I wake suddenly; sunlight is beaming through the window, lighting up the surface of the hardwood floor. I look around, where is he? Hopeful of finding some clues, I sit up and listen. It is too quiet. Slowly I slip out of bed, my feet touch the surface of the warm floor, and I lightly step around the bed and head towards the door.


    “Taylan” He leaps out from a crouching position towards me. My reactions kick in; I dodge his attempted bear hug and give him an angry glare.


    “Ah come on. Let me ask you this, did that get rid of the awkwardness of me being a stranger and all?” I try to hide my smile, trying to continue to glare at him, but I do have to admit it was funny and he got me good, mind you, that just shaved a couple of years from my life.


    I answer, pretending to be still annoyed with him startling me, “You really scared me, that wasn''t funny.”


    He stands in front of me holding me at arm’s length, “Really Taylan, you are going to tell me that wasn''t funny even though I saw a smile on your face.” I look up at him and shrug my shoulders playfully, “That''s what I thought.” He winks and let’s go, walking back to the bed to pull the covers up to make it. I follow his lead, going to the opposite side to pull up and tuck in the sheets. “So, the agenda for today is, I must tend to Shaylo, see to it that she is bathed, clothed, and fed. She is going to remain in her cell today until I have you up to speed on everything.”


    I fluff a pillow and ask, “So does that mean my morning will be spent with Ashlea?”


    He shrugs, “Maybe I am not sure, but what I do know is that Rosaleen and Newlyn requested me to tell you to join them for breakfast.”


    “Oh, what time?” I ask.


    “Now” He smiles, “I will come seek you after breakfast; the plans for the day will likely be decided by Rosaleen and Newlyn by then.” He pauses and then says, “Make sure you get your fill, this is going to be a long day.”


    I nod then get dressed into some simple shorts and a shirt. He is still in the room as I clothe, but I keep my back turned. This is still very weird, but it seems to be a little less so since he is dressing too. We are ready at the same time and exit the room together, descending the stairs. He approaches the front door. I am surprised that he isn’t coming to breakfast, he gestures for me to go ahead. I obey and find myself in a large sunlit kitchen. The walls are pale grey, almost white, and the ceiling is one large, slanted skylight. There are large windows along the exterior wall. There is a large whitewashed wooden table to the left and to the right, an island with stools, further past the island are more cupboards, counter space a large fridge, stove, and sink. The women sit at the table. I join them. Newlyn first notices me, “Ah Taylan, we were just talking about you, please come sit down and eat.” I sit next to Ashlea; give her a quick touch on her hand under the table as I take a seat next to her.


    Rosaleen says, “You are probably wondering what is going on?” She pauses and glances in my direction, trying to confirm her speculation, “You are going to stay here with Newlyn and Sit.” That''s his name, I grin to myself. Rosaleen continues, “Ashlea, Soolena, Izavelle and I are going to continue to the Palace. You are going to be-friend Shaylo to find out who the guard was, that did the switch long ago of the king and imposter as well as find out who else engaged in my father’s murder.”This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    “What is the time frame that we are looking at?” I ask anxiously, they are taking the last of my family away from me. I thought Rosaleen had promised my mother that Ashlea and I would only serve her.


    Rosaleen seems pleased, probably because I am not questioning her on the plan, or showing doubt in myself, she says, “As long as it takes, we are going to set the ship at a cruise and wait for your feedback. Once we are satisfied with what we know then I will confront the imposter to avenge my family and take the Kingdom that is mine by rights.”


    I ask, “So, all of the training that you had planned for me...”


    She answers simply; “Sit will.” I don’t bother asking any more questions.


    Newlyn says, “So this is our last breakfast together for a while let me say cheers to the companions, servants, and friends we have all become!” Newlyn holds up her glass and everyone follows suit, “Cheers!” I am not completely sure if what she said is meant for Ashlea and me, as we have only known each other for a brief time.


    I whisper to Ashlea, “So, what will you be doing while we are apart?”


    She finishes chewing and swallows, “They will be teaching me different flying skills, offensive and defensive skills, and Izavelle will begin to teach me the skills she was teaching you.”


    I sigh, “I am going to miss you so much Ashlea.”


    She glances up with a tear in her eye, “Me too.” She leans over and hugs me. Rosaleen, Newlyn, and Soolena let Ashlea, and I continue in our own conversation as they continue their own separate one. We finish breakfast and it feels like my heart has stopped. The last tie to my family is leaving, and we will each be alone to fend for ourselves in the company of these people. I am not even convinced that I am working on the good side. From what Rosaleen has told me about her family, I’ve concluded that there were no Angels in the matter and Rosaleen’s family rather brought their problems on themselves. I’m not saying that it is okay to kill or side with the people who are righteous, but both sides had ill intentions. I feel like an infant about to go into battle with monsters.


    The morning goes by in a haze, and before I know it, I am saying goodbye to Ashlea. The sick feeling in my gut is, not knowing when I will see her again.


    “I love you, Ash.” I hug her, failing to hold back the tears any longer, they are streaming down my face, and I am holding her in a tight embrace.


    “I love you too, stay safe Taylan.” Ashlea returns my embrace. We have a tough time letting go. Sit has a hand on my shoulder; I am not sure how long he has been here. Newlyn Sit and I watch as Soolena takes flight, and Ashlea takes my spot on the solar bike with Rosaleen; they putter out, exiting the gates and disappearing out of sight.


    I feel lost in the absence of Ashlea and relief at the same time in the departure of my captures, Rosaleen, and Soolena. I know that I am still their servant and can''t help but feel as though some weight has lifted by their departure. There is still no rest or freedom for me, and now Sit and Newlyn are my masters. I’m supposed to convince this Shaylo, whom I have never seen, that I am also a prisoner and am on her side. I hope that I can leech some information out of her. Newlyn retreats into her home leaving Sit and I on our own.


    Sit whispers to me, “Let’s get started on your training?” I turn and follow him back into one of the smaller homes off to the side from the main home. The one thing that ends up working out to my benefit is after Sit has spent some more time with me, he realizes that I am not ready. The departure of my mom and two sisters is weighing heavily on my mind, and even though I am starting to get used to him and this new life, Shrago’s attack and his punishment are still fresh. Sit understands that I need more time to let that mental wound scab. I am not sure how he manages, but he somehow convinces Newlyn that we need more time or else they would risk me derailing their entire plan. Sit can grant me a few more nights of “freedom.”