The light ebbed, leaving Ahna in a strange new place. A tall room, the backdrop of which was made of metal and wood. A well-dressed façade of finery hid the industrious nature of this place. Wracks of fantastic clothes, jewellery and accessories took up as much room as shelves of books. Manikins, adorned in lovely outfits, stood as though talking to one another, almost as though mimicking a soiree. It was a little weird. All this was lit by a white-orange light that buzzed from an electric lamp in the corner of the room.
Syble spoke softly, reading from a book as she stroked Ahna's hair, "The bedrock blistered, boiled and burst, spitting fire and ash into the air. By Alkazand's hand the winds whipped up this boiling breach and fashioned it upwards as a potter crafts clay."
Ahna stirred in her lap. Syble's attention turned to her momentarily. For the first time, in a long time, Ahna's attention seemed to focus, Syble continued, "From the heavens lashed rain and hail, tempering the great structure. Clouds of smoke and steam rolled out in all directions, and when they settled, Emica saw the weapon of the wizard, a great magical tower, set to target her hometown."
Syble had always read to Ahna and Euol, especially when they were younger or ill. As time got on, she continued to read aloud, regardless of whether anyone listened or not. That said, it had been some time since she had done this. It was nice, like the old days.
Ahna, her head on Syble's lap, sighed, "What happens next?" Ahna asked, her first words.
There was a moment of quiet, "Oh. Well, that's the end of the chapter." She said, "Maybe we should get some food before going any further?"
Ahna nodded. She lifted her head, everything felt particularly heavy. Just like trying to move in that horrible dream. What was it about? Some dark marsh forest? The Bramble woods maybe? A mist clouded her mind as the image of the dream seemed to slip away.
She rubbed her sore, tired eyes, then stretched her legs and climbed off the queen-sized bed upon which the two were nestled. She made her way across the room and looked out a window, her legs were like jelly, it was as if the world around her was rocking back and fore. She peered into the fog beyond, lashes of rain struck the glass. There was nothing outside, just grey and – waves?
"Are you alright?" Syble asked, she didn't reply, just stared out at the darkness.
"We're on the ship." Explained Syble, "This is Evelyne's room. She's taken us in while we cross."
"Cross?"
"The Northern Lown,"
Ahna placed her hand against the cold glass, the deathly cold was enough to chase some sense back into her.
She gasped, "Why?"
"It's a long story," said Syble, "Let's get some food first."
Ahna nodded, "How long has it been?"
The thick iron walls of the vessel were enough to muffle Syble's soft voice, but no calm could contain Ahna's surprise when she discovered just over "A Week!?" had passed by.
Her mind felt a mess, but things were slowly coming together. As the dream faded and yielded to her working memory, she started to recognise bits of the vessel as they walked through. It was almost as though her conscious mind was remembering what she'd been doing while in a fugue state. But only in bits. They arrived at the mess hall towards the end of the evening meal, the men were gathered around tables eating and drinking under an uncomfortable electric light. There were a few familiar faces amongst them, Rory included, who took quick interest her arrival.
At the back of the windowless hall was the captain's table. The captain of the ship himself, sat at the centre with his commanders. Close by were the familiar entourage including Einrich, Sabian, Evelyne and Euol, someone was missing.

YOU ARE READING
The Ashes of Allmau: The Orfolk of Allmau
FantasyHe disappeared several years prior, through that narrow crevasse left of the old tower of Higard. Proferring peace to the enemies of the old empire, in search of treasure left behind in the wake of the great fire, or possibly hunting down the illusi...