Mitch felt warm and especially cozy under the blankets of his room. He was grateful that he was able to sleep in a cozy bed, instead of sleeping on the floor. Two arms were tossed over his body, holding him firmly in their grasp. This made his heart flutter at the idea of being in bed with another woman. His heart was trying to jump out of his chest as he turned over to see what woman had found her way into his sheets.

Freckles.

“Erick!? What the fuck are you doing in my bed?” Aldweck said, screaming as he pulled himself out of the bed.

Erick jumped, his eyes trailing over to the shouting Aldweck who was now on his feet. Erick rubbed his eyes open and looked around before realizing he was in the bed that Aldweck was sleeping on. Erick’s cheeks flushed hot.

“I-I guess I accidentally got in bed with you after looking after you for so long Master. I didn’t want to leave you in case the poison got worse. I was just worried I swear.” His eyes averted the entire time he was speaking.

This was crazy to Aldweck. He was in disbelief at Erick’s apparent desire to be close to him. He shook his head clear of those thoughts. “Erick, how old are you?”

“Nineteen sir, why?”

“And how old am I?”

Erick looked to the side for a second and furrowed his brows, and after a second of thinking he glanced back at Aldweck.

“Y-You never told me, sir.”

Aldweck’s posture fell limp. He didn’t even bother telling him? “I’m twenty-seven,” Aldweck said after pulling it from his immediate memory bank.

He coughed, “Anyways, I don’t think as my servant that it’s proper for you to be in the same bed as me. Let alone put your hands on me. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes, sir! Your servant humbly apologizes. I will do my best to make things proper and repay this debt of kindness!”

He bowed his head before looking back at Aldweck, “How are you feeling? Are you well?”

“About as well as I can be after last night. Has anyone asked about me?”

“Yeah, Lord Warner sent his apologies for the mess. Duke Fourgon seemed worried and asked for you to come to see him after you felt well. Knight Zaya had some less than kind words, but she seemed slightly concerned about your behavior as well.”

“As well?”

“Oh--I mean.”

“Are you suspecting me of something Erick?”

“N-No, sir! I would never have doubts about you.”

“Good, because if I’ve seemed strange ever since I fell out on the floor, then you can dispel all your fears. I was enlightened by a being far beyond our comprehension. It is through this strange course of action that I’ve found a new path for myself. I’m going to need your help on this new journey of mine, but not so much help to the point you need to wrap your arms around me. That’s just uncalled for.”

“And has this enlightenment caused your dialect to shift, sir? I see no reason for the way you speak. It’s...unrefined.”

“It may seem unrefined, but there is beauty in simplicity. Should you not see this, you are a fool who has set his sights on lofty cushions and wealth to feed the pig.”

“Ah, I’m not sure what you mean master, but I will carry out my duties as you see fit.”

“Good, now, let’s go visit Duke Fourgon before he gets too drunk.” Aldweck started to get dressed in his suit and tie.

As he tightened his tie, he thought about how he really needed to work on how he spoke with people. His old way of speaking just wasn’t going to cut it in this world. People in the upper class tried to sound smarter by spicing up their language, which was pretty damn annoying to Mitch. He sighed, patting his hair before turning to see Erick waiting dutifully for him by the door.

“Are we ready?”

“Yes, master! I’m excited for this new adventure with you.” Some of Erick’s doubts had been dispelled by Aldweck’s excuse, but there was no way to be one hundred percent sure. He couldn’t leave the matter alone. For one, someone had tried to poison his master and now he was saying that he had been visited by a superior being that had given him enlightenment?

Just how great was his master? How much of it could he trust? He wasn’t convinced, but he wouldn’t let his master know that he wasn’t. It was part of his duty to question what was given, otherwise, anyone could do this job.

They headed out of the room and down the stairs to where a ball was going on in the main hall. People were square dancing to music and chatter surfaced all over the room as they walked down the stairs. Aldweck’s appearance had gathered a large sum of attention.

Aldweck felt uneasy about last night, but he boldly stepped forward and into the main hall where people were socializing.

At the center of a group was Duke Fourgon, who made his presence known to Aldweck by disrupting the conversation, “Sir Aldweck, please join me for an early morning drink. Are you feeling well? Last night must be rare for you.”

“I’m doing well. I would be glad to partake in a drink with you Lord.”

“No need, no need. The formalities aren’t needed! We are friends now. Let this be a sign that you aren’t to be crossed, or the fearsome Duke Fourgon will have you drawn and quartered!” He filled a glass and handed it to Aldweck before raising his to cheer him off.

Mitch sipped the alcohol down. It felt warm going down and made him feel all fuzzy. At least, he was hoping it would take the edge off. He wanted to get the hell off this cruise. It had been nothing but hell from the beginning. His lips crawled up just a bit at the thought of quartering being a form of the death penalty in this world too. It seemed the universe lacked a bit of creativity, or maybe he was just in a place that closely resembled things he could recognize? Either way, he wasn’t thankful for the position he was put in.

“So, who is this fellow that hangs so tightly by your side?” Fourgon asked.

“Oh? This is Erick. He’s like oil that won’t rub off.”

“I see, I see. I’m sure he probably doesn’t feel that way but doesn’t have the gall to say it.” Fourgon smiled evilly.

“Well, onto more important matters. I’m no vassal to your king, but it wouldn’t do any good for me to see Mariotta fall at the hands of the Harbrights. With last night’s development, the situation is looking grim.” He clenched his teeth and placed the bottle of alcohol on the counter before sitting on the barstool.

“That Zaya wench is more than powerful, but her silver-tongue has gotten her a deal with the Devil of Cariquey. I’m not sure the situation could get much worse for you, seeing as you are the last line of defense for your kingdom.” He put his hand to his face in exasperation.

“Don’t say it like that. You’re tempting me to that whole bottle at this rate.” Aldweck laughed, bitterly.

“Just pointing out the obvious.” He waved his hand in the air.

“Where is Lord Warner? I wish to speak with him, without an audience of people preferably.” Aldweck asked.

He knew he had to talk to the Lord of Cariquey, even if that meant risking his life. He wasn’t sure what else he could do, or rather, what his purpose was inside of this body that wasn’t his. Mitch wanted to get back home to Earth, and to do that, he would start with convincing the Lord of Cariquey. To get away from this reality meant searching for clues related to the key. Related to the bathroom urinal that caused him to collapse.

“Lord Warner? Ah, he’s in a magical duel with that Zaya girl.”

“Did they get in a fight?”

“No--no, it’s a show of gratitude to a newly formed alliance. He’s already decided to help the Harbrights. That’s why you need to come up with something relatively soon, Sir Aldweck.”

“Where are they fighting?”

“On the top deck. You can find them there. I would come with you, but I have some other matters to attend to. Come find me if you need me, you know where I’m at.” He said, drinking down the bottle.

“Thanks, Fourgon.”

“No problem, friend.”

~ - ~ - ~

It didn’t take long for Mitch to find where he needed to be. It was obvious enough from the amount of commotion. A large group was yelling and getting amped up about the spar. A brown streak of light exploded in the sky which made people take a step back.

“You’re better than the rumors. Those who gossip don’t know much in the sense of battle.” Lord Warner wiped some blood from his lip. His hair began to float like it was defying gravity. The air around him became thick and intense, his lips curling into a giddy smile. The pressure was so intense that Mitch could feel it taking the breath out of him, his chest struggling to rise and fall.

The way the ship floated on the waves was rockier than yesterday. The waves were larger and the aura that Lord Warner was exhibiting was making the ship rock with more intensity than before.

Zaya laughed, “People tend to take me too lightly. I haven’t reached my full potential yet, I’m growing stronger every single day.” She flickered in the air and appeared in front of Lord Warner, who cast a magical shield, blocking her strike. The shield shattered, sending Lord Warner stumbling back and into Aldweck’s arms.

“Unhand me. I need not your assistance!” Lord Warner’s eyes were vicious as he pulled himself off Aldweck.

He turned to look at Aldweck, “Not only do you make a mockery of your nation in front of hundreds of people, but you dare spit on my pride and honor in my domain? To hell with Mariotta and you. I will be glad to see your streets run with blood.” He pointed his finger at Aldweck.

“That’s not wha--”

“You really are a fool. After last night, you dare come here and show your face?” Zaya spoke, crossing her arms.

“Why don’t I make quick work of him Lord Warner? He is clearly ruining this celebration with his presence. I will dispose of him with haste.”

There was a pause. Aldweck was frozen in place. He didn’t know how in the hell he had gotten in this shitty situation, but he was quickly looking for alternatives that didn’t include death. Was jumping ship an option? Possibly, at this rate, he would rather go hide back in his room. Maybe he should fake getting sick again and hide in his room until the cruise is over? Yes, that sounded like a really good idea.

When he got back he would run away from Mariotta and go live in the woods or something. Start a new life for himself. He didn’t have to force being this famous person. He could simply run away from it all and try to figure out how to get back on his own terms.

“Yes, do as you wish.”

Aldweck’s heart stopped.

Zaya looked all too happy about this. Her face rose an entire inch at the Lord’s approval. She dashed in front of Aldweck before he could even process it and slammed her petite fist into his stomach. His body flew in the air and crashed into a barrel. The barrel was full of wine that poured all over his face and down his neck and into his chest. It ran all along his lengths and made him sticky.

Aldweck was breathing shallow and rapidly, checking his stomach after gritting and wincing his teeth. His eyes fluttered up only to be met with the shadow of his ex who was standing over him like an executioner.

“Please, I don’t want to fight!”

“What is wrong with you? When did you become so weak? You didn’t even guard that punch with magic. Are you trying to insult me by saying I’m not worth your magic? No, that’s not it. Something about you has changed. Something happened and you’re keeping it a secret. Well, it doesn’t matter to me. If you are not strong, you are irrelevant to me. Consider yourself forgotten.” Zaya kicked Aldweck in the stomach once, before turning around to address the Lord.

“Let’s continue. He’s just a shell of what he once was.”

For some reason, these words stabbed at Mitch’s heart. It wasn’t that he felt the pain that Aldweck would have felt, but that his strength as Mitch was not even worth looking at. This made his body burn with rage, but at the same time, he felt so helplessly frustrated. He had come to bargain with Lord Warner, to prevent his cooperation with warring against Mariotta. Now, he was sitting in sticky wine, with a bruised abdomen and a topping of depression.

Mitch had to find a way to get to Lord Warner’s good side before all of this was done. He didn’t have any motivation to do what he had been tasked with before now, but now he had his sights set on something. Even if that meant more pain in the future. He wanted to be strong in his own way. Strong enough to save the people of Mariotta.

“Master, are you okay?” Erick was kneeling at Aldweck’s side. His eyes shaking with worry. He didn’t want Aldweck to be hurt, but he couldn’t understand why he was acting so cowardly. This was out of his nature, and it was out of Erick’s expertise to diagnose what had happened to cause such a drastic change in his master. He was beginning to doubt his abilities to help. He was beginning to doubt his master.

Aldweck placed his hand on Erick’s and pushed it aside with a smile, “Don’t worry about me. I’m just getting started. Remember how I told you to cast that fireball for me before?”

“Yes, but what relevance does that have now?”

“Just watch.”

Aldweck stood up and positioned his right hand and leg in front of him, his palm facing outward. He imagined the magic circulating through his body and being pushed up and outward through his arm and in the form of a projectile.

A riveting amount of fire exploded and encapsulated the entire top deck. Aldweck was on fire, screaming and crying in agony.

“What a sorry excuse of a knight you are. You would dare attack with someone’s back turned away from you? How dishonorable. I don’t remember you being such scum.” Zaya said, after using a fireball.

Aldweck was about to jump overboard when Erick cast a water spell with some healing magic to heal Aldweck.

“Master, don’t jump overboard! You’re covered in wine, you’ll still burn!”

He shook uncontrollably as Erick was healing him. His body felt like it had been singed of everything good in life, but the healing magic slowly made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Aldweck stared up at the blue sky as the sun beat down on his skin. His vision began to blur as tears swelled in his eyes.

“I couldn’t even cast fireball.”

“Sir, she simply was faster than you. You never cast it, but she cast her own to match you. Don’t let it affect you!”

“I’m useless.”

“No, you’re not. You’ve been weakened by the poison. It’s only natural you don’t feel yourself. It’s only natural…” Erick trailed off as he healed Aldweck.

Aldweck didn’t respond. He gazed off into the clouds as Erick finished his process. Most of the conversation around the ship was about Aldweck’s pitiful state, but it quickly turned into speculation about the fight between Zaya and Lord Warner.

Mitch sat up and leaned against the railing of the ship. If there was one thing he was excellent at, it was getting things to go as terribly as possible for him.

“What can I even do?” Mitch held his hand to his face.

Zaya clenched her fist and sparks of electricity started running along with her fingers and joints. She shot it out like a viper that reached Lord Warner’s beard. He gritted his teeth and leaned back to avoid the strike. The lightning doubled back and coursed through his body. His body shook violently, and then suddenly he turned to a pile of mud on the deck. Lord Warner appeared behind Zaya with a dagger to her throat, drawing a droplet of blood that ran down her neck and into her bosom.

“You think you’re the only one capable of dirty tricks? You’re easy to read, after all, Lord Warner.” Zaya smiled, before disappearing and appearing on top of Lord Warner’s head like a weightless bird. The crowd roared, a man who was drunken lifted his mug into the air with excitement.

“Now dat’sa show!”

Lord Warner’s face of annoyance was soon replaced with a bright smile, “You’ve bested me. You are indeed as formidable as the rumors say. It is an honor to be aligned with you and your state. Let us treat this as a great beginning to many great days to come.”

Lord Warner raised his fist into the air as Zaya weightlessly hopped off of him. People cheered and clapped, appreciative of the great show that they just witnessed. Everyone had long forgotten about Aldweck and his pitiful state, but that didn’t stop Mitch from scheming up a plan to try and thwart Zaya’s goals.

Later that night, Mitch found himself outside of Lord Warner’s personal quarters. His heart thumped with anticipation as he held his fist to the door.

He knocked, knowing this could all but end well for him.