The Realm of Austur Episode 1: A New Light

"Can I ask you something?" Shalla asked. They were in the midst of walking through a long forest. "Sure, ask me anything." The Prince replied back lazily.
"How come your not good with magic? Every person on This continent is. If I didn't know better, I'd say you're lying about being from another continent..." She trailed off.
Serlen's eyes shifted quickly. "What makes you think that? He chuckled nervously.

"For one, you don't know our customs, two, you I've never heard of a Begonia. Tell me the truth please."

Serlen stopped in his tracks causing her to bump into his back. His head turned to look over his shoulder. "I'm not from this dimension really. I picked up a tome around my home during the battlefield, and found myself whirlwhinded here. The best part? Begonia doesn't even exist in this dimension." He continued to walk, this time with visible annoyance.

Shalla ran to catch up with him. "H-hey, I said no lies! Can't you remember that for a minute?!" She yelled. "I'm not lying, it's the truth! Make what you will, but I'm trying to find a way back home. I'm sorry if I wasn't truthful at first. Take my apology or leave it." He replied.

"I'll accept your apology later, but don't think for a minute I'll believe your words after that lie." Shalla stated.
Serlen shrugged. "Very well, I'll let you choose what you wish. Right now I'm focused on finding a way back home. I'm very out of place here."

An awkward silence befell them. "Um, what's your empire like? Like ours?" Shalla attempted.

"No, it is ruled by the emperor, empress, or both. It has no use for a senate. Nobles decide and make the laws along with commoners. We've been engaged in war with a group of entities since my birth." He answered.

Shalla nodded. "I always wanted to be a royal." She smiled.

Serlen gave her one last look. "You don't want to be involved in the power plays and struggles like me. The political world is not for the soft hearted." With the icy words he disappeared off the small hill.

"I'm not some soft girl, I can handle rough and tough stuff!" Shalla called after him.

In Zephyr town square Mid, Cecil, and John are nearly back to the red wing. John's head is hung low, Cecil is eyeing Mid wearily, and Mid is druming his fingers on his bag of enchanted nails again, as they approach the red wing. On board the rest of the crew, save one, are coming through the port hatch on to the main deck.
"Looks like my wife saw the storm clouds brewing, aye Mid." Cecil says with a lite chuckle.
"Not. In. The. Mood." Mid states clearly unamused.
As the three climb aboard Aron catches up rushing through the port hatch.
"Hey! I said to wait up." Aron groans. Then looking at the clearly peeved Mid, Aron asks, "Woah, cap whats with the face I---!" He was promptly cut off as a high speed nail suddenly pins Arons collar to the wall striking less than an inch from his neck.
Mid doesn't break stride as he walks to the hatch and down the stairs, calling his nail back as he descends.
"What happened at the council? I haven't seen Mid in such a foul mood since I broke his first proto-type steam hauler." Asks Emily.
"Yah did the coucil bale out or somthing?" Jarod added.
"No. We got the gig, that went smoother than we expected. The problem is the rep that the council is sending."
Rubbing his throat Aron speaks up. "So to what kind of monster do I owe that most recent near death experience then?"
"Do you guy's remember the noisey princess from this morning?" Cecil responds.
"Don't tell me. She's our rep? No wonder Mids on the war path." Jarod adds.
"That aside for the moment, we need to get the airship to the northern depot to start loading cargo. Emily, Mid taught you how to pilot right. Can you get us there?" Says Cecil.
"Sure I'll take the helm." Replies Emily as she heads for the control room.
"Oh and honey could you try and calm Mid down. We can't have him moaping the whole trip." Cecil directs to Rosa.
"Of course. I'll do what I can." Rosa replies heading down the hatch.
"Alright everyone brace your selves, its time for take off." Emily anounces over the speakers, as the propellers begin to whir.

Later that evening Rosa sat out side The door to Mid's quaters. She wasn't just sitting though. No she was using her type 4 abiletties to gague Mid's mood searching for a train of thought that would help calm Mid down. This wasn't the first time she'd done this sort of thing, the men of the Heirlīn family had always been a volitial and eccentric bunch, and she should know being Mid's aunt and all. She'd spent most of her life dealing with these kinds of situations. Her father Sid would be in an ellated frenzy over a new idea one day, and blasting holes in the moutain side over an iltimed gear cracking the next day. So for her Heirlīn mood swings were nothing new, and psychic treatments for them was equally routine. That didn't make it easy though. This time in particular the difficultly was very high. It wasn't how anoying the rep was alone, soothing that would be easy, it was the fact that though he had many options to avoid the anoyance the rep would bring, Mid couldn't pursue any of them, because they all would result in ending the life long dream of conquering the sky. Mid faced the daunting task of weeks of represing his bile in an inclosed space, where one small slip up could cost him his dream. This was the true source of his black mood, and even with all her experiance Rosa could think of nothing that would ease this stress.

Meanwhile outside the ship Cecil was playing his part. Discussing logistics with the depot Forman. It seams the cargo was to be one ton of glass sheets, half a ton of steal, half a ton of wheat, and asortmant of other small quantity trade sundries. The Forman seemed reasonable enough. So at least loading the goods should go smoothly in the morning. Maybe their will even be some time for sight seeing.

Well thats all for today J. R. Signing off.

{exerpt from the journal of crew medic John}

Mid-night and Mid lies awake in bed, twirling a nail in mid air using his magic. (Why does it have to be like this? I finally completed the red wing, father was lost for this mission, grandpa worked himself to death for this, and I've dedicated my life to this, but now it could all be invalidated by the whims of a spoiled little girl. Is this some cruel joke by the powers that be, that the Heirlīn's are doomed to fail at this enterprise. To whatever god can hear this, please give me some sign this is not a doomed mission, some tiny sliver of hope. Oh what's the point?) Mid mulls over these things from his bed. After what seamed like an eternity the nail Mid was spinning finally fell over onto the flour as Mid drifted off to sleep.

It took him awhile, but Serlen managed to create camp. "Alright, Serlen, I thought about your words earlier."Shalla finally spoke up, twirling her staff around.
He looked up, eyes shining with intrigue. "Have you now? Regardless, I'd rather not drag you into the world of politics. It can be very dark and backstabbing." He laughs at his choice of words.

"Ha! I told you I've faced worse. I can- no, want to learn more about the world you nobles play in. It seems more interesting than our boring life as commons." Shalla admits, not meeting his eyes.

Serlen studies her face seriously. "...I can't stop you from wanting to learn, Shalla, but I guess I can instruct you in it." He relents. He finally starts a fire, and began roasting the game he had hunted down for the both of them.

"Thanks, your not so bad after all." Shalla answers softly.

"I'm not that cold. Just world weary." Serlen protests slightly, a smile on his face.

"Be quiet blue blood, I'm not going to even reply to that statement. You know what? Forget my earlier comments, you are a cold heartless person." Shalla said quickly.

Serlen gives her an amused look. "That was quick how you back pedaled, Shalla. You should probably go to sleep, I'll take patrol." He volunteered.

Shalla nodded, getting up to sleep in one of the tents.


Later, Serlen stepped over to find her asleep in his. "For seriously? I guess I should sleep outside, but she's on my weapon sheathe." With no other option, he layed down beside her, making sure there was enough space between them. He only prayed he didn't accuse him of something the next morning.

Silver laughs at the heartwarming display, smiling, as the silly wolf practically throws the copper dragon necklace at her. "Fine, fine. You can spend the night with me, Catie."

Vincent smiles at the exchange, though he quickly raises a hand to his forehead, as another migraine overwhelms him. Damn... It's all returning too quickly, far too quickly... At this rate, the barriers he placed so long ago won't hold... Dammit!

Why are you so worried? You'll obviously still be in control. It's not like I can break free or anything. Besides, you knew this day was coming.

That... That isn't the point. And you damn well know it. Vincent places his hand on the cool rock, and the stone slab slides open. "Silver, I'm going to rest for a bit. Don't disturb me unless it's absolutely necessary."

She nods, clearly concerned. He walks on ahead.

Ceridwen finishes with putting her ringlets in place. She has never cared for a parasol, but they do look nice. Regardless, she doesn't bring one, and opts for a stroll around town.

"Ughhh. So hungwy." A small child tries to say, waddling around. Ceridwen watches as the child tries to get some food off a passerby that coldly dismisses him. "For the gods are these people cold." She breathes, fishing out her own coin. Not like she is doing it because she feels bad for the orphan. Of course not!
"Here, and don't spend it all on one go. Run along now." She waves, watching as the child stares at her in surprise.


"Twanks!" The boy chirps, running off happily.

She smiles slightly, and goes about her way. At least one less child of a slave won't be going hungry tonight.