Have you ever wanted something so badly that you would rather die than go on without it?

Once upon a time I thought that I did, until it came down to it. When all connections are stripped away, and nothing remains but the memories of a distant life that is no more…

What is there? Is there nothing left but the will to live? If not for oneself but for another?

The truth is that I am afraid.

Sliding my back against the door, I sat upon the cool stone floor. I could hear the clank of metal greaves moving away from the door. They became distant, and then no more. This unfamiliar bedroom, this face. None of it save my mind my own. Staring into the mirror beside the door, I could see a girl with deep shadows under her beautiful purple eyes. Her delicate features marred by a combination of stress and grief… My grief.

Shortly after the armored man left, I decided to continue to play along. By that, I mean go back to sleep and wait for that robed guy to come back. I stand up slowly, so as to maintain my still rather precarious balance and head over back to the luxuriant bed.

Laying down and just listening to the sound of my breath, I couldn't help but notice the total lack of electrical machinery and vehicles or anything really. More rain and wind. I can appreciate that. It's kind of nice, in its own way.

It reminds me of when I used to go camping far up north in the fall with friends or family, sometimes both. Happy times before things grew complicated, and people got too busy to just get away like that.

I really miss coffee.

Maybe with the magic here I could go home? Do I even want to? The entity that I'm reasonably sure was the Reaper seemed to imply otherwise.

I… Wish I at least had a chance to say goodbye.

...

Who the heck was that guy from earlier anyway? He seemed to know this girl extremely well, perhaps a sibling or close friend?

…

I think I should tell them the truth, but frankly I’m more than a bit scared they might try to exorcise me or something.

Does that make me a bad person, having accidentally possessed someone?

…

What was that awful place anyway?

…

I woke up to a room with a dozen or so lit candles spread around the room… Most look freshly lit and appear to have only been burning for an hour or so at most. It smells nice. It smells like mint and cedar.

Different blanket... The trolley is gone too, and the maid herself is also unaccounted for. I can imagine she’s close by though.

She also somehow managed to replace the pillow I was sleeping on. Incredible. Either I slept rather heavily or she’s… Something else entirely.

Sitting up, I hear a throat clearing and turn to look in that direction. Sitting in a wooden chair is the robed man who visited earlier. His posture is notably far better than mine ever was from all my years of desk dwelling. Furrowed brows and a slight downturn to his mouth… If I had to guess, either something is really weighing on him or he’s angry.

Moving to climb out of the bed, he immediately averts his gaze. “Oh… right.” Face burning, I opt to stay in the bed.

Addressing me, he gives me a strained smile that doesn’t reach his gray eyes. “First, I need to clear the air.” he pauses, deliberating on what to say next. “I have a number of things to tell you, and I am not sure where I should start…” Pausing for nearly a minute. He appears to consider standing and instead drops his hands into his lap.

“I suppose the best place for me to start is the most pressing of the many issues. You are not who you appear to be.” He raises his hand and frowns slightly, his bushy eyebrows nearly merging. “And before you comment, I do not need an explanation. We can talk about it another time, as we have more pressing concerns.”

“Violet was effectively dead. Her very soul nearly snuffed out. So great was the damage that no amount of magic could remedy that. Believe me, I tried. I originally believed that time might cure an injury like that, but instead I discovered something else in my research to undo this… That it was intentional. I felt so helpless seeing her like that… The evidence was there.”

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“And, before you ask… I am reasonably sure I know by whom. What I also know is that you need to leave this place.”

He pauses again, giving me a moment to process this flood of information.

“What made you decide to share with me if you are already aware of all that?” I ask.

This time, I only see sadness and resolve, his eyes regaining a fire to them I had not seen previously.

Looking at me intently. “Simple. Everything is easier if you cooperate. I do not wish to force you. And for that you must be willing.”

“What assurances do I have that what you are saying is true, or that you're not the one who caused this in the first place?”

He looks rather surprised that I asked that.

I guess I need to reword it.

“So? What assurances can you make? Pretend I trusted you and went to wherever it is that you have decided that we are going. What then? Live out life constantly haunted by an enemy I didn’t even know I had until this conversation? Doing what exactly?”

He takes a deep breath.

“Because if I were your enemy, I have had plenty of opportunities already. Including right now.”

He pauses after saying this, and for a moment looks genuinely tired. His shoulders slump ever so slightly.

“You should know that I have spent a large part of my life tutoring her. I do not think I would even be capable of harming you, even if I wanted to… I have had years to begin to accept that she is gone.”

“It pains me to know that I failed to do the one thing the late Lord asked of me... Then one day she seemingly wakes up, and the only one who knows that it isn’t truly her, is you and I.”

“That is not even the worst part.” As he says this, I can see the faintest flush of anger rise to his face, and rapidly disappear.

“The Duke disappeared shortly afterwards. His brother happily took the now conveniently empty position. I dared not go against him without proof of his treachery. Anything short of truly damning evidence would not be enough. Even then, it would likely mean civil war.”

“Violet’s only brother was born an illegitimate bastard. He cannot take the duchy unless the King intercedes. He almost certainly will not. The king has his own problems much greater than this duchy and needs it to remain stable. That leaves only Violet’s uncle and you, which was up until recently impossible. Attempting to take it yourself is out of the question now.”

“You need to run. Run far away from here, and don’t look back. There is only politics and treachery here.”

“If you stay, you will be forced to abdicate the throne, and married off to someone as far away as they can. If you refuse, they will end you as surely as they ended the Duke."

“This kingdom is not nearly as safe as it once was. Pirate roam the shores in numbers not seen for hundreds of years."

"The Empire of Dollomerra eyes our borders like a hungry troll."

"The Kingdom of Orrin, our ally, is on the brink of civil war.”

“The other nations are similarly occupied. None of this means anything to you, and it may not for quite some time.”

He sighs. “I cannot protect you from any of them. I am foremost a scholar, and a teacher. Soon enough you will be the gossip of the summer court, and it will not be a good thing. The entire county is already aware of you. A good many remember Violet well, as she was well loved by the people.”

I open and close my mouth a few times trying to get a word in, but the man seems desperate to convince me to leave. I decide to interrupt. “OK. Fine, I get it. Avoid being a political pawn or cause for civil war.”

At this he stands up slowly. “I’m not sure you do understand the full extent of how close this world is to all out war with itself.” He shakes his head slowly, his long gray beard swaying along slowly with it.

In truth, I don’t know about this place or its customs. Sounds a bit like feudal Europe though. If I'm understanding how cutthroat he’s making it out to be. At least I probably won't end up like Hamlet. The similarity of this situation is not lost on me.

“How much time do we have before I no longer have the choice on leaving?” I ask him.

“A week at most.” He rubs his beard in thought. “That is however assuming he doesn’t hire a gate mage. Their services are very expensive though. That aside… We would not have time for anything in that case. No. He will likely be taking a ship over back from the Kings spring court.”

“Wait, is this an island country?” I blurt out. I could see the metaphorical wheels turning in his head the moment I said it.

He sighs, and takes on a lecturing tone. “The proper term is an archipelago. There are many islands. The largest four islands make up the core of the Braska isles. We are on the second largest of them. It is called Vaskal. It is made up of two duchies, one of which we are in the capital of. This city is also called Vaskal, after its founder. History would have the man known as a thug and a brigand, depending on who you ask.”

My curiosity is getting the better of me…

“So, who was he really?”

“He was a pirate. One of the worst sorts. Dealt in slavery and stealing from anyone he came across. Apparently, his ship and crew could turn invisible. That’s about it. Now, we should get back on topic, shall we?”

Yeah. That probably helped a lot.

I give him a slight nod. How does a pirate found a city exactly?

“I propose we send you to either the Royal Naval Academy, or to the New World, far out of reach of the Braska nobility. The Naval Academy should be fairly self-explanatory I think…” He looks at me carefully.

Nodding, “Yes. I think I would rather avoid that one.”

“That leaves the New World. Far more dangerous and much further away. The voyage is nearly 3 months.”

“The people are friendly enough, as most of them are just people looking for something better than where they were originally.

“The colonies are run by a coalition of the various nations... Do not kid yourself into thinking it's because they get along.”

Ah, just like my former home… “You do realize I’m not really in any condition for traveling alone right?”

“You won't be traveling alone. I will be coming with you. I was charged by the late Duke Bramwell to watch over her, now you by extension. Teach her everything I know.”

“Even in his absence? It sounds like you could do whatever you want.” I ask.

“She may be gone, but I think I must do more than simply turn you loose. My time here is coming to a close anyway.”

“I have no desire to serve such a man in any capacity…” He finishes in a low voice.

I don’t even get a chance to parse that sentence though. It is at this moment that I hear a sound I had not been aware of, yet keenly dreading this entire time without realizing it.

It was the sound of flowing sand.

A sharp knock of a mailed fist applied to a wooden door follows.