"You think he's alright?" a voice broke through the haze when Kaid fluttered his eyes open, blurred from slumber, he noticed four figures standing over him. Leaning against the trunk of a tree, his brown eyes blinked rapidly to erase the blurriness. The closest in front of him was a middle-aged man, his hand gently pressed to a vein in Kaid's arm as he seemed to be inspecting it. His glasses gave off a heightened sense of intelligence, and the softness of his hands gave the impression he worked hard outside manual labor in a field of science. Overall, from first impression, this seemed to be a man of education and statistics and showed no sign of aggression.

Doctors would treat anyone and everyone, for the right price.

Jessamine stood behind him, moving closer as Kaid awakened. Behind her, was the Guard. The one with the burned blemish across his jaw, although this time he looked different. Long black hair covered his eyes, stopping around his collarbone, whereas before he had been one of the Guards, the typical buzz-cut short hair they all had. Kaid would not have known it was him if not for the burned skin and those same dark black eyes, as if he delivered death. Somehow, he was able to look like someone else in Caladin, and Kaid knew it wasn't from a haircut or makeup. It was a rare Oblivion to shapeshift, especially into the form of another human being.

Knowing it was him, Kaid slowly looked down at his right thigh, seeing the shock stick laying there. He wondered how quick his reactions were, if he could catch him off his guard. Kaid certainly wanted to do it, just for spite. It would hardly do any significant damage, but whenever Kaid saw that scar, he felt the rage of fire from Mara and also the drowning of his own torture. But feeling the warmth of Jessamine's hand rest on his right hand closest to it made him stop. The look in her eyes almost gave a bit of a warning, as if she had known exactly what he planned.

"I thought you said he was in good health, Empress?" the doctor looked over at her, seeing Jessamine look back with slight astonishment.

"He was, did something change?" she asked, straightening up, hands clasped not out of nervous ticks. It was a habit, a royal habit. The posture of an Empress, dedicated patience to rule, but also clasped together to cover the secrets written in her firm hands.

"He will not be fit to travel through another portal today," he affirmed. Kaid could immediately sense it when the doctor observed it. He felt physically ill, cold as if a part of his life had been sucked away from him, like it always belonged to and in Caladin. He had also never been through a portal that extensively and mentally thrown off his guard, as Jessamine had shoved him inside it.

All he could focus on, at the moment, was his eyes looking at the soft blue sky above the treeline, and how it perfectly reminded him of Jessamine's eyes.

The other two men behind Jessamine seemed taken back by the news, their faces immediately disgruntled and their body language clearly irritated. The doctor pressed more firmly into Kaid's vein, causing a slight wince of discomfort that snapped him away from the blue sky. The doctor then looked at Kaid straight on, his face softening before his jaw clenched at his medical revelation.

"He's been tortured recently and the portal has only worsened the trauma. Putting him through another one might cause serious discomfort, not to mention possible damage to his lungs as they are still filled with water-"

"I see," Jessamine interrupted the doctor, those calm blue eyes now swirling like a slight hurricane of rage, "thank you, Doctor Cadize. We can do a more in depth check when we arrive back in Vitross. Kaid, I'll be right back."

The Doctor nodded, soon moving towards a small tent set up to the east. By the looks of the indents in the grass, the tent and small supplies had been there for awhile. It wasn't a quick set up, like a weekend camping trip. Kaid watched as the man retrieved a small vial, mixing it with water before putting it in a small canvas canteen to slosh it around. When Cadize returned, he immediately handed the canteen to Kaid, standing above him now.

"Don't be shy. This will help you feel better, and also replenish some of that Oblivion," he offered, a slightly friendly smile on his lips as Kaid took it gently. When Kaid tasted it, all it felt like was a weird gritty texture that seemed to make him thirst for more, or even just for a cup of water. It certainly didn't taste good, but he did notice a slight difference in his overall drained physicality and befuddlement after a few moments.

"We need to talk," Jessamine uttered as she walked by the black haired demon, seeing him straighten up before following her. He offered one last look at Kaid before they walked a distance away, out of ear shot. But Kaid could tell from the body language alone that one side of the conversation was aggressive, and the other highly defensive.

"You tortured him, I asked for a distraction of a Trial, not torture," she hissed through her teeth, feeling venom in her veins. She couldn't believe he went behind her back, against someone who had done her no harm. If anything he was the least deserving of that kind of treatment, having to suffer thirty years of it.

"You've never questioned my methods before, Empress," he answered back, crossing his strong arms. The two were equal in height but not age. He was twice her age as he was raised alongside her father, and had defended her father just as he defended her now. Jessamine to him was like an adopted daughter, not necessarily out of choice but of duty and also royal devotion to her father. They never really saw eye to eye, but would compromise when necessary. To him, Jessamine was still a young foolish ruler who had a lot to learn but he admired the way she handled her adversity.

"To our enemies, Payne. I thought you were wise to disseminate who is considered an enemy to the Kingdom, and not someone who willingly helped me escape that fucking hellhole," Jessamine replied, not happy with his answer.

"You assumed that, I did not. It is my job as Royal Investigator to ensure your safety, even if that means using extreme measures. I knew nothing of this man and was not going to take the risk that he could put you in harm's way, even if he was part of your plan. I needed to see how badly he wanted to help you, to help himself. Every man needs to know what he needs to sacrifice to get what he wants, I had to make sure he would not sacrifice you," Payne exhaled sharply, a loud grunt of protective nature, "it has nothing to do with him almost shocking me the previous night before."

Almost shocking him.

Did he not know? Did he not realize that it did happen? Or was he wondering if Jessamine would correct him? Either way, she remained silent on the subject. Her anger on the matter triumphed over the curiosity of who was the man that had escaped with her.

"You will not conduct any further investigations like that without my consent. He means more to us at the moment than you may realize. Give him a chance to prove himself and if you have any concerns you bring them to me, and not the torture table. If I find you going behind my back like that again, you'll just be another person to add to my list of those I distrust. And those numbers grow stronger by the day. Are we clear?" Jessamine asked, still not entirely happy with the conversation. But arguing here with others around wouldn't necessarily fix it. This required a more delicate conversation without ears.

Payne didn't seem happy with her proposition but he could not disagree. He knew the torture had been wrong, but it was a necessary security measure to check. Besides, he was much better at asking for forgiveness than permission when it came to Jessamine. He knew deep down she couldn't add him to that ever growing list, because he was the only person she trusted when her life had fallen apart.

"Crystal clear," he replied with a grunt, "I don't know what you have planned for him and don't care. As long as he doesn't compromise the fragility of this kingdom, might I remind you, is already fragile, then we won't have any problems."

"I don't see him being a problem. Seeing as you want nothing to do with him, and all he does it want to stab you, I suggest you and Bridger take a portal back and start making sure things are settled. And might as well prepare for my arrival an hour after dawn," Jessamine ordered.

"Yes, Empress. I'm sure all of Vitross will be pleased to have you back from your 'vacation'," Payne shook his head, soon moving away. Vacation was a good cover up for potential mutiny. If word had gotten out Jessamine had been thrown into Caladin, no doubt chaos could have erupted.

Payne walked over to Bridger, a man the same age as Jessamine and the latest to join her council. Portal Oblivionists were not hard to find, the difficulty came in finding one she could trust. And right now, she wasn't so sure how she felt about the thin framed man who took excitement in luxurious places. He was a well traveled man for his age, but he was not from Vitross so his loyalty was bound to be questioned. Payne explained to Bridger their orders and he didn't hesitate to open another portal, the two eagerly stepping inside.

Neither of them were particularly fond of the outdoors, where the nearest civilization was a good five miles away.

Kaid watched the two men leave, relieved that Payne was out of his sight. It left him with more urgent questions to ask, as the interrogator had left and made room for Kaid to start demanding answers. Of course, Kaid wouldn't use the same horrendous techniques to obtain his answers. Cadize started preparing something in his tent, which seemed too complicated for Kaid to really concentrate on. Instead he watched Jessamine walk back towards him, her emotions not really decipherable. She was drained, even if she acted like this breath of fresh air from the forest invigorated her.

Breaking Kaid out of Caladin set things into motion, and Payne's criticism of her trust for Kaid was burning in the back of her mind.

"Come, I suppose you have questions," she spoke, extending her hand out to him. Kaid didn't hesitate, planting his feet down at an angle before she pulled him up gently. Kaid noticed dirt all over his white Caladin uniform, brushing it off to no use which made Jessamine smile slightly. He'd be in better attire soon enough.

"Cadize, we're going to get kindling for the fire. It will get cold tonight," she shouted out to him, and the distracted man only nodded as he went through his small bag of supplies.

They walked away from the small camp, Jessamine leading the way as she poked around the forest floor for some dry material like twigs and leaves. Kaid couldn't stop looking around, how each tree could look so similar yet different. How the ground floor was covered in soft grass in some areas, and slippery mud in others. The air felt crisp, like each breath added another sorrowful year to his life. There was a soft breeze, adding a small chill down his spine. But Kaid finally removed himself from the distraction of nature and back to his burning questions.

"So, you can control people? Like, grab hold of them and force them to stop moving?" Kaid asked, just wanting some clarification. She had controlled him, and pretty easily as if she didn't have to blink or move a muscle. Just as he could control time with a mere breath or thought, he wondered if she could easily infiltrate whatever, or whomever, she chose.

"I suppose that is one way of looking at it. It didn't start that way. Oblivion has a way of maturing, growing with proper training. This kind of magic doesn't just exist in a contained box. If you learn to break the limits, it can do a lot more than you think," she explained, moving to walk beside him, "it started simply with reading minds. When I was young, I thought I just had a good sense about people. I could feel their emotions, feel my father's wrath, and my mother's love. Or the irritation of my instructor whenever I disobeyed them like the naughty child I was."

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"And then as I got a bit older, those emotions became thoughts. I could look at a jealous child and know exactly what they envied. I could read the minds of my fathers councils, who took the time during meetings to reminisce about their latest night with the local whores rather than handle diplomatic issues," she scoffed, "or how you wanted to stab Payne with that shockstick a few minutes ago."

"Payne, quite an appropriate name," Kaid grunted, trying to wrap his head around it all, "and...you're an empress? Empress Jessamine. I'm sorry, had I known you were royalty perhaps I would have addressed you properly."

"You will do no such thing," she corrected him, "Besides, I needed to keep it discreet. This world is far and wide, not many would know my face but my name would be more telling. To be honest, I never adjusted well to the formalities. You first knew me as Jess, and I would prefer it if it stayed that way. If not, then Empress Jessamine Alexis Kruzika of Vitross would work just as fine."

"Jessamine Alexis Kruzika," Kaid repeated, seeing her roll her eyes slightly.

"Oh do jest, Kaid. I'm in need of a laugh," she shook her head, picking up more twigs with the softest of smiles.

"I found nothing funny in the matter, I only thought your name was rather beautiful. But I forget, you can also read my mind and have figured that out yourself," he spoke seriously, before offering a warm smile in return to state that maybe he was jesting.

"That is something I will refrain from. The amount of times my intrusion into someone's mind, their privacy, has only consolidated my worst fears or ruined potential friendships have been far too many. I value your inquisitive thoughts, and your compliments, but I value them more coming from your lips rather than me invading your mind. I can control my urges, where unfortunately most with Oblivion cannot. I will refrain from ever using it against you, you have my word," Jessamine spoke honestly, handing Kaid a few bundles of twigs to hold, as if passing a baton of trust.

"I respect that, and admire it. I suppose with Oblivion there is a lot to fear of people using it against each other. Particularly for evil nature," Kaid took the sticks from her, holding them delicately in fear of snapping them with too tight a grasp, "I read so much about the wars and histories of some of these nations. I'm sure with Oblivion it must have made things worse."

Jessamine remained silent for a moment, particularly in the beginning before regaining her thoughts, "War was and will always be a constant issue. Oblivion is just a fruit on a tree that limited people can access. Trimming and cutting the closest branches may prevent people from getting it, but someone taller could reach higher or wait for the next season to bloom. The bigger issue is much more rooted in the tree itself, rather than the fruit. I intend to try and change that."

"The people who threw you into Caladin, are you at war with them?" Kaid asked, wondering if her life was in more danger upon leaving the prison.

"Payne is trying to confirm that for certain. We've had issues with Lungor after my father's death. There were questions of certain legitimacy to the throne as I stood to take his place, the first known woman Empress, not to mention the youngest. Tensions have been high ever since, trading a bit sour, not to mention borderline cities are having issues. We were to meet at one of those to discuss some matters, seeing as the diplomats we had both sent to each other never turned out prosperous. Bridger, the other man you saw earlier, portaled us just outside the meeting spot and we were attacked on the way there by bandits. And then I woke up in Caladin, getting thrown into a nice little cell with a very scary individual."

"You were fortunate enough to be thrown into my cell, of all places," Kaid thought for a moment, "and maybe I was the most fortunate of us both."

Jessamine looked over at him, as if seeing him contemplating his new freedom. He had known nothing else except Caladin, had no memories really of a childhood beforehand. He knew no skills, no languages or anything that could assist him in merging into society easily. What was the point of a prison system that withheld him from an ever changing society? Was it to feel so unfamiliar around him, that the only place that felt safe and known was Caladin?

"What is it that you wish to do, Kaid?" Jessamine asked the very simple yet complex question.

"I don't know. I was never given that choice before," he realized.

"Well my plan was to have you come back to Vitross with me as my esteemed guest. It should give you plenty of time to settle into your new life. You'll meet plenty of people, learn many things, and eventually come to find out what your purpose may be. Vitross is very diverse, even for a water country. Perhaps you can be a sailor, like you were in that dream on our first evening," she smiled softly, gathering the last bundle she could find suitable, "or we could dump you off at the nearest village with some money and let you figure it out from there."

"I'd very much like the first option," he answered immediately, not liking the idea of being dumped somewhere so foreign to him and not knowing a living soul, "but I also must find some sort of way to repay this debt."

Jessamine looked at him with a slightly shocked expression, "There is no debt to pay on your end, but rather on mine. I will not be satisfied until you have found a place you can call home, and possess a life either full of riches or whatever makes you happy. That is one of the things I know for certain you are deserving of."

Kaid swallowed slightly, unsure of how he could even express such gratitude. He had not helped Jessamine because he knew she was an all powerful Empress, that she could somehow help him on the other side. Even if he had known, he didn't think it would have changed his ambition to assist her. However, he had never once had someone have the luxury of offering him the world, or even just a glimpse of it. Kaid had always given, but was never given anything in return. The idea of living in Vitross, whatever it looked like, or whatever it possessed...it was surely the greatest gift he could ever receive.

One thing he knew, from everything he learned in Caladin, was that he could not let this opportunity go to waste. He would do whatever it took to learn everything he could, and hopefully along with Jessamine, bring about the change she too desired. His first step was trying to bring down Caladin, no matter what it took.

They returned back to the camp, Jessamine showing Kaid how to start a fire. Kaid thought of Mara, who could create a flame with the snapping of her fingers. She would have been relieved to know that Kaid had escaped Caladin, if she was still alive. He figured there was no way of knowing, but if he could bring down Caladin in her name and for all the others imprisoned for being different, then he would be fulfilled. Jessamine seemed knowledgeable in such a minor thing as starting a fire, despite being an all powerful ruler. Although already aware of her dominating personality, he assumed Jessamine would rather learn miniscule things rather than demand it of someone who proved incapable.

The orange glow of the fire replaced that of the sunset, as if retaining that last bit of color while the sky turned into darkness. The breeze grew colder, creating goosebumps on Kaid's skin, something he rejoiced in while Cadize and Jess seemed to shiver over. Kaid sat on a sideways log, staring into the fire before Jessamine sat beside him, shoulders brushing as she handed him a small steaming bowl.

"Cadize makes the best soup, warms both the body and the soul," she offered, "anything is better than whatever Caladin served."

Kaid smiled, feeling the steam from the bowl touch his face and release an aroma of herbs and warm broth. He pulled it to his lips gently, a surprised look in his eyes as his taste buds had come across flavor for the first time in his life. It wasn't just some goopy mess in a bowl, with no color or taste. Jessamine was right, it did feel good for the soul. Kaid eagerly finished the rest of the meal in the span of a minute, seeing Jessamine take her time on her own, with the slightest smile on her face.

He liked the way the glow of the fire illuminated the soft brushes of freckles beside her nose, or the way it created a shadow under the curve of her smile.

Cadize sat across watching the slight exchange before eating his meal.

Minutes had passed after when Kaid could feel his stomach twist and turn uncomfortably, his body feeling slightly overwhelmed. Perhaps he ate too quickly, but he knew it was his body recognizing that soup as some foreign entity, an attack of nutritious flavor. He sat there in uncomfortable silence, hoping nobody else could hear the upset noises either.

"You should probably stick to a more liquid diet until your body adjusts. Otherwise your body will reject every meal for the next two weeks until it grows accustomed to it," Cadize pointed out in the silence, Kaid feeling a slight rush of embarrassment. Cadize didn't seem to find anything shameful about it, just another medical fact relating to food poisoning and seemed eager to help.

"An excellent idea, Cadize. Last thing I would want is for poor Kaid to try the Vitross speciality of lemon roasted chicken only for his body to reject it an hour later," Jessamine pointed out.

"Chicken? Like the bird that makes eggs?" Kaid asked, knowing a few things about them, like the occasional idiom of the egg coming before the chicken. He still never really understood what that meant. Kaid was just excited that he would finally get to learn so much of what the books he read could only describe on paper.

"All birds make eggs. But, yes, it is Empress Jessamine's favorite meal. Poultry marinated in the richest seasonings and lemon juice, roasted over flame, and placed on top of spiced rice and cucumber salad," Cadize pointed out, "the recipe was created by Jessamine's mother."

The fire cracked as the wood split, the space around them growing silent as Kaid immediately sensed slight tension in the conversation. It wasn't one of anger, but Jessamine no longer had a sliver of a smile on her face as she stared at the fire. In fact he could see a slight tremble in her jaw as she clenched it, swallowing down her emotions. Instead she stood up, handing Cadize the empty bowl.

"I'm going to retire for the evening. Bridger should produce another portal by dawn to bring us back to Vitross, should you be healthy enough," Jessamine glanced at Kaid before Cadize gave a slight nod. Kaid watched her eagerly retreat into a tent Cadize had set up for her while they collected kindling, small enough for her to get some peace and quiet in.

Kaid sat silently across from Cadize, curiosity burning at his thirst for answers. He wanted to know everything that troubled Jessamine, to know her past, present and future. He wanted to know her the way, in the way that she could know him from a glance into his mind.

"I must apologize. In my desire to always share facts, I forget that the Empress is very quiet about her personal life, especially regarding her family. You will find back in Vitross that she will be more like a ghost haunting that palace rather than its ruler. She often remains in solitude, but she has taken a surprising liking to you," Cadize spoke.

Kaid knew even in Caladin there were moments Jessamine would wander away, which he did not mind. But he wondered how a ruler could be so lonely, especially when it seemed she had so much to say, and offered so much to lighten up a room. She always seemed to ask a question that provoked thought and most of all inspired reflection.

"Does she normally not get along with others?" Kaid asked, finding that she had gotten along reasonably with people in Caladin, besides the handful that caused issues like Wilson that day in the showers.

"Not particularly quickly as she has with you. If Jessamine were frozen solid in ice, and men were blankets of fire, she would much rather freeze to death than embrace the warmth," Cadize spoke, finding humor in his own analogy before diminishing his smile, "the world has struggled with Oblivion for ages, and it seems to struggle most with women given such power, both politically and magically. She has not had an easy life. Men have injected her with poison all her life yet are still surprised to find her venomous."

"Most venomous snakes only bite when provoked. It is a defense mechanism, not an act of aggression," Kaid pointed out, knowing a thing or two when it came to snakes. He was glad he had read that book on reptilian creatures when he did, but he was beginning to think that these kinds of snakes were more figurative than literal.

"I can see why she gets along with you, and I concur the same. The Empress cares for her kingdom, unlike some of her previous rulers, she just may not show it in the way they believe a woman should," he spoke, standing up before walking over to take Kaid's empty bowl, "the Empress has offered you a gift in returning to Vitross with us. I suggest you use your time well and observe carefully, you have much to learn my young friend. Choose your friends carefully."

At that, Cadize left him alone for the evening other than handing him some spare blankets. Kaid felt the exhaustion in his body but his mind was like a never-tiring engine, constantly grinding to produce results, solutions to this new problem. Jessamine was not exactly the woman he knew in Caladin, or perhaps that was her and everything else was a magical illusion.

The problem with magic was that it blurred the lines of reality and delusion. It created a cesspool of wonder, fear, violence, and peace. Right now, Kaid's future was just as blurry as it was in Caladin and perhaps increasingly frightening.

Kaid did his best that night to focus more on his increasing excitement of seeing the world, rather than thinking of his upset mind or upset stomach.

When he awoke, the tents and everything had been taken down. Jessamine no longer wore the Caladin prison attire, but rather a black dress that covered her entire body except the shape of her collarbones and neck. Kaid couldn't help but stare for a moment before realizing the sun was returning to its rightful spot in the sky. He got up, attempting to brush the dirt off his clothes to no use before looking around.

Jess noticed his movement and offered a small nod for a good morning, watching Cadize pack the last of their things. Soon again this little space in the forest would be just that again, nature thriving and not having to hide human fugitives. Nobody would ever even know they were here as they hardly left a trace besides indents in the muddy grass.

A strong gust of wind and vibration in the ground caused Kaid to glance up, seeing a portal forming in the distance. Cadize seemed quick to begin moving things, Jessamine slowly making her way over to Kaid. She walked like an omen. A goddess of choice, one hand offering salvation and another offering destruction. All Kaid would have to do was take her hand and she would guide him.

"Are you ready for your new life, Kaid?" she offered a smile with her hand, Kaid taking it without hesitation.

Kaid should have learned by now an omen delivering a choice, one that could control the actions of others to her will, meant he had no choice at all.