Al’nehak opened her tired eyes and saw nothingness. She felt immensely burdened, her senses numb and her mind could only wander aimlessly as she tried to refocus her thoughts. 

“Ah, so this is the afterlife?” she mused, “It’s not so bad.”

She took a deep breath and was surprised by how cold the air was. She pushed herself off the ground and sat upright. A dull pain registered right over her heart and she pressed her hand over her chest as if to alleviate the pain. She grimaced slightly. Perhaps killing herself with a bone spike through the heart wasn’t the best way to go.

“Mhm, it still stings a bit. And I still have this amulet. Why do I feel so tired?” she wondered aloud as she let her hands fall to the ground, “Is this sand?”

She caressed the ground, slowly letting her fingers regain its sense of touch. It took a few minutes before she felt something in her fingers: a feeling of soft, cold, grainy. Al’nehak grabbed a fistful of sand and allowed it to sift through her fingers. 

“That’s sand alright. Didn’t think the afterlife would remind me so much of home. It doesn’t feel all that different from being alive. What is that sound that I hear?”

Al’nehak closed her eyes again and allowed herself to drift away into the wind. A calming and rhythmic pulse was close by. It was a metronomic and soothing murmur. She took a deep breath. How fresh was the air she breathed in! She felt so alive! Why, she practically taste the saline tang of the ocean! 

The ocean? The ocean! Al’nehak pulled herself up in disbelief as her eyes frantically searched her surroundings. Did the impossible occur? In the distance she saw the moonlight grace the gentle evening waves. She found herself absentmindedly walking towards the edge of the shoreline and with each step, she saw the same cliffs, the same trees, and the same shoreline. With trembling hands, she dipped her fingers into the water.

Cold, very cold.

She took her hands out of the water and laid down on the wet sand. The swash washed up to abdomen and it was just what she needed to cool her head off. Unless this was some sort of special purgatory just for her, there was only one conclusion that made sense to her. She was alive. She had to be alive. She felt alive!

“How…? I was sure I killed myself. But if by some mean I have returned from the dead, how did that happen? I certainly couldn’t have done it.” She frowned. Too many unanswerable questions to think about. 

“I have a second chance at life but do I really deserve it? I’ve caused so much problems in the past. Should I be grateful?” She paused, furrowing her brow with a hint of confusion and bemusement. “Come to think of it, I’m still stranded on this island. This large, lonely island. Ah this is too much to take at once. I’ll consider my options in the morning.”

[img]http://www.amazingplacesonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Daniel-Peckham-Cathedral-Cove-1.jpg [/img]

She yawned. “Coming back alive is rather tiring…” she remarked. Al’nehak got up and walked alongside the shoreline, following the long stretch of seaside cliffs. Finally, she arrived at a cove. Even in the darkness she saw signs of her former home; the remains of a makeshift bedframe, the splinters of a chair and most prominently the hash marks etched onto the walls. She wistfully smiled and traced her fingers over the markings. The entire side of the wall was covered with them.

“5 years…how much time has passed since?” Al’nehak laid down and drifted into a dreamless sleep. 

A roar echoed inside the cove and Al’nehak was up and wary. It was a strange and mechanical sound, but somewhat familiar. It suddenly clicked. The roar of an engine, did she hear the engines of an airship passing through? If it was an airship and it stopped on the island, this was a miraculous chance! She ran as fast as she could out of the cove and strained her ears, attempting to follow the direction the engine was coming from.

It grew fainter and fainter but Al’nehak could pinpoint it heading generally northwest. If it landed, it would be on the opposite side of where she stood. 
“I doubt it will actually land here but it’s a chance I’ll take. If it didn’t, well, it will be good to know what has changed here. I can secure provisions a little bit later,” she thought.

An hour and a half of trekking later, as Al’nehak emerged from the underbrush she couldn’t believe what she saw. A large settlement was right in front of her. This desolate island was now populated and bustling with activity. On the cliff side overlooking the settlement were airships. Boats of the fishing variety were out at sea already in this sunny morning. 

Al’nehak could not believe her momentous luck. She was worried how she would leave the island as constructing a sea worthy vessel would have been quite a difficult endeavor. Now, all she needed to do was secure passage by sea or by air. But how to get aboard? Mind control the captain and its crew and get aboard for free? 
“What are you thinking? There’s no need to use such questionable methods. I can find a better way. Think, what do I have of value on me? There’s nothing on my pockets…oh there’s a chain around my neck! The amulet! Of course, I can get aboard this way!”

She frowned slightly. The amulet was a potentially dangerous artifact and she did not exactly have the right tools at the moment to make it inert and safe. Was there another approach? She had nothing of value besides it. She sighed, “Some sacrifices have to be made right? It’s either this or violence.” 

The town was already busy in the morning and Al’nehak could feel the energy brimming in the air. Striding through the fish market, Al’nehak felt the curious gaze of strangers upon her. She took a moment to look at the locals and then herself. Here was a woman whose clothes not only looked out of place, it was ragged and torn, exposing her arms that was covered in intricate tattoos. 
She chuckled to herself. No matter, she didn’t care what people were saying about her. It was a nice feeling seeing people after so long. She went up to one of the local merchants. “Excuse me sir, do you have a moment?”

“You’re a fresh face,” the merchant remarked glancing over at Al’nehak, “And you’ve got a strange accent too. A little hard to understand. You’re definitely not from here. What do you need?”

Al’nehak smiled. She was worried that there would be a language barrier. “What is the day, month and year right now and who should I see to get aboard a boat or airship?”

The merchant gave her a quizzical look. “Well, if you want to know the date, it’s XX/XX/XXXX. As for who to see to get off the island, just head to the docks or airfield. There’s always someone leaving the island. You need directions?” 

“No that will not be necessary. I can find my way around. I do have one more question. What is the name of this place and how long would it take to reach Zidel?” Al’nehak inquired.

“Lady, I fear you have hit your head and forgotten a lot of things. No need to scowl at me. I’m not going to pry into your life. This is Lyrcel and we’re pretty famous for exporting our fishes and bananas.”

“People buy goods from this place?” Al’nehak said skeptically, “I know how large this island but I find it incredible you’re able to export goods profitably judging by how great this place looks. Those airships must’ve been a fortune.”

“Yea, lots of people pay top dollar for our bananas and fish. The best in all of the Southern Seas. Now as for your second question, depending on where you want to go in Zidel, it’s going to take about a week to two weeks by boat, and about 3 to 5 days by airship,”

“I see. Thanks for your help,” Al’nehak said, turning around and heading for the airstrip

The merchant waved his hand in the air. “Wait, how are you planning to pay for passage? You don’t look like the type to have any money. And she’s gone. What an odd fellow.”

432. That’s how many years had passed after she died. She killed herself and 432 years later through some unknown means, she revived. How much has the world changed? Do people still remember her? If so, should she should use an alias to avoid potential trouble? Would the kingdoms and land she knew still be there? What was her purpose now? There was much to think about. 

She arrived at the airstrip. Airships. They were quite uncommon back in her day and she had never ridden one before. She felt giddy at the prospect of seeing the world from above. The airstrip was partially fenced off and workers1 were posted alongside the perimeter. From where she stood, she saw four airships in the hanger. Possessions and goods were already getting loaded into them alongside maintenance checks. “Probably for commerce, I wonder if they will let me aboard one of the airships for this amulet.”

“Hey you! The girl?” barked a voice from behind, “Get out of here, you’re trespassing! And what are you wearing? It is a shameful display! Put some clothes on!”

Al’nehak turned around to meet her insulter. He was a middle aged man with a chipped shoulder and was dressed quite seriously and formal. It was a very sharp and distinct set of clothes he wore and it gave off an air of affluence. Clearly someone of importance. If there was any other person on this island besides her, Al’nehak had the feeling that this man in front of her would stick out like a sore thumb too.

“I am Al-“ Al’nehak began.

“I don’t give a damn about who you are, leave this place immediately! You’re on my airstrip!”

She nearly blurted out her name. She didn’t know how people would react to that name but she did not want to take that chance. Al’nehak quickly changed gears. She never really did like pleasantries in conversation. It felt forced and fake. Being direct and blunt just felt more natural. She removed her amulet from around her neck and gestured at it, “I’ll get straight to the point then. I am looking for passage back to Zidel. I don’t care where in Zidel. I just need to get there. This is my payment.”

The man’s eyes widened briefly at the sight of the amulet. “You’re fortunate we are going to Zidel. It is a business proposition then. Let me have a closer look.”
She put the amulet closer to the man’s face, somewhat irritated from being yelled at. “Hmm…it is a lovely design.  Gold and are those ruby gems? I believe so.” He looked up suspiciously, “Lady, did you steal this?”

“No, it is mine,” she said coldly, gazing straight at the man’s eye, “Do we have a deal or not?”

“…That depends on your proposition to me.” the man replied. “What are you looking for in exchange for this neckwear?”

“A decent cabin, 3 meals a day until the end of the trip and some cash leftover so I can travel.”

The man backed up and placed a single finger on his lips, deep in thought. After minutes of deliberations, he spoke in rather polite manner, “Yes we do. As for accommodations, you’ll have your share of breakfast, lunch and dinner. But because of limited space due to our wares, you have to share a cabin with two other men. Is that agreeable?”

“…I will take it. I hope they will behave themselves. What of the money?”

“You have my word as a gentlemen that they will respect your privacy and boundaries. As for the money, if I deduct the cost from your lodging and food I’d say I can give you 7 silver coins.” 

“You’re getting a steal here aren't you. When do we leave?” asked Al’nehak.

The man checked his watch. “Yes but you are the one who is willing to part with it. Two hours from now. Bring all of your things and come back here in that time. And please, change into something more suitable. We'll make the exchange aboard the ship.” 

“This is all I have and I don’t have money to buy new clothes.”

The man could not help but tilt his head in confusion. “But you paid your flight with something so valuable, how can - never mind you don’t need to tell me anything. Do you mind wearing men’s clothes? We have some spares if you’d like, free of charge.”

“Oh it’s free? That’s nice. Quite altruistic of you,” she replied.

“No, that would be you madam. BRANDON! GET SOME SPARE CLOTHING FOR THIS LADY!”

“But we only have spare men’s clothing!” shouted the one called Brandon.

“That will do, it is better than what she’s wearing anyway!” the man shouted back. He faced Al'nehak again. “Since you will be boarding the Grey Goose we should at least know each other’s names. I am Edward Levin, your captain for this voyage. And you are?”

Al’nehak paused for a moment. “I need a new name. One that won’t arouse suspicion,” she thought to herself. “I am Alia Amari. Pleased to make your acquaintance. How long will it take until we arrive in Zidel?”

“Miss Amari,” began Edward, “It takes 4 days on average. We’ll land in Ryhad. If you have any questions feel free to ask around. If there is nothing else, I must go make preparations. You should get some more fitting attire soon. Remember, 2 hours is when we lift off. You’re free until then.”