Jessica was finally alone for a couple of hours since she arrived on the ship. She found it exhilarating. For the first time she was able to sit down and effectively sift through the burden of information and emotions she had experienced since the pirate twins decided to waltz into the tower.

After Sebastian’s offer, she felt slightly lighter, and felt a drive she had never felt before. She had a purpose, a real purpose that apparently can save lives. Though the idea of war and death terrified her to no end, so did the idea of faring for herself out in the world. Or going back to her aunt.

Jessica’s original discussion with Sebastian had opened her eyes, and she finally saw Agatha’s behavior for what it really was all those years. Abusive and manipulative. It crushed her inside, the only person she’s ever known or loved had used her in such a fashion.

Jessica listened to stories of Laryssa and Sebastian, and watched how they interacted with each other and knew in her heart Agatha never cared for her. At first Jessica couldn’t cope with her revelation, that her whole life was a lie, and that she was useless beyond serving as Agatha’s personal magic bank. It was her own gullibility that broke Jessica the most. Her willingness to accept all the pain and lies without a fight, her lack of self-confidence in her own worth made it worse. It all weighed heavily on her heart.

But now, with Sebastian’s help, Jessica will become stronger. Jessica isn’t sure what path her new purpose will bring her down, but she’s desperate to pull herself out of the metaphorical ruble of the tower in her mind. To rebuild and become a new person. A person strong enough to never let anyone hurt her again.

A soft knock at her door pulled Jessica out of her thoughts. Of course, peace is not possible while still imprisoned, at least they knocked this time. With a sigh, she called to the person beyond the mahogany door. “Come in.”

Slowly, Laryssa peeked through the doorway, eyes darting all over the place as if she was nervous to enter. Closing the door behind her without a word, she sat in the stall and stared intently at the intricate patterns of a knot in a wooden plank.

Her nerves started rubbing off on Jessica, with a pointed cough to clear her throat she decided to break the silence. “Hello Laryssa. You appear quiet this evening.”

“Shut up.” She snarled. There's my classic tourturer, Jessica mused as the corners of her lips kicked up a notch. Laryssa just pinched the bridge of her nose in-between her eyes and huffed out an irritated breath. “I need you to answer me something, and it has to be truthful. I can’t have you on the ship if you’re a risk to the safety of my crew. As a wind user I can hear truth and lies so don’t even try anything with me.”

Glad to gleam a little new information on wind users, Jessica just nodded her agreement before letting Laryssa continue.

“Why did you agree to my brother’s proposal?”

Jessica cocked her head as she debated answering the question. “I... Do not know who I am currently. I do not understand my powers, or what I am capable of. I have no clue how to survive in the outside world. All my knowledge has been gained from books and novels my aunt had approved of, but I have no real experience or understanding on how to live outside the tower. Even the idea of leaving this cabin scares me, which should be odd considering I am currently a prisoner. But going back to my aunt, now that my eyes are currently open, scares me more. All my life I was brought up thinking my own sacrifices would help my aunt, and that would make me happy and give me purpose. I now need a new purpose while I discover my true self, without the manipulations of others pulling me down.” Jessica declared with a triumphant huff, surprising herself that she sounded so confident in her declaration.

“We will be pulling you into war, isn’t that a manipulation in itself?” She challenged.

“No, you have put your cards on the table, and I have weighed my current options. Either learn and adapt to survive with your guidance, or probably die on my own. However, if I find either of you have lied, or are wanting to use me for other purposes other than saving your people, then I will break off from your offer.” She said in a poised manner, without missing a beat.

Laryssa took her time to digest her answer, biting her bottom lip as she examined Jessica’s face. Eventually she nodded and asked. “Do you know of the Blackthorn royal line?”

“The fallen royal family of the kingdom of Alintage? Yes, I read that the current king of Valfallow battled the late Blackthorn king, he won and now the archipelago islands are classed as part of the kingdom of Valfallow. It’s stated that the royal line died when the Shadow King sieged the capital and the castle on Lightland Island.”

Laryssa clenched her jaw and fists, speaking with effort. “That is not how it happened. The Shadow King used underhanded tactics to kidnap the eldest princess. Imprisoning her until Magnus Blackthorn, the Alintage King, agreed to stand down while the Shadow King returned his daughter. His people were angry that he didn’t fight harder to steal her back, but maybe he was too worried about his daughter to consider his people.” She shuddered a breath before continuing. “After twenty-one days of imprisonment at the hands of the Shadow King, the princess was returned. The Shadow King waltzed into the royal capital and castle with free reign, knowing he won the battle before it even began. Throwing the broken princess onto the throne dais, her brother quickly scooped her up into his arms to protect her from what was about to come. The princess and prince then watched as their father was killed in cold blood. Their younger sister, Lyra, also killed along with her knights by the Shadow warriors, she was only ten years old. Yet he still murdered her. Somehow, in the chaos of death, they both escaped along with a handful of their knights for protection and disappeared. They later learned that the queen, their mother had been taken prisoner by the Shadow King. A year later, before the prince and princess could muster up enough resources to rescue their mother, she died. Alone, beaten, and cold within the Shadow King’s dungeon. That’s how our rebellion started, ten years ago.” Laryssa finished, looking up to meet Jessica’s shocked expression. Her jaw hung open; her eyes wide as she calculated the information before her. All the books stated that the whole line had died, but Laryssa looked too haunted in her account for it not to be true. Sebastian said their people were dying... Their rebellion...

“Are you...” She whispered.

“Yes, I am Laryssa Blackthorn, and my brother is my older twin, the rightful heir to the Alintage Archipelago throne. I was the princess who was captured and the catalyst of the kingdom's downfall. During the past decade we have fought in the shadows against the Valfallow empire, desperate to free our people from slavery. Our people want to go back home, and see my brother lead them to a happier future free from the taint of the Shadow King. My brother is convinced that you could turn the tide in a war if you learn to control your powers, to give our soldiers and rebels a fighting chance against the Shadow Warriors of Valfallow. I tell you all of this, trusting that one; none of what I have spoken leaves this room, and two; you make a clear decision and know what you’re getting yourself into so you don’t kill us later on.”

Silence fell in the room as Laryssa glared at Jessica, waiting for her response. Jessica audibly gulped down her fear. It seems that she has fallen into something much bigger than what she originally thought, and wasn’t too sure how to reply to the bad ass princess in front of her. Ignoring her intended question, Jessica focused on the main piece of information that caught her attention.

“You were imprisoned too?” She cocked her head as she looked into Laryssa’s startled eyes.

“Yes. Why?”

“How did you cope... After. Not just with the death of your family, but with the realisation that you had no control in your situation.”

“I haven’t.” She whispered.

Gently, Jessica nodded as she looked away before looking back at Laryssa, her cheeks blazing red. “Then how about we learn together?”

It felt like a life time before Laryssa reacted to her question, until a dozen different emotions crossed her face. All ranging from shock, to anger, confusion, and finally begrudging acceptance as she rolled her eyes. “Fine.” Was all she said and she extended her hand towards Jessica. Jessica assumed Laryssa was playing another tactic at first, but then she saw the blush against the tips of her ears and figured she was also embarrassed. Jessica looked down to her outstretched hand and hesitantly shook it as she realised this was a handshake she had read about; not in greeting, but to seal a deal between the two.

A small part of Jessica wondered if this could be the start of her very first friendship.