“Dear Aryana, Aileen, Moira, Tristan, Galen

  There are so many things I want to say, so many stories to tell. But hi, I hope this letter finds you well. I’m sorry that I never got in contact for all those years, I’m sorry that I couldn’t find a way, I’m sorry that we never got to properly say goodbye. I remember all of you so fondly. I hope all of you are well and that everything is going good for you. I know it’s been years, but I can hope, right? Well, as for me, Ma keeps me busy on the farm most of the days so only recently did I get a chance to practice writing. We’re doing fine, by the way, got a small farm and everything just outside a place called Arteria by some farmsteads. It’s by the water and next to a huge city! Anyways… ”

  - Crumpled Unsent Letter, Signed by Sarka Rafn (Formerly Frostfyre)

  The Audentes creaked and groaned under the vicious waves, the ship cresting each wave before landing with a heavy crash agains the water. The seas cried out for blood, the turbulent storm having enveloped almost the entire coastline in its suffocating embrace. Sailors scrambled too and fro, each man performing a critical function to keep the vessel functional. By the helm, the captain barked his orders, the man’s keen gaze having kept the vessel coursing forward inspite of the weather. Like a knife cutting through fog, they surged ever onward, unstoppable.

  Sophie barely flinched as another wave crashed against the side of the ship, the water and rain soaking her so thoroughly that it even seeped into her bones. She gripped the railing of the ship with a rigid certainty, Mila had seen the void. She shook her head, no, she was there with me. She sucked in a deep breath, the salty, humid almost slimy sea air entered her lungs. She let it back out, expelling it back into the world, another puff of air agains the storm that clawed at them oppressively.

  She sighed. The past few days had been a whirlwind, trapped inside the ship due to the storm. A claustrophobic and thoroughly monotonous experience. Thankfully, Elaria’s unceasing creatively meant the bard kept morale high for both the sailors and the party. It helped that her attendant, the dark elf Raylani, was equal parts exotic and alluring for the crew. Lucinia the former Traxian princess was their opposite, absolutely despondent and likely regretting ever agreeing to such a treacherous voyage. The ex-princess looking paler by the day.

  The last member of her team was Mila. She had mostly been confined to her cabin between bouts of seasickness and stomach pains. What haunted Sophie though, was the lack of words traded between them. The stale silence weighing more heavily on her mind than anything else.

  Mila had been stricken by seasickness even when the journey began, let alone when they got closer to the rougher waves of the storm. They had been travelling with their soon to be guides in Gratia under Arnold’s leadership when one of their healers cast a calming spell on Mila to ease her journey. Unfortunately, Sophie’s presence seemed to turn what was meant to be a pleasant dream into a horrifying nightmare. One that needed her to meddle with the mind, an act she herself feared.

  The two had seen each other’s secrets, the memories they had both hidden from the world. And Mila even saw It, just as It saw her. And she said nothing to Sophie. Only a mournful silence whenever their gazes met.

  That was the worst of it all. She wanted to know what her friend thought. Whether or not she would still trust her. If Mila now saw her as the monster she really was.

  It didn’t help that her mind was much like the storm itself. A chaotic whirlwind of thoughts and worries, each and every one of them kept her tossing and turning at night. The unceasing barrage only briefly relented in the face of the physical storm. The screeches that haunted her mind drowned out by the raging waves around her.

  Her anxiety was only exacerbated whenever her thoughts turned to that of Aryana, and they often wandered there. She could feel it in her gut, the growing sensation that something had happened and that Ary needed her. She wanted to leap off the ship, swim to shore and go back. But Ary had assured her that with Sophia, Sigrid, and Hanabi with her, they would be fine. Still, she just knew in her heart that something had gone wrong.

  She was too far to reach Sophia through the mind. On sea with no way to send a message to Sigrid the mermaid, an irony that irked her even more. She could only feel what she felt in the moment, and the uncertainty she felt did not bode well for her doubts.

  Her knuckles whitened from the immense effort of keeping her upright. Another splash from a wave offered her what little relief it could provide by tearing her away from her thoughts. The cold swell granted a momentary reprieve in the form of a shiver.

  “Sophie! You're an idiot!” A familiar voice called out.

  Sophie turned to find Lucinia poking her head out from the companionway, an annoyed scowl on her face.

  “You’ll get sick from all the damned exposure!” The traxian continued.

  Sophie just arched an eyebrow, wondering what the point of her statements were.

  Seeing that not only did she not get a response, but that Sophie remained standing still. The girl pointed below deck.

  “Elaria! Downstairs!” She shouted.

  Now, the message was clear. Given permission to remove herself from her doubts and contemplations, she finally let go of the rail, the insides of her palm red from friction and exertion. A few of the crew muttered unkind words about her, but she cared not. They saw the group as strangers and odd fellows, passengers on the vessel for the voyage. But Sophie most of all. After all, she was the crazy elven witch who stood on the edge of the ship during the storm. The one who stared mutely into the cold, dark ocean as the waves continued to batter them.

  Getting back inside the ship, she only now realized how soaked she was. Lucinia looked at her with a mixture of disdain and disgust, the traxian shocked by how uncaring Sophie had been of her health. With a disparaging tut, Lucinia led the way down into the cabins. A few sailors tended to the insides of the ship, most of them paying little heed to the duo.

  Down in the depths of the ship, the party had been relatively undisturbed. The most they had to contend with were questions directed towards Elaria and Raylani. The bardic performances have been a popular addition to the ship. Sophie smiled, it was nice that the two have found their groove in the world.

  The only real annoyance had been Arnold’s constant questions here and there about the party. The rogue disguised it as mainly curiosity about those that would follow him to Gratia. But Sophie could tell that he was trying to assess them, to determine what dangers they posed and what kind of people they were.

  “Sophie, glad you could… dear me, certainly soaked through aren’t you? Quickly now, let’s get you changed before you catch a cold. Won’t be of any use to anyone if you end up sick.” Elaria’s sing song voice reached her ears.

  Sophie could only offer an embarrassed nod, her only response to being chided by her sister. Her now burning red ears keenly picking up the scoff that escaped Lucinia’s lips at the display. Thus, she didn’t resist when Elaria began stripping her, quickly hanging up her wet garments and replacing them with a spare set.

  “Gah!” Sophie squeaked in alarm as her bottom stung.

  Elaria had betrayed her trust with an unexpected slap. Sophie glared at her sister. Lucinia had to try her best to stifle a laugh.

  “Ela!” Sophie squawked.

  “That’s for doing all your brooding on the deck, in the middle of the storm.” Elaria’s playful tone shifted to a more irritated one.

  “It… it calms me a little.” Sophie’s own confidence wilted under Elaria’s withering gaze.

  “Mmhmm,” Elaria tutted, “It might. But if you fall overboard and into the water? What then? You drown? Some good that’ll do.”

  “I know… but…”

  “But nothing. Whatever Mila might think of you, it won’t help if you went under the waves.” She chided.

  Sophie winced. The sting of truth had a certain power to them that she couldn’t outright ignore. She sighed.

  “Yeah, yeah.”

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  She threw on the new shirt and sat down with the others. A stray glance in the direction of Mila’s cabin revealed far more to Elaria than she anticipated. Elaria almost immediately scooted over to ruffle her wet hair.

  “Mila’s an inquisitor, she’s also a grown woman. Whatever happened between the two of you in the dream realm, she will handle it herself. The most you can do, hells the rest of us? The best we can do is just understand and wait. Got it?” Elaria said as she bopped her on the top of her head.

  Sophie grumbled a soft murmur of agreement. The sappy scene made Lucinia roll her eyes, though the former princess made no disparaging noise and just politely looked away. Sophie gave in and smiled, giving Elaria a hug that had the bard quickly recoil.

  “Damn, you’re still sopping wet.” She cursed and rapped Sophie on the head again.

  “Ow, hey.” Sophie whined.

  The two shared a chuckle before letting the serious atmosphere settle back in the room.

  “So? What is it? Lady Lucinia told me you needed me.” Sophie informed her sister.

  The imperial did not deign to give her any acknowledgement, an amused glint flashing across Elaria’s face. But before Sophie could question it, it disappeared just as quickly to be replaced by her borderline smugly jovial expression.

  “It appears she might’ve exaggerated the urgency of my request somewhat.” Elaria giggled, “But yes, I did want to talk to you about what happens after we make landfall.”

  “If we make landfall.” Sophie corrected.

  “Ah-ah, none of that talk here." Elaria wagged a finger, "We will make landfall. Ship seems seaworthy enough after two days of hard storming. You and Mila finally woke up yesterday too. So good omens all around one might say.” Elaria declared bopped her on the nose.

  “I don’t think that’s how the saying goes.” Lucinia grumbled to herself.

  “Does it matter? What is important is that we will reach Gratia, of that I am certain. Our problems arise when we arrive. There’s obviously whatever you and Mila experienced, I won’t ask you about it until both of you are ready to share, but will it affect us?”

  “I don’t know.” Sophie admitted.

  Elaria did not respond at first, just letting out a thoughtful grunt before standing up to pace around the room. When she finally turned back, any signs of levity had been extinguished. She regarded Sophie with a long look before nodding to herself.

  “Ela?”

  “Hmm. Unfortunate, but I suppose whatever it is that’s bothering you bothers her even more. I suppose we can only hope it’ll pan out fine.”

  “Yeah.” Sophie replied, her shoulders sagging a little.

  “Don’t worry, the fact that she hasn’t yelled at you or done much means that she’s probably processing the same things you’re going through, just at her own pace.”

  “Or that she’s just too busy retching.” Lucinia scoffed.

  The sisters turned towards her and the girl nonchalantly shrugged, though visibly retreated a little under their scrutiny.

  “What? I’ve been taking care of her, alright? She’s half puking her guts out and half too queasy to move around much. I doubt she’s had time for self reflection.”

  Hearing this, Elaria snickered a little.

  “What?” The traxian demanded.

  “Seems our little princess is becoming more crass by the day.”

  “Pah, former princess, I’ll have you remember. I have no obligation to be polite.” She smirked, then a more timid, somewhat mournful expression took over, “Not anymore, anyways.” She half whispered.

  Elaria softened her tone, “Whatever the case, we’re glad to have you with us. You are the most suited to court intrigues out of all of us.”

  “And look at where that got me?” Lucinia growled, “A hal-an elf, you, a darker elf, and a blackhat. Not exactly the royal entourage.”

  “We could be, by your command, your majesty.” Elaria joked.

  "Don't tempt me." Lucinia hissed and shot her a dirty look but failed to hide her smile. She’s getting more comfortable with us, heh, Sophie almost chuckled.

  The trio stewed for a brief moment, all three having regained their spirits somewhat.

  “How about we get back to the issue at hand, eh?” Lucinia pointed at Sophie.

  “Alright, alright. So Mila aside, the other problem is with your friends, the adventurers. Arnold and his crew.” Elaria confronted Sophie.

  “What about them?”

  “Well, I think it’s quite obvious that none of us trust them fully.”

  Sophie nodded, Lucinia too.

  “So we need a contingency plan, especially for after we arrive to meet with your friend Annalise.”

  “You think they’ll betray us?”

  Elaria shook her head, “Not exactly, I just worry that the reception we get won’t be very warm. That if we blindly follow our guides we’ll be stumbling face first into a trap instead of just walking into it.”

  “You think that lowly of Anna?” Sophie queried.

  “On the contrary, that highly that she’d let us walk in under her terms. Knowing that you’re not only curious about her wellbeing but also whatever reason she might’ve had to summon you specifically. She’s most certainly prepared something already. Best we plan for all eventualities rather than be caught off guard.”

  “Wise words, for a bard.” Lucinia muttered.

  “I have been known to have helped a great many people.” Elaria boasted.

  Sophie let out a tired sigh, agreeing with her sister’s assessment of the situation. Annalise clearly saw something in her and her sister that she’d sent Arnold halfway across the continent to guide her to Gratia. It meant that it was important enough that not only was a letter not suitable, but that Arnold was there to personally ensure that Sophie would end up in Gratia.

  Sophie frowned. Her mind now flashing back to all the times she’d spent with the ranger. How the older girl kept a brave face despite the losses they faced in Mistveil, how she had been consoled by the ranger when she had been completely overwhelmed. Her frown deepened when she brought the thoughts of her and Mila together. They’ve both seen It now. This can’t be a coincidence.

  “There’s not much we can do about her, to be honest.” Sophie finally spoke after a moment of contemplation.

  “Mmhmm, but we should stil prepare.” Her sister answered, “Any hints on how we should proceed? Everything I’ve learned about her is second hand from you and Mila. You two are the only ones who know her properly.”

  Sophie furrowed her brow, unable to think of anything on the spot. It was a difficult proposition. She had only ever seen Anna as a friend, or an estranged colleague at worst. She had never harbored any ill memories of the ranger, unlike Mila.

  She had been far less experienced back then. Less able to comprehend the chaotic happenings that so rudely disrupted her life. One in which funnily led her right back to Annalise, though both their circumstances were now markedly different.

  “We could try to appeal to her sense of justice.” She suggested, “And remind her of the good that she’s done and how she saved my life.” Sophie waited for any signs of disagreement, sensing none, she continued, “I just know... I want to hope that there’s good in her despite what we’ve heard about the chaos in Gratia.”

  “Fair enough.” Elaria grunted, the first overtly disappointed reaction she had shown the others today.

  “I’m sorry.” Sophie apologized.

  “What for?” We’re merely suggesting things here.”

  “Oh.” Sophie looked away, a little disappointed in herself, “It’s just, I can’t think of anything we could do to prepare ourselves. Mila would know best given that she’s the last one out of us who actually had contact of some sort. Aside from asking her, I don’t know how else we could do anything concrete.” She paused, her mind travelling to a darker place “Unless…”

  “Unless?” Elaria prodded.

  “We might need Mila’s advice on this, but Sara, Thulgrim, Gil. The adventurers in Arnold’s party. They died in the Mistveil. I saw their bodies. Helped Anna bury them after all was said and done. They’re different from normal undead, they are whole but not. Argh," Sophie anxiously gripped her hair, "Forget it, that’s not the point. The main is things is they got brought back.” Sophie meekly suggested, her own disgust in the idea slowly growing with every word she said.

  “I see.” Elaria let out a breath, “So they might be valuable. But they are magical entities?" Elaria looked expectantly at Sophie.

  She was torn. The possibility of destroying them made her uneasy. In theory it was possible. But to have them gone once and returned with some modicum of self awareness. She didn't know what to do. Making the calculus even harder was that they were once comrades. Reluctantly she shook her head. It was an idea of last resort, not one that they should plan around.

  Elaria shrugged, "Then I guess there's no use worrying about it now. Least of which because Mila might be key to coming up with something.”

  “Assuming the black hat doesn’t just sell us all out to the church for being heretics or something of the sort the moment we land.” Lucinia scoffed.

  I don’t think she would, she wanted to say. But, Sophie did not answer, a part of her having also worried about the same thing herself. Elaria on the other hand, just snickered, drawing the attention of the other two.

  “What is it?” Sophie asked her.

  Elaria just smirked with the same knowing glint in her eyes that she usually held. The bard that seemed to have an answer for almost everything.

  “Nothing. I suppose we must just have faith in her, hmm? In spite of everything so far, she does remain a friend.” Elaria answered with a mirthful twinkle in her eye.

  Her confidence was strangely reassuring and Sophie found herself grinning as well despite not understanding what was so funny to her. Lucinia did not understand either and did not smile or laugh. But she was placated enough. Sophie could practically read her thoughts by the lack of expression. As long as we seem certain, then she sees no problem with anything. It seems Ela already understood this.

  “Have faith.” Sophie murmured, the words feeling almost alien in her mouth. Her mind was too cluttered, but she nodded in affirmation for her sister.

  “Have faith in Mila.” She repeated the phrase, to herself and Lucinia. Though she wasn’t certain which one she was trying to convince.