JANICE

The Orphanage was silent that night. I sat at my table while the children slept. A cold breeze blew through my windows, making me shiver.

I was far too old for this. These cold nights. In my eighties and I longed for someone with whom I could warm my old brittle bones. A shame my husband passed all those years ago.

It was on that night that a strange event occured. A stranger entered my room,not even knocking at the door, and nearly giving me a heart attack. His face was hidden beneath a tattered and dirty white cloak,his eye's hidden behind black bangs.

"May I help you dear?" I asked,doing my best to remain calm.

"I need assistance." The stranger said.

His voice was rather deep, holding a sense of mystery as well as a hint of familiarity. I do not know what it was,but I felt as though I'd heard that voice before.

"Do you wish to adopt a child?"

"No ma'am."

He was extremely polite. Or so he appeared to be. He approached my table,sitting down ahead of me.

"Would you like some tea dear? Perhaps coffee?"

"No thank you. I just need to ask some questions."

"Of course. Is it in regards to a child?"

"In a sense yes. I'm looking for one who stayed here temporarily. For two weeks if I'm correct. By now he should be turning nineteen."

"Oh no dear I don't house young adults. All of my children are fairly young,ages ranging from three years to sixteen."

"He was someone who stayed here when he was younger. Nine years old if my information is correct. His name is Nova Vi Britannia. I'm looking for him."

"Nova? You don't know him?"

"I do...sort of. I've heard tales. Stories. Read about him in tomes,but I've never seen him in person."

"It's your wish to see Nova? The Legendary Commander of the Imperial Army?"

"The Empire's Grim Reaper...yeah. I need to."

"Why? You don't plan on hurting the boy do you?"

"Of course not. I just want to see him. I've been searching for him for years. His constant shift from battlefield to battlefield has made it hard for me to track him down and finally get the chance to see him."

"Yes...the Commander is rather busy handling assignments and taking tasks for the Empire. But I believe he's taken a few weeks off, after the death of Princess Elena."

"He's taking a break because of a girl?"

"Yes? She was his lover."

The stranger was silent for awhile. He set his hand on the table,only...it wasn't a hand. While it was a hand...it was wooden...a prosthetic limb.

"So I can find Nova in the barracks?" He asked.

"Yes. That's where everyone goes if they wish to see him. Although the Commander is a rather anti-social person, rarely if not ever, accepts any visitors."

"Oh he'll want to see me Ma'am, don't worry."

The stranger stood, bowing his head to me as he did so. "Thank you for your time. I can't begin to express my gratitude."

He stopped halfway to the door,looking at me over his shoulder. "If you don't mind my asking for another favour,I need to know where a specific hospital is, in the Noble district. About three stories high,rather prestige."

"Oh! I'm sorry dear I don't get to the Noble district very often. I barely make do here in the slums."

The stranger turned,reaching into his cloak and pulling out a sack. It clinked with coins which he placed on the table in front of me.

"There you go."

"I...I truly do not know where the hospital you seek is dear."

He giggled softly. "Oh no,this isn't a bribe ma'am. Consider it a gift. A thank you for the information."

"Oh...I can't take thi-"

"I'm not giving you a choice." The stranger said as he began walking toward the door once more.

He smiled over his shoulder once more,thanking me one final time before he left.

I never saw the stranger again. But,I had a feeling that Nova would be seeing him soon.