Stakes

Chapter 5 - Stakes

Alora

The sun kissed the horizon bringing the trip to an end as the shores of Findara, the village just outside the palace grounds, came into view.

I let the air of the salted waters fill my lungs one last time. Taking in the feeling of the open-air against my skin as we moved quickly towards the port. Once we docked, the ship would vanish again, and my freedom with it.

I never knew what to expect when I returned from my voyages. My mother wasn't exactly an open book and her mood changed with a flip of a hat. I just hoped that coming home with a lead on a new item to claim would please her and give me the upper hand for once.

"We could delay the arrival a few more days," Helga suggested from my shoulder. Returning to her tiny winged form upon entering the portal that led to the dream realm.

The pixie was the closest thing I had to a friend in this realm. Not many beings in the realm of dreams paid attention to me or knew who I actually was. The ones who did were t