A small fire was quietly going inside a small cave. An old woman hobbled towards the flame which was beginning to die. “This is the last time I do this,” exasperated Wuterma. “How’s a hermit live by herself when you gots folks falling from the sky?” She threw another log into the fire. She looked over at the bed where a man layed. He had been sleeping for three days now. She went over to him and checked on the wounds she patched up. “That recipe never fails to amaze me. You came here looking like a carved cowlin on a dinner table. I hope you appreciate this, being asleep and all…” She covered him back up and went outside for a while.

The man began to twitch and move. He opened his eyes and realized that he did not recognize where he was. He attempted to get out of bed but his body hurt so much. He groaned as he attempted to move his arm. Wuterma walked back in, pipe in hand. “Ahh, you’re finally awake. Took ya long enough.” The man looked at the old woman. She was small in stature and had long grey hair that went in no particular direction. He skin showed her age. She seemed to be in her 90′s or so.

His throat hurt trying to speak. “Wh.. where am I?” questioned the man. “You’re in my house. Don’t speak yet. That gash across your neck just barely healed.” Wuterma went over to the man and helped him lie back down. “You need to gather your strength first before you go anywhere or you’ll end up back here.” She went over to the fire, where she put a pot to boil. She grabbed the ladle hanging next to it and dipped it in the pot’s contents. She pulled it out and took a sip. “Hmm. Just right.” She went and grabbed a nearby bowl and filled it with the soupy substance in the pot. She walked back to the man and put the bowl down next to the bed. She helped the man sit up and grabbed the bowl for him. “Now say ahh, and I don’t wanna hear any whinin’” He winced as the soup passed his taste buds. It was horrible. It tasted like salted manure. “Now, now. It isn’t that bad. Its only my special blend of cowlin gizzards and pork bits. It’ll put hair on your chest and help you back on your feet in no time.”

As bad as it tasted, she was right. He felt a little better with every spoonful. Once the soup was finished, Wuterma helped the man back down and covered him back up. “Now you go right to sleep and I’ll be back soon. I have to the nearest town and get more supplies. You done cleared me out.” His eyes felt heavy and he quickly went back to sleep. The old woman grabbed her cane and coat and went outside. “And don’t take nothing or I’ll comes after ya!”

***

Mutura walked through the empty halls of Sky Fortress. Not a soul was seen as she walked to the Emperor’s chamber. Glancing out the window she notices the lightning striking the ground feverishly. That meant something did not go as planned and the Emperor was not happy, more the reason why she was summoned. Mutura’s usual assignment was to clean up whatever was done, whether it is from the damned Magi or from the creepy puppeteer. Why the Emperor had not hanged them by now was beyond her grasp of understanding; mostly because you did not question the Emperor’s motives. The last General was fried to crisp where he stood. That sent chills down even her.

She approached the chamber doors. These doors had a strange feel to them, almost as though they were alive. They can sense if one was near and who it was. It acted like a secretary in a large office. If you didn’t have an appointment, the doors would not respond to your presence. Mutura approached the doors and they groaned, and then opened slowly. Once the doors opened fully, she walked in, stopped halfway, kneeled, and bowed her head. “You summoned me, my Emperor?” A voice as dark and painful as the depths of hell spoke from within the darkness. “One of your commanders botched an attempt at crossing the barrier. He not only lost his airships in the attempt, but some of my invaluable magis!” His eyes shone though the darkness in a blood red color like two floating rubies in a moonless night. “He is lucky that he got himself killed or else I would have given him a punishment worse than death.” “I understand,” spoke Mutura. “I shall ensure that such a blunder never happens again.” The eyes narrowed. “It had better, or else, you will join Jutera.” The image was still fresh in her mind as though it happened yesterday. General Jutera’s blood curdling scream still echoed throughout her. “Yes sir.” “You are dismissed.” Mutura stood with her head down, turned around, and walked out the doors.

A figure loomed out of the shadows; his slender body moving in an almost snakelike manner. It looked on as General Mutura left the room. “Do you wish that I go and keep an eye on her, your majesty?” hissed the man. “No. Leave her be. She will fulfill her purpose soon,” growled the Emperor. “Besides, she knows the penalty for treason, as do you, Xerod…” Xerod’s smirk quickly left and decided it was best for him to return to the shadows.

Mutura had walked to the warship docking bay of the fortress and entered the commander’s chambers. Inside where the surviving commanders that had been able to walk away from the incident. “Sit. Now!” The commanders realized that she was not in a good mood, not that she ever seemed to be in one. She walked over to her desk and stood behind it. “Do you know why I am standing here staring at you two?” One of the commanders stood up and spoke. “We did not accomplish our mission and you were reprimanded of the situation…” Mutura shot a cold stare at the commander where we took his cue to sit quickly. “The Emperor has just notified me of this ‘disaster’ that befell some of my best warships. Yet, you two are the only ones left alive. No, I did not get reprimanded, I got an order. You both are to be taken to the gallows at dawn.” The faces of the commanders quickly turned to terror. They began to quiver and break down. “I have no use for commanders who are not willing to give their lives for the empire.” She walked over to the door and opened it. “Guards!” 3 guards that had been patiently waiting outside came up and saluted. “Take these two to the dungeon. Prepare them for the gallows. No last meal.” “Yes, ma’am,” responded the guards as they came in, apprehended the two former commanders, and began walking them out. “Jutera would have never stood for this,” said one of the prisoners. Intense rage enveloped Mutura as she walked up to him and slapped him across the face. “NEVER mention that name in front of me again!” She walked back into her office and slammed the door, paced around for a while, then sat at her desk. She laid her head on her hands and let out a shudder. She hated doing that. No matter how many times she was ordered to do so, it never felt any better. “If only you were still alive,” she sighed. “Why did you have to die…?” She began to cry.

***

“No, no, no… You are doing it all wrong.” Wuterma got up out of her chair and walked over to the man. “You are supposed to cut it from top to bottom.” The man had felt better and decided he would repay the woman for her help. He was attempting to cut wood for the stove. “I’m sorry. I’m not used to it. I’ll get it right,” said the man. “Well, I appreciate the help that you’ve given this old woman, Azerias.” The woman walked back to her chair just as Azerias lifted the axe above his head. This time he hit perfectly and split the wood in three nice pieces, rather than in a million smaller pieces. Time had gone on and the old woman had begun to enjoy Azerias’s company. But she knew one day he would have to leave and continue on his journey to wherever he had to be.

The wounds on Azerias’s body had cured pretty quickly. Miraculously, there were no scars left on his body. “Thank you again for the treatment, ma’am,” said Azerias. “Stop calling me ma’am. I don’t like it. I told you to call me Wuterma.” “Yes, ma… umm… Wuterma.” Wuterma looked over and made sure that he had all his things. “No you remember where the nearest town is, right?” Azerias pulled out the handwritten map that he made from Wuterma’s explanation. “Yes, I do.” “Good. And find yourself a blacksmith to help fix that rusted sword of yours. Now, you be on your way.” Azerias turned and began walking out the door. He sounded like a wind chime with all the things he was given. He had pots, pans, silverware, and other metal stuff that Wuterma gave him for his journey. She said that he would not survive the journey through the desert without proper provisions. So she donated a lot of her old stuff to him. He graciously accepted them and had packed his backpack tight.

Azerias hoped that he did not pass out on the way to the town like he did when he wandered through the desert. Things were strange to him here. Something did not feel right. All he felt was the overwhelming urge to find his way home. But he did not know where he was. He never knew that a large desert had existed in the world. But what most made him worry was he could not remember much about why he was out here or why he had so many cuts and bruises, and why did he have a rusty sword? Those questions, he thought, would come to him in time. Maybe he would remember later on when he was all better. Although it has been a month and a half since he arrived, he still does not know why.

Darkness began to fall and the twin suns were setting in the west. The sky was a dark shade of lavender because the crimson sun had set, leaving the azure sun behind. The moons of Trelidor could be seen in the night sky. This must be the transitionary year for them, thought Azerias. Legend has it that the moons were once part of his planet and Trelidor, the neighboring planet, loved them so much he became jealous. So, every 200 years, Trelidor would come and steal them until he got bored with them 100 years later. Azerias set up his bedroll, laid down, and stared at the night sky. The stars had a hypnotic effect to them and Azerias was quickly asleep.

***

“Quickly, child! We must go!” There was movement inside the little cottage just outside of town. An old man had been running around the past five minutes trying to pack as much as he could. His daughter had woken up because of the commotion. “Father, what’s going on,” asked Eliana. “The empire is on their way to this town! We must leave now!” Barbano may have looked like he was in his hundreds, but in fact was only seventy, yet he moved like a twenty year old. Eliana went back to her room and changed into her robes. She began packing all her books and scrolls. “Are you sure this time? Last time you said the Empire was coming, they didn’t.” “I know they are coming. I got a note from an old friend who said they were on their way to this town. We can’t let them find us here,” said Barbano. They got everything packed and began to put out all the lights in the cottage. They left quietly in the dark and headed east for the nearby forest. “Once we get past the forest, we will be at the desert of Keremias. We will rest at the forest’s edge.”

As they left, the sound of propellers could be heard above. The Imperial Warships had arrived and the troops began rappelling off the ships. Once on the ground they began to barge in every house and cottage in the area. The troops woke up the entire town and began pillaging the area. The commander of the troops grabbed his Majicom and touched the mirror. The face that shone changed from his to that of Hazer, the High Magi of the Azure Order. “Sir, we did not find any Magi in the area. We are proceeding with the plan as commanded.” Hazer looked upon the commander and spoke, “Drat. We need to find those Crimson Mages. We will need to search more towns and that nearby forest. Burn it down when you are done commander.” The image reverted back to the commander’s reflection. “Yes, sir.”

Barbano slowed down and looked behind him. “Oh, no. That poor town.” The fire could be seen at a distance as it began to burn to the ground. “Come on, let’s continue our journey.” Barbano and Eliana continued on their way through the forest. It would be a day’s travel before they reached the desert. They were used to the running ever since the crimson order had been deemed treasonous and ordered disbanded. There are very few left since the Azure Order was tasked with the elimination of any suspected Crimson Order Mages. Barbano had been on the run for years and had only his daughter for company. He had taught the ways of the mages so that she could protect herself and those who needed help.

Eliana was by this time in her mid twenties and had known Barbano most of her life. She was an average spell caster and could successfully cast any number of medium level spells. She was studying the art of summoning when before they left the cottage. Her skills weren’t the greatest, but she could summon the easy creatures without too much of a problem. Barbano though was a master of the art of Majik. Although he stayed away from the art of summoning, he was very adept at his skills. He could summon any number of creatures, only he would not do so. He believed that relying on the summons would make the wonder and the art of majik useless and pointless.

Eliana was fond of her father and the seriousness he took whenever majik was involved. He never let a task go undone and always helped where it was needed; whether it is from helping farmers with supplying a bit of rain, to those who needed warmth by supplying fire. Her only hope was to become a great Magi like her father. Although being a Magi during these turbulent times meant you where either part of the Azure Order or being sought after for death. She also hoped that one day she could help in vanquishing the dark evil that surrounded Sky Fortress and free the land of the empire’s oppressive rule.

Morning came almost suddenly as the suns broke through the horizon. Barbano became tired and slowed down. “Eliana, I think its time we got some rest.” Eliana also slowed and stopped near the tree that Barbano was beginning to sit at. “I’ll make some food, father,” said Eliana as she began to wave her hands in front of her. Barbano lifted his hands. “No. Don’t use majik. The forest may have spies. I packed rations for us. Grab my bag.” Eliana put her hands down and went over to Barbano’s bag and began sifting through it. She pulled out a couple of packages of food. One had corned cowlin from the night before, another had salted pork, and another had bread. She tore of a piece of bread and handed it to her father, and gave him a piece of the corned cowlin. They sat and ate for a while and caught their breaths under the shade of the trees. “I’m sorry I have to drag you through all this, dear. It was not my intention,” Barbano said apologetically. “It’s alright father. I would rather be with you than be wondering if you are alright.” Barbano smiled and motioned for Eliana to give him a hug. Eliana went and sat next to her father and hugged him. They sat there, and while holding each other, Eliana fell asleep. Barbano put his head on Eliana’s and fell asleep as well.

They had woken up when the suns where right above them. They packed up everything and began to head east again. The arrived at the edge of the forest that evening and began walking north. There was a town there that proved to be a safe haven many times before. They stopped at the shops and collected more supplies and headed towards the inn. The innkeeper allowed them to stay and Eliana went to her room and took a warm bath. She laid there and closed her eyes as memories of better times began to manifest themselves. She wished that the Emperor had not called them traitors and made them suffer through the whole ordeal. She got out of the bath, dried herself off, and put on her robes again. She wanted to see if her father wanted to go down and get a meal. She opened her door and as she walked out bumped into a man that was walking through the hallway. “Oh, excuse me, ma’am.” The man had auburn hair and was of a little taller than her. She felt embarrassed to have bumped into him. “No, sir. Pardon me,” said Eliana, and she headed towards her father’s room. She looked over her shoulder as she walked away and saw the man walk off. She wondered who that man was just as she arrived to her father’s room. She knocked on the door a few times and heard her father speak through the door. “It’s me father.” The door opened and Barbano was still in his robes. “I was wondering if you wanted to come with me downstairs for a meal.”  Barbano said, “I’m sorry. I’m not hungry right now. Why don’t you go and get yourself something nice to eat.”

She walked downstairs and headed toward the eating area. As she sat down, one of the maidens came up and asked her if she was going to order any food. “Yes, I wish to see a menu please,” replied Eliana. The maiden went and retrieved the menu from behind the bar and handed to Eliana. As she looked at the menu, she noticed the man that had bumped into her in the hallway. She motion for the maiden to come over. “Who is that man over there?” Eliana asked. “Oh him? He came from out of town. He just arrived right after you did.” Eliana decided to go over and meet him. She got up from the table and walked over to him and introduced herself. “Hello, my name is Eliana. We bumped into each other upstairs.” “Oh yes, I remember. My name is Azerias. Pleasure to meet you. Please, sit?” She sat down at his table and the maiden came over and asked for her order. She ordered her meal and the maiden left. “I see you ordered what I did. What a coincidence,” said Azerias. “It’s my favorite. Although, I never had it here.” “Oh, it’s good,” said Eliana. “They prepare it fresh.” They sat down and conversed for a while as they ate.

“So, where are you from,” asked Azerias. “Everywhere, you could say,” replied Eliana. “I’ve been traveling with my father since I was little. And where are you from.” Azerias looked down at his plate. “You probably won’t believe me if I told you.” “Try me,” said Eliana. Azerias looked up and met gazes with Eliana. They both shied away from each other’s gaze.  “I’m from the town of Keremias. Last that I remember, I was in a battle and now, I’m here. Although, I don’t know where here is exactly.” “Keremias,” questioned Eliana. “The only Keremias I know is the desert to the east of the town.” “That’s the same response I have been getting since I came here,” sighed Azerias. “I wish that I knew where I was.” Eliana began to think. “You know, maybe my father might know something about your town. He knows a lot of the world and maybe he knows where your town is.” Azerias looked up again and gave a smile to Eliana. “You think he will be able to help?” “Yes, I’m sure of it,” assured Eliana.

After their meal, they stood up and headed toward the rooms. They got to Barbano’s room and just as she was about to knock, she heard a loud snore. “I think its best we not disturb him,” said Azerias. “Well, he has had a long day,” replied Eliana. “We’ll ask him in the morning. That way he can tell you everything you need to know.” “Well, then I guess I will turn in for the night myself.” Azerias grabbed Eliana’s hand and gave it a kiss. “I will see you tomorrow, I hope?” Eliana cheeks blushed. “I will see you tomorrow.” She stood on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. “Good night, Azerias.” “Good night, Eliana,” replied Azerias as he walked toward his room. Eliana walked into her room and closed the door. She stood there holding her hand. She never felt that way for anyone before. She changed into her nightgown and climbed into bed. She was going to have sweet dreams tonight.