The room felt more like a prison cell than a bed chamber, but Lucullus knew this captivity was different. In his mind, he cursed Chloris and her clever trap. She showed that her wit was sharp as the tip of a sword, even when she was met with the most unexpected, and bizarre circumstances. He decided to pray on the situation, especially after he considered what little else he could do with his time. Despite not being in a dungeon, his surroundings reminded him of the cold, rough cells he’d previously stayed in. The bed was a step above the piles of straw he was used to, but was far from the warm beds of the inns. As he prayed, his surroundings brought back memories of the spirit that visited him, and of its words to him.

Just as he was starting to feel focused in meditation, the door to his chamber — or rather, his cell — swung open, and Queen Agatha walked in, with Aela following behind her.

Lucullus got up from his bed, and folded his arms. “Now what? Is that witch at least in a dingy cell somewhere in the dungeon?”

Agatha shook her head. “I was worried this would happen, but I had to take the risk. I’m sorry you had to get caught up in all of this.” She sighed. “Fortunately for you, I was able to find a solution to our dilemma.”

“I hope it doesn’t involve me sneaking into someone’s chamber, or being held captive.”

“Don’t worry, it won’t be anything like that. Sister Aela and I have reviewed over the evidence, and I was able to sneak her back into my brother-in-law’s chamber for another look. I told her to take everything from that hidden place in the wall she found, and the best evidence — for you that is — was hidden within the statue. The one you seek is currently being held in Immergrun.”

His face briefly held a hopeful look. “So, she’s still in this location?”

“It would seem that you have a few weeks before she gets moved again.” She motioned to Aela. “I took the liberty of giving the two of you priority tickets for a Fahrmanner ferry to Immergrun. They will take you to one of the outer islands, but from there you will have to continue on your own.”

“Why not just go straight for the main island?”

“It’s closed off to international travel; certainly no ships coming from Emporikos would ever be allowed within a hundred miles of it. But at any rate, this was the best I could do. Unfortunately, I must officially exile you from Emporikos.”

“What?”

Aela put her hand on his shoulder. “Lucullus, calm down.”

Agatha nodded. “Take her advice, young Altum. I have to navigate this situation delicately. Chloris still doesn’t suspect me of anything. Sadly, this is how it has to be.”

Lucullus looked at Aela. “What about you? Are you exiled, too?”

She nodded with a hint of regret. “In effect, I am. Though nothing has been officially declared for me, my decision to continue traveling with you amounted to voluntary exile.”

“I will try my best to keep Sister Aela from official exile, but if Chloris ever finds out about her involvement in all this, I will have no choice but to officially declare her exiled.”

Lucullus looked down, then back at Aela. “I can’t tell you what your support means to me. I know that, with your skills and knowledge, we can find and recover Olivia. And when we do save her from the Chaodites, I will return to Lucium, and I will sing praises of your name in the courts of Lucium.”

“I appreciate that, Lucullus. But right now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. There’s still much work to be done for both of us.”

“I know. Don’t worry; Olivia will be saved, and you’ll have plenty of material for your research.”

Agatha stepped in, and put her left hand on Lucullus’s shoulder, and her right on Aela’s shoulder. “I will pray for you two, and I shall encourage the Mystics to pray for you as well.”

Lucullus leaned over the railing of the ferry as he admired the beautiful night sky. The moon was full, and almost seemed larger than usual. Many stars filled the sky, forming fascinating constellations. He could hardly remember the names of most of the constellations; it had been what seemed like forever since he set foot inside of a Scindo temple. The calm waters of the seas brought his mind to peaceful memories. But just as he found some peace, his head began to throb. He clutched his forehead with both hands, and looked around. Good. No one saw that. Another sharp pain shot through his head, and he had recourse to the prayer Cicero taught him. He began his praying almost on his knees from the pain, but ended it hunched over the railing.

Aela came up behind him, and leaned over the railing next to him. “Is everything okay?”

He nodded somewhat erratically. “I was just reminded to pray. I’m fine now.”

“You should probably get some rest while you can. This is one of the few times we’re covering ground and are able to rest at the same time.”

“This is also one of the only times I can sit out here in silence, without all the other nobility and snobby passengers chattering about unimportant things.”

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She looked up at the stars. “I can see why you like being out here. The stars and the moon are all quite tranquil.”

“I can hardly remember the names of any constellations, but they all look familiar.”

She pointed at one of the constellations. “There’s the warrior constellation.”

He gave her a side eye look. “I don’t ever remember it being called by that name.”

“Most of the world associates it with warrior-like traits. In Emporikos, we named it after Fotia, one of the Great Savra.”

He pointed at a constellation. “What’s the name of that one?”

She studied the constellation for a moment. “It looks like the one your people call Sophia.”

“That’s the wisdom constellation?”

“I think it’s the king.”

“The king?”

She nodded. “It’s associated with the traits of a king. Wisdom just happens to be the chief trait.”

The two stood in silent admiration of the night sky for a while.

“Y’know, I’ve started thinking… I’d like to learn more prayers.”

Her eyes lit up. “Perhaps we could start tomorrow.”

“That would be great.”

She started back toward the lower deck. “I still recommend getting some rest, Lucullus.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be down in a few minutes.”

Lucullus and Aela spent much of that morning in prayer. Their bed chamber in the lower deck, which they shared with a few others from the nobility, was vacant for much of the time. The beds were simple hammocks, but far more comfortable than even the beds of an inn. They knelt on the floor and went through several prayers. The first was to Therapevo, the Great Savra associated with health and sickness, and it implored his help in battling disease and injury. The second one was a prayer to Aeras, the Great Savra associated with knowledge and discernment, and implored his help in acquiring understanding when reading or meditating. The final prayer was a general prayer to Aeras for spiritual strength.

Once Lucullus learned the prayers, he and Aela spent the rest of their quiet time reciting those prayers and meditating while Aela guided him along. The time was tranquil and, for Lucullus, was a great learning experience. It seemed as if hours were passing in seconds, and Lucullus began to wish he could stay on the ferry forever. But as that day went by, and the next morning came, they closed in on the harbor.

The magnificent lighthouse glowed against the early morning sky from where it’s great fire burned. Another few hours passed before they docked, and by that time the harbor was bustling with activity; some ships came in, and others departed. Lucullus and Aela gathered their things, and exited the ferry down the loading ramp. Neither of them felt particularly comfortable in the strange land; for Lucullus the feeling was nothing new, but Aela began to feel uneasy in her stomach.

“This is certainly different to the open plains of Southern Lucium,” Lucullus muttered to himself as he took in the overwhelming sights. He looked over at Aela. “You seem a little pale, Aela. Is something wrong?”

She briefly snapped out of her anxiety. “I’m fine. I’ve never traveled beyond the borders of Emporikos, and never imagined that I’d feel so lost in a land not that different from my own.”

“It does have a similar feeling to Emporikos, but everyone here has light-colored hair, and the buildings look different to any that I’ve ever seen.”

“I’ve read about Immergrun from what was available to me in the archives, but I never imagined it could be so different, yet so similar at the same time.”

“I suppose we ought to find an inn somewhere.”

Aela nodded, and looked down at the money Agatha gave her. “I suggest we find some place that is cheaper than where we stayed at back home. I don’t know how long we’ll be here, but we shouldn’t count on any major windfalls between now and the time we leave.”

“Don’t worry about money.” He partially unsheathed his sword. “With our skills, we can get money.” He put his sword back.

She gave him a side-eyed glance.

“I didn’t mean robbing people. Sellswords are always needed, and we may luck out and find someone paying good money for a blade.”

She sighed with resignation.

Matilda entered her court with elegance. Her steps were soft, but confident. Her back was straight like the spine of a perfect knife, and her countenance radiated seriousness. Every aspect of her body language was precise and purposeful. Court guests would always show, whether by word or deed, their utmost respect whenever she was near. If ever there was a time where she didn’t exhibit perfect court manners, her guests would never see it. As she moved through the large ornate hall, she stopped to chat with several of her guests along the way to her throne.

Not long after she took her seat, a group of robed men entered her court, and genuflected at the foot of her throne. She knew they had some prophecy to ramble about, but she wasn’t sure what it would be this time.

The robed man at the front of the group spoke up, “Duchess Matilda, we have been sent from the temples to proclaim the fulfillment of a great prophecy.”

“Say what it is you have come to tell me.”

“Behold, the chosen one is upon us! For we have followed the signs as they were written by the prophets of old, and all have come to pass.”

In her usual calm tone she asked, “And what are the signs of the coming of this person?”

“The first is thus: he shall be visited three times by a great spirit; this spirit is of a great prophet. In the first visit the truth shall be revealed, but will not be fully understood until after the trial by fire.” He began to raise his arms up toward the ceiling. “And behold, the second visit will be followed by a great storm. The storm shall be so great that not even the mightiest of walls can withstand it. For no wall shall come between he who has been chosen and the mission which he is given.” The robed man made grand hand gestures, and his speech became more dramatic. “After the third and final visit, lo, a constellation will be visible. The heavens shall move to reveal the sign of the warrior to alert us to the coming of a great warrior who fights for truth. But there is a final sign, one which tells that his arrival is at hand. For we would not come to you without having witnessed this sign.”

“Out with it, then.”

“The past few nights, both the warrior and the king shone brighter than any stars ever have. For it is by the strength of Fotia that he slays his enemies, and it is by the knowledge and wisdom of Aeras that he may guide us to a new era!”

Her eyes lit up as she realized what prophecy they were quoting from. “When will the one you speak of be coming?”

“We have heard reports of some foreigners traveling on a priority ferry. The prophecy says that he will be unknown to Savronism. One of the foreigners that arrived today is an Altum.”

“Are any of the other heathen races arriving?”

“No. He is the only one.”

She thought for a moment on her next move, and smiled to herself. “Inquire further about him. I will send some of my men with you for when you find him. And when you do find him, bring him here so I may speak with him.”

All of them nodded, and rose up in unison before leaving the court.