I might as well be in the Stone Age for all it's worth since the only guide I have now is my intuition; to be honest, that's better than that sorry excuse for a map I had, but I still have a right to complain about how lost I am right now. It doesn't help that these forests are as plain as a model without makeup.

My gut was telling me to keep going the way I was, so I listened and in turn have been traveling down the same road for the majority of this trip.

Just when I'm about ready to start hacking away at some tree with my sword out if irritation, I come across a small house tucked away in the woods. I only happen to notice it because it divulged from the road.

"Maybe I can ask somebody here if they know about the woman I'm supposed to find." I'll take my chances that it might be the home of Edalirwen's most infamous serial killer.

There I stand before the door, ready to knock when I hear a squeal come from the side of the house causing me to hurry to find the source of it. Nosy or innocent curiosity, I'll leave that as a fill-in-the-blank.

Going around the side of the house, I discover the source of noise I heard when approaching the house. Attached to the side of the house is a small scaled mill, powered by the water filtering from a pond, with algae and lily pads so thick on the surface it resembles a grassy field, nestled close by. The pond and mill aren't the only things to catch my eye; off to the side, a little girl with pigtail braids (think, Laura Ingalls) is leaning down so close to the water she might as well just jump in it. Watching her, I assume she's the one that squealed a second ago, I just don't know what for until she gasps out loud and stomps her feet, pointing at something in the pond. Straining my eyes, I try to make out what the brown dot that's bobbing in the water is exactly. I get a clue to what it might be when the little girl cries out-

"Peri! Come over here right now!"

I'm assuming that brown fuzzball in the water is a dog- her dog- and it must have jumped into the water. Now, it either doesn't to want to get out or it can't, I'm not sure.

"Do you need help?" I was born with a superhero gene in me, I swear it.

Whipping her head in my direction, I can see how red her hair really is- it's as ruby red as her lips, which seem to be as bright as Dorothy's shoes. Her wide-eyed, dazed face is priceless (not as memorable as Oslen's, but cute nonetheless). She recovers from the surprise and looks back at the pond, pointing adamantly at the little dog who's paddling along.

"I just had her washed and now she goes and ruins my work by swimming in filth- she won't even listen to me and come out. She might drown in there."

"I doubt she'll drown," I start. "But, she won't respond to you?"

Crossing her arms, a pouty look coming on her face, she shakes her head.

"I've tried everything, everything."

"Okay, alright, let me try."

Peri looks like she's having a good time in there so I highly doubt she'll respond to a stranger's call. I try anyway.

"Peri, Peri, come on girl."

Like I predicted, the dog continues to look happier than a pig in mud, causing her young owner further agitation.

Okay, time for the big guns.

Putting down my satchel, I dig around until I find a piece of bread.

"This should do."

Armed, now, with the persuasion of food, I squat as close to the algae cist pond as I dare and hold out the bread, attempting to draw out the dog.

"Peri, look what I have."

At first, the dog takes no interest in the bread, until I take a healthy bite out of it. Now, Peri takes notice and begins paddling toward us, eventually arriving to shake off the excess water and go for the treat. Out of the algae water, I can see that the dog appears to resemble a Yorkshire terrier.

Since I'm expecting a thank you of some sort, it takes me off guard to hear her whining again.

"Now she's soaked. How ever am I supposed to carry her in to be washed?"

"Um, bright idea, how about you just wash her outside?" I reply, not really understanding the problem here.

I don't have a dog, so I would take every suggestion I give with a grain of salt, but I do have some common sense and it makes enough sense to me that washing a dog, especially of Peri's size, shouldn't be a problem.

"But how will I get her in the basin? I don't want to pick her up like that."

I roll my eyes. "The water won't kill you, you know."

Pouting some more, her lower lip poking out in the most childish way imaginable, she mumbles miserably to herself.

"Okay, look, I'll help you wash her, okay?" Just quit being a baby.

Still looking like she's bitten into a lemon, she nods and begins marching off to pull out the supplies. Glancing down at Peri, who has finished the bread and now stares up at me, panting with a satisfied smile, I'm starting to understand why the dog threw herself in the pond in the first place; I would too if I had to hear this girl's complaining 24/7 (and I've only known her a few minutes).

Coming back with a small, wooden barrel, a greenish, beige looking soap bar or whatever, and a wash brush, she sets it on the ground without care.

"I need the water," She says as she turns to head back to get the water.

"She like this all the time?" I ask Peri.

The little dog yaps in response, wagging her tail at me.

"I'll take that as a yes. If so, I'm sorry for all the trouble you have to go through."

Again, the little dog yaps. Poor thing.

The girl re-emerges carrying two buckets filled to the brim with water. Setting these down with more care, she waits for me to act. Holding back a sigh that she probably deserves to hear, I pick up the dog and set her in the basin.

"There, now are you able to wash her without a problem?"

For a young girl, she sure does have a serious rbf- I mean, she only looks about ten at the most but she's constantly pouting and whining for the world to help her.

Remembering I still have a deadline, I decide to try my luck at seeing if this girl knows anything about where this Sephora woman lives, but just as I'm opening my mouth she interrupts.

"I'm getting tired of scrubbing, would you mind?"

Um, yes. "Why do you even have a dog if you don't enjoy it?"

"I do," She cries. "I just become...overwhelmed easily by her."

I don't know how a mellow looking dog could "overwhelm" a young child like her, but she's sticking by it- and I always respect those who stick by their bull, no matter how obvious or bull-ish it is; it's the fact they stay true to their guts that I admire. This girl, I'd hardly admire her- she's a little bit of a nuisance so far, slowing me down from my original task by asking me to wash her dog.

Taking the scrub, I finish washing the dog. Being that it is my first time washing a dog, and the fact I'm more than a little peeved at her owner, I sometimes earn a growl or whimper from Peri from me being too rough.

"There," I drop the scrub. "The dog's washed."

"But she's still wet. We'll need to dry her."

"Dry her? She's a freakin' dog, she doesn't need to be dried- just sit her out in the sun."

Shaking her head, she points to the dog. "Take her out and I'll get to drying her."

"Since when did I get roped into taking care of your dog?" I grumble as I take the pooch out. "I have a very important task to get to and you're making it-"

"Put her over here if you can," She interrupts.

"Talking to myself, I see."

So we get to drying Peri off, the girl making a fuss about how matted the dog's hair was and going on about shit I could care less about. At long last, though, we finish drying and brushing the damn dog and I'm able to detach myself from any further help with this girl and her dog.

"Look, I have to find someone important and I don't have much time so I need to peace out of here."

Holding her dog, stroking its silky fur, she appears done with my assistance.

"Good luck then."

Not bothering to thank her seeing how she wasted my time trying to make me play dog sitter, I hurry off, making a mental note not to wander down any more rabbit trails.

"Okay, so I'll just continue down the path I was previously on-" Didn't they tell me not to stray off the main road anyway? "I'll just find a different-"

Bam!

Right into somebody trying to turn the corner of the house. Being a rapid reactor, I bounce back up, on guard (and just dying to use this sword) when I notice that the person who ran into me is the same colorful-haired woman from the well.

My first thought: Is she following me now? Next thought: Look at me ramming into people- now she's going to think me even ruder than she already does.

Eventually, the woman recovers (no help from me and my helpful self) then looks at me thoughtfully as if she doesn't fully recognize me as that dipshit from the well.

"I'm sorry," She begins. "I should have minded where I was going."

"Nah, you're fine, it's my bad."

Already, I'm rearing to dash off until she finally remembers me.

"Didn't I see you by the well?"

"Yeah. I travel quick."

Smiling at me, she nods. "I see."

She has a much calmer reaction to seeing a random stranger who she just saw minutes ago- and was a jerk- than I would have had.

To add an element of obnoxiousness to this awkward fiesta, that girl, with her dog still cradled in her arms, comes around front.

"You must see how beautiful Peri looks, mama. She jumped into the pond but we cleaned her up nicely, this girl and I."

Well, I guess the annoying gene didn't come from her mother because she's been friendlier than Casper so far.

"Peri does look well taken care of," Her mother compliments, smiling at the dog. "This young lady was very thoughtful in helping you with her."

"She was," She looks up at me. "Thank you for your help."

I'm just ready to go, so I nod and mumble. "No problem."

But then I remember I have not a clue where I'm heading and this could be the perfect opportunity to ask questions about where I might find Sephora; I mean, I deserve an answer after helping out with that dog.

"Hey, quick question before I hit the road," I turn to look at them again. "But do you happen to know anyone around here named Sephora? I heard she's like a witch or magical enchantress or whatever. I need her help ASAP."

The woman nonchalantly speaks up. "You would be talking to her. How can I be of service?"

The only thing I can do is blink.

Of all the people I run into and have to act like a jackass, it had to be the one person I need? Really? Not to mention the fact she has the most annoying daughter I've seen in a while.

The only benefit to stumbling across this hidden house is that I found the answers to my prayers. Seems my intuition didn't lead me astray.

"I need to get to Pyranaleath'tai, or whatever it's called, in order to find this guy named Tymos, but I don't know how to get to him."

She gives me one of those looks that let me know that the words coming out of my mouth are English but are coming across as Mandarin.

"What is Pyranaleath'tai? " She cocks her head in bewilderment. "And who is Tymos?"

"Um, I don't know, that's why I'm here. Tymos is this weird bastard or whatever- he's the emperor of that place, Pyranaleath'tai. He has my brother and I need to save him."

Pondering it over, she thinks for several seconds but continues to frown.

"I have never heard of such a man. You say he's an emperor? We don't have emperors here and I have never in all my years heard of a place called Pyranaleath'tai."

"I swear, it's real. He rode in on a dragon and everything-"

Okay, now she's giving me that look everybody back at home gives that one dude who's always high off his ass. You know, the why-aren't-you-in-a-mental-institution look.

"Why don't we go inside and discuss this further," She says, ushering us to the house.

Though I'm annoyed that she's not believing my story, I can't blame her, it's a little out there. But she's my only chance of finding Brent.

This place isn't as homey as the Verith's cottage, but that doesn't mean it's like any old house. With dyes drying from the ceiling and odd spices scenting the room, it's safe to say this residence has a more eccentric vibe to it and it matches its owner. Offering me a seat at her cluttered table, covered with tea stained pages and various bottles, Sephora puts on a thing of water to boil while her daughter, who still clutches the dog in her arms, takes a seat beside me.

"Forgive me for the mess," She mutters as she moves around the organized chaos. She addresses her daughter next. "Mythia, why don't you check on the solutions for me, please?"

"Okay, mama."

Grateful that she sent away her pesky offspring for a bit, I waste no time getting to the heart of the matter.

"So, you never heard of a place called Pyranaleath'tai or a guy named Tymos?"

"Never in my life. What do you know about him?"

"That's it, that's all I know."

Pausing, she glances worryingly at me. "I'm afraid that's not much to go on for me." She resumes her activity. "What grievance does he have against you?"

Throwing my hands in the air- my dramatic flare coming out again- I cry, "I don't know! He calls me a 'girl with a bloody crown' then takes my brother and taunts me. He doesn't come across as a straightforward person, hence me having to run around, get a sword, and find people to get to him."

"Find a sword? He wanted you to find a sword? What for?"

"To battle him, I guess, I don't know. He wasn't really that informative."

Finally joining me at the table, she sets aside some half-empty bottles and studies me like most of my teachers do in a student conference- but she's more thoughtful about it.

"I could try researching this Pyranaleath'tai place and Tymos, but it all sounds so unusual."

"You're telling me."

"You mentioned a dragon as well."

"Yeah, it was freakin' huge."

"We don't have dragons here."

"Huh?"

Hearing that, it's now understandable why Elle was so skeptical when we first told her. If dragons are nonexistent here then how did one travel here? Does that mean that creep is from a different world? If so, that's a double screw you from the universe.

"Yes, dragons haven't existed in Edalirwen for eons," She explains. "It's highly unlikely one would exist from this world."

"If that creep is from a different world then how did he know who my dad is?"

"Well, who is your father? Perhaps their paths crossed at one point in time."

"Honestly speaking, I'm not entirely sure who my dad is anymore. My whole life I've been told he's from Transylvania and then, boom, I'm told that he's from here and that he used to be a king."

It's like the moment I mention my parents here, these people shoot right up at full attention.

"Your father used to be the king here? That's impossible...unless..."

Her hardcore staring is slightly weirding me out.

Just to put an end to her staring, I clear up the confusion.

"My dad's name is Xalale if that means anything to you. I heard you knew my parents; Elle told me you knew them both."

At this, she leans back in shock.

"You're the king and Mallory's child?"

If only people back at home had this reaction when they saw me, instead of the one they have now.

"I'm starting to learn that's a big deal around here."

Taking my hand, she smiles at me.

"I can hardly believe this. You have met Elle and Olivos as well? Such luck."

Yeah, you could say a wonderful coincidence too.

Mythia returns just then, sensing the excitement in the air and inquiring about it.

"Mythia, this girl is the daughter of a friend of mine who I told you about," She explains to the clueless girl.

"Oh," She looks between us. "I checked the solutions like you asked. They're doing wonderfully."

Seems Mythia could give a rat's behind about me- fair enough.

Her mother, though, is still in awe of this.

"Are your parents well?"

"Last I checked."

"Forgive me for my thoughtlessness, but what is your name?"

"Joan."

"How old are you?"

"Fourteen."

Some her excitement dies down as she questions, "Your parents never told you of this place or about us?"

I can predict some hurt that's going to result from this confession, and frankly, I can't really bring myself to care entirely since it's not my fault my parents have been holding out.

"Not really. I never even heard of you guys until I met you."

"That's rather interesting, I suppose," She says, not really sounding too interested like she claims.

"I mean, don't bank off me, though," I quickly explain. "My brother swears he's heard your name mentioned by our mom- he's the one that actually sticks around and asks questions."

She gains a little cheer back after hearing that.

"Well, it is an honor, nonetheless, to have you here."

As great as being an honored guest is, I still need answers on how to reach Pyranaleath'tai in order to confront Tymos. Not trying to seem rude or pushy- but the hell do I care about appearances- I bring this issue back to her.

"Yeah, so I'm working on a tight, time-sensitive schedule..."

"Ah, yes, of course," Straightening up the table, she pushes away most of the clutter. "Mythia, would you rummage around in my chest for a small book of mine? It should have a lock on it, bring it here, please."

Obediently, she goes in search of the book. If she was anything like me, she would come back empty-handed, requiring her mother to go look- and ultimately- find it instead. But she's not like me and so she returns with the book requested.

From my first impressions, I can tell this book has seen better days. That's the kind of page tattered, lock-rusted artifact you put into a museum. It must be fragile or something seeing how carefully she handles it. Fiddling with the lock, she then gently turns the brittle pages. I notice how each page has writing on it but it doesn't take up the whole page, making it look like a waste of paper to me.

It's on one of the final few blank pages left in this miserable, worn pamphlet of a book that she opens it.

"This book was given to your mother to help us on our journey," She tells me.

They even went on a Camelot adventure while they were here? What else haven't the told us?

"Okay, cool, but what does it do?"

I'm not liking that mischief look she has on her face, it makes me extra wary when she tells me to place my hand on the paper. But I bite the bullet and do it.

"Now ask it a question about your quest." She tells me.

Okay, now she has to be pulling my leg. But when I look at her to let her know I got her joke, she's looking back at me deadpan, as if she's serious!

"Um, what?"

"Ask aloud a question about your quest. Say for instance, where this Pyranaleath'tai realm is located."

It might be too late to pull out of this now, so I shake aside this lunacy and humor her.

"Okay," I breathe. "So, I just go like this: where is Pyranaleath'tai? Like th-"

"Across the great sea and coast."

Reflexively jumping back, I'm as shaken as they come. It sounded like a disembodied pious choir- which is freaky as hell when you're next expecting it- they just keep echoing around...in my head!

"What the bloody hell was that!?" I get as far away from that demonic book as possible.

Unfazed, Sephora points to the book. "Have a look."

Daring to approach it again, I peer down at the page my hand was once on. As if the freaky meter couldn't be more off the chains, the page now contains inky letters which form out of nowhere- it takes the meaning of ghostwriter to a whole different level.

"Is this some sort of Satanical book or something?"

Ignoring my answer deserving question, she studies the page deeply.

"Across the great sea and coast," She reads. "The great sea? It makes it sound as though it is within Edalirwen. Ask it another question."

"Are you crazy? Ask that thing another question. One time was enough."

"This book is the fastest way to discover the answers to your questions. If you are to find your brother, this is your only alternative."

Grimacing, though knowing she's right, I take a seat again and brace myself to face the devil book again- this is entirely for Brent's sake.

"Okay. What do you mean the great sea and coast? Where is that?"

Here go that creepy ghost choir again.

"The sea of Morelian."

Sephora inspects the answer then taps her chin in thought, clearly still a little fuzzy on this.

"I know which sea they are talking about."

"But?" I can just hear it in her voice.

"It marks the end of Edalirwen, just as the great mountain range and Sea of Glyn to the far west marks the end of the western end."

Like my Algebra, something wasn't adding up.

"So, you're telling me this book is high or something?"

"I'm saying, it's geographically impossible for anything to beyond the great sea."

We're right back to where we started.

Unless...

Turning to yet another new page, I go through the same ritual, but this time, I pose another question.

"So how is it possible Pyranaleath'tai is possible when there's an ocean instead?"

My thinking is maybe it's some sort of Atlantis or some sky haven or whatever. But the real answer is more surprising- to everyone in the room.

"It lies on the other side of the great sea."

Once the words form, I turn to Sephora for an explanation but she looks just as surprised as ever. Mythia squeaks up in disbelief first.

"How is that possible, mama? That can't be possible, that book is lying!"

Not really sure why this is such a huge deal to them- the answer now feels kind of obvious when it's staring back at me.

Recovering, Sephora blinks. "I'm afraid I don't understand."

"Looks like I'll be traveling across the ocean. Wonderful. Guess that explains the dragon."

She still looks absolutely shellshocked, like when Nora's parents told her Santa wasn't real- she looks lied to.

"Something wrong?" I ask.

Shaking her head, she begins to pace the floor, contemplating life from the looks of it. I'm in the dark over here because even Mythia looks mystified about this. At last, Sephora breaks her silence, incredulity caking her words.

"This is something quite new to me."

I hate when people beat around the bush. Out with it already!

"What's wrong?"

Staring at the page then looking at me, she blinks. "It shouldn't be possible. The other side is supposedly a myth, a story one tells."

Cocking my head, I non-verbally let her know that she's lost me.

"There is common generational folklore that is told about the other side of Edalirwen. Explorers and vagabonds travel there- or at least they try- none ever return. There has never been any proof that another side of Edalirwen exists, it's simply for imaginative purposes."

"Wait," I'm missing something. "So, there's been talk about this other side and people who have tried to get there never return, but everyone supposes it's a legend because they just believe nothing can exist beyond the sea?"

"There have been explorers yet none documented have ever returned."

This is as golden as the world is flat argument. I mean, I myself am no Galileo at mapping but come on people.

"But it's an ocean, there has to be something on the other side of that, it can't go on forever without coming full circle."

She looks like she's taking that into consideration and realizing I'm probably right.

"That is a fair point," She begins. "But if this other side exists then how come on one ever returns?"

Maybe it's filled with endless money, food, and hot people; I wouldn't leave that either.

"Maybe they become trapped there," Mythia suggests.

Or that. That's reasonable too.

"Whatever the case," I say. "There's no evidence against it not existing, so for time purposes, I'm going to believe it does exist. Now I just need directions on how to get to the sea or whatever."

Sephora looks like Nora does before any of my stupid antics, unsure and dubious.

"So, you are planning to sail across the sea to a land where no one has ever returned from?"

"Color me crazy, but, yeah, that sounds about right."

She gives me a muted, rueful smile. "You are very much like your mother."

I can't envision my mom making stupid decisions like me- I mean, I'm a prodigy in bad life choices, it's a little hard to compete with me.

"I usually get told I act like my dad, but I'll take it."

"I can sense your father in you."

Whatever that means.

"Well, I need to get a start out to this sea-"

"Oh!"

Mythia perks up, not saying anything but keeping our attention as she runs off to another room to returns a minute later with an apple.

"Mama, can I can, please?" She begs eagerly.

Her mother even looks confused by this. "Yes, but what do you have there?"

She presents the small fruit to her. "It's something I've been working on. It will help her get to the great sea without the travel."

Hey, I'm starting to like this girl.

I'm the queen of lazy (four years running), so shortcuts are my life.

Sephora doesn't look so sure about this, though.

"I understand you want to help, Mythia, but this might not be the wisest choice. Your potion making isn't the best it could be for a task this risky, especially what you're proposing."

"Oh, but mama, I swear it is," She whines, jumping up and down a little. "I promise you it is. I tested it on Peri once; she traveled all the way to the well."

Sephora still looks skeptical, but as the queen of laze and the aforementioned prodigy of poor life choices, it's not beyond me to take a risk and use a magical transporting apple brewed up by a novice witch brat. I mean, my standards have always been nuclear fallout low.

"I'll take that risk," I step in, snatching up the apple- it looks delicious, like any other harmless apple.

While this pleases Mythia, her mother isn't as sold.

"Joan, are you sure? The journey to the sea would only take two days, maybe three, at most-"

"I don't have that kind of time. Unless you have another alternative, this'll have to do."

"See, mama," Mythia sings. "I'll show you, it will surely work."

"So, how does it work?" I ask, inspecting it. "Do I tell it where I want to go or do I think about where to go? What's the deal?"

Scratching her head, she shrugs. "I'm not certain. Try both."

Works for me.

"Joan, I must advise against this. Although I trust my daughter's skills as a brewer, she is still inexperienced in this sort of complex magic-"

"I have nothing but trust in her," I say. "Thanks for the concern but my brother is in danger and I might not have much time."

Though it's not what she's looking for, she joins the club of those who have to resign themselves to watching me dive head first into poor decisions.

"I understand," She nods. "I pray for both our sakes that Mythia's skills are enough to see you through."

"I hope so too." Or else I'm coming back and haunting this little shit.

Standing, I stare at the scrumptious fruit then start by telling it to take me to the sea, next I bite into the sweet core and think only about being transported to the sea.

There's no place like the great sea. There's no place like the great sea.

At first, it starts as a tingling sensation, but soon it's like I'm being poked from every angle. The room starts to spin and as the apple falls from my hand, Sephora and Mythia's voices start to fade away into white noise.

Now, it's too late to turn back.