Chapter Ten

Year 2775, 12th Sun

The High Seas

As King Vagon attacked Martha, a gate, no, portal opened in front of the ship. "You're not taking my planet!"

Meanwhile, Rose analyzed the new portal that offered a view of her home island. "That is my mother's doing! She must have predicted this outcome. Captain, let's go!"

Aradag gathered his men, and in one synchronized effort, everyone made it through the portal, paying no mind to the battle between the beings behind them. Having been carrying Aradag through, Rose threw his battered body onto the shore as soon as they landed.

By then Rose was panting heavily, but she needed answers. "Who is that Martha person? How do you know him?"

"I know of him, but I do not know what he is or where he has come from," he replied. "However, I am sure that he has only sinister intentions."

"How are you so sure?"

"I need to return home," he stood up slowly, mindful of his injuries. "I must see if I have received any letters..."

"What letters? And didn't my mother open that portal for us? We must thank her first!"

Rose's restlessness did nothing to ease Aradag's worry. "I do not think that was the Countess, Miss Rose. That was beyond any magician's abilities."

"Then who was it?"

"I don't know, ma'am. But I need to leave now. My sincere apologies for the unorthodox events you had to witness." With that, Aradag signaled to his men and took off, leaving Rose to her devices.

What an eccentric man, thought Rose. So, the magicians are thieves, but who is Martha? And why did this Vagon creature appear so nervous when he saw him? Maybe his five stones are a keystone in his plans. From how Vagon talked about Martha, he appears to be from a different planet, so how does Captain Spectro know him? And what did he mean by letters?

On the other side, Aradag dashed into his home, rummaging through his mail in search of any letters. Only a few caught his eye; some of them were from Lady Avis. All that she said was how everything was fine, and she was doing well. She also mentioned her father allowing her to leave the castle. On reading the last letter, however, Aradag frowned. Feeling different? Losing her mind?

It was the last line that did it for him.

"Mr. Spectro, I think I am pregnant."

Aradag hastily wrote a letter of his own to the Count, asking for permission to leave the Vicinity. By morning, he received a refusal that crushed him, but also a surprise guest whose sudden appearance frightened him.

"Miss Rose!" he exclaimed, startled to see the maiden poised to knock on his door. "T-to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Do let me inside," she replied, pushing past the dazed man as she walked inside. "You left me with so many unanswered questions, Captain. Letters, monsters, thievery... Just how perilous are your adventures?"

Aradag pursed his lips. "Come sit. I will brew you some tea."

As he got to work, his mind spiraled out of his control. He had to protect Lady Avis' secrets, but the burden of his worries was growing greater by the hour. What could he reveal to the curious woman sitting impatiently in his living room?

Only the bigger picture, he decided. "Your tea, Miss Rose."

"Thank you."

"I must warn you, I am sworn to secrecy. My career is a most interesting one."

Rose sighed. "Yes, yes. Tell me what you can."

"There are lots of strange events happening in this world," he began, sitting across from Rose. His tea was untouched. "Nothing is as it seems. My mother's disappearance started my journey across the globe, but at its end, I only returned with more mysteries to unravel..."

As Aradag went on, Rose's glare of concentration burrowed into his mind. He spoke of Martha and how little he knew about him and an unfortunate woman he had taken advantage of. By the end of it, Aradag wished the earth could entomb him.

"I-I see." She looked to be thinking over her words, seeing the despair on Aradag's face. "This Martha person, you said he warned you to stay away from the woman? Perhaps he is protecting her from the shadows. It is an unlikely scenario, but..."

"Why would he?"

"I am just speculating, Captain. At this point in time, there is nothing you can do. Take time to rest. Once I think over this, I will contact you again." Rose then thanked him for the tea and for his time before leaving the house, leaving him more conflicted than ever.