A Whole New Realm

When she finally reached the edge of the known world, Liana saw a swirling maelstrom.

"What the?"

The maelstrom grew and grew until it reached out towards the White Wave.

"Holy shit!"

She used her powers to halt the White Wave, but the storm had other ideas.

"Ahh!"

The ship was sucked into the maelstrom. As she fell, Liana saw a portal at the base of the storm.

"Where am I going?"

A bright flash of light caused her to close her eyes as the ship went through the portal. When she emerged on the other side, she was still on the seas.

"Where am I? I must be in another realm because of the portal, but the seas look like the seas."

She tried her powers to discover they still worked.

"So at least I'm not in a mon-magical world."

Liana had no idea where to sail, so she decided to just let down the sails and see where the seas took her. Days turned into weeks, which turned into months.

"Oh for mercy's sake, give me some land!"

Her call was answered early the next morning when she saw a bustling harbor. Pulling into it, she asked the dock-man where she was.

"You're in the wonderful port of Retonda. The docking fee is ten silve."

'What are silve?'

"Of course."

Suddenly, she saw a coin on the dock's podium. Liana summoned two of the coins and handed them to the dock-man.

"Welcome to Retonda," he smiled.

"Thanks."

She walked up into the port town and looked around. Seeing the woman dressed in more modest clothing, as she moved, her outfit began to change to match the other women.

'I don't want to attract too much attention to myself so early on.'

Liana walked into a tavern and sat down at the bar.

"An ale," she said.

The bartender poured her a 16oz glass, and she took a sip. The liquor burned down her throat from the hops in it.

"Is this seat free?"

Liana turned to look at the finely-dressed man who stood just off to the side of her. Then, she nodded. He sat down and grinned at her.

"I haven't seen you around these parts. You new here?"

"Yeah, just sailed in this morning."

"Ahh, let me guess, Captain?"

She laughed.

"No, I sail alone."

"Oh? Tell me... why does a beauty such as yourself sail the seas alone?"

"Charming," she commented.

She took another sip of ale as he laughed.

"I like to think so."

"Oh, and full of himself too!"

He chuckled. "Tell me, fair maiden, who are you?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Ohh, well let me guess your name, then."

Intrigued, Liana smirked and agreed.

"Okay, guess."

"Mary."

"No."

"Belle."

"Nope."

"Rose."

"No."

"Hmm, I give up. What is it, dumpling?"

"Oh, gods. Don't ever call me that again! I'll tell you if you promise to never call me dumpling ever again."

The man laughed.

"Very well. Now, who are you?"

She hesitated, trying to come up with an alias.

"Lily... Aliman."

"Ahh, so I was the closest with Rose."

"No!"

Then, they both laughed. He held out his hand.

"I'm Dorian Ironshade. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lily."

She shook his hand.

"You too, Dorian."

Liana took another sip of ale.

"So, are you from around here?"

"Alas, you've caught me. I'm the magistrate here in Retonda."

She went still. "Oh, how nice."

"You don't like magistrates?"

"That's not it. I just don't like the idea of people controlling other people's lives."

'I'm such a hypocrite. I'm fucking royalty. My birthright is to lord over people.'

"Is that why you sail alone then? So no one has hold over you and you don't have hold over them?"

"Um, sure, I guess. I hadn't really thought about it like that before."

She pondered his words as she took another swig.

"So where are you from, Lily? I'm sure you must've sailed from somewhere."

Liana cleared her throat and gave him a wan smile.

"I'd rather not talk about it."

She looked around and saw a map of the world pinned up on the wall. Not recognizing a single country, Liana realized she truly was in a whole new realm.

"Ahh, okay. Well, I best get going."

Dorian put down a couple coins and addressed the bartender.

"For her drink."

She sat there in shock for a moment.

"Thanks, but I could've-"

But Dorian Ironshade was already walking out of the tavern.

"Paid for it myself."

Liana sighed, thanked the bartender for the drink, and left. She walked around Retonda and was deciding where to stay for the night when she heard the deep bass drawl of Dorian Ironshade.

"How long will you be staying in Retonda?"

"I haven't decided yet," she admitted.

"Come with me."

Then, he walked past her and kept going.

"Wh, what?"

She stumbled after him and quickly caught up.

"Where are we going?"

He didn't answer.

They continued walking and soon stopped in front of a large home.

"Come on."

He walked up the stairs and unlocked the front door. Liana remained at the base of the stairs.

"Is this your place?"

"Yeah. That a problem?"

"Er, no."

Liana followed him into the house and looked around. On the mantel over the fireplace in the parlor, was an oil painting of Dorian, three women, and two other men. Two of the women looked to be identical twins.

"Who are they?"

"My family."

By the tone of his voice, she knew not to ask any further questions.

Liana walked past what looked to be his study and took a peek at the kitchen. Then, she found an odd room with a bowl near to the ground.

"Toilet interest you much?"

"What?"

Embarrassment colored her cheeks red. She closed her eyes and reminded herself that she knew nothing about this world, but had to pretend otherwise.

"Sorry, just got lost in a thought."

He chuckled.

"Let me show you to your room. There's a guest bedroom that you can stay in."

"Let me guess, you wouldn't have it that I could just stay on my ship. It has a very nice captain's cabin."

"Oh, I don't doubt it, but no... seeing as I'm partially responsible for this town, I might as well see you comfortably situated. Off of your ship."

She snorted as they headed upstairs. He opened the door to her room. Liana looked around and saw the pristine white bed, pastel yellow walls, lavish furniture, solid oak flooring, and big windows overlooking the looming forest beyond.

"What do you think?"

"It's perfect. Thank you, Dorian."

"Of course. My room's just down at the end of the hall if you need me."

"Alright."

Then, he left. She turned and looked at the bed, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion.

"Dorian?!"

"Yeah?" he asked as he poked his head back in.

"Where's the chamber pot?"

He gave her an odd look.

"Just how long have you been at sea? Modern plumbing was put in like eight years ago. That bathroom and toilet are through there."

He pointed to the door on the left, and she blushed.

"Too long, I think."

Dorian nodded and bid her goodnight.

"By the gods," she breathed. "he must think I'm some sort of idiot. And maybe here, I am."

She headed into the bathroom and toyed with the sink, toilet, and shower to see how they worked. Once she had mostly figured it out, she used the toilet, took a shower, and snapped her fingers, creating a silk nightgown for her to wear.

"Ahh, much better. I could get used to this place."

Then, chills crawled over her body.

"Princccesss, the masssstersss are waiting. I have been sssent to collect you."

"Oh, no."

She turned to see a shadow creature lurking by the bed.

"I'm not going back there. Maybe when I've lived the rest of the life that was stolen all too soon from me, I'll return. But until then, they'll never get me back."

The shadowy figure hissed and lunged for her. She ducked out of the way and made for the open windows. One claw of the shadow creature raked her bare arm, and she cried out in pain.

"Ahh!"

"They want you. You belong to them now, Princccesss. You are theirsssss."

She watched in horror as her wound turned black, and she felt a searing pain."

"Gah!"

Clutching her arm, she dove closer to the windows. The shadow creature flew after her, but then there was a thud and a screech. Then, silence. Liana stumbled to her feet and turned around to see Dorian standing a few feet away, club in hand. The shadow creature was nowhere to be found.

"Tha, thank you."

He nodded and dropped the club.

"You're welcome. Now, do you want to tell me what you've gotten yourself into? And just who exactly I've allowed into my home."

Liana winced.

"I'm sorry to have brought this upon you, Dorian. I'll go."

She started to walk towards the door, but he blocked her path, shaking his head.

"I didn't ask you to leave. I just asked for the truth, Lily."

She sighed, "I'm sorry. But I don't want to talk about it."

"So you'd rather run, or sail, away from all of your troubles and problems for the rest of your life? Hardly seems like a good way to live."

"Yeah, well, I lost my chance to live how I wanted to."

"And how is that?"

"Free."