My time at Sorseffera had not been easy. The majesty of its stratospheric architecture belied it’s hidden chambers of isolation and torture. It was once a venerable place of most high virtue and Pius worship – an ancient spiritual place where the high priests and priestesses convened with the sky gods and goddesses of yore. But now, in the age of feudalism, it’s heavenly reaches had become a sky-high, hellish dungeon of unspeakable perils.

Aeryn had suffered more than I. He was outspoken, resistant and willful. The same qualities that made him a masterful statesman and ally in battle were a detriment here, where he had no power. He remained in chains, bolted to the far stone wall. It was the coldest part of the room. When we were fed, I would bring him bread to keep him alive. It was as though the guards had forgotten about him and left him to rot there. There would be no trial, no justice for us. Simply because we stood up against the forces of the emperor, we were now enemies of the state and subject to any punishment his mercinary guards saw fit. This prison in the sky was as cold as it was sunless. Near starvation, we languished in our own filth among the rats and flies. We would not last much longer this way. At least, I knew if we didn’t get free soon, Aeryn wouldn’t another fortnight.

That night, when all hope was lost, I heard Aeryn groan as if he was in pain whilst he dreamed. He awoke briefly and asked me to put him out of his misery. To choke him to death at that moment, a light show from the barred door of the cell. Bright and golden, it was the most light we had seen in weeks and it was blinding.

“Aeryn and Danios of Lorydea?” A warm and softly vibrating voice filled the chamber.

It was Helia, the faerie queen, beaming in her angelic regalia. She had come to set us free! For Aeryn and I had defended her realm as younger men, when the siege of the southern reaches began. All those who stood against the enemy empire were sworn allies. When Lorydea fell our legions scattered but the Faer hid underground until they could rise up to strike again.

“My people are in need of your help. A human army awaits at the crossroads of Feletane. But they need a leader.” Helia shined her healing light upon Aeryn, who raised his heavy head.

It was the first time I had seen his deep, grey eyes in a long while. They sparkled with a glimmer of hope. His chains broke and fell away. He stumbled but stood up, finding his footing and his purpose.

“Then a leader they shall have.”

He was restored and resolved. We would first need to somehow break free from the Sky Fortress. But we could not float through stone walls as could the intangible Helia. She unlocked the cell door and led us to the escape route. She even blinded the guards. But we would surely have to fight our way out.