Prologue Part Four

~Xander Cont.~

Heading up to my chambers within the palace was slightly more difficult than I had expected. Firstly I had to dodge my mother and her seemingly endless squad of unwed noblewomen who just happen to be close to my age and secondly avoiding my father as I believe he expects me to already be well on my way. As I step into my room I close the door behind me and drop my purchases to the ground. I slowly pull out the pendant and stare at it. The craftsmanship is amazing and the gold gleams in the candlelight, not a tarnish in sight, the ruby softly gleams as if enticing me to touch it. Placing it down upon my desk, I hurry to pack my supplies.

"I must leave soon. I cannot risk disappointing my father. The kingdom needs me."

Hoisting my pack onto my back, I take a deep breath and grasp the pendant with both hands. The tugging sensation begins again, growing more and more intense as I continue to hold on, as the feeling intensifies I close my eyes and let it take me where it will.

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Splat! I make the mistake of gasping for breath and the taste of both mud and excrement fill my mouth. Spitting, I stand up noticing in the journey that I have dropped the pendant. Taking a look around, I wonder if this is where the heir has been hidden all this time. Reaching down I pick up the pendant and wipe it off on my cloak. I barely have time to do this before the sensation of tugging once more overwhelms me and the world blurs away.

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Months go by like this and I begin to lose hope. I have taken to stealing to keep up my supplies as I am dragged world by world, the tugging never ceasing.

"I must have travelled to at least a hundred worlds by now. Maybe I should just head home and tell father that this was all a lost cause." I think, the depression begin to overcome my resolve.

The tugging begins again and I am once more thrown from one world into the next.

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Jolting into awareness after yet another world hop, I glance up. The blue sky is clear but for a few fluffy white clouds. Birdsong fills the air as I gather myself. Sighing, I once more pick up the pendant. I drop the pendant as the realization that the tugging is different startles me. Instead of wanting to draw me off the world it is pulling me in a direction. I cannot help but let out a sigh of relief at this discovery. Gathering myself, I set off in the direction of the pull.

As I continue to walk I can't help but stare in wonder at the world I have found myself in. Massive structures made of glass and metal reach into the sky, other machines made of metal move as if by magic, and the people, women dressed in pants, no cloaks or armor in sight. What is this world! The pendant’s tug is getting stronger the more I walk.

"I must be getting close" I think.

I am drawn to a door set into the wall, in an out of the way area. I reach forwards and open the door but before I can gently close it behind me, a great gust of wind whips it out of my hand and it slams against the wall. As I look around the small room the sound of breaking dishes fills the air and my eyes are drawn to the young woman crouching down to pick it up. As I move closer the amulet grows warm in my hand, as if letting me know I had found who I was seeking.