1. Chapter 1 (1/2)

chapter 1

the first two months on the ship were the hardest for sofia, she wasn't used to traveling and became very seasick. james wasn't affected by the constant heaving of the ship since he had grown up traveling to other kingdoms with his father but he felt very sorry for his fiancée.

within the course of six months they had made port at 8 different kingdoms looking for sofia's mother as well as the rest of the resistance. finally they arrived in a small village called perth in the kingdom of galatia which james had never heard of before.

'i hope we get a better lead this time, james. i'm not sure how much longer i can take living on that ship' sofia complained holding her stomach and wobbling onto the wooden dock

she put her arm around his neck and he put his around her waist lovingly trying to help the poor girl walk. snow and ice covered the ground dangerously making it that much harder for her.

'i know, my love, me too. lets go find somewhere to get cleaned up and start talking to some villagers' he proposed and she agreed enthusiastically.

james noticed that sofia was slowly gaining some weight and was, thankfully, no longer so frail looking. he had been making sure she ate at every meal and even though she had been sick the past few weeks his efforts to get her healthy were paying off; even more than before he thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

they were only able to take baths when they made port, of course there were wash basins onboard the ship but salt water doesn't exactly make you feel clean. especially your hair. snow flurries whipped around them as they made their way through the village. james took off his coat and placed it over sofia's already cloaked shoulders and held her close. no one was around to ask directions but soon they came upon a bath house. inside was warm with humidity and the smell of lavender and vanilla enticed their senses. they parted ways and once they had finished their baths they ventured back into the cold in search of some decent food.

the couple came across an inn not far from the bath house and figured if anyone would have information on travelers as well as a hot meal it would be the inn keeper. they entered the two story

ick building and sofia walked smoothly up to the counter 'excuse me' sofia greeted an old grey haired man who was standing behind a small wooden desk surrounded by paper

'i was wondering if my mother has been here. her name is miranda, she is a little taller than me, has long

own hair and would be traveling with a small group'

'well let me think' the man said in a thick unknown accent as he checked a pile of paper in front of him 'wait, she wouldn't happen to have a green pendant and a silver wedding band would she?'

'yes, that's her!' sofia exclaimed happily clutching james's hand 'when was she here?'

'well miss, she's still here. she and her group are staying in room 4' he smiled pointing to a flight of beautiful wooden stairs

'james, my mom is here!' sofia yelled pulling him up the stairs

when they arrived outside room number 4 sofia knocked loudly on the door

'who's there?' a man's voice boomed and echoed off the hallway

'i need a lead hammer' sofia called confidently confusing james

'what size?' the voice boomed again

'what is going on?' james whispered

'it's our code' she whispered back '40 centimeters' she replied to the voice

watching the door knob turn a big man who looked to be in his mid thirties with a bushy greying beard opened the door and his face lit up when he saw sofia