(Mortem Pictured)

Megaera was awakened before the sun rose in the sky. She had yet another dream of the possible future, one that caused a cold sweat on her pale skin. She shivered, and got out of her bed, throwing the covers to the ends of it.

"Lady Megaera... you are up early." Vindex remarks, sitting at the desk. As a Living Dead, he did not sleep, so he chose to use that time to read more of the spell books in Megaera's ownership.

"I... I just... I am fine." She murmured, her brain hazy from the lack of sleep. She always did have a hard time sleeping, it being a side effect from her troubled past. She got up and stumbled, grabbing a bookshelf for support.

"You look like you spent the night drinking, m'lady." Vindex said dully, watching her.

"I am fine, Vindex.... Just... Another nightmare..." She says, looking outside to see the ever slow fading of the stars and the rays of the sun became brighter to the east. "Is everything packed?"

"Yes, Megaera. Everything is in the wagon and ready for the trip." He murmured, getting up and feeling her face. "Miss... You are chilled."

"From the nightmare, Vindex." She huffed, pushing away his hand. "I have said I am fine multiple times. Leave me be!"

"You say you are fine, and yet in your eyes I can see the fear in them. Tell me your nightmare, Megaera." Vindex says, taking on a demanding tone. She was going to retaliate and perhaps put him back in his place, but she couldn't bring up the energy. Vindex lightly pushed her, making her sit on the bed, before taking a seat himself. "Well? I am waiting."

"......... I had a dream about if we failed." She whispered, looking at her hands. They were her mother's hands, smooth and rather small. Perfect for a mancer who practiced mancery that needed a careful touch. "We were taken to the castle... Notus and I were on trial. They demanded his head in repayment... and I... I was forced to watch as the king beheaded him with his blade. They laughed..." She began holding her head, shaking. It had been so vivid, so real... "They laughed as his blood spilt. My mancery... it had left me... I couldn't... I couldn't save him...!"

Vindex watched as the girl shook, before placing an arm around her. "I knew you were getting too close to the boy... I say you leave him behind. He will just be in more danger if he traveled with you. Besides... Time away from him can allow you to regain control of your emotions and free yourself from it's attachment." He said gently. "You know what happens when you become emotional... You lose sight what needs to be done."

"Perhaps you are right, Vindex... Maybe I should tell Notus to stay behind. After all, he has a family here, and a lover who cares for him very much. He doesn't need to be put in danger being around me." Megaera says, before standing up. "Your service is ever valuable, my friend."

"It is why you brought me back, my lady." Vindex says, before looking out the window. "The sun is rising... Would you like to watch?"

Megaera gave a small smile. "I suppose I will... This once." She goes to the door, and heads outside, the feel of the soft grass under her feet. She walked out a bit, before watching as the golden sun rose up over the horizon. She felt at peace, like the olden days when she was young, and her mother was teaching her the basics of Sanamancery. She turned slightly to see Vindex beside her, and she sighed softly. "Do you think father would be proud of me?"

"He would be beyond proud, Megaera... you are his most perfect creation." Vindex says, placing a hand on her shoulder. "He and your mother would be proud of you."

At that, Megaera smiled, and watched as the sun rose up, before turning to her friend. "Come. Let us get ready and go." At that, she went into the house and got properly dressed, dressing in her black robes before grabbing a few fruit. Vindex was getting the horses strapped into the wagon. At that moment, a figure comes into view, walking hastily and covered in a dark cloak. As the figure nears, Megaera can see the Royal Purple and recognizes the blonde hair peeking out at once.

"Notus." She calls to him.

Notus looks up and grins, rushing over to the wagon and stops short of her.

"Hey, it's a beautiful morning isn't it?"

"Weren't you supposed to meet me at the docks?"

Notus shrugs and laughs.

"Well, I woke early. I decided to head out. I have all my things in my pack, so I have everything. Unfortunately I couldn't find my cloak, so I had to borrow Adrians."

Megaera nods.

"That explains why you are wearing a Royal Purple cloak."

Notus sheds the cloak and places it in the back of the wagon with the rest of his things. He turns, a frosty crown gathering on his head.

"So, are we ready?"

Megaera glances to Vindex and Vindex simply nods. She pulls Notus aside and sighs.

"I don't think you should go."

Notus lets his grin fall and he looks at her weirdly.

"Why not?"

"It just isn't a good idea." Meg states simply.

"Meg, we made our plans long ago. Why would you just suddenly...Something happened didn't it?"

"Notus, you have a life. You have comfort in the castle, a family to love. You have a relationship that you truly care for. Why should you abandon that? I couldn't ask that of you, nor would I. You can be happy."

"Meg, I can't be happy. I may have Adrian and my mother, I may have the respect of most of the Royal family, save Regius and maybe Regina, but I also have a lot of hate that surrounds me. The town would look on me with shame if they knew who I truly am."

"Notus, please, just listen to..."

"No, Meg. I am not going to listen. I refuse to live in this place, hoping that I will be safe, unrecognized. I love my mother, and I love Adrian. But what good does it do if the brother of the Prince hates me and the people despise my existence?" He growls, gesturing around with his hand.

Meg notices something glimmer on Notus' hand and grabs his arm suddenly, pulling it to her eyes. On Notus hand is a golden band with a sapphire embedded in the center.

"Notus, what is this?" She asks quietly.

Notus pulls his hand back and smiles sheepishly.

"Adrian asked me to marry him, officially. The king makes the proclamation today at noon."

Meg sighs and places her hand on her forehead.

"Notus, you realize what that means right? You would be safe. Why would you abandon that?"

"I love Adrian, and I want to be with him. But I would rather do what I planned with you from the beginning. He will either join me, or he will suffer with the rest of his family."

Notus' face is blank for a moment as he says this before he breaks into a wide grin.

"I am not abandoning you. Trust me on that. Who else will keep you from ripping off someone's head if they look at you crossly?"

"Notus, I had a nightmare. We failed, and we suffered. You were beheaded before me and I could do nothing. My mancery was gone. When I dream things, they tend to happen. How can I keep you from suffering that fate?"

"We won't fail. We train, we learn, and we grow. We will take over, and we will watch the kingdom fall. I'll be fine, and your mancery will not fail you. Besides, we're better off together. We can do much more. The Kings diamond flesh will not protect him from us."

Megaera stares at Notus, seeing the conviction in his eyes. She hesitates for a mere moment but soon breaks into a small smile.

"Alright then. I guess we should head out then." Megaera says, turning away. "I should have known that you wouldn't listen to reason..." She looks to Vindex, who shook his head at her softness. She was disappointed that she couldn't convince the boy to stay behind, but a part of her, a small part located in her heart, was glad he fought against her decision, and was coming with her.

"Young Master Notus..." Vindex called, walking over. "Will you help me gather a few more items from the house? Megaera must wait in the wagon, seeing how she will be sleeping for the journey to the docks."

Megaera rolled her eyes at her companion before climbing onto the wagon to steady the horses. Vindex and Notus go into the house, Vindex closing the door behind him. There was nothing in the house, not even a bag, which caused Notus to turn to the Living Dead. Before saying a word, Vindex hissed.

"You... You are causing such pain to her, don't you understand? Lady Megaera hasn't had nightmares since she was but a child... but now, since you are in her life, she concerns herself with your well-being!" He snarled at the boy, pointing a finger at him. "I swear to you, boy... If I feel you are causing her more pain than need be, I shall kill you without a thought. You are nothing to me."

Notus grins slyly.

"But of course, if you can escape from being a permanent ice cube."

Vindex glares at Notus in annoyance and Notus softens.

"Look, I get it. You are her servant, as you were her parents servant. I get how protective of her you are. But you have to understand that I need this as much as she does. I have to learn. I have to get stronger. I need to show that I am not my father. I have to show that I am more than what people see me as, and the only way I can do that is to help Meg take over and strike fear into the hearts of those who outcast me. I have to hide myself in public, changing my clothes. I've had to do this for years."

They pass by the open window and Meg overhears them, listening in.

"I was almost killed when I was seven because of what my father did. I was a day old when he tried to take over. I could have died, and no one could have helped me. If not for the queen, I would have died. I still have the scar because of the poison. I'll have it all my life."

Meg was taken back, having not known this.

"I never told anyone because it would have brought more shame. I have to hide myself, and it isn't a fun thing to do. I need this to get revenge, and to get the peace I want. Meg has her reasons for doing this, and I respect that. I may be engaged to the Prince, but it will change nothing. I will protect Meg, and I will help her through our mission. I know she concerns herself with me, even though she doesn't have to. I love with people not concerning themselves with me, and treating me with such disrespect. I would do nothing to hurt my only friend, including get in the way. She's the only one who truly cared for me as a friend and the only one I could ever rely on. I promise you Vindex, I will not cause her pain. I would rather sacrifice myself to the worst death imaginable."

Meg simply stands there dumbfounded. Notus had never said anything like this before, and it has shaken her. Vindex stands there for a second, continuing to glare at Notus before turning.

"Very well, I shall trust your word. But, only this once."

They return outside the house and Meg hurries to look busy, and turns as they come out, pretending not to have heard a thing.

"It seems I was mistaken, as there was no more to grab. I suppose we already grabbed all of it."

"Very well, let's get going then. We have a boat to catch." Megaera says roughly.

Notus climbs into the wagon next to Meg and sits down. Vindex gets in the front and grabs the reigns. He starts the wagon moving and Notus and Megaera sit in silence as the wagon travels. Notus stares at Megaera as if suspicious of something, but he turns away and focuses on something else. They make it to the docks in mere minutes and begin loading their things onto their boat, a large transport vessel. On the ship, standing on the side is Mortem, staring at them unwavering and indifferent.

"You are a full minute late mistress." He states matter of factly.

"Sorry, that was my fault Mortem. Took too long grabbing my cloak." Notus replies with a soft smile.

Mortem simply stares at him before sighing.

"Do hurry and board. We must leave within the next five minutes if we are to get out before the town wakes and to make it in good time.

Megaera and Notus quickly dismounting the wagon and grabbing a few things from the back of the wagon and carrying them on board the ship. AS they board, they are met by a young man just a few years older than they. He is tall and stocky, with short, wavy, raven black hair and eyes like sunlight hitting an emerald crystal. He wears loose gray pants and dark leather boots, a light, sheer white shirt with sleeves cut off at the shoulders and a dark leather vest. His face is chiseled and he has a dark beard trimmed short.

"Hello, I am the captain of this vessel, Marcos Aroune. Please to meet your acquaintances."

His voice is soft and deep, and weirdly alluring.

"I am Megaera and this is my companion, Notus. I assume Mortem has given you instructions and payed you the advancement?"

The man nods and crosses his arms.

"Indeed, and it will be my pleasure to take you as I am travelling to that area already. But, the question is what both you young pretties are doing travelling there?"

"It is none of your concern. But, if you must know, it is simply a trip to better ourselves." Megaera states simply.

Marcos holds his hands up in a sign of surrender.

"I do not mean to pry. Oh, don't worry about the rest of your luggage. I got it."

He points a finger at their wagon and the luggage in the back lifts in a whirlwind and floats onto the boat and down a hatch into the cargo hold.

"You're an Aeromancer!" Notus exclaims.

"Indeed, which is why I need not a large crew. I have need of only myself to sail this vessel."

The hatch closes and Marcos crosses his arms once more.

"So, shall we get heading out then?"

Marcos walks off and up the stairs to the wheel and leaves Megaera and Notus to themselves. They wave goodbye to Vindex and board the ship fully. The walkway behind them lifts into the air and moves away. Ropes go flying as the ship unties and the sails roll down. They watch as the sails open fully and the ship slowly begins to travel forward. Megaera turns to find Notus staring directly at her.

"This is it Megaera."

The ship pulls away from the dock and into the harbor, beginning their journey fully.