(Gran POV)

A sharp pain to my face brought me back from the wonderful land of illusions. With a groan I looked up to see Amice leaning over me curiously. “Where are we?” My memory a bit hazy. All I know is that I saw something so shocking I passed out.

“Under the ships that are docked on land. Lave and I need you to find your boat so we can flee Vasa.” She replied shortly while watching the surroundings.

I noticed that I could only see Amice. “Where is Lave?” Getting up and examining my surroundings a bit closer I saw flames, and shouting could be heard in the distance as people ran to put them out.

“I don't know. She sounded like she was coming when I talked to her earlier. So I'm sure she'll show up.” Amice pulled out a cloth and began wiping something off of her arms. It was blood. A lot of blood. My eyes opened wide in horror.

Slowly I stood up and asked something that has been nagging me. “Amice, why are you covered in blood?” I saw blood trailed all over the ground as if things have been dragged across it.

She just tilted her head to the side and then understanding flashed through her eyes. “Thats right you passed out right after I beheaded that knight didn't you. Really that scream you made was so funny.” I paled. That's right... The memory of the head rolling across the ground lifeless eyes staring up into mine. Mouth hanging open in a silent scream with blood dripping from the neck. I shuddered.

“Well after that we were surrounded by the patrols. Lave plunged into the crowed drawing their attention away from us, and I started dragging you to a safe place to wake you up. That's why I'm covered in blood.” Her sweet smile did nothing to reassure me. How can anyone smile after killing people? This right here is why I am an explorer and not a soldier. All hail peace.

“So let's find your ship. I'm sure Lave will come when she sees your ship launching from the docks.” I nodded unable to say anything. Even though I was held captive and tortured by the Church I am not used to seeing people killed. Even less so in such a brutal way.

Walking away from the fire I started scanning the ships. To keep mine discreet when I visit new places it has no obvious markings. However there is one thing that I made to make it easy for me to find. The name is written in my home tongue. Most people think that it is scratches or chips caused by a coral reef as most ships don't have a name.

I wove my way through the grounded ships and repair material dodging the occasional sharp object. There she is my beautiful Wanderer. I know its not the most creative name but it is the most fitting. Pulling a rope hanging off the side I hiked up my ship.

She was just how I left her. Sure some things where missing but fortunately those Church officials haven't found my secret compartments. I examined her closely to make sure it was safe to launch. Nodding my head in satisfaction I climbed back down to Amice.

“So this your boat?” She asked while tapping the planks rudely. I frowned but didn't say anything. Now that I have my ship back I can leave this horrible land and inform my king about the invasion.

“Yes, she's called the Wanderer and has been with me throughout my travels.” I started pulling on the ramps to create the slide for her. “Amice can you untie the ropes holding her down?” The wood planks slowly slid into place.

Amice nodded and just sliced the ropes as she walked not even bothering to see if she needed to. I flinched when one particularly large rope caused the entire structure to shake. I need to finish this quickly before she brings the roof down on us.

Shouting could be heard getting closer as I worked. I could only imagine that they saw the building shake and are coming to make sure everything is alright. Placing the last ramp section down I hastily made my way to the deck. “Amice are you done yet?” I called while tying off the ropes and securing the sails.

“Yep.” Came the light reply making me jump. She appeared right behind me without a sound. I shivered trying to ignore the blood stains.

“Good. Hold this rope and when I tell you start pulling as hard as you can.” I tied the rope to some weights and another rope to a large pulley system. Jumping back down to the ground I rigged the pulley so that it would work.

“Now!” Amice pulled the rope causing the weights to fall and making the pulley work. Slowly the Wanderer slid down the ramp towards the water. Making my way back onto the deck I readjusted the ropes. Once we hit the water I yanked on the main sails causing them to expand and catch the wind launching us across the water.

Shouting and cussing could be heard from shore as we became out of reach. “Oh, look its Lave!”

~~~

(Amice POV)

We hit the water hard making me fly up into the air. I laughed at the feeling while watching the sails open. It was so fast and exciting! I grabbed the edge of the ship and scanned the shore for Lave. We weren't that far out but the people on shore couldn't do anything to us now.

“Oh, look its Lave.” I said when I saw here pretty white and red hair shimmer in the torch light. She was fighting some large knight with her eyes closed. I frowned. Why are her eyes closed? People where shouting and running around behind them. The knight stumbled back as Lave continued to pressure him. He turned and ran away making Lave's dagger hit air. My frown deepened as Lave jumped back to create distance from the running knight.

A burst of light followed by boom blew Lave into a large wooden beam. “Lave!!” She slid down collapsing limply onto the ground. Slowly she struggled to her knees coughing. The knight that ran earlier came back and kicked her sending her skidding across the ground. Rage boiled as I watched. I will kill him. He burst out laughing and said something while walking over to her and going to kick my love yet again.

Thankfully Lave was waiting for that and managed to pull him down and stick him in the shoulder with the dagger somehow bypassing the armor. His shout of pain rose a grin to my face. Thats what you get for injuring my Lave. However she rolled to the side and dropped down a hole out of sight. A hand grabbed my shoulder just as I was getting ready to jump into the water.

“Stop its to dangerous!” Gran who was taking care of his boat noticed my state.

“But Lave is all alone there fighting al those people!” I cried desperately trying to think of a way to get her out. “And something is wrong! She was fighting with her eyes closed and the way she was reacting was almost like she couldn't see!” I have to get to her. There's no telling what will happen if I don't.

The knight jumped down into the hole Lave is in. I have to hurry that bastard will hurt her more! I looked around trying to find anything that could help me, but nothing. A shout pulled me from my thoughts. The knight dragged Lave from the hole and tied her up. She lay limply in his hand as if asleep.

He dragged her along the ground across the debris without a care for the small cuts appearing all over her body. No death is to good for him! I'll make him wish he was dead! My feelings overwhelmed my mind causing me to blank out. When I came to I was fighting my way through the water while the boat got further and further away from me.

The curent pulled at me trying to drag me down into its dark depths. However I refused with everything I have. I have to get to Lave. Flaming arrows flew around me aiming for Gran but falling short. One caught me in the arm causing burning pain to shoot through me. Gritting my teeth I continued my struggle.

My energy slowly drained against my will. Exhaustion was taking over my body caused by exertion and blood loss. My eyes fluttered as I watched Lave disappear into the city away from me and into danger. “No!!” With the last bit of strength I shouted my denial to the world. Then nothing.