Amara and Ky were in a small ship on their way to Eshelon. Ky wanted to stop there to get the silver he had been saving from his recent ventures. He knew they’d probably need food and supplies so it was best to have it. Amara was at the controls steering the ship while Ky sat silently staring at the bracelet he had around his wrist. He glanced over at the matching bracelet around Amara’s wrist and sighed. It wasn’t the binding vow but apparently if they strayed too far from each other it would give them a shock. Syndra had given them an inventory pouch filled with potions, weapons and other tools they would need in case of a battle. He knew he’d be a hindrance to Amara if they did have to fight but he was prepared no matter what. He looked out the window and began to think about Saria. He had asked Syndra to return the necklace to her so she’d know he was alive. Unfortunately, despite Amara’s advice he couldn’t find the courage to go and see her. He figured he needed more time to process everything he had recently learned. 

        It didn't take long for them to reach the out region. Ky looked out of the window to see a horrifying sight. His village had been destroyed and it was burning to the ground. Once they landed outside the village Ky bolted out of the ship and ran to the village. He found bodies scattered everywhere and nothing was left unscathed: buildings wer split in half or had been blown away. Ky walked through the streets feeling his heart slowly breaking as he began to find the bodies of the children he often tried to help feed. So many innocent lives had been mercilessly murdered while he was away. He knelt down beside a little girl who had a small hole in the area of where her heart was. Gently, he brushed her hair away from her face as he looked at her sadly. A feeling of guilt began to well up inside him for he wished he had done more to keep the kids safe. His mind began to be flooded with images of the lifeless expressions of his younger siblings. As he felt a tear falling from his right eye he felt a hand on his shoulder. He quickly wiped the tear from his face as he glanced up at Amara who looked at him with a regretful look on her face.

    "I'm sorry about your village but we can't stay here long. From the looks of it this was recent as in not long before we arrived. We can't waste too much time so we need to get to Cruuxford." Amara said in a serious tone but there was still a hint of sadness in her own voice. Ky nodded as he stood to his feet and brushed the dirt of his pants. 

     "If my place is still intact I'll have some silver we can take with us for our journey." Ky said as Amara nodded in agreement. They walked through the village in silence until they arrived at Ky's shack of a house. Everything he had was burned to the ground leaving nothing left besides ash and rubble. Ky sighed in defeat as he turned toward Amara who looked at him silently.

    "We best keep going before the knights come strolling in to investigate." Amara said as she began heading back to where the ship landed.

    "This is the outer region...no one cares about what happens out here." Ky said as he turned and started walking down the road that was shrouded with smoke from the dying flames."Bydownward and a gust of wind sailed toward Vesryn. Without any effort, Vesryn opened a portal and stepped through. The area where he once stood froze as Ky looked surprised. He swiftly turned in time to block the spear with his sword but was easily pushed back by Vesryn’s momentum. 

     “You’re supposed to be a knight, sworn to protect not only the royal family but the people of Astria. How could you kill so many innocent people?” Ky grunted as he maneuvered to the right causing Vesryn to fall forward. Ky swung the sword at Vesryn’s neck but missed. The ground froze over and caught Vesryn’s leg.     

       “Syndra chose to banish me so I’m no longer obligated to waste my power on you scum!” Vesryn replied as he spun his spear before stopping its motion. A swift thrust of his weapon managed to graze Ky’s shoulder. Ky winced in pain as swung the sword again but missed. His strikes were easily freezing the ground but unable to hit Vesryn.

    “Did you get your pride hurt so bad that you cast aside all morals and dignity?” Ky questioned as he leaped in the air and swung the sword again. Vesryn side stepped him and swung his spear. Ky tried to block with his arm but was struck with immense force. The strike sent him crashing across the street. Ky grunted in pain as he struggled to get up. He looked up to the tip of Vesryn’s spear mere inches away from his face. Before it could strike him he felt himself sinking into the ground. He was surprised as he looked down to see a portal on the ground. It felt like he was being submerged.into water as he went in.Vesryn stood surprised before his expression changed to anger. After a moment he looked down to see a cube shaped artifact glowing. 

      “That fucking…” He started to say before chains erupted from the cube. He tried to struggle but was unable to get free. It wasn’t  long before the cube expanded in size and he was pulled into it.

      Ky finally saw light again as he emerged from the watery substance. He looked around to see Amara beside him breathing heavily. 

       “summoning magic...didn't expect to be saved by that.” Ky muttered. Amara looked at him silently. “Thanks.” Ky said as he fell to the ground. He looked at the sword before looking up at the sky. “Don’t ever let me fight that guy again.” Ky mumbled causing Amara to chuckle. 

       “You went straight at him and didn’t even try to use magic. I know you said you can’t right now because of your injuries but that was reckless, mate.” Amara said as she began looking around. They were in a forest that Ky began to recognize as being just outside of Eshelon. It was clear Amara went a great distance to get away. They would now have to move on foot since the ship had been destroyed.

       “I'm told I can be reckless at times. Anyway, we better get going before he finds us.” Ky said as he staggered to his feet. 

        “I left him a present before I saved your life so we should be fine for a while.” She responded with a lack of confidence as she followed behind Ky. “I probably should contact Syndra to let her know our situation.” Amara muttered as she stuck her hand in the inventory pouch. She withdrew a sphere shaped object from the pouch that began to glow. Amara ordered it to contact princess Syndra and moments went by before her voice was heard. 

    “Didn’t expect you to call so early…” Syndra pounded slightly concerned from the tone of her voice. 

   “Well our ship was destroyed by a former Royal knight. We’re currently on foot so things might take longer than you desired.” Amara said vexingly as she heard Syndra sigh with frustration. “He also destroyed Ky’s village so you might want to handle that before your people begin to worry.” Amara said as she glanced over at Ky who was walking silently ahead of her. It was then she noticed he was limping. Had he been limping all this time? She wasn’t sure but it was clear he wasn’t fully recovered from whatever happened to him before they met. 

    “I’ll have Vesryn’s head…since you called I wanted to ask you something. You informed the queen that the plebeian king helped this tartarean named Azok, is that true?” Syndra questioned with a worried tone in her voice. 

      “King Asha made a deal with Azok. If Azok helped kill king Shyrrik then he’d help the tartareans find a home.” Amara said as her voice cracked and the hateful tone could be heard. “Though, there are other races secretly helping and supporting the tartareans.” Amara said as she heard Syndra sigh again before going silent for a moment. 

      “Do you have any idea of the other races that might pose a threat?” Syndra finally asked Amara but her lip before responding. 

     “Versipellins from the country of Eldamor but it seemed they were following someone else whom I never managed to meet. I only know of Azok and Anon. Anon is a tartarean who is here to invade your land.” Amara said as She heard Syndra curse.

       “Vesryn mentioned that some of our own people may want to get rid of our queen, is this true?” Syndra asked as her tone of worry continued to be apparent..

      “The best advice on that is trust no one. Make sure you are aware of who your queen meets at all times.” Amara advised as she noticed Ky took a glance at her.

    “Thank you and contact me if you have any other complications. Also, tell Ky I will deal with Vesryn immediately.” Syndra proclaimed before her voice faded from the sphere causing it to stop glowing. Amara continued to follow behind Ky as they made their way through the forest. They both knew they had a long journey ahead of them and the thought filled them both with dread.