The King Trials 2: Beyond.

~The Calm Before The Storm~

The Storm Voyager in all of its glory. Perched at the brink of Yellowcliff.

The mainmast and foremast are rigged with square sails and the mizzenmast fitted with a fore-and-aft triangular lateen sail. The topsails are hung above the courses on the mainmast and foremast. With a majestic background that spans infinitely. A bed of clouds just beyond the cliffs that expands from horizon to horizon. Sunlight emblazing everything in sight with a fiery glow.

But at the far end, straining my eye, a smudge of black can be seen. Like a stria that marks the looming boundary. For darkness is always near.

The moment we board the Storm Voyager, a familiar sailor comes by to retrieve my belongings, and another comes to relieve Primus Kelan of his. A streak of blue rushes at me; I stumble a step back as a pair of gaunt arms wrap around my waist. I respond appropriately, holding Mackie close to me. My elation balloons, but the constant reminder of Kelan's dark, lasting truth punctures it mid-growth.

"Macks, unhand the Hera," Schwick reproaches, nervously musing his hair.

I sink to a squat. Now Mackie is a head and a half taller than me. "You have grown," I say with quiet admiration. My eyes follow the tangle of brown curls peeking out his little blue hat. Dressed warmly with a vest worn over his long-sleeved garment.

Though it has been almost an entire cycle. It feels as if a whole lifetime has passed since I have seen him, a different time, a different Aurora.

"En ya look different," he remarks. His gaze falls with my tresses. "I mean ye hair, it's as black as night."

I force a smile. "And your tongue is still as sharp as a blade."

My finger pokes his nose, and he giggles angelically, offering me a slither of solace.

I rise, smiling softly at Schwick.

"Good to see ya in one piece." His neck reddening. "Though I thought the next time I was to hear about ya, was you being named High Queen and all."

No, my dear Schwick, you see what has happened is that the whole King Trials is an illusion. A charade that the Emikrol Empire created as a diversion. A wickedly astute strategy to inspire further anarchy in our realm, all so they can remedy something they thought ill.

"Hera Aurora," Captain Devwar announces. I have missed that sonorous voice of his, as loud as bottled thunder. He strides towards us with an assertive gait, his long coat billowing. "You can only imagine my surprise when I was making plans to set sail for the Prime. Just to receive urgent word from a candidate meant to be occupied by the King Trials."

"I know and I thank you for your compliance. I would have not called upon you if it was not urgent."

"I gathered by your vague mention of a threat to the realm's security."

He gives me a yellowy smile before he turns and heads for the peak of the balcony at the upper deck. Gripping the railing, he roars his orders to the aircrew and all below are quick to react, scampering in a focused frenzy to ready themselves at their stations.

He returns to us and flicks a semi-crude look at Kelan. "You brought an Avangard soldier with you?"

"Primus," Kelan corrects icily. "And if you do not mind, I would prefer if we did not linger. We need to embark now."

Devwar responds to him with a scathing, once-over before turning his gaze on me. "We can discuss this more in my map room." He spins around. "Schwick, follow."

Together we make the brief walk to the berthing, an enclosed space protruding from the level of the ship's deck. The inside is surprisingly neat and warm, with a succession of paned windows on the hemispherical part of the room with a cushioned bench parked against it. The room is occupied by another, the Second Officer. I remember him. A reserved being, reticent in regards to any form of social interaction. I often forget his existence. Devwar values his skills for being an expert navigator and his value of being painstakingly loyal.