"Like I said earlier, I am headed towards the Karshlan empire to seek asylum along with my sister Anne. Now to respond to the question as to why... It's a bit of a long story. Also I'd like to ask another question directed to you before I continue... Sir."

Nath pondered for a moment, then nodded, "I suppose that is fair, I've asked you so many after all."

Johan nodded, and his face became a bit serious for a moment, then with a somewhat determined look, spoke once more.

"Cal said that you have special powers... Is.. Is that true?"

Nath looked at him for a moment, then began to laugh for a moment. "Is that what has you so serious?" The old man took a couple moments to compose himself, "The answer to that question is yes. I do have powers, though most people call the powers I have as magic."

Johan silently considered all of this for a moment, then he looked at the old man, and started to tell his story. When he got to the point of the stone pillar, he just... he couldn't.

He knew, yes, but there was a big difference between knowing and saying it. It was like admitting it. after a few moments though, he managed to get it out and started to break down. Nath sat there, simply listening to Johan tell his story. This man knew nothing of him and yet Johan told him everything.

He told him of his powers, that he kept them secret, that he only told his sister, and that his father had died and his sister was the one who had gotten them into trouble, and that his father had died because of it and that Anne wasn't aware of it.

Told him that his sister couldn't know, because she already had trouble going on with the selective mutism, and he wasn't sure how it would affect her if he had told her, how much guilt she would have. Then after all that heart pouring the man in front of him simply nodded to him and responded.

"I see. It's a terrible thing that Ambevelance is still doing those things, and you have my condolences for what has happened to you and your sister. I understand that you are wanting to go to the Karshlan Empire, but simply put, I don't think it is a good idea to go there at the moment.

Right now, in this kingdom, if you can call it that, there are some rather troubling actions of strife and civil unrest. This means that there are bandits everywhere. This place is very different from your homeland, where you had technology, out here there is only magitech, and you aren't the only mage around, you and your sister would be easy pickings for bandits, let alone anyone with magic who wants to do you harm." Johan had slowly pressed his lips as the man continued on and on, "...However, All that being said, I would be willing to help you."

"What? Why?" Johan could hardly believe it.

"Because I am simply a good man. It might sound a bit pompous, but I served the royal court of another land before all this shit. I came out here because Ambevelance had started to push their borders this way, and that was after I retired, I can guarantee your and your sisters safety, at least in this area.

In return I simply want you to do your best by those you encounter. I will teach you about your abilities, and how to better harness them, so you can aid those that I cannot." Nath reached out with his hand towards Johan, "How does that sound?"

Johan thought for a few moments, he thought of his father and how he had raised both Johan and his sister with very little help, how he was always supportive, and how unfair it was that he had died in such a terrible way.

Johans thoughts then shifted to his younger sister sleeping in the other room. Anne had been a pretty shy kid, often struggling to make friends, but Johan knew that once you got to know her she was a ray of positivity and sunshine.

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He thought of whether he should just tell Anne of their fathers fate, and what had happened. He thought of what would have happened if he had told his father about his powers, his magic.

After he went though of all this, he took a deep breath and grasped at the hand that had been presented to him.

"Thank you. Please... help me."

"Of course."

So the worst week of Johans life had ended.

"Markus will lead you and your sister to Callums home tomorrow. I will say, Cal has some mental issues. Fine for the most part, but every now and again he has an episode, pretty sure he lost some people that held him together." Nath said, "And you and your sister will both be trained by Markus. It's dangerous to walk in this land without a way to fight."

Johan didn't argue that, though he wasn't sure about his younger sister going through something like that.

-

Gerald Farmer found himself sitting in an alley way. He had almost been crushed by the pillar that the Magistrate had tried to kill him with. Gerald wasn't the greatest of mages, but he had always been blessed with a talent of being able to sense when mages were casting, silent or not.

He had several wounds from bullets and various spells, none were too severe and given time he was sure he'd be able to recover, unfortunately he had a suspicion that the Magistrate were not going to give him any.

Overall it was a pretty bad situation, yet he found himself smiling. He had watched his son escape with his daughter. He was sure that they'd be able to make it, although he was a bit more worried about Anne since she didn't seem to have the same resilience as Johan.

Ah, Johan. If only he had said anything about his powers to Gerald, they could have escaped a long time ago, sure he'd have to see his in-laws again, but he was sure he could do that much for the safety of his children.

Geralds thoughts were interrupted by the sound of thick boots on asphalt and gravel.

"That is quite enough. Don't you think, Mr. Farmer?" The young lady spoke with a rather pretty voice, she seemed like she shouldn't be in the uniform she was in, it seemed to be a bit baggy. He had seen plenty of these uniforms in the last week, dark with many pockets, militarian in style.

It was of great contrast with her blonde hair and grey eyes. The hair was curled in such a way that it fell like a bunch of golden springs stretched by gravity just right. She was quite pretty, if she weren't so dangerous, Gerald might've tease his son, if he were here, trying to get him to ask her out.

"Who are.. No, I think I know who you are." Gerald started, then thought for a moment. "You are the Madam aren't you?"

"Oh? So you know of me?" She gave a smile perfectly matching her pretty face.

"Of course, you were one of the people responsible for the fall of Menstras infrastructure. How could I not know. Though I figured you'd be older. I guess Ambevelance never really changed, eh?" Gerald gave a dark chuckle at his situation.

He knew that this would be where he died. He could fight the people they'd been sending after him for a while, but when it came to the main factions of Ambevelance, it was a different story.

The main factions of Ambevelance were the Magistrate, the Madam, and the Historians. The Magistrate sourced out any people who had been born with magic, making them either subservient workers, or prepping them to become shards that the high ups would use to maintain themselves. The Madam was only one person, but was strong enough to be a whole faction on her own, and very skilled at sabotage. The Historians ran the country infrastructure, creating history for the people to use, all of it was fake. No citizens ever left Ambevelance, not truly.

"Heh. Well, I guess I am kind of famous." Madam gave a smug grin, "Tell ya what. If you make a servants contract with me, I'll let you live... Of course you'll have to do work for the rest of your life, but it's better than becoming a maintenance shard."

Gerald looked at her with contempt, but in the end he sighed, the pretty lady had a point.

"It's better than nothing. Only just though..." Gerald relented. At least this way there was a chance of seeing his son and daughter again, however slim.

"Oh, fun! The Magistrate is going to be angry with me about this, but those old fogeys can suck an egg, they can't do anything to me anyways."

As she spoke, the Madam waved her hands, and Gerald felt the immense power inside of her form a portal. She was skilled too, he could tell because there was no tear, no noise, just suddenly there was a room that was seamlessly attached to the alley, It was a large study, a desk of mahogany sat in the center of view, the other side of the desk holding a leather chair, the side closest had no seat. On either side seemed to be filing cabinets.

"Come along now, we need that contract to get signed fast. That way the Magistrate doesn't find you!" She walked through and waved him in.

Gerald stood up, his body screaming at him, but relenting. Gerald walked through, and the portal closed.