hold and pulls them in closer. “Sam. I’m sorry.”

“Miller?”

“I’m sorry I didn’t notice this whole time. I can’t give you an answer now, but I promise you, after we save the others, I’ll answer your feelings one way or another.”

Sam cries with a smile on their face. “Come on. You're going to tease me like that?”

“Sorry. You know how I am.”

Sam laughs. “When Mila’s in trouble, your head’s filled with nothing but her. For a while, it made me jealous, but I get it. She’s your important family, after all.”

“She is. And we have our important allies out there in need of rescuing on top of that.”

“Then let’s go save them. And then put an end to that bitch’s crazy cult.”

“Right. Let’s save our home and everyone else’s at the same time.”

Sometime later, everyone gathers on the docks as the captain stands on the deck of his ship. One by one, each of them boards weapons in hand as they mentally prepare themselves. After the last of the Pawns boards the ship, the sails unfurl and the captain and Miller stand on the bridge as the helmsmen take the wheel.

“Set sail for Kozrin island!” The captain declares.

The cry goes off across the ship and everyone moves to position as the sails catch the wind and the ship moves from the dock. Miller looks down at the deck to see Sam helping to direct the others before turning his head to the sea before him.

“Mila, Glyn, Tisha, Zanrit, Pepper, all of you please be safe.” He whispers as he holds out his hand. “Lead me to them. Please.” He closes his eyes and senses something, a nearly invisible force pointing him ahead. “I’ll save them, no matter what!”