The office was warm as a bright fire burned in the corner, numerous lamps and candles burned around the room and lit it perfectly. The man Diorih sat patiently at the small circular table, waiting for Roky to seat himself. When Roky stood still, nervously looking around Diorih cleared his throat and Roky glanced at him. “It will get cold if you do not eat.” He said, Roky considered the food, it looked and smelled better than anything he had seen in days. “Please, sit.” Diorih motioned to the chair, Roky again, despite his will, sat down.

“Why am I here?” Roky stared blankly at the man’s shirt, he couldn’t face the man who had taken him so subtly and without refute.

“Because I asked you. Go on, eat, it is quite good.” Diorih lowered a utensil that resembled an odd looking fork and picked at his plate.

Roky tried the food, he didn’t have to talk if he was eating, he didn’t have to look at him he didn’t even have to think about anything but the food. The meat was tender and the spices excited Roky’s mouth. He dug in and gorged himself. Diorih watched amused until Roky had finished and wiped his hands and mouth. “Well?”

“Well what?” Roky didn’t understand.

“How was it? The food my boy, how was the food?” Diorih chuckled to himself and sipped from a crystal glass.

“Better than what I’ve been eating.” Roky murmured, he felt guilty for having eaten when he didn’t know the fate of Petrice and the others. He frowned at the smeared plate and felt disgusted with himself.

“I do not dare ask what that could be.” Diorih mused and sat back in his chair. “So, what is your name?”

Roky stared shocked, he didn’t even know his name. Roky stalled, did he want to tell him who he was, Roky’s name seemed like a huge deal and it took him nearly five minutes before her spoke. “Roky… Serter. Roky Serter.” He choked out, the man nodded and sipped again.

“It is a pleasure, Roky Serter. I am Diorih Kathesh, lord of this house and a master tradesmen. I welcome you to my home.” Diorih bowed his head and gave a warm smile.

“Thanks… but I should be going. Petrice will be expecting me back at her place.”

“She doesl not. This is your home now. You are no longer a peasant, but a member of my family.” He stood from his chair and stood by the fire.

Roky groaned, his mind couldn’t take anymore oddities. He didn’t want to be there anymore than Petrice seemed to. He wanted to be with the only people he felt safe with and even then he felt alone. His world suddenly felt cold in the balmy room. The man loomed silently with his back turned, Roky was sure he could slip out before he noticed. But what about the guards, Roky thought remembering the mean looking men and many servants who idled around the halls. Roky’s breath came in short rasps, he felt trapped, and his lungs constricted and tried to relax.

Diorih turned at the sound, he watched Roky’s horrified face as he clutched at his throat, tears streaming down his face. The man rushed to the door and barked a name, moments later a man pushed through the door with three guards and hurried over to Roky who had begun to shake violently. “What’s the matter with him?” Diorih roared, the doctor felt around Roky’s neck and chest and searched the bag he had brought with him.

“He could be having a reaction to something.”

“We just had dinner, it could’ve been something-”

“Quiet!” The doctor pushed two fingers into Roky’s collar, feeling the thudding pulse against his fingers he uncorked a bottle and drew a small amount out with a rubber dropper. He put it in Roky’s mouth and squeezed the bulb.

The liquid rushed down Roky’s throat and lungs and he cough violently. He grabbed at his throat and rolled around, the guards stepped in to hold him steady. Slowly Roky began to calm, his breathing stabilized and he peered stupidly around the room.

Roky could hear voices, his body felt numb and he couldn’t move, his eyes barely blinked and they slowly fell shut and darkness fully consumed him as his brain shut down and the voices faded away.

Roky’s dreams haunted him for what seemed an eternity, he couldn’t wake up and at times he felt the pain of his terrors on his flesh and he screamed without end, taking what little comfort he could in knowing it was all in his mind. He felt something cold on his forehead, he put his hand to it and water flooded over him. It filled the white room with a deep blue liquid and he floated up until his head hit something solid. More white, he watched the blue water fill and held his breath. He waited calmly for death to over come him and stopped struggling, he felt a warm hand caress his face and his eyes snapped open.

Roky gasped for breath and flailed his arms. He felt someone hold him gently and he stopped moving. The girl stared at him blankly, he watched her with uncertainty. “Are you real?” He gasped, on the verge of crying.

“I am Aejis, I am… real.” She let him go and they sat staring awkwardly at each other.

“Who are you? What happened? Where am I?” Roky looked around, the room was a deep crimson colour and light seeped in through the cracks of the curtains. Many weapons adorned the walls, hellish looking creations with wicked blades and edges.

“Please, calm yourself.” The girl held him down.

Roky stared up at her, she was either surprisingly strong or he had become incredibly weak. Roky did as he was told and looked around, the room scared him, he thought he was in some form of torture room. He finally turned to the girl, she had a sweet, pale face with light brown hair and fair blue eyes. Roky thought she was pretty and for a moment he felt normal. “What was your name?”

The girl grinned, amused at the small talk. “Aejis Elkite. I have been assigned to your health, should you need anything, just call for me.”

“How do I do that?” Roky sat up, his chest hurt and his lungs burned.

“With your mouth. I will never be very far should you need me. Simply call out and I will be with you shortly. Would you like anything to eat or drink?” She asked, Roky’s expression had turned again.

“Just water thanks. I don’t think the food agrees with me. Or that guy poisoned me.” He blinked, trying to remember what had happened exactly. “How long have I bee sleeping?”

“Nearly thirty-eight hours.” Roky stopped and gaped. “And Master Diorih would never harm his guests, he is a good man, I heard he was very worried about you. It is not a surprise that you had a reaction to the food, Sire Diorih has a very strong stomach and likes to try many things most people cannot eat. But enough of my chat, I will be back soon with your drink. Please stay here.” The girl dismounted the bed, bowed low and left the room.

“This is so fucked up. What am I doing here?” Roky groaned and fell back into the soft bed.

The air was quiet, he wondered if anyone were in the large house besides himself and the servant, soon wondering what relevance that had to anything. Roky was beside himself, he couldn’t think, he wanted to form a plan of escape, to run and hide away with Petrice, to get away from the terrifying man and his nice home. He heard a short conversation outside the door but paid it no mind.

“Probably guards, don’t want your guest to take off.” He heard the door open and in walked Aejis carrying a tray. “I asked for water, what’s all that?”

“The cook sends his deepest apologies for the other night. He did not know that Sire Diorih was having someone for dinner, else he would have prepared something less exotic. He has sent up fresh fruit and bread that he prepared this morning.” She laughed a little and set it down beside Roky who considered the plate of brightly coloured objects.

“Tell him it’s all right, no harm done, still alive.” Roky faked a grin and picked up the water, draining it in one go. His expression fell as time passed in silence, the fruits looked tempting, but Roky could hardly move.

“Is something wrong?” Aejis raised his chin and looked into his eyes.

The still air of the room, coupled with the silence made the girl feel very awkward. She looked Roky over, he appeared fine, but his face told her otherwise. After a long moment Roky brought his eyes up, he didn’t seem to be looking at Aejis, just not at the bed. “Everything is wrong.” He sighed, feeling his mind turn dark. “I don’t know where I am, who anyone is, or if anyone is looking for me, do they even know I’m gone? I could be in a coma, like that weird nineties television show, everything seems real, but nothing is the same.” Roky laid back down, his head rolled to the side and he watched Aejis silently.

“You are not sleeping, I am no more a dream than this house is. Truly, you speak as if you’ve fallen from another world,” She laughed forcing a smile from Roky.

Roky snapped up, Aejis jumped up, a hand went to her hip but Roky took no notice. His eyes darted everywhere, his mind tapping every inch of knowledge. His face finally went slack and he turned to the nervous girl. “Do you have paper? Or a map? Do you know what shape the world is?”

The girl blinked in confusion, she took a step back and nodded. She disappeared through the door, minutes later she returned, the man named Diorih entering the door a step behind her. Roky flinched at the sight of Diorih and inched closer to the edge of the bed. “What is this about Roky? What have you thought of?”

“Don’t be cute with me, gimme the paper…”

Diorih nodded to aegis who handed in a plate of wood and a long piece of charcoal. Roky scribbled for a few minutes, he looked up occasionally to look about the room before going back to drawing. “Have you ever seen this before?” He held out the paper, Aejis took it and showed it to Diorih.

“The Cairn? What do you know of the Great Cairn?” Diorih stared at him, his eyes wide.

“So you have seen it?”

“I’ve been shown pictures, nothing more, it is said to be a gateway from this world to others.” Diorih took hold of Aejis and moved her behind him, towards the door. “But the Cairn is many days from here, you couldn’t have…”

“I’m sorry? It’s used for other world travel? With stones? That’s fucking impossible, my people haven’t even mastered space travel and I’m damn sure a broken heap of rocks ain’t gonna take us to places trillions of miles away, it’s impossible not to mention so unbelievably improbable… I just repeated myself… But whatever, you can’t just step into a circle of stones and be taken anywhere you want…” Roky looked desperately to them, he didn’t want an answer, he knew it would sound stupid anyway. “Show me the map, I know I’m probably just in some stupid, weird park that MTV is using as a place to punk people… can I have the map?”

Diorih made no move to hand over the wooden container, the boy’s words made little sense and his slang confused Diorih further. “This cost me a small fortune… it is worth more than you are.” He cautiously inched closer, Roky jumped up and grabbed it, he snapped the lid off and unrolled the map.

Silence swept over the room, Roky looked at the map, horrified. He didn’t know what to make of it, the shapes weren’t right, the writing was wrong, everything about it was wrong but it looked so real. “This isn’t a map,” Roky laughed, his hands shaking. “Is this some kind of joke? I mean…” He dropped the map onto the bed. “Impossible.”

“You are in Foria. This map is real, I’ve verified it with my own eyes and cost me over five thousand zin. This is our world, do you mean to tell us… you are from another?”

“No… it isn’t possible. It isn’t possible…”

Tears welled in Roky’s eyes, images of before he woke up in the field dashed through his visage. A girl, he went to get a girl who had stayed behind with someone. Lots of lightning, blinding pain. His skinned crawled at the memory and his empty stomach turned over. The tears came swiftly, Roky’s shaking increased until he fell to his side, a mess of sobs and shakes.

Diorih looked back to Aejis, she nodded and left the room. He approached slowly and replaced the map back in the tube and moved to the other side of the bed. He sat beside Roky, who grabbed him and held on tightly. Diorih swallowed hard and did his best to comfort Roky, who continued to shake violently. When Aejis returned, Roky had stopped, she entered, doctor in tow and announced herself. “Is everything all right?” The doctor spoke, cutting the silence.

“The boy has returned to himself, he needs his rest.” Diorih turned to Roky who stared off into nothing. “We’ll leave you alone now. Please, if you need anything, just knock on the door, Aejis will be here for you.” Roky nodded slightly and Diorih reluctantly pulled himself from the bed.

Petrice stood outside the mansion of the Kathesh family, her bodyguards tucked close beside her. The streets were noisy with loiterers and vendors, many who took it upon themselves to approach the great house only to be ushered away by the guards at spear point. One of the great, wooden doors opened and a servant poked his head out. “Sire Diorih will see you now, please.” The man bowed and waved them inside. “Your weapons.” He said to them inside and pointed to a rough, metal table.

Petrice bowed her head, she removed her silky cloak and handed it to the servant. “I carry no weapons.” She added and spun around for him to see. “Sara, you will accompany me, please, relieve yourself of your weapons.”

The tall, hooded woman did as ordered, it took her a few minutes as she laid a wide array of materials and weapons that had been concealed in the thick cloak. Petrice nodded to her and she pulled back the cloak for examination by the servant.

“Thank you, I apologize for the inconvenience.” The servant bowed and lead them away from the door guard who eyed the other Sara nervously, wondering how many weapons she concealed.

He lead them to a half finished sitting room, the furniture was in the but the walls were bear and a dark green colour. Petrice looked around and sat down on one of the couches, Sara stood obediently behind her. “Would you like anything to eat? A drink possibly? Sire Diorih is with a partner, I do not believe he will be very long, I will bring him to you immediately when he is through.”

“Two glasses of black wine. We will stay here until he arrives.” Petrice said, she could almost feel the cringe on Sara’s face.

When the servant had left, the door shut behind him Sara sighed. “Why must you ask for black wine every time we leave the house? You know I cannot stand it.”

Petrice smiled at the comment but kept her eyes trained on the adjacent sofa, this is where he would sit, Petrice thought, a scowl wiping away the pleasant grin. “Because I enjoy the bitterness of it. I drink far too many sweet wines and drinks when I am in, so I make it a point to have something different when I go out. As well,” A unning smirk crossed her lips. “Poisons, even in large doses don’t mix with the wine, even granular poisons float to the top.”

“Interesting…”

“Not to mention its one of the most expensive, readily available drinks in most houses. You do not drink yours, you will sip it once or twice, while Sara fully enjoys it, this insults the host, making them think they purchased an unruly bottle of it, as well, as using up a large amount of zin trying to please the guest.”

“You are truly devious Mistress.” Sara couldn’t help but bow a little, even if the woman couldn’t see it. She mused over the words, in all her years of service, Sara still knew quite little about the woman she had sworn her life to, her admiration ran deeply for the woman. She climbed out of her well of thought in time to hear the door shut, she spied Diorih as he stretched childishly in front of them and yawned.

“I apologize for keeping you so long.” Petrice rolled her eyes, it hadn’t been more than ten minutes. “But some men are truly unruly about business, always scheming for one more zin.” Diorih sat down beside Petrice, his arm on the back and he stared at her intently.

Petrice eye twitched, and she turned to look at him. She didn’t like surprises, ten days ago he had sat before her, now he was sitting beside her as if… Petrice inwardly shook herself and bowed her head.

“Now, what is this pleasant interruption of my schedule about? I always enjoy when you come to visit Petrice.” He smiled childishly at her and she sneered.

“You wish me to inform you when certain people of yours come to my establishment, your guards too seem to be coming more frequently.”

“Ah, business.” Diorih sighed. “Truly you must have ordered drinks? Where is that one? I swear to you, he is a stubborn one, but he is not quite used to the house yet, I am afraid he gets lost, or is too afraid to move quickly about the place, he fears he should break something, very loyal that one, hardly sleeps, always doing something to help.” He mused staring off into space. “I also apologize for meeting you here, soon I will leave to buy the treasures for it, but I have some obligations to take care of first.” Diorih yawned again, his arm stretched out and he grabbed a bit of Sara’s cloak and his eye snapped open. “Oh, what fabric is this?” Diorih leaped off the couch and rounded on Sara who backed away from him.

Sara stood expressionless, she wanted to lash out at the man. Why is he touching me, she thought as Diorih examined her cloak, until the door to the room creaked open and the servant from before entered with three glasses. Diorih composed himself and retrieved the drinks, dismissing the servant as he handed Sara her drink. As Diorih sipped from his Sara held her breath and downed the tall glass in a single swallow, she didn’t feel like being entirely sober at the moment.

“Truly Petrice, you clothe your retainers so finely, and you pick the most beautiful I can see.” Diorih grinned back at Sara, though the insult was lost on her, her mind was dull from the potent drink, she merely dismissed the attack. “So, back to business. I assume you know which of my guards it is that I should be aware of, and patrons.”

Petrice pulled a thick pouch of paper from a fold of light cloth and handed it to him. Diorih put it to his nose, he could smell the light aromas of the oils she bathed in and he smiled. “Perfect. I thank you Mistress, your services have already been taken care of. The zin was transferred earlier today. And now that that is over with, we will discuss why you are really here.” Diorih turned deadly serious and he glared at the woman with intent, completely changed from the light hearted man he was just minutes before.

“Where is Roky.” Petrice growled, she returned the look ten fold, and set her glass on the floor.

“In his room.” Diorih’s confident aura returned and he relaxed beside the woman.

“How is he?” Petrice couldn’t seem to hold the anger she felt for the man. “What are you planning for him?”

Diorih again surprised the woman, he bent over holding his head in his hands. He couched and rubbed his eyes tenderly before staring off into the sea of green paint. “He is… not well.” Diorih rubbed his hands together, still not looking at the woman. “The day after you brought him into my care, he had… an episode. He spoke far to quickly for me to understand all of what he was saying, but from what I gathered, I am playing host to a boy who has travelled here from another world by way of a Carne much like ours.”

Both Petrice and Sara gaped, unable to believe the sad looking man. “He has spent ten days confined to his room, he hardly eats or drinks and will only see one of my servants, but only so that she may give him food. When I question her about him, it is always the same.”

Petrice stared blankly at the man who just stared quietly at the floor. She knew he wasn’t lying to her, but from another world? “Let me see him. My Sara comes with me, he bonded with her, she may be able to give him some comfort.”

Diorih nodded and stood, he closed on the door and took them quickly to the room Roky resided. Petrice had never seen Diorih walk so fast, his quick, jolted steps unnerved her and he returned none of the pleasantries of the servants who they passed. When they arrived at the door, Petrice noted the small, pale girl who sat quietly outside the room on a pillow and a small set up of trinkets beside her.

Aejis saw them and quickly snapped up, she bowed and greeted the three of them. Diorih stopped at the door, his hand hovering on the handle but he pushed it open and walked into the room.

Roky heard them enter, but his energy was gone and he couldn’t even bring himself to turn to look at the intruders. He sat on the edge of the bed facing away from the door, he chest slowly rising and falling in an eerie pattern. “Roky?” He didn’t recognize the voice and passed it off. He heard footsteps coming around the bed and watched idly as Petrice knelt before him, her sad eyes looking into his. “How are you?”

The boy shuddered his next breath, his mind slowly formed the words he would speak. He then forced himself to say them. “He told you.” His mouth was dry and his voice was raspy, the words sounding like they had come from a whistling desert.

“I came to see how you were.” Petrice continued, the sight of the boy shocked her, everything she wanted to tell him had blanked from her mind.

“And here I am.” Roky returned looking into her eyes, though he could not bring himself to look else where.

Petrice reached out to hold his hands, Roky flinched, like he wasn’t entirely aware of the woman’s presence in the room. Tears flooded his eyes as she wrapped her fingers around his and held them tightly. “I can’t figure out why I’m here.” Roky said, tears raining down of their hands. “Nothing make sense. I don’t… belong here. Why…” His voice shuddered to a halt and Petrice heart sank.

“Then let it not make sense. If this is not your world, then we will find a way to send you home to yours. I promise you Roky.”

“Thanks.”

Petrice smiled at him, he didn’t return it though, just sat, staring at her. “What you are doing isn’t healthy Roky, you must eat. Please? Once you have, Diorih promises to give you anything you want, at any expense.” Her smile broadened, Roky laughed a little and shut his eyes. “Please, this world is not as bad as you think. You live under a man who has great power and influence and nothing but respect for you. You are not a prize Roky, you are a person who is lost. Diorih wishes to help you, he literally, can give you anything you desire.”

“Can he get me into shape?” Roky breathed heavily, Petrice could see he was holding back his sobs even as tears rolled freely down his face.

“I do not quite understand.”

“Look at me. I’m hideous. I want to be thin, I want to be able to protect myself. Then I’ll try and find a way home.”

Diorih quick stepped over to them and grasped Roky’s shoulder firmly. “You will receive the best training in Berg, Roky. We will rid you of this unsightly nobility and make you into a warrior.” The man’s words forced a smile over Roky’s face.

“I don’t want to be a warrior, I just don’t want to die.”

“Training will begin tomorrow, should you wish it.” Diorih looked hopeful, he hadn’t heard Roky talk this much in days, seeing palpable life in the boy struck a cord in him.

“Okay, I hate to ask, but I’m really hungry. Haven’t eaten much lately.”

“Say no more, we will feast tonight in celebration of your elevated spirits and health. The cook will make whatever you want.”

Roky laughed and wiped his face. His quiet laughter continued as he finally opened his eyes and looked at the two adults kneeling and standing before him. Roky shook his head and made to stand. “You couldn’t make anything I’d ask for. Just something simple, nothing that might kill me again please?”

“Again?” Petrice stood, glaring at Diorih with vicious intent.

“He had a reaction to the food I served him when he arrived, it wasn’t serious.”

“The doctor guy said I nearly died, he told me that a few days ago.” Roky interrupted, he felt his energy return ever so slightly, he also wanted to see Petrice yell at him, something Roky hadn’t had the courage to do.

“Died? You fed him foreign food didn’t you? How many times did I tell you not to feed him foreign food? Nobody but you likes to punish themselves like that, nor does anyone have a stomach as arrogant as your ego.”

Roky caught part of the sentence that made him feel off. What did she mean, how many times? It bothered Roky but his stomach groaned loudly and he was quickly taken to the dining room, along with Petrice and Sara, who were soon joined by the second Sara without her cloak, as she did not feel like emptying its pockets. The dinner commenced a short time later, the food was prepared quickly and served with fervour, the cook making a round of apologies to Roky each time he came out. Roky’s mood rose that night, and for an instant felt secure in the company of the others, even the scowling Sara who constantly searched her food like she was looking for something buried. The night passed quickly, Roky retired after a few hours at the grand table, he didn’t understand much of the talk between Petrice and Diorih, and neither of the Sara’s spoke at all so he excused himself, was bid a good night and was taken by Aejis, who had sat quietly outside the dining, back to his room.