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The load whistle of the ship’s engine signaled that the crew was ready to leave. Al’nehak stretched her arms. In the distance was Edward Levin making sure everything was in order. He turned around and motioned for Al’nehak to get on board.

As she boarded the Grey Goose, Edward Levin was there to greet her. He inspected her once again and saw she had carried nothing besides the clothes he had given her. “You weren’t lying when you said you had nothing,” Edward remarked somewhat astounded. “But never mind that. In regards to your payment…”

Al’nehak removed the amulet from her neck and handed it over to Edward Levin. The businessman held the amulet to his eyes before pocketing it away. He rummaged through his other pockets and brought out a small coin purse.

In one hand he gave her the coin purse and shook her free hand. “Welcome aboard the Grey Goose Miss Amari. What do you think?”

“It’s actually my first time aboard an airship. I’m not sure what to expect. But if I have to describe what I am feeling right now, perhaps it is best to say that it is a mix of apprehension and curiosity?”

“So this is your maiden voyage!” Edward exclaimed, “The Grey Goose is no pleasure cruise but she is quite serviceable. Come, allow me to show you your room.”

They began their descent down the stairs into the crew’s living quarters when Al’nehak suddenly spoke up, “Do you have a map of the world Edward?”

“Of course I do. An entire collection in fact. You want to take a glance at it?”

“Yes. Yes, that would be lovely.”

“Very well then. But first, your room.”

Edward opened the door. Al’nehak stepped in and took a cursory glance at the cabin. A single unlit oil lamp was situated atop a table. Edward went over to the lamp and turned a dial, lighting up the room. The other occupants were not present. A small but dusty mirror hanged on the wall. A bunk bed was crammed into a corner and in the other corner was a simple room divider. Al’nehak made her way there and pulled the room divider away. There was only a simple bed in front of her.

“Well as you can see, we don’t get too much light here. Unfortunately, given the circumstances this is the best we can accommodate you in such short notice. I hope there is no problem here?”

“No. This is enough. It’s actually better than what I am used to. You said this trip would last about 4 days?”

“Yes, there will be stops along the way. We do have a schedule to follow.” Edward checked his watch and snapped his fingers together rather promptly. “Goodness look at the time. We are running slightly behind schedule. This ship needs to get off the ground. I’ll come back for you later.”

Edward left the room in a hurry, closing the door behind him. Al’nehak sat down on a chair and leaned forward on the table, staring intently at the wick of the flame inside the lamp. “He’s not such a bad fellow. I should take back that amulet. It would be pretty bad if it were to activate. Ah, I wonder how much the world has changed. Is 432 years enough time for the lands I desecrated to heal? I doubt that.” she mused.

The sudden lurching of the airship startled Al’nehak briefly. That feeling quickly turned to a giddy and joyous feeling when she realized what it signaled. The engines roared to life and she felt the ground tremble violently. Al’nehak bolted out of the room and climbed up the stairs. “Soon, soon I’ll be in the air,” she thought happily to herself.

On the deck she looked out one of the windows. She grabbed a railing, her hands sweating in anticipation. The Grey Goose was off the ground and Al’nehak could only watch in awe as the ship began its ascent. She the town in its full glory. It was much larger than she had anticipated. Everything looked so small! The airship turned and Al’nehak stumbled around. “Oof! It’s going to take some time getting used to this.

Now the southern end of the island came to view, the part of the island that was still largely uninhabited. There was the cliffs she saw earlier yesterday and further still along the coast was the familiar bend that marked the cove she called home. “There is home,” she remarked sadly, instinctively moving her hand over her heart as she once again felt that dull, dull pain.

As the view of the island became smaller and smaller until she could no longer see it, Al’nehak simply bowed her head and walked away from the window. 

[A short time later after taking flight]

“Miss Amari! I see you are in good spirits! How do you feel?” asked Edward.

“Enjoyable. I can see why so many people covet the freedom that is the sky. It’s quite spectacular,” she replied honestly

“Yes it is. It’s an unforgettable feeling when you first feel the wind coursing behind you. That’s a safety violation nowadays. Ahem, you wanted to look at some maps?”

“That I do.”

“Then please, follow me.”

They arrived at the captain’s cabin. Edward pointed to another door. “Behind that door is a lounge. Wait there. I’ll bring you the map.”

Al’nehak nodded and stepped into the lounge. It was a small and simple room with only a table and four chairs as its distinguishing feature. Unremarkable in every way. It was rather disappointing to say the least. She sat down and wait. Not a moment later, Edward arrived with a collection of maps and placed the pile carefully at the table.

“Here is the map of the world. Underneath that are some more detailed maps of each nation. They are up to date and made by some of the best cartographers in all of the land!”

“Thank you. Can you show me where the island was?”

“It’s over here.”

Al’nehak eyes widened. How far did she wash out? If it weren’t for her surgically enhanced body, there was no way she would’ve stayed alive to wash onto the island’s shores. Her eyes looked for Pila on the map and she found it.

“Pila, Profaned City,” she muttered under breath. “I see my handiwork is still there,” she thought to herself. Perverting the city was something she now regretted but she still felt some twisted pride that her work has lasted this long. One day, she would travel to Pila. She glanced at the scale on the map and did a quick mental estimation of the distance from Pila to Lyrcel. Several thousand leagues. It was a miracle she was even alive at that point.

“Miss Amari, I see that you want some time alone. I will leave you to your devices. I only ask that when you are done, you leave these maps here in pristine condition.”

“Of course, it would be rude not to.”

“Then take care,” Edward said, heading for the door.

“Wait a moment,” Al’nehak blurted out. “There’s one thing that’s been on my mind. You’ve been very kind and helpful to me Mr. Levin since I’ve come aboard. You could have just taken my payment and ignored me for the rest of the trip but you’ve been very accommodating. Is there a reason for it?”

Edward paused, his hand still in the process of turning the door knob. “If you truly must know Miss Amari, I simply find you to be an intriguing character that has piqued my interest. I won’t pry into your personal matters though and I will leave it at that. Now then, I really must go.” Edward opened the door and left, letting the door behind him gently shut itself. 

“You are wise in that regard Edward. Learning the truth about me wouldn’t end well for you,” she thought to herself. “Now, let’s see how much the world has changed.”

She looked at Zidel first. Compared to her time, the nation’s borders did shrink over the centuries. The capital city was still in the same location as always. Her eyes scanned for her hometown. Nothing. Of course, 4 centuries would probably do that to a small town. Any hope of meeting her relatives today would probably be slim to none.

She frowned in disgust, suddenly reminded that the magi-nation was ruled by a council of stubborn old men. They were stubborn old fools, but they were knowledgeable old fools. No doubt the council of her time had written down detailed records of her exploits to inform future generations. She sighed. She did not exactly hide her face during those tumultuous times so there was a chance the councilors had accurately drew her portrait. 

Not that it really mattered in the grand scheme of things. How often would people recognize someone that should be dead by all accounts? Four centuries should be enough time. 

She took a look at the world map. Illisk, Zidel, and Vraweth. They were still all present after all this time. She didn’t have too much of an opinion of Illisk, having never set foot in that country. except that their warriors made for some really great frontliner, doubly so in death. As for Vraweth, she felt an even stronger hatred flare from within, stronger than her hatred of the council. Her fingers traced the scar on her chest that was inflicted by the Vrawethen queen. That damned queen, curses upon her name for instigating a war and inflicting the scar on her. She’d love nothing more than to desecrate her grave, end the current Pendragon line and defile their people. 

Al’nehak shook her head. It was too early to think of such things. Why was she thinking of such horrid things? Such dark thoughts reminded her of something else more terrifying. Where was it now?

Learning the about the world should come first. Besides, it would be wrong to assume the current nations were the same ones she knew before. But what to do? She looked at the world map again and found her eyes wandering to the great trade city of Bervenia. An image suddenly flashed in her mind. An image of a city she did not know or visited before.

“Bervenia…” she uttered.

She looked at the map once more. Their final destination was Ryhad. Automatically, her eyes traced a path from Ryhad to Bervenia as if she had already knew how to get there. Astounded, Al’nehak could only stare at the map, wondering what was going on.

“How do I know of this place?” she wondered. “Is someone or something trying to tell me to go there? But then what?” Al’nehak carefully weighed her options. She knew next to nothing about this new world and even less was her purpose for coming back. Perhaps there would be answers at Bervenia. But what if she struck it out on her own? Yet this nagging feeling-!

“Blast it, I’ll trust this gut feeling of mine. I’ll head to Bervenia once I arrive in Ryhad. I can learn more about that place and this world by asking the crew. Yea, that’s what I should do right now.”

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