On a platform in the distance, a group of traveling bards played together in a symphony of music. If Mitch could describe it he would say it had a hint of Persian influence to it, but obviously, that was incredibly unlikely seeing as this world was plentiful with magic. Magic that he couldn’t use for whatever reason. With a set of anxious fingers, they riddled the table with a concurrent tapping as the hall was full of chatter and the sounds of gluttony.

The smell of honey roasted pork, medium-rare steak, and the savory aroma of a noodle dish all swelled up inside of Aldweck’s nostrils. It left him with a great appetite, one that he wasn’t used to having. In a way, these familiar smells of home brought him great comfort. As an honored guest, he was beside the most luxurious dishes. Many of them he did not recognize in the slightest.

Mitch, trying to forget about the day’s events, took a few perishables and placed them on his plate. He looked around at the table and no one seemed to be paying him any attention as he poked his fork into a nice slice of steak. At least he thought it was nice. He started cutting it up with his knife when he realized a pair of eyes had been staring at him the entire time.

“You’re sitting in an honored seat, yet you go for the smallest slice of meat on that platter? That is most unlike the rumors I’ve heard about the great Aldweck.” Lord Warner reached over the table and poured an expensive-looking wine into a glass, pushing it over to him and then resuming with filling Zaya’s glass. He then poured his glass before drinking the rest of the bottle down like a true alcoholic.

Mitch thought this was gross, he had never been a big fan of alcohol growing up and the times he had engaged with it hadn’t turned out very well for him. He grabbed hold of the glass and took a sip before placing it down. He didn’t want to seem out of place, but Mitch was inclined not to speak if he could make it out without embarrassing himself.

Zaya interjected, “Seems Sir Aldweck is more quiet than usual. Have you finally realized you’re not as high and mighty as you claim to be? Being the national hero of a horrible state like Mariotta, it’s no wonder your balls have shriveled up into your stomach.”

Mitch wasn’t really angered by this statement. He had no pride for being some national hero that he wasn’t. Maybe Aldweck had been in the past, but Mitch simply wasn’t a hero. He hadn’t done anything heroic or anything of merit. Mitch knew that if he didn’t respond to this attack, he would look out of order. The last thing he needed was to draw more unneeded attention to the parts of Aldweck that were no more.

Aldweck leaned in closer and held his wrist to control his anxiety, “I’ll speak when I have something to say. You don’t need to lash out at me, this is not the time or the place Zaya.”

Zaya’s forehead wrinkled and her face was full of frowns. She was about to speak when she was interrupted by Lord Warner.

“As I see it, the Harbright Empire and Mariotta have come here to talk to me through you two. You’re essentially diplomatic emissaries for your respective nations. I will let each of you ask what it is that you want of me.”

Zaya jumped in front of Aldweck and began speaking immediately, “Yes, Lord Warner. I’m here on behalf of national interest in discussing an alliance. We can pay any price as long as it’s reasonable and fair.”

Lord Warner nodded, “I see, that’s a tantalizing offer. Any price you say? My diplomatic advisors are here as witnesses as well. They will oversee that I don’t make any hasty decisions.” He motioned for them to come and sit down to proceed over the rest of the conversation.

They were grey-bearded like Lord Warner, embezzled with various pieces of jewelry to match their status as advisors.

Lord Warner then turned to Zaya, “You mention an alliance. What shall my part in this alliance be? I’m assuming my hands will be getting dirty if it’s an offer from the fearsome Harbrights.” He laughed, his cheeks puffed out as he drank some more wine.

“We want you to help us in conquering the neighboring state of Mariotta,” Zaya said.

Lord Warner and the diplomat’s jaws dropped. Mitch was left in a state of shock that Zaya would openly say that in front of him. Was she nor the Harbrights not afraid of leaking a potential declaration of war here? Aldweck clenched the white cloth of the table. He knew that he couldn’t let things proceed like this, but he didn’t really know the king and any memories of the Mariotta King were vague.

He knew that Mariotta couldn’t out-finance the Harbrights or hold them off through force. So, it all boiled down to whatever he said here at this table. The entire nation’s fate rested not on Aldweck’s hands, but now on Mitch’s. He couldn’t fathom the pressure that Aldweck must have felt daily, but this was too much, too soon.

Mitch had no idea what to say, he was left without anything he could say. Nonetheless, he had to say something.

“Lord Warner, it’s within your best interests to join Mariotta in defending against any declarations of war from the Harbrights. We cannot afford-”

Lord Warner’s jaw snapped and his eyes were vicious like a snake as his gaze landed on Aldweck, “Dare you say what’s best for me you young fool!”

“The United Islands of Cariquey have no intentions of teasing the idea of war. We are a nation of commerce, and there is no price worthy of Cariquey blood.” One of the diplomats slammed his hand on the table, drawing attention to the head of the dining room.

Zaya frowned and then smiled, “Even if the price were half of Mariotta’s coastal towns?”

“Yes, even if the pric--”

The sound of shattering glass erupted throughout the dining hall. Lord Warner smashed the glass against the table and picked up a large shard before driving it through the diplomat’s throat. He held his head in place as he drove the glass deeper into his throat, the old man struggling against his last drawing breath. He gargled before sliding out of his chair and onto the floor.

Lord Warner was breathing heavily before his wild eyes fell on the terrified diplomat and the rest of the guests who were dining, then they fell on Aldweck and Zaya.

“I am the Lord of this ship and the Lord of Cariquey. No one will speak for me or for the people of these islands. I am the only one who will determine if Cariquey’s blood must be spilled.”

Aldweck’s heart was racing and his vision became groggy. The Mitch inside of Aldweck felt something twist inside of his stomach and lurch up all over the table. Vomit ran all over the table cloth and drooped down on the floor and into his lap. It drizzled down his chin as he started to have a panic attack.

Zaya frowned at Aldweck’s reaction, “You are a broken man. Fate has fallen far from your grace.”

“I-I don’t think...I’m the broken one here.” Aldweck got up and held his mouth before kneeling over and vomiting again. He slowly made his way out of the dining hall and hugged the walls of the ship.

“It’s just seasickness. Just some seasickness.”

Once again, Mitch found himself in the bathroom. He closed the door to one of the stalls and sat on the toilet. Laying his head back against the wall.

“This is too real to be a dream. I’m in a magical world and I’m probably going to die a gruesome death.” He closed his eyes and covered his face in distress.

“Master! Are you in here, master?” Erick said, from afar.

Mitch didn’t want to respond. He just wanted to go to sleep and forget about everything. To hope and pray that he woke up in his own body again. To be free from this insanity that he’d been forced into.

“I am here. Please give me some time to compose myself.”

“That’s quite alright. Are you okay? What kind of illness has taken my master to this health? Have you been poisoned? We can affirm this or not.”

Mitch thought for a while before responding, “It must have been some food I took part in yesterday. I believe someone has attempted to poison me, but worry not, for the poison is too weak to kill me.” He said, coughing.

“Master! We cannot let the poison continue to run through your veins! You should have told your humble servant sooner. Let us fix this with haste!”

“Fall in line. I will not die, you are insulting me. This poison is mediocre in comparison to me. I would like to lie down for the night. Could you take me to my quarters?”

“Of course, Master. I will take you there right away!”

Aldweck popped out of the stall and held his stomach. His skin was pale from the vomit and his eyes were shaken. To Erick, the poison must have looked immensely painful. His eyebrows were beaded with worry as he carried Aldweck up to his room.