Eli was walking down a long, decorated hallway within his castle. The numerous windows which lined its stretch, gilded and adorned with stained glass images. Each one representing important figures to his father and grandfather before. Most of the people he only knew about from stories he was told as a child, his father said they were from his own world. One which featured more than any other, standing triumphantly before a crowd of peasantry, was a prophet called the “Fuhrer”. Eli took very little interest in these, his father’s obsession with the religion was always a thorn in his side. Ruling was about cunning and force, not simply adherence to faith. What's more, the stories were obviously hyperbole and fantasy. Tales about a great war, and a race of superhumans which wielded a devastating weapon that could end worlds.

  ‘Sounds like the magic of fairy tales’, he would think often.

  As he strode further down the hallway, he stopped before one window, and looked out at the night sky. The clouds danced across the moonlight, casting a shroud across the fields and rivers below. It was a quiet night, and Eli was thankful for that, it was a rarity given his duties. Feasts, balls, and royal ceremonies were a common occurrence which he was required to attend. He didn’t want any of that, just peace of mind was his solace. He stood there for a while longer, before turning and continuing his stroll. Eventually reaching his destination, he came upon a locked room at the end of the hallway. It was a bedroom, much like the others in the castle, but this one was reserved for those under house arrest, it was rarely used even in the days of his fathers reign. He knocked.

  There was no answer. He knocked again, and a faint voice replied.

  “Come in.”

  The woman's voice was weak and harsh to the ears, though Eli was not perturbed. He reached into his left breast pocket and pulled from it a key. As he unlocked the door, he heard the snap of the lock, and opened. There at the right furthest corner of the room lay a dark elf woman in a bed, covered in bundles of blankets and surrounded by pillows. The room was large, a chandelier hung from the ceiling unlit, as the light from the room’s balcony window danced across the hardwood floor and far off walls. Eli had entered slowly, and gently shut the door behind him. As he walked over to the woman, she smiled faintly. The malaise was apparent, which troubled Eli greatly upon seeing her. He sat down beside her, and took hold of her slender hand.

  “How are you feeling?” He asked.

  The woman’s smile faded, replaced with worry. She squeezed his hand gently, Eli could tell that she was doing so with all her remaining strength. When she stopped squeezing, she looked up at Eli, and into his eyes.

  “I,” she began, her voice still weak, “I am alright”

  “Please do not lie to me, I can tell.” Eli tried to break a smile, but only half managed.

  “I apologize, my lord” The woman looked away for a moment, and off into the distance.

  She saw outside, the balcony’s light was beautiful she thought. She wondered how long it had been since she had been able to go outside and see the stars, how long ago it had been since she could even walk around the room. As she lay there, Eli placed his hand upon her cheek and gently brought her back to the present, as she faced him again he had finally managed to smile.

  “You know better than to call me that. You bow before no king, not even myself.”

  “I know, I just wish you would not worry so much about me.”

  “I cannot bring myself to do that, my love.” Eli leaned forward, and kissed her upon the forehead. “You mean more to me than all the wealth of the Imperium.”

  The woman's smile returned and it seemed to Eli, that for a split second, she was well again. But that fleeting moment passed, and Eli felt in his throat a hot and burning sensation. He would still maintain his own smirk though, for her sake, he thought. The light seemed to glow brighter from without the room, the moon beams floating upon the evening breeze, cooling the summer air within.

  “What have you got my brother doing these days?” She asked.

  “Gregori? He is out trying to fix a mess he got himself into, as usual.”

  “Are you still telling him that you will punish me if he fails you?”

  Eli chuckled under his breath. He had used her wellbeing as a threat for years now, and Gregori was none the wiser to the truth of the matter. For Eli, keeping Edme safe and alive was the most important thing to him. Ruling the country and finding the otherworlder were secondary.

  “I do, if he were to know about us, it would cause problems would it not?”

  Edme sat up and forward, leaning against Eli, embracing him. Eli felt the heat in his throat get worse, he followed Edme’s example and gently wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

  “It may cause problems, but it would make things easier in the long term,” Edme said. “If a cure were to be found soon, I could spare you the trouble and tell him myself.”

  “It is fine my love, you need not worry about those things, I will handle them”

  “Do you promise?” She asked weakly.

  Edme and Eli sat there in each other's arms, now bathed in moonlight from the window. Edme nestled up to his warm body, enjoying the company and the comfort. He looked to the window and the moon beyond, and finally after holding it in for so long, began to shed silent tears.

  “I promise.”

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Goldwater & CO~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  I was with Lais and Kalom in the dining room, nobody spoke for a time. We had just recounted every detail about our story, even the part where I had shot the wolf, which now was on the porch outside. Though it took some time to coax it from me, Malkolm was a ruthless interrogator, wasn't as nasty as 'Judge' but he was efficient.

  “So that’s the whole story?” Malkolm said.

  We all nodded in agreement. Malkolm had sat there deep in thought with his eyes shut, piecing together something in his head. He looked troubled, and understandably so given the adventure we described to him. Lais had hung her head, not looking at anyone, while Kalom’s gaze jogged back and forth between myself and his father. Finally after what seemed like an eternity, Malkolm opened his eyes and looked over to me.

  “I am happy you all are safe, however this masked man and the supposed plot he warned you about is troubling news.”

  The three of us focused our attention on him as he spoke.

  “I know of a group of people who wear masks like the one you described. Whether or not he is a member is questionable, but the fog you described seems to match some of their powers.”

  Lais was startled, “powers? What do you mean powers, father? Is it Magick?”

  “yes," he replied. "I mean that these men are like me, magicians, in a way. ”

  I was initially confused, I had heard Malkolm describe himself that way before, but was unsure what he meant until that point. Since it was a world of elves, giant trees and such; I managed to put two-and-two together though.

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  “You mean you can do magick, like actual magick?” I asked excitedly.

  Malkolm nodded in affirmation. “Yes, that normally is what magicians do. Why?”

  “Where I’m from, we don't have magic.”

  Malkolm raised an eyebrow, he had thought he heard wrong at first, but after remembering that I was not a local, he decided to simply ask the question on his mind.

  “Where are you from Goldwater?”

  “I’m from a place called the Free Territories,” I replied.

  “I’m afraid I’ve never heard of such a place, is it on the continent or across the ocean?”

  “Neither, would be my best guess.”

  “Neither?”

  Malkolm was dumbstruck for but a moment, but then, like myself not a moment ago, had put the pieces together and guessed where I was from.

  “You wouldn’t happen to be an otherworlder would you?”

  Kalom and Lais snapped to attention suddenly, looking back and forth between myself and their father. I sat there a little less stressed than before, I wouldn't have to explain as much as I thought I would. Though by their reactions, it was clear that it was dire news.

  “I guess that's a good word for it, though why do you look so disturbed?”

  Malkolm sighed, got up, and left the room. He beckoned Lais and Kalom to follow. And as they did so, Lais looked back at me, her expression was troubled. I sat there alone, with nothing but my thoughts. The whole night was mentally taxing. I thumbed my holster, trying to keep myself occupied and to keep any unwanted thoughts at bay.

  As that was happening, Malkolm, Lais and Kalom stood in the study room. It was a massive space filled with shelves of books, and a desk with papers scattered about it. Kalom and Lais stood before the desk while Malkolm sat down. He rested his head in his hands, as he drifted deep into thought.

  “What are we to do?” he said, “what are we to do?”

  Kalom said nothing, looking around the room and at the many hundreds of books that filled the dark hardwood shelves. Lais paid no heed to her surroundings, focusing on her father and the issue at hand.

  “Well,” she began, “he hasn’t caused any major issues yet, maybe we can keep this hidden?”

  Malkolm shook his head, “No Lais, this is beyond any of us here. Otherworlders themselves are usually dangerous enough. Though I have no doubts that Goldwater is a kind young man, if not a bit troubled. However that is but the tip of the arrow”

  Lais stood silently, listening to her father as he continued to speak.

  “The poisoning, the supposed kidnapping plot, and the idea that it was king Eli who ordered it so,” he paused. “It’s suicidal to go against that man. Eli is no fool, nor is he a petty tyrant like his father. However he is still a dangerous and cunning figure indeed. If he finds out that we have harbored Goldwater, he may very well have us imprisoned or killed for betraying his will."

  Lais still said nothing, though her vision was cast down to the carpeted floor. She could feel something boiling deep within her, but was unsure what it was. Kalom sighed, now paying attention to his father fully.

  “Your right,” he began, “but Goldwater has us to protect him in the meantime. He is our guest, shouldn’t we at least keep him safe till he’s ready to leave?”

  Lais’ head shot up to see her brother, who was then turned to her, smiling.

  “Kalom is right,” Lais said, half shouting. “We should at least help him get ready to head out on his own. Its dangerous to let him just leave without tools or information.”

  The two of them searched their fathers face for any sign of disapproval, but found none. Instead he stood up, and grinned.

  “You two have grown up to be kind hearted, your mother would be proud of you both. I agree, we cannot allow him to leave unprepared. So in the meantime we will keep him safe as we gather supplies and help him learn what he needs to know to stay alive.”

  Lais felt the uneasy feeling inside her die down, giving way to a welcome relief. As the three of them walked back into the dining room, I still sat there. Though by the time they returned I had already passed out, sound asleep from the night's exhaustion.

  “Kalom,” Malkolm began, “take Goldwater to the spare bedroom if you would, please?”

  “You got it,” Kalom replied.

  He, careful not to disturb me, gently picked me up and headed once more down the hallway, and into what would from that day on, be my bedroom.

  I had a terrible nightmare that night. Running down a long black hallway, no light before me at the end nor behind. I was fleeing from some unknown terror, unseen but for its heavy footsteps and terrible droning voice. As I sprinted forth I heard the mysterious threat bleat forth in a guttural tone;

  “Why are you running, and where off to?"

  I kept going as fast as I could, but my legs were slowed and time seemed to crawl. Soon the hallway ended, and I had nowhere left to go, I beat against the hard stone wall blocking my escape. It was so real, I could feel my fists make contact against the rock, the blood from my knuckles painted the wall and my hands. It was no use, thus I turned to face my death. And saw for the first time my assailant.

  I expected to see a hideous giant, some eldritch abomination with gnashing teeth like razors. But what stood before me was something very unexpected, but not unknown to me.

  There, just out of the reach of shadows and in my view was a man. Just an ordinary man, say for one minor detail about him; his face bore a distinct scar going from one side, to the other. As if someone had struck him with a machete very deep, but I knew the cause of it when I saw his face, for I knew him.

  “P-Parker?” I said stutteringly, still trembling from the chase.

  He said nothing for a moment, but a faint smile came across his battle worn face, like he had reconnected with an old friend.

  “It’s been Some time, Nelson.”

  I stood there silently, not sure what to say.

  “This must be strange for you, I can tell how nervous you are.”

  I nodded. “Yeah, it’s been a while sin-”

  He cut me off, “Since you murdered me?”

  I stared at him scornfully, he knew better but obviously wanted a reaction. I tried to keep cool, but despite myself I let loose.

  “I didn’t murder you, Park’. I killed you, there's a difference.”

  “I don't really consider deep-sixing an entire bunker full of people as simply ‘killing’, you sociopath.”

  I messed up, and played into his hands, letting my emotions get the best of me then. His smirk was antagonizing and smug, not something I wished to see any more of.

  “To hell with you Parker, you and all your little friends. It ain’t murder to end the lives of people like you. It’s a mercy.”

  “Mercy is it now?” he replied, his smirk now vanishing. He began striding towards me. “Mercy is killing myself and my father, mercy is killing hundreds of people, both my guys and our families?”

  As he got in my face, I turned my head to avoid his eyes. They were the cold, piercing blues of a killer. Despite his words, I knew better. He was one of the worst terrorists I ever had the displeasure of knowing. What he considered ‘good’ was nearly polar to my morals.

  “Look at me Nelson, look at me in the eyes and tell me that what you did was the right call”

  I did. I looked up at him and with fire to match his ice, my anger was rising, I felt the heat rise in my chest and my face. The moment passed with tensity.

  “I did make the right call. And I would again a thousand times over.”

  His grin returned, and his gaze softened as he backed away from me. He seemed pleased with himself. I still bore down on his stare, refusing to calm myself. It had been decades since I had seen that prick in the flesh, and I was none too happy to see him standing again before me, dream or no.

  “I just wanted to make sure. After all, what would your new friends say if they found out just what kind of monster you are?”

  I froze, and my body went numb. As my anger vanished I felt a cold chill run up my spine at the words he spoke.

  “What did you say?” I asked.

  He laughed, full-throatily. “Did that get your attention? Yes, I know about your new pals, they are quite a nice family.”

  “Fuck off! you're dead, and just a nightmare. You don't know shit.” I yelled.

  “Yeah, but I’m in your head all day everyday, and I see everything.”

  “So what, is this just another way for my brain to make me feel like shit? Giving me a dead guy as a stalker now?”

  Parker shook his head and reached into the breast pocket of his gray fatigues, and produced a lighter. It was an old and worn flip-up with scratches all over its silver surface, though through all the damage you could still see the emblem of the swastika emblazoned on it. He reached into his right pants pocket and took out a pack of cigarettes, it had familiar black and gold packaging.

  “It’s about time for me to leave you again, kid.” He said as he took out a smoke, placed it between his chapped lips, and lit it.

  “Why is that?”

  “Because you have a date with destiny, and I ain't gonna keep you from it. Just know this-” he began to turn around and as he did, he took one last look at me. “-You used to be human, And I’m glad you ain’t now.”

  He headed away down the black hallway and into the void beyond. All I could do was watch as the smoke from his cigarette and the red cherry at the end, faded into nothing. The acrid smoke starting the fog the hallway as he went.

  Soon I awoke from the dream; Drenched in sweat, head pounding and heart beating like a drum. The sun was shining into the room brightly through the window, and I could hear the sounds of birds outside. They were a comfort to me after such a dark sleep, and I counted myself lucky to be back in a world filled with light. The room was small but homely, it was furnished with an ornate dresser on the opposite end of the bed gilded with what looked like bronze, and a large wooden chest under the window fitted with a black iron lock. A wooden study table not that different in design from the dining room’s with an accompanying chair similarly sanded, was present as well.

  I could hear clamor behind the bedroom door, as someone raced down the hallway and into the dining room from some other place. Since at that time I had no knowledge of the library or other yet to be told rooms of Malkolm's home I could only speculate why they were scurrying about. As I ripped off the blankets and got to my feet, I stopped half way to stretch my legs and arms. The previous night's dealings were still in my mind, fresh and worrisome. I tried to keep them in the back of my mind, to no avail. It was about that time I realized that something was wrong, that I had missed something important. I thought, and thought some more at a loss, unable to figure out what was bothering me.

  Then I looked down. And to my surprise figured out quite plainly what was causing me to draw a blank; I was wearing new clothes. My sweater vest, my loafers and even my pants were gone, replaced by a white shirt and pants made of what felt like canvas or more likely burlap. I had not put these on, and I would have remembered doing so I would have thought. Thinking about it filled me with a tang of embarrassment, knowing that it meant someone else had not only given me new clothes, but also had seen my body. It was all the more disturbing as it dawned on me that I also had no idea which one of them had done it. Was it Malkolm or Kalom? If so, that was not as distressing as the alternative. I found that my holster was present, thankfully, on the bedside table. And donning it, a sigh of relief washed over me. Couldn't have a gun in my nightmares, but I could out here at least.

  I slapped the sides of my face to distract me from my thoughts, and stood up. The sunshine felt warm on the nape of my neck, it was almost certainly hotter than the day before, and I was not looking forward to the prospect of sweating the whole time. Despite my resistance to hot days such as that one, even I have my limits.

  “This is going to be a very bad day,” I whined to myself. “Hot day, heavy clothes, and whatever else the world will throw at me I reckon.”