The next night passed, and hunger coursed through Ivy like nothing else. She ate a small piece of the bread. If she could only eat what was necessary and save the rest, that would be her preferred method.

But the hunger was a persistent companion as she traversed across the landscape. The remote area stretched on, until a plume of smoke appeared ahead. Due to her constant use, Ivy wasn’t certain she could use any more of her magic and still claim it was safe enough.

As Ivy trekked onward, she followed the smoke. Perhaps some survivalists would tell her to move away from such a plume, as it was clearly no campfire. But her hunger was her guide as she made it to the edge of a charred village. Ivy chewed her lip, before she found a crew with some torches. Ivy joined them, as if pretending she was one of them. In helping them fight against a specific group of people, she didn’t know what she was fighting. But in pretending to be one of them, the bandits clearly didn’t pay much heed.

One of the opposing bandits turned to Ivy, narrowing his eyes. “And who might you be?”

“My business is my own,” Ivy said. She withdrew her sword. “But you don’t want to know what this stone does to people, now do you?”

“That’s right,” the man in charge said. “I think you would be wise if you listened to her.”

The opposing bandits would turn away, scoffing. One bandit leaned back. “I think you’re a hypocrite of some source. Only a few would ever carry something like that.”

When the others left, Ivy’s face flushed. She didn’t know who these people were, or what they were planning on doing. But as the man in charge studied her, there was something apprehensive.

“I hope you don’t mind a little assistance,” Ivy said softly.

“Who even are you, though?” the man said. “Do you even know what we’re doing?”

“I mean, by the looks of what I am wearing, I could imagine that any educated guesses wouldn’t be too far off,” Ivy said. “In comparison to this thing.”

“What’s your name?” The man asked.

“Ivy,” Ivy said. “I belong with rebels.”

“If that’s the case, then you had better join us ‘round the campfire, although we’re not likely to accept you into our ranks yet,” the man said. “My name is Edward. We’re technically outlaws, but we fought for justice when the king of Rathos became what he was ten years ago.”

“And what are your opinions on Lavender?” Ivy said. “I mean not to start such a controversial subject, but she and I had an altercation yesterday, and so I fear I am probably not the best company if any of you thinks too fondly of her.”

“Lavender helps us from time to time,” Edward said. He gave Ivy a questioning glance. “What did you do?”

“I don’t know,” Ivy said. “I mean, she took offense to the fact that I had a treasure. And that I wouldn’t give it to her. But I risked my life and nearly died for it. I think that warrants keeping.”

“Well, I am probably not the best person to get involved involved with personal conflicts like that,” Edward said. “We all have our grievances with one another. And who am I to judge? Lavender is just trying to survive in this current kingdom. We all are.”

“And that’s another thing,” Ivy said, sitting down near one of the nearby women. The woman gave a polite nod, but she had a look of disdain on her face. Ivy ignored it, turning back to Edward. “I know the kingdom of Rathos has had problems since the revolution.”

“To say the least,” Edward said. “I mean, look at us. We are the face of what was once a prominent kingdom. Until the rulers ruined everything due to their pride.”

“I fear that pride may be a common thing among royals,” Ivy said. She kicked a rock. “I mean, the royals in my world were similar. Although they have yet to face some revolution because of it. Well, until I came along and stole this scepter.”

“There are many who say the revolution was in vain, because even after everything, no one is truly free,” Edward said. “We no longer have the old monarchy, and that has allowed pirates to become prosperous. But it leaves us in a world where everyone is left to fend for himself. Or herself. Or whatever. And so you see, if you come across roving bandits, I suggest you be careful with yourself. You’re not exactly. How would I say it. You don’t exactly look like you belong here, and if folks become too suspicious of you, they might kill you.”

“I suppose that makes sense,” Ivy said. “Regardless, I believe I am stuck here for some time. May I remain with your company for some time? I promise to use my scepter to defend the people I am with.”

“We are not looking for new members currently, but you did save our lives, so we offered you food as a result. Hopefully, that would be enough for you,” Edward said. “But in order to find your way in this landscape, you will have to find it on your own. We could be interested in bartering, but you don’t have much coin, do you?”

“No,” Ivy said. “And what I do have, I am not parting with. But if you wanted protection from a pirate queen, where would you go?”

“You can try going inland,” Edward said. “But of everyone here, Lavender is the most queenly. If you wanted to avoid her, I suggest you find some smaller mercenaries, bribe them, and have them take you across to one of the other kingdoms.”

Ivy stood, nodding. She slipped away slowly, giving her thanks to these people. Whenever she mentioned the pirate queen, there was some amount of fear on the man’s face. Like he was supposed to remain silent, fearing to say anything inflammatory about her.

“Regardless,” Edward said. ‘You did save our lives, so how about I give you twenty coins, and we consider it even.”

“S–sure,” Ivy said. She stretched out her hand, so as to receive the coins. Edward dropped them in her hand. She gave one last nod before she grabbed her scepter and left.

20 coins

Of course, she would have many other problems, especially as she made her way further inland. But as she looked at the somewhat desolate island, she realized she would have a long journey across land to get to one of the famed ports. By then, the thought of escaping the pirate queen would be a mere fantasy anyway.

Ivy chewed the bottom of her lip. Of course, she should have known better. But the scepter was hers, and hers alone. She would need it as she traversed the landscape anyway, utilizing knives made out of the void to defend herself in accompaniment to her sword.

She began her journey, using the bottom of the scepter as a walking stick. Somehow, even after all of her issues, and all of the problems in this world, she found some semblance of excitement as she continued to walk.

The gulls cried out above, still giving her a constant background noise.

This new world of mine seems so familiar. I’ve heard about it in stories and legends. Many of my fellow revolutionaries take inspiration. And yet, there’s something quite complicated about a place such as this.