Out in front of the elder’s house, a crowd stands gathered, trying to glimpse what’s within. Inside, in the middle of the living room, the elder stands over two women as they use magic to heal. On the floor, a blond-haired man lies covered in his blood as it pools along the ground.

“The wounds are not healing!” One healer yells.

“Whoever did this meant for him to suffer.” The other says.

The elder nods as he stares down at the young man. “Try to hold on. We’re doing everything we can for you.”

“Move!” Tisha yells as she pushes her way through the crowd.

Tisha, Miller, and Glyn arrive at the scene, with the elder turning to the three. “Ah well.”

“What’s going on?” Glyn asks.

“This man sailed here on a ruined ship a few moments ago. The person who found him rushed him here after seeing his injuries.”

Tisha lowers herself to his side. “Voron!”

“He’s one of the twelve who came out with you, right?”

“Yeah. He’s a stern warrior. Whoever did this to him is….” She stares at him, noticing his injuries, and her eyes drift to his severed arm. “… they are cruel.”

Glyn grabs her shoulder. “If you can’t handle this, then….”

“No. I have to stay. When we set off from home, we left as a family of warriors and comrades. I have to watch over my brother in his last moments.” She grabs Glyn’s hand as she shakes.

“I understand. Tell me about him.”

“His name is Voron. He’s one of the strongest fighters in our homeland. Everyone thought he might grow up and become one guardian. But now….”

Voron coughs and his eyes open. “Tisha?”

“I’m here!”

He laughs. “I ended up on your island.” He forces a smile. “It’s good to see a familiar face before the end.”

“Stop talking like that, it’s not….”

“Listen….” He struggles to breathe and then speaks in a strange language.

“What’s he doing?” Miller asks.

“Speaking the Elvan Tongue. I guess it’s easier for him to speak in his native language rather than struggle with Common right now.”

“Do you understand him?”

“No. I don’t know the Elvan Tongue. Kind of hard to want to learn a language just to know what slurs. Someone’s going to yell out at you.” Glyn shakes his head. “Thanks, grandpa, for that one.”

Voron closes his eyes as Tisha stands up. “He’s resting. But his odds aren’t good.”

“Well?” Miller asks.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Come with me, you two!”

The three leave through the back entrance and stand in the back garden with the elder. Tisha takes a breath as she struggles with her words.

“Take your time,” Miller says.

Tisha nods. “Sorry. I… I have to send a message to my grandfather about this.”

“Did you guys not expect to see anything bad on your journey?”

Tisha pauses. “We expected a lot of things. But actually, seeing it is different from only imagining it.”

Glyn nods. “Yeah. You might end up the luckiest of your hometown friends.”

“That would be hilarious, if you’re right.” She says.

“Anyway, what did the young warrior say?” The elder asks.

“I should start at the beginning.” Tisha stares at Glyn. “Twelve of us left the Elvan Haven towards the Aloock Islands. Our jobs were to join up with and gain favor with the twelve King Candidates. I was assigned here to team up with Glyn, and Voro was assigned to Albert Island.”

“And I’m guessing the lord there isn’t the best.”

“According to Voro, he’s a despite. A complete ass bleeding the island of its resources to enforce his power. He’s even hired outside help to give him aid during the war.”

“Outside help?”

“Most likely mercenaries.” Glyn shakes his head.

“Isn’t that against the rules?”

“Technically no. There’s no explicit rule that says only your pieces can fight outside of the final round. But it goes against the spirit of the war.” Glyn sighs. “Whoever this guy is, he must be a genuine piece of work and a rich asshole.”

“Then what’re we supposed to do?” Miller asks.

“Tisha, see if you can find the island’s location from him. If we were to figure out where it is, then we can make that island our first target.”

“Are you sure?”

“Certainly. Not only would we be removing someone harming the islands, but then we also remove someone who doesn’t have the right to be king, anyway.”

“The rights to be king?” Miller asks.

“It’s an old theory someone used to explain why the old king could unite the continent before anyone else could, despite the demon threat going on for so long. It’s because some people have the right disposition to rule and others don’t.” Glyn explains. “Take the elder here. He’s wise beyond even his old years and seems to be quite spry for someone so old.”

The elder laughs. “You do me a kindness, young one.”

“But then take Miller. While he’s not dumb, he’s more of a shot-caller than a national leader. Someone to lead the troops into battle but not maintain the economy or infrastructure too well.”

Miller scowls. “I get it. But who’re you to judge who’s right to take the crown?”

“You're right about that. I’m not the person who decides right from wrong, it’s the people who decide that. If someone’s willing to go against the will of the people for their selfish purposes, then they don’t have the right to be king.”

“This is well and all, but we should focus on what matters for now. I’ll talk to him and try to get to the island’s location. If we’re lucky, his wounds can still be somewhat healed.” Tisha says.

Miller stares out into the distance as his ears twitch in the wind. “Are we sure he came alone?”

“Yes, he was by himself?”

“Then he must’ve been followed.” Miller rushes ahead toward the coast.

“What’s going on?”

The elder holds up his staff. “The winds are unnatural. Someone is manipulating it with wind magic, and that could only mean one thing.”

Glyn’s eyes widen. “Oh, crap.”

The two rush towards the coast with a small group of warriors as, in the distance, a large ship sails close. Miller draws his sword as Glyn holds his hand out in front of him.

“Hold for a moment.”

“Why? If we’re right about this, we have to take this guy or his agents out.”

Glyn nods. “Your right. But we can’t do anything for each other until the week is up. Before then, any attack on any other candidate is a reason for disqualification.”

“Then what? We just let them on the island?”

“Just stand down for now. I’ll deal with this. If we keep them away from the elf and keep them distracted, they’ll just look around and leave with no issues.”

Miller takes a breath and sheaths his sword. “Fine. I’ll rely on you for this one.”

A moment later, a large black ship beaches itself as a large ramp extends from the side of the ship crashing into the beach. Five figures appear on the deck of the oversized ship, staring down at the group.

“Well now, this is a surprise. I would’ve never expected to be so close by. I guess one could call this divine providence.” A tall young man with brilliantly shiny blond hair and blue eyes stares down at Glyn with a smirk across his face.

“Fenwick,” Glyn says, clenching his fist. “Just the asshole I’ve been waiting for.”