The winds blew around him, long strands of platinum hair flowing in the air currents behind him as his ship tacked towards the coast. Light rain clouds floated to the north, deeper into the sea, and he could sense the power of the storms flowing outward from them, energy tingling through his body and mind. Here, closer to the coast and the desert sands, the sunlight glinted off the waves brushing past his ship.

His ship, beautiful and strong, powerful sails atop a thrumming body. Long ago, all he ever dreamt about was commanding a ship, exploring the seas, going west towards the lost cities of his people, going north into the deeps to follow the legends of his grandfather. Now, on this maiden voyage of the WS Windstorm, newest ship of the family’s fleet, he was another step closer to those long delayed dreams. After long decades in the desert with his companions, he didn’t regret a minute. Wealth, adventure, love and friendship, and yes, eventually death, flourished in those years.

He looked towards the bow of the ship from his perch in the crow’s nest. This was no spot for a captain, but it had long been his favorite on any ship, but it still had the most awe-inspiring views. Down at the rail of the bow, Valerus looked back up at him, smiling. Long his constant companion in travails of danger, his aunt had stood by him, protecting him, guiding him.

As he watched, her face turned pale, tears streaking down, as she whispered. There should have been no way for him to hear, but the words were clear as she spoke, “Don’t leave, Tolaryian, don’t leave me.”

The words echoed harshly, thundering through his mind, and the scene shifted, the storms that he normally controlled crackling down upon his wonderful ship, shattering timbers, masts and sails failing. The waves grew to the sizes of mountains, slamming down upon the deck, tossing crew overboard. As the wood beneath him cracked, and the main mast tilted sideways, he looked upon the head of his family, and the words again glided through the rage of the storm, “Don’t leave, Tolaryian, don’t leave me,” and he cried out in impotent agony as the bow crumpled and the waves took her from him forever.