Get free

Emery fiddled with the chunky leather belt strapped around her waist, tucking in a simple grey and blue long-sleeved tunic. The shirt was just long enough to to cover her rear, and her legs were clad in a pair of thick form fitting black leggings. Was there really nothing else in the closet? The woman wondered, cheeks burning at the thought of anyone seeing her wearing the outfit the princess was kind enough to let her borrow. I forgot how … different this realm's fashion choices are. Perhaps we were spoiled by Claire's flannel shirts and … what were they called? Jeans.

The woman sighed, leaning over the railing lining the edge of the cliff the city was built into, tapping the toe of her worn leather boot on the ground. The warm spring breeze ruffled the tree tops below as flocks of birds migrated north for the summer. Emery placed her chin in the palm of her hand as she leaned into the railing, wondering what the princess had in store for her.

After successfully recovering from her injuries, the woman was finally released from the clinic the prior evening after the princess returned, carrying her unconscious sister in her arms. Willow was badly burned and suffered several scrapes and bruises — no doubt from her battle with the Captain after Emery foolishly jumped ship.

"Tch," the blonde rolled her eyes. "I should'n't've listened to her," she muttered. After returning, the princess took Emery into her home, offering her a pillow for her head, warm food on a plate, and a fresh set of clothes to wear, seeing as the sweater she arrived in was riddled with holes from fighting. Emery wondered why the princess was being so accommodating to her, a stranger she had just met. Yet Frey insisted on helping, even going as far as saving her sister.

"Fool," Emery practically spat, whipping around and covering her face with her hands as she leaned her back against the railing. She pushed the palms of her hands into her eyes, heart racing as visions of her sister begging her to flee the already sinking ship replayed in her mind. You are the adult. You are the elder sibling. Whatever happens to her is you're fault,Emery chastised herself, chest tightening as her thoughts grew louder, angrier. We were safe in Mineral Town, and now you've brought her back to Aldonea? To the Kingdom of Norad of all places? Emery squeezed her eyes even harder, What have you done? The Sech's are breathing down our necks and we show up on their doorstep. We might as well go ahead and place big sign outside the castle proclaiming where we are. It won't take long before they realize we're here and then —

"Well, Lin Fa said all her rooms are completely booked through the end of the tourist season," Frey said as she walked out of the hotel. She placed her hands on her hips, raising an eyebrow when she saw Emery, "H-hey, are you alright?" She asked, cocking her head to the side as Emery jumped, clutching her chest and trying to hide her distinctly red face.

"I'm fine," she said, ears burning as she attempted to regain her composure. "You startled me, that's all."

The princess chewed her lip, pausing for a split second before laughing it off. "I know it isn't ideal, but I have a few extra rooms at the castle, obviously, you've already stayed the night," she said, rubbing the back of her neck. "You and your sister won't be a bother …" she trailed off, wondering how to explain the condition she found the woman's airship in. But, before she could say anything further, Emery shook her head.

"You don't need to put yourself out for us," she said, folding her arms and leaning against the railing again. "I can stay on the ship while Willow recovers. I'm sure there's plenty that needs repaired, considering my sister barely knows how to navigate the damn thing."

Frey furrowed her brow, opening her mouth to speak, but the woman interrupted her. "Once my sister is able, we'll be on our way," she said, averting her eyes to the ground. "So, thanks, but … no thanks. I'll be fine."

The princess sighed heavily, "Look, there's no easy way to say this, but your ship is completely unsalvageable." Emery frowned and looked back up only to meet Frey's unflinching gaze. "Arthur, our local merchant, could send in a work order for a new ship, but it will take the better part of a year to build and send it out here." She paused for a moment or two, waiting to hear a reaction or response from the woman before her.

Emery 's stomach dropped. No, she thought, face paling. My ship … father's ship … She inhaled deeply, closing her eyes. We can't stay here. They'll kill you. We can't stay here.

Frey continued her spiel, seemingly unaware of Emery's inner turmoil. "Of course, by the time the ship is done, you're free to do whatever you like, but Selphia is home to many strays," the princess said, giving a small encouraging smile, remembering what her dear friend Ventuswill told her when she first arrived in town. "I see the look in your eyes — you don't know where you're going, you're lost and exhausted," she said, placing a hand over her heart. "I've been there."

Emery bit her tongue. They'll never accept you.

"The people here are kindhearted and, while you may never find what you're looking for, you may realize this town could be your home, too," the princess said, extending her hand to the woman before her. "So, what do you say? I need a few extra hands on the farm, and it's not like you have many options."

Farm? Emery paused, eyes locking with Frey's as memories of Mineral Town flashed before her eyes.

Spring.

It was spring when Emery and Willow arrived in Mineral Town, a village nestled in the foothills of Mother Hill, flanked by the sea to the east and a bountiful forest to the west. Unassuming at first glance, the villagers welcomed the sisters with outstretched arms. And, for the first time in years the girls abandoned their armored garments, leaving their ship hidden deep within the woods.

And then it was summer when Emery found herself sitting on the oceanside pier, fishing for coin as the sea breeze whipped through her then long blond hair. The salty waves lapped the bottoms of her bare feet, her patchwork overalls rolled to her knees. Her sister, goofing off as usual, splashed water onto the town's farmer,

Claire.

By autumn the summer sea shack was closed, leaving behind a tearful woman with long pink hair and ruby colored eyes. Emery licked her lips, already longing for the sweet taste of ice cream under the harsh and relentless sun. But fall swept through the valley seemingly overnight, littering the cobblestone roads with fallen leaves and mushrooms dotting the forest floor.

Willow brought a pumpkin to the harvest festival.

The feast left their bellies full and their skin thick for the bitter winter blanketing the rows of tilled soil with wet snow. Emery sniffed her runny red nose, hands nearly frozen as she carved the wet powder into three round shapes. May, a child from down the road, giggled and pulled a carrot from her pocket. It was a nose.

How strange.

And then one wintery night Emery found herself half asleep, sharing a bed with her sister and farmer Claire, a strong willed woman who moved in from the city to take over a desolate farm. The farmer rolled over, facing her dear friend with half-lidded eyes. She reached a hand toward Emery's face, brushing aside a lock of Emery's hair from her face, smiling. I told you, you're safe here. Don't ever doubt the power of friendship, and a strong glass of beer. Emery's cheeks warmed as she inhaled the soapy scent of vanilla and lavender.

She felt safe.

And as suddenly as it came, the snow melted away and the squirrels emerged from hibernation, their cheeks fat and round as they wiped the sleep from their eyes. A woman with blond highlights spun Emery in a chair before a single mirror. She held a pair of scissors in one hand, You'd be a doll with a pixie cut, she said.

And suddenly, it had been a year.

And then another.

And another.

Emery opened her eyes, inhaling deeply and letting the smell of wet grass and cherry blossom petals fill her nostrils. She looked at Frey, but all she could see was Claire and her stupid goofy grin the day she stumbled into Mineral Town with her idiot sister after another navigation mishap. The farmer offered her hand,

Is this really … okay? Emery wondered, hesitating for a moment or two before taking Frey's outstretched hand.

You never learn, do you?


Frey wrapped her warm gloved hand around Emery's, flashing an encouraging smile as she tugged the woman away from the cliff's edge. "C'mon, I'll take you to lunch," the princess said, leading her toward Porcoline's restaurant, where she told a few friends to meet her the day before. Of course, she didn't forget her conversation with Arthur, the true "prince" of Selphia.

He wasn't distrustful. But, he knew the town had its fair share of tragic events. As a prince, it was his duty to be protective of his citizens and friends. But, she argued, Ventuswill was an accepting protector of the city. She welcomed anyone and everyone, even when they fell out of the sky without any memories.

She took a chance on Frey, after all.

And, even with a few hiccups along the way, she would have wanted the town to stay open and inviting to strangers. Even those who seemed to have come through a monster gate.


Frey released Emery's hand as they arrived at the restaurant. The woman looked up at the two-story blue bricked, furrowing her brow at the strange golden fish statues outside the door. Frey opened the door, gesturing for Emery to follow. The blond nodded, trailing closely behind as they entered a spacious dining room with a long table already half-full with the princess' friends to the left.

Doug caught Emery's eye immediately as he was sitting at the end of the table, grinning as they approached. Emery had to admit she found the redheaded dwarf to be an interesting character with his steel gray eyes and soft features. He wasn't as rough and tough as the dwarves she met in the past, but then again, she didn't know many dwarves to begin with.

"Yo," he said, waving at the two women. "Took ya long enough."

Frey rolled her eyes playfully, shaking her head as she pulled out the seat in front of him. "We were trying to figure out housing arrangements," she explained, sitting down and motioning for Emery to follow.

Emery took the seat beside Frey. The nurses assistant from the clinic, Dolce, was sitting beside Doug. She waved a quiet 'hello' before reaching for her cup of tea. "You could've given us a warning," the elf said, taking a sip.

"OOooohhhh DOLLY!" A small transparent girl with purple twin braids appeared suddenly in the chair next to Dolce, practically ripping out her hair. Emery jumped in surprise, reflexively grabbing Frey by the arm and earning a chuckle from the table. "No need to be shy! You're happy our new friend could make it to lunch."

Frey laughed heartily, shaking her head as the girl or ghost or … whatever … continued her relentless teasing outburst. Emery frowned, eyes wide as she looked between Frey, Dolce and … Pico? Was it? The woman could already feel herself getting overwhelmed as the volume in the restaurant increased tenfold, adding to the mix other people at the table Emery didn't immediately notice.

"Quite, you," Dolce said, hiding a smirk and a light blush behind a gloved hand. "You're going to scare our new guest."

"A nice sentiment, though it may seem she already succeeded," a man with cat-like eyes said from a few chairs down. Chest bare — bare chest? — his fluffy blue ears peaked out beneath a white turban. "Frey, who is this lovely guest you brought with you? Tell me this isn't the same woman who fell out of the sky just two nights ago."

Frey grinned, placing a hand on Emery's shoulder. "The one and … not only," the princess chuckled. "Leon, meet Emery. Emery, meet Leon."

Emery stared at the man, practically transfixed with the two fox-like ears on his head. Leon chuckled, "You're staring, you know," he said, voice dripping with faux romantic tension. The woman blinked, almost taken aback.

"You're … ears …" She said, blushing deeply as she furrowed her brow, cocking her head. "Fluffy …" she murmured. Leon raised a brow, grin widening as the woman immediately broke out of her trance-like state, blushing profusely. "I-I'm sorry for staring."

"Yes, you should be fun to toy with, indeed," he said, grinning like a Cheshire cat. Leon directed his attention toward the princess, holding back a laugh. "What an interesting specimen you've brought us today," he said jokingly, earning a playful smack from a woman clad in knight-like armor sitting next to him.

"Ignore him, Emery," the woman said, swinging her long blond ponytail behind her as she removed her helmet. "He doesn't know how to behave in front of new company. I'm Forte, dragon knight — ahem, pardon me — royal knight."

Emery nodded her head, unsure of what to say. Everyone at the table looked so different from each other — Dolce and Pico with heir garments from centuries ago; Leon wearing something akin to a priest; and Forte the knight. Who are these people? She wondered, This is my realm, the same world Willow and I grew up in and yet … I feel more out of place here than I ever did in Mineral Town. What is this feeling?

Frey turned toward Emery, placing a hand on her shoulder after giving Forte an apologetic look. "I understand if this is a little overwhelming," she said, gesturing to her friends. "You'll meet everyone eventually, but I figured you should get to know a few people in a relaxed group setting before parading you around town. Vent — I-I mean, I remember what it was like when I first arrived in town, and it was a difficult adjustment. But, luckily, I had great friends to help me through it."

The princess removed her hand as a boisterous man with strawberry-blond hair and a plump belly approached the table. "Afternoon my lovelies," he sung, practically twirling as he approached the table. Emery bit her tongue, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle into her chest. How many people live in this town? She wondered briefly, noting the chef apron tied around the mans waist. Its filled to the brim with snacks … "And a hearty hello to our new customer! Dylas will be out soon with your food —"

"Oh will he?" Leon asked, smirking,
"That idiot?" Doug muttered as Frey flashed a warning look his way.

"You're not going to eat it this time, are you?" The princess asked, teasing the man.

"I make no promises," he said, humming as he spun around on his heels. As he walked away, he looked over his shoulder, eyes practically glowing as he shot a flirtatious look at Emery, "Be sure to visit me often! Enjoy your meal."

"Porco," Frey sighed in exasperation as the man walked away, an extra pep in his step. The princess shook her head, leaning in to whisper into Emery's ear, "He's, uh, the owner and chef of this restaurant. His name's Porcoline."

Emery's eyes widened in surprise as she jerked back, craning her neck to get a better look at the man. So he's the chef, huh. This place seems to get stranger and stranger.

Forte cleared her throat, "I hope you don't mind, but we ordered you two the special," she said. "We weren't sure when you'd arrive."

Frey shrugged her shoulders, "I'll eat anything, so it doesn't matter much to me," she said, glancing toward Emery. "But, I'm not sure what types of food you're accustomed to?" She let the statement hang as a question as everyone around the table practically leaned in for Emery's answer.

The woman rubbed her arm, fidgeting with the sleeve of her shirt as she did. Thinking back, she wasn't sure what she could say about the type of food she was accustomed to. When she arrived in Mineral Town with her sister, the first meal she ever ate was curry rice with a large carbonated drink called "soda" to wash it down. Later she developed a fondness for fried potatoes and a dish called "pizza."

But, before landing in Mineral Town, it was her sister Willow who did most of the cooking. And she wasn't great at it, but Emery didn't mind. As long as she had something to fill her stomach, she was fine.

"I'm not picky," she said, averting her eyes to the table. "My sister used to cook when we were traveling. It was always burnt," Emery gave a small smile, looking up at Frey. "I like … curry rice."

Frey grinned, seemingly relieved to see the woman responding to her question.

"Nice," Doug said from across the table, giving a thumbs up and a cheesy smile. "Rice is always the best route to go." Emery looked away as a tall man with long blue and gray hair approached the table carrying a tray full of plates of food.

"Sorry for the wait," he said, placing the plates on the table. It seemed as though everyone had pretty much ordered the same meal, which Emery guessed must have been the special. Taking a fork, she poked the fried red fish on the plate and inhaled the smell of spices coating the mixed vegetables on the side. "Fried red snapper," the man said, tucking the now empty silver tray under his arm.

Frey looked up, a hopeful look in her eye as she smiled at the man. "Dylas," she said, almost breathless. "Thank you. Why don't you join us?" She asked, to which the man blushed and looked away,

"I'm sorry, I can't," he said, looking away. Emery glanced between the two, noting he also had a pair of fluffy blue ears and a … tail … How strange…

The princess frowned, face crestfallen for a split second. "I understand. Maybe later? You should at least meet our new friend," The man, Dylas, Emery guessed, shrugged his shoulders noncommittally before walking away, leaving the princess with a pained look.

Emery knew that look all too well — although she was never the one to be fluent in the relationship world, she recognized romantic tension when she saw it. Perhaps it was from watching all of the failed relationships her sister pursued, and perhaps it was from watching Claire and her seemingly emotionally unavailable boyfriend slowly realize their true feelings. So, while she may be somewhat inexperienced, she knew when something was going on, and something was indeed going on between the waiter and the princess.

"Tch, stupid horse …" Doug muttered, crossing his arms. "You alright, Frey?" He asked, to which the princess responded with a polite yes, though Emery could sense that things were definitely not okay. The dwarf seemed to accept the answer, and didn't pry further.

All of these people … they've clearly known each other for years, Emery thought to herself as she reached for a fork and knife before cutting into her fish. Why should I intrude? The better part of a year, huh … Emery cut into her fish and took a bit, letting the flaky crust and seasoned fish practically melt in her mouth before swallowing. "Ah," she said aloud, eyebrows slightly raised. Frey turned toward her, watching her intently as she took in all the flavors.

For a moment, Emery could have sworn she was home. Not her cabin on the farm in Mineral Town, not her twin-sized mattress on the floor of the airship, and not any of the many beds and cots and floors she slept on in her twenty-four years.

She was home, in the thick of the woods of the Empire.

She was on the floor of her parent's cottage playing with the cats as her mother cooked in the kitchen, her long black hair swaying as she expertly maneuvered though the room humming quietly. Her father, with his wire-rimmed glasses and sandy-blond hair, sat on the couch reading fantastical books to her sister, who was barely a toddler.

For the firsts time in years, she felt … homesick.

"It's good, yeah?" Frey asked, studying Emery's face curiously. The blonde felt tears prick her eyes, but quickly pushed thoughts of her parents old home from her mind before quickly cutting off another piece of fish.

"It's … amazing," she said, taking another bite. Her chest felt warm as she stared at her plate in wonder, slowly chewing her food. She swallowed, "Did that man … really cook this?" She asked, earning a hearty laugh from the table.

"Porcoline is as eccentric as they come, but he's a fantastic chef," Forte said from across the table, cutting into her own slice of fish. The dragon knight took her first bite, nodding in approval. "He'd have more customers at his restaurant if Dylas didn't have to fight him for every plate."

Emery frowned, "What do you mean?" She asked, patting the corner of her mouth with a cloth before taking a sip of water.

"He eats almost every dish he makes before the customer can get anything," Leon chimed in, shaking his head as he laughed. "Its a wonder we were even able to get plates ourselves this afternoon, having a large group an all."

"At least he's got Meg and that stupid horse to keep him in check," Dough sighed before digging in.

"Dylas had his work cut out for him this afternoon," Frey added, rolling her eyes. "We all eat here together at least once a week, so I'm sure you'll get used Porco's antics."

Emery nodded her head, returning her attention to her food.

"How long do you plan on visiting with us, Emery?" Dolce asked, clutching her teacup tightly. Emery looked up at her, unsure of what to say.

"I … My sister is injured and my ship was destroyed in the fire," she said, trailing off and glancing toward Frey for help. The princess gave her a small encouraging smile, placing a hand on her shoulder. "They said it could take up to a year to repair the ship … I-I don't want to intrude, and we don't stay in one place for very long, but um … Well, we can't go anywhere without a ship."

"That's a long winded way of saying she'll be sticking around for awhile," Frey joked, taking control of the conversation and allowing Emery to take a sigh of relief. "I told her she'd fit in well with this bunch of misfits and vagabonds."

Forte placed a hand over her heart, "You are welcome as long as you need, but Selphia is a wonderful place to settle down," she said, glancing toward Dolce and Doug and then to Leon. "We all come from different places. This town doesn't belong to anyone or anything, and home is where you make it. I am eager to get to know you and your sister better."

Dolce nodded in agreement, "The towns people here will welcome you, no matter where you came from … Monster gate notwithstanding."

"Oh yes, we have much to talk about," Forte added after Dolce's last comment. "You have a lot of explaining to do, so don't think you're gettin gout of that one so easily."

Emery raised a brow, "Monster gate … Ah, the portal … Yes, and I suppose you want to know about why the ship was on fire as well."

Leon leaned into the table, placing his chin in the palm of his hand. "Preferably, yes. This lunch is proving to be most interesting, thank you for inviting me, Frey," he said. Emery shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, avoiding eye contact as much as possible. "An interesting guest, indeed."

Frey held up her hand, "All questions will be answered in due time," she said, settling the group for the moment. "I don't want to overwhelm our friend so quickly, she did just get out of the hospital," Frey added, grabbing Emery's bandaged right arm and holding it up to the group for emphasis.

Emery gently pulled away, tugging the sleeve of her shirt over her bandages once again. The more time she spent with the princess, the more she reminded her of her dear friend Claire. Although they looked nothing alike, their strength and will were undeniable.

"You're curious," Emery said, wringing her hands in her lap. "I understand. I can't make any promises." She let the comment hang uncomfortable, unsure of what to say next. "Uh, sorry, my sister … she does most of the talking."

Forte softened her gaze, "Ah, the younger sibling. I often find myself taking care of my younger brother, Kiel. How much older is she?"

Emery looked up in surprise, choking back a laugh, "S-sorry, no, I am the older sibling," She explained awkwardly. "Willow is barely twenty …" Emery chuckled to herself, covering her mouth with her hand. The group seemed to relax as the woman's nervous tension seemed to dissipate. "She's fearless, witty, and charming and I am …" Emery trailed off again. "I'm sorry, it must be so painful to talk with someone like me. I'm blunt, to a fault, and I'd rather spend my time alone. But, Willow … she has a way with people. Everyone falls in love with her because her personality is captivating."

Leon smirked, "Ah, as expected, she does know how to smile," he said, earning another smack from the dragon knight as Emery blushed deeply, mentally cursing herself for being so painfully shy around new people. If her sister were there, the conversation would be much smoother. Her sister knew how to joke around, how to make people laugh and melt the tension but Emery … she seemed cause the tension. Her blunt way of speaking and nervousness was a combination made in hell. No one was comfortable speaking with her, not at first, anyways. After awhile, after warming up to them, Emery could talk like a regular person. She was still blunt. But at least she wasn't so meek.

Doug looked at her, flashing another smile and thumbs up, "Don't worry, you're going to fit in around here juuuuuust fine."

Emery bit her lip, giving a curt nod before the conversation, thankfully, shifted away from her and her personal life.


"Thank you for inviting us to lunch, Frey," Dolce said as she stood up from the table, smoothing out her skirt. Forte and Leon followed suit, nodding their heads in agreement.

"I do hope you stop by the hotel sometime, Emery," Leon said, flicking his tail as he turned to leave. "Bring your sister with you, too." Forte rolled her eyes, trailing closely behind the dragon priest.

"I'll see you two later," She said, shifting the baldric at her waist. "Stay out of trouble, Doug."

The redheaded dwarf glanced up at her, frowning, "Hey," he said defensively, earning a hearty laugh from Frey, who stood up from the table as well.

"Thanks for coming, guys," she said as the three left the restaurant. Frey stretched her arms behind her head as Emery looked up at her, waiting for further instruction. "Hey, can you hang tight? I need to go pay and … deal with some things." She said, muttering the later half more so to herself. Emery nodded, shifting in her chair uncomfortably as the princess left.

Doug glanced over his shoulder before turning back around, crossing his arms. Emery followed his gaze, watching as the princess approached the waiter with long navy-blue and black hair.

"Tch, she's going back there to talk to that dumb horse," Doug grumbled, shaking his head. Emery's eyes flickered between the dwarf, the princess and the waiter.

"Ah, I see," she murmured, lightly touching her fingers to her bottom lip as she watched Frey shifting her her stance. The man seemed to tense and attempt to walk away before she grabbed his arm. "Hm."

Doug shook his head, chuckling nervously as it seemed he remembered Emery was still sitting across from him. He watched her carefully before clearing his throat, "Uh … yeah, I don't like bread," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Emery blinked, bringing her attention back to the table. "Wh-what?" She asked, unsure if she heard him correctly.

The dwarf shifted in his chair, "I don't like bread," he said, averting his eyes to the table. "You know, it's kind of evil. Spongy and evil."

Emery snorted as she laughed, quickly brining her hand to her mouth. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't expect you to say something like that," she said, holding back giggles. Doug grinned,

"I didn't expect you to laugh like that," he said sheepishly. "But … it's true. I hate bread. You like rice, yeah?"

Emery cocked her head and furrowed her brow. "Well, yeah, I like rice, but I like other things too," she said, chuckling as she shook her head. "Rice is harder for my sister to burn, and bread takes awhile to make, but that doesn't mean I don't like it."

Doug shrugged his shoulders, "Eh, I still think it's evil."

"It's … bread. How can bread be evil?" Emery asked, crossing her arms.

Doug held his hands up in defense, "It's something about the texture. It's so spongy and gross."

Emery raised a brow, "And rice doesn't have a weird texture?" She asked, genuinely curious. "How can you …" she trailed off, realizing how easily they were talking. About bread of all things. Emery stopped herself and chewed the inside of her cheek. "Hm …"

Doug sighed, placing a hand to the back of his head once again, "Awh, come on, don't shut down now," he said in a joking manner. "Loosen up a bit."

Inhaling, Emery attempted to relax She shifted in her chair and averted her eyes to the table. "I suppose bread is quite deceiving. It tastes good, but it's not healthy and Willow always said we needed to watch how much we ate anyways."

Grinning, Doug leaned back in his chair. "Now that's what I wanted to hear," he said just as the princess returned to the side of the table. She raised a brow curiously, glancing between the two as Emery shook her head.

"What did you want to hear?" She asked as the two stood up from the table, dusting their shirts. Doug shrugged his shoulders,

"Just that another person agrees that bread is evil," he said cheekily as Emery rolled her eyes. Frey placed her hands on her hips,

"Oh, don't tell me you roped another poor soul into that argument," she teased. "Well, good for you for getting this one to say more than two words at a time."

Emery blushed, looking away, "I can say more than two words at a time," She muttered.

The princess laughed as she wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Well, if that's the case, you'll be a pleasure to have out in the fields," she said, steering the woman toward the door. "Catch ya later, Doug."

Emery glanced over her shoulder and waved goodbye as the two made their way out the door.


Frey dragged Emery into the castle, pulling her into one of the spare rooms above her main quarters. Emery's eyes widened as she took in the beautiful blue and marble stone walls, lightly brushing her fingers against the wall as she walked up the stairs. Each brick had an intricate design delicately hand carved into its surface that must've taken even the best of blacksmith days to design.

She had never seen anything like it, just like most things in Selphia. The city had a certain charm to it that was lost on the woman. Her home country was grey and dull and relied on metal and technology to get ahead. Selphia, like most cities in the Kingdom of Norad, was fantastically whimsical and full of magic. There were also plenty of runes, which gave life to everything.

"This place, this city, is beautiful," Emery said, almost breathless as they reached the top of the stairs and entered a small bedroom furnished with a bed, nightstand and wardrobe. The woman looked around, "Are you sure you're okay letting my sister and I stay here?" She asked.

Frey flipped one of her long mint green pigtails over her shoulder, "Of course," She said, striding toward the wardrobe, which she opened and began rummaging through. "The inn is full, and if you're going to stick for the airship, then you need somewhere to stay." Frey turned around, placing a hand on her hip, "Besides, you're not staying for free, remember?" She laughed, tossing her head back before returning to the wardrobe.

Emery fidgeted with the sleeve of her shirt, "Are you always this welcoming to strangers?" She asked, furrowing her brow. While she had met many people over the years, and slept on many floors and cots, it seemed she still had a hard time believing in the generosity of people.

Frey emerged from the wardrobe, pulling out several garments, "When I arrived at Selphia, I was a mere stranger as well, but the people here welcomed me without a second though," she said, tossing a few pieces of clothing to Emery. "Here, these are some old clothes of mine, plus a few donations from the girls around town." The princess winked, flooding her arms as she leaned back agains the wardrobe. "We managed to save some clothes and a few personal items from the ship," she nodded toward a box in the corner. "There over there if you want to take a look. Try these clothes on and anything you don't like can go to your sister."

Emery nodded her head and placed the clothes onto the bed before making her way to the box. "Thank you, I don't think I can say it enough," She said as she knelt beside the box, thumbing through the loose items. Sticking out at the top were a few distinctive picture frames, bringing a smile to her face.

In the first photo a young Emery with long blond hair was sullenly holding a fishing pole beside her friend, Elfreya, who was smiling cheekily for the camera and flashing a peace sign. The two were close in age and best friends at the time, growing up together with their younger siblings. In the second photo, her younger sister was carrying a boy with light blond hair and amethyst eyes on her shoulders, toppling over just as the camera flashed. They were laughing and seemed so carefree at the time …

"Who are they? Erm, if you don't mind me asking," Frey asked, kneeling beside Emery, who looked up in surprise as the princess' face suddenly appeared so close to her own. Emery nearly fell over, steadying herself with her hand on the floor.

"They're old friends," Emery said quietly as she tucked the photos beneath the pile of junk inside the box. "Thank you for getting some of this stuff, it was all from our parents," Emery sighed as she stood up, offering a hand to the princess.

Frey took her hand and pulled herself up, "It wasn't an issue …" She said, trailing off. "Emery, the night you came into town you … You took my face into your hands and called me Elfreya."

Emery froze, blood running cold. She shivered as she exhaled, "Ah, I'm sorry," she said, running a hand through her pixie-like hair. "Don't … think about that too much."

Frey took a step forward, furrowing her brow, "It's just … You really seemed like you knew who I was and … When I came to Selphia I kind of … caught a bad case of amnesia," she explained, placing a hand on the back of her head. "So, if you might know who I am —"

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were going through that," Emery said quickly, waving her hand. "But, really, don't worry about it. Elfreya and Lest — the boy in the other photo — they died a long time ago."

Frey's eyes widened as she placed her hand over her heart, "Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't mean to — "

"Ah, no, please, don't worry about it," Emery interrupted, shaking her head. "Really, it's fine," She said just before giving a small smile, "You do look a lot like her, though."

Frey chuckled as the tension seemingly began to dissipate. "You'd have to tell me about her sometime," She said. "Well, I've still got some chores to do around the farm this afternoon. Why don't you try on those clothes and go through that box. Feel free to decorate however you please," Frey said, turning toward the door, "We'll meet up for dinner around six, so don't be late," she laughed with a wink before leaving.

Looking around the room, alone for the first time in several hours, Emery sighed and sat down on the floor beside the bed. Tears pricked her eyes as she felt the overwhelming urge to cry — her ship was destroyed, her sister was injured, and they were stuck in another city with another person so willing to take them in.

"What have we done now," she asked herself, inhaling deeply as she rested her head against the side of the bed. "What have I done?"


Aleister trudged into the empire's secret base hidden away between pine trees and mountain snow. The bitter wind nipped and reddened his nose as he ripped his helmet off, tossing it to the side as he strode through the stronghold, startling several freshly enlisted grunts eating dinner at the tables to his right. Their eyes widened as the captain stormed through the hall, a small pipsqueak of a soldier intersecting him before he reached the intricate tall metal doors at the back of the room.

"Cap, hey, hey, hey, now don't go doin' somethin' stupid here, Cap," the man said, holding out an arm. "Take a rest and sit down by the fire before thinking of goin' and doin' somethin' irrational."

"Not now, Pip," Aleister practically snarled, his chin-length hair whipping around his face. "We have work to do."

Pip stepped in front of him, holding up his hands as he walked backward, Aleister dead set on getting into the control room. "Hey, hey, look, you're pissed — I'm pissed — but you can't go back there. Just — hey now — just take a second to cal — "

Aleister rolled his eyes, pushing his friend to the side as he reached the doors. "I need to speak with him, Pip. We need to figure out our next course of action," He said, reaching for the handle. "They practically landed into our lap. We have to act quickly."

Pip ran a hand through his thick black hair, exhaling as he took a step back. "I dunno, Cap, he's screamin' mad right now. You might wanna let him cool down, you know how he can get," he said, folding his arms. Although a year younger than Aleister, Pip was wiser than most soldiers and had even worked his way up to being the captain's right hand man. It was sheer dumb luck he didn't go on the raid on Mineral Town, opting to stay behind and train some new soldiers in the wake of Ethleberd's untimely demise.

"Let me handle it, Pip," Aleister said, placing a hand on his friend's hip. "He may not be Ethleberd, but he's all we have right now. And, luckily, he hates those monstrosities as much as we do. In the mean time," he paused, popping off a large communicator off of his wrist, "Think you can fix this thing? It took a beating when the ship went down.'

Pip rolled his eyes, taking the wrist communicator and flipping it around. "Took a beating? You mean it got completely destroyed," He said, sighing in exasperation. "I can't let you go on any missions without me, huh?"
Aleister chuckled, ruffling the shorter man's hair before opening the door, "You do keep me in line more than most. I'll catch up with you later."

Pip nodded as Aleister disappeared behind the door.

At the back of the room, hands behind his back and staring out the window was a tall man with long silvery hair and a matching short beard. He barely noticed Aleister's presence as the captain creeped into the room, gently closing the door behind him. His initial frustration and urgency had since cooled off, most likely due to Pip stalling him.

"Eldritch," Aleister said as he approached the middle of the room. "You'll never believe what happened."

"Save it, boy," Eldritch said, refusing to turn around as he placed a hand on the window. "My brother may have cared for you, trusted you, but all you've done thus far is blatantly ignore my orders. Do you not trust your new leader? Do you think I'm daft?"

Aleister raised his hands and shook his head, "Not at all, in fact, I — "

"Then why must you disobey my orders?" He roared, sending the captain flying backward with a wave of his hand as he whipped around. Aleister hit the wall with a sickening thump, slumping to the floor. "Sneaking out in the middle of the night," he said, taking a step forward, "Stealing my ships, my soldiers, my maps and for what? Perhaps you, too, have been blinded by the white whale my brother so sought."

Aleister coughed as he rolled over onto his hands and knees, practically gasping for air. "Tch, there's no white whale here, old man," he spat, pushing himself to his feet. "I found the girls, and they're in the same city of that stupid earthmate."

Eldritch took another step toward him, "My brother's mistake was antagonizing the princess, threatening her directly instead of strategizing," he said holding his arms out wide. "Look around you. Do you think his plan worked?"

Aleister frowned, clenching his fist, "It would have worked if — "

"Nonsense," Eldritch growled, dropping his arms. "Open your eyes, dear captain. One of us is dead and one of us is alive. Do not think my brother's admiration for you shields you now. Disobey my orders again and I'll have no issue with disposing of you and your little friends."

Eldritch turned around, returning to his window. "Now, leave me be, boy," he said, watching the snow fall from the trees. "Leave the strategy to me. We'll have the sisters and the princess soon."


Hey I'm back with another quick update to this story! This was a fun chapter to write, but so painful for many reasons. It's incredibly difficult to write Emery as being so shy and meek, but I know eventually she'll become an easier character to write. If you liked this chapter or the story, feel free to give me a like, favorite, follow and comment. I really appreciate the reviews because they help me know people are still interested and enjoying the story. Have a great day and I hope everyone is enjoying social distancing!