No matter which way he lay, Shaugn was uncomfortable and his mind was filled with Xoan. Giving up after several failed attempts, he got out of bed and stood by the window. Torches illuminated the halls, entrances, and courtyards so the patrolling guards could see. There wasn't a trace of moonlight and what few stars were out, were covered by clouds.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Shaugn closed his eyes and tried to quiet his mind. Ever since dinner, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen to Xoan. His stomach was tight with anxiety and restless energy coursed through him. He put his slippers on and decided to head to the kitchen for a warm glass of milk.

He motioned for the guards outside his door to stay put and shuttled to the kitchen alone. Being followed everywhere he went besides the bathroom still unnerved him to a small degree. What normal modern day person was used to such treatment?

Besides, there were still the shadow guards hiding in the dark ready to spring into action at any moment.

One of those guards saw where he was headed and lit a candle in the kitchen and disappeared into the shadows as soon as Shaugn entered the kitchen. Shaugn shook his head with a slight smile and grabbed a porcelain cup from the shelf. While he was pouring the milk into a cup, he saw a covered basket on one of the counters. Removing the cloth, he found some buns leftover from dinner. He took a bite and closed his eyes with a smile. Garnet's buns were so sweet, and buttery just the way Shaugn liked it. If he had to live on bread alone, he wouldn't complain a single bit.

He washed it down with the milk and sighed. This restlessness made no sense. About to take another bite, his hand froze in mid-air.

The kitchen disappeared and he found himself standing on the side of the road. The sound of metal sang in the air and blood blanketed the ground. His eyes widened as he saw Xoan and his guard fighting a group of men covered from head to toe in black.

Where was the army he left with in the morning?

A scream made Shaugn shiver as the man fell to the ground two feet from where he stood. He heard a whistled in the air and turned his body to the side. A flying star lodged into the tree behind him. The man who three it let out a scream as his arm was severed from his shoulder. Xoan separated his head from his body and turned to the next man.

Who were those men? Who sent them and how did they know when Xoan's entourage would pass through?

Shaugn frowned. Why was he able to see it as if he was there? Before he could ponder anything else, movement caught his attention. A man approached Xoan from behind. His sword was raised over his head ready to strike the young emperor down with one blow.

Fear gripped his heart. Forgetting he was in a dream, Shaugn reached his hand out and shouted Xoan's name.

*****

Everyone looked at Shifob waiting for him to speak. He shook his head but before he could speak, there was a choking gasp. They rushed forward ready to catch the empress before he could hit the floor.

Shaugn doubled over with a hand on his stomach, coughing violently. Voices came from all around and hands reached out and lifted him up. He squinted against the brightness as he was rushed through the corridor. Someone placed a wet cloth on his forehead. Someone else shouted instructions. Someone called his name in hysterics. Someone was crying.

What was happening?

He was laid on something soft and all the hands disappeared. A cold hand grabbed his wrist making him shiver. He could feel the vibration as the person shouted out instructions. Various voices floated to his ear.

Why was everyone awake?

"Your majesty, can you hear me?"

Shaugn gave a short nod. "I hear you."

"Are your eyes hurting?"

"It's bright." Sensing some of the lights had been extinguished, Shaugn opened his eyes. His room was filled with servants, guards, Nirik, and the physician was examining him.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"You don't remember?" Nirik clutched Kazim's clothes and gave him a shake. "Why doesn't he remember? Did he hit his head?"

Kazim was lost and shrugged. "We don't know either, highness."

Nirik threw his hands up in the air, nostrils flaring. "Why doesn't anyone know?"

A bunch of people started speaking at once. Shaugn rubbed his throbbing forehead and groaned softly. "Stop arguing."

The room grew quiet. Shaugn held out his arm and Shifob helped him sit up. Looking around, Shaugn noticed the concern on everyone's faces. He turned his eyes to Shifob.

"What happened to me?"

Shifob looked around the room. "You went to the kitchen and got a snack. While you were eating, you suddenly stopped moving, your majesty."

"What?"

"The guard said you just stared at the wall and were like a statue. You didn't respond when he called you so he woke up Akechi and Kazim and sent for me."

"Seriously?" Shaugn glanced at Akechi and Kazim who nodded.

Shifob continued. "At first they thought you were choking. But you weren't breathing, blinking, moving - nothing. I've never seen anything like it. It was like your soul left your body."

Shaugn rubbed his chin lost in thought. Shifob wasn't too far off. How could he tell them he had a vision or an out-of-body experience? They'd think he was crazy. Deciding to go with a half-truth, he blinked his eyes and put on a lost expression. "I remember eating and then I was thinking about Xoan. Maybe I was so lost in my thoughts, I tuned everything out."

Nirik was the first to call 'bullshit' on his story. "Is that what really happened to you?" he asked with narrowed eyes.

Shaugn gave a helpless shrug. "I guess." Looking around, he saw a few frowning expressions. His people were way too observant. "Honestly, I don't know what to make of it other than this."

Shifob rubbed his beard with a thoughtful look.

"Am I okay now?"

"Yes, your majesty. Your pulse was a little fast but you're fine now."

"Thank you. Sorry to worry you."

"It's no worry, your majesty. I live to serve." Shifob stood and gave a salute. "It is late. You should rest, your majesty."

"Thank you."

Kazim escorted everyone out while Akechi helped him with his blankets. Shaugn squeezed her hand in comfort and sent her on her way. With a sigh, he turned to the last person standing in his room.

"Speak your mind."

Nirik chewed his bottom lip before speaking. "What happened?"

"I don't know."

"Did someone do this to you?"

It didn't feel like it. Why would anyone do this anyway? "I don't know. I don't think so."

"Will this happen again?" His hands fisted the blanket on the bed.

"I don't know, Nirik. It just... happened. Out of the blue." Shaugn took a deep breath and scratched his head. His eyes landed on the plant in the corner as he recounted the incident.

"One minute, I was in the kitchen. The next, I was standing on the side of the road and men were fighting. I saw Xoan. He was being attacked. I reached out my hand and called out to him to warn him,"

**************

Xoan's fiery eyes landed on Shaugn's before rolling to the side. His sword cut an arc behind him, slashing the sneaking up on him from behind. After the killer fell to the dust, Xoan rose to his feet and gave Shaugn a small nod. A force slammed into him, knocking the air from his lungs.

**************

Shaugn gave a slight jerk. "-then I was back in the kitchen feeling dizzy."

Nirik put a hand over his thundering heart. "Your spirit really left your body."

"Seems so."

"But is he okay?"

"He must be."

The room was enveloped in silence. Both of them were immersed in their own thoughts. After a while, Nirik stood and gave a salute.

"Rest well. You must take care of your body."

Shaugn smiled at the young prince. "Alright. Try not to worry."

"I'll try."

Alone, the smile on his face disappeared. The restlessness was lessened but he still couldn't sleep. Looking out the window, Shaugn ran a hand through his hair and sighed. He needed to rest so he'd have the energy to deal with the crafty foxes of the court. With Xoan gone the old dogs wouldn't hesitate to make things difficult for him. Sighing, he sat down at the desk and took out paper.

The pen hovered over the sheet before three columns were drawn. Shaugn began to write down every single feudal drama he'd seen, every book he'd read, and various history books he'd read. He wrote down the court and issues plaguing various dynasties. One sheet became two. Two became six. He didn't stop writing until the sky was beginning to brighten.