Rain poured down from dark clouds, the night’s sky black like ink spilling over each gloomy nimbus, held back only by the roar of thunder and the cracking lightning. The moon and stars had been hidden for a week now, thanks to the rolling gray clouds that swirled angrily on nights like these, wherein they let loose their torrent of rain instead of idly threatening to do so for hours on end. Despite the rain, it was rather warm on this Californian night. Reece listened to the sound of the rain on the wooden roof, each impact ringing in his ears on an otherwise quiet night. The carriage rattled, only illuminated by the lantern hanging from the back and front and occasionally the flashes from the sky, and a smaller one inside where he resided. The dark black leather he sat upon was comfortable, very comfortable indeed. Stained brown wooden walls and a pair of windows were the rest of what the carriage offered, which at best were somewhat cozy and at worst could be downright claustrophobic.
	The man gripped a letter in his hands. The emerald colored seal had been broken and the text within had been read again and again. He knew what the wax seal’s logo was, even without opening up the letter. Almost everyone knew it: a fancy uppercase H forming a cat on the right side. The Hamiltons. High profile, old world money turned into wild amounts of new world money, all put into various businesses. The green let him know who exactly had summoned him, even if she hadn’t signed it. Maxine Hamilton, current heir of the Hamilton fortune. While her mother still controlled the bulk of their assets, Maxine had her own agenda. Whatever grand machinations Reece fit into, he had yet to learn. The woman had left no clues in her letter. 
	The carriage came to a stop and Reece tucked the letter in his pocket. He slung his backpack over his shoulder as the driver came around and opened his door, “We are here,” The human man stated with a small bow and a gesture to exit. Reece was handed an umbrella as his gaze went up to the large house before him. The driver left before he could offer him any kind of tip for picking him up. The path was broken up into many smooth stones that gently glowed in the evening darkness. They led to the front double doors of a rather large home, two floors and at least five or six bedrooms. For the Hamiltons, it felt small. With an umbrella in hand, Reece started up the path to the cream-yellow building. Fires in the windows sent shadows dancing on the grounds. Flowers, bushes, and a palm tree all drooping from the downpour. All of them were immaculately trimmed and cut, a professional had been here recently. 
	After stepping onto the dry porch, the man shook off his umbrella and placed it on a rack with so many others. There was a mirror above it, which he found himself gazing into. He slicked his blonde hair back and scratched his clean shaven, soft chin. His own green eyes stared back at his reflection, making him crack a nervous smile at his own face. He was out of his element, that much was for sure. Reece was not very familiar with the area, he was from Northern Oregon and found himself in the usually sunny and hot Southern California. The Hamiltons lived in Washington, so this was obviously some kind of vacation home. A very nice one at that. The beaches in this area were excellent, making it a prime vacationing spot. Reece adjusted his black coat and backpack before turning to the front door. Both of them were already open for him, beckoning the human inside. He hesitated, but found himself taking a few timid steps into the home. 
	There was a magical force that overtook him, making it a bit hard to move as the doors slowly shut behind him. His coat was unbuttoned and hung up by the force as was his backpack. Suddenly, a chair materialised under the man as he gained his bearings, quickly pulling him into a lounge room just off the foyer area through a large archway beneath stairs that went to the second floor. A woman was already sitting there, grinning at him from beneath a wide brimmed, black colored wizard hat. The black haired cat woman’s ears poked through the sides of her hat. Her fingers played with her bob cut as she lounged on the couch, a set of black robes with an emerald green half cloak draped around her shoulders adorned her thin body. 
	“Good evening, Mister Gawain,” She greeted before waving her hand, pouring tea into a pair of porcelain tea cups adorned with gold. 
	Reece’s heart was pounding in his chest from the sudden scare. His hands gripped the plush arms of his seat as he tried to regain a semblance of composure. He watched the cat-witch pick up her cup and sip from it. It certainly is a rainy evening, but a fine one, Missus Hamilton. Reece thought to say, “H-hello,” He blurted out instead.
	The older avalonian woman smiled softly, “I did not mean to frighten you so, Reece. My apologies, dear.”
The man huffed and puffed before adjusting his button up shirt, straightening it out and finally calming himself somewhat, “It's fine, Missus Hamilton.”
 “That is Lady Hamilton to you, Reece. Better yet, Maxine. You and I are simply conversing casually, no, my dear? I understand you have some experience with the innate show-offy nature of wizards such as myself, hm?” She chuckled to herself, “That is neither here nor there. Have some tea. It is good for the nerves,” She paused and watched the boy pick up his cup and take a small sip. It was a rather sweet tasting tea, with just a refreshing hint of honey in it, “Was the trainride enjoyable? What about the room?”
	Reece couldn’t bring himself to mention just how anxiety filled it had all been. Her invitation had been in his hands at almost all times, he kept reading it, making sure the words it contained never changed. He hardly ate, other than the snacks the crew kept stocked in the deluxe train car, “Good. Both of them were good.”
	Maxine nodded, “And your carriage was on time?”
	“Yes,” Reece nodded back.
	Glancing over his shoulder, Reece saw the spitting image of Maxine, though years younger and clad in white with equally stark white hair. She stomped down the stairs and shot a look his way before heading deeper into the home.
	“I think Sophia would like you,” Maxine idly mused aloud, “Though, after her time with Harold, she isn’t too keen on human men. Romantically, I mean,” Her emerald eyes turned back to him, “This has been a very rainy retreat,” She continued to lament, “We had wished for sunny shores. I’m sure a learned man like you knows that weather altering magic is illegal in most circumstances.”
	If Reece was expected to speak, he knew not what to say. He could only nod in reply. Anyone in their right mind would be intimidated in such a woman’s presence. She was radiant. Confident, if not a little conceited, but knowing the power she possessed as a Hamilton, both in the financial and magical realms she had earned the right to be a little self-assured at the least. He knew about her and her family, hell, he had written about them numerous times, recording their history and recent accomplishments. Now he was in her abode, summoned for some unknown purpose and unable to find the words. It almost felt like he was meeting a famous titan of fiction that he had only read about, being that he was so detached from her and her family by several degrees of separation, and yet here she was in the flesh.
	“You make an odd face when deep in thought,” The woman teased, “I imagine you’re thinking about this invitation?” She waited for a moment, staring at the boy like a beast eyeing its prey, “Partake of the tea, dear. It will calm you down.”
	He did as he was told. He took a long sip of the warm tea, not really tasting the flavor this time. Then he drank once more and let out a long sigh as a sense of ease came over him.
	Maxine smiled, “Now then, where was I? Oh, the invitation.”
	“Aye,” He replied, nodding once again. He brandished the mentioned missive and ticket stub, “I am not often given a ticket and invitation from one as illustrious and powerful as you.”
	She scoffed, “No need to flatter me, dear.”
	“Why have you brought me here?” He was eager and anxious to learn why, “Was a letter not enough to make a request?”
	Maxine sat up and crossed one leg over the other. She took another silent sip of tea before putting on a friendly, but business oriented smile, “I want you to write for me.” 
Maxine’s smile widened despite her best efforts as Reece put a strange look on his face. Regaining his composure, he nodded, “Well, okay. But about what? I’m sure you know what I work on, usually.”
	“I am not interested in some kind of chronology. Something new. Something that you will make yourself.”
	Her theatrics were getting to the man, drawing this out, in an almost catty way. It was more teasing and playful than mean spirited, but she was definitely enjoying herself watching him hang on every word. He had to imagine she was testing him or trying to get a feel for him, “What would that be, exactly? I don’t do much else.”	
Maxine smiled impishly at the boy, “Tell me, are you aware of the recent discovery? The lands amongst the stars, so high above us landwalkers?”
	“Of course.”
	“Well, what has been a little more hush-hush, is that there will soon be a voyage heading to the stars, my dear. I want you on board.”
	Reece felt his heart pound again. He could hear it in his ears, “Huh?”
	“The USAS Myridea!” Maxine looked rather proud of herself, “Not my idea, but I helped refine it. Better than calling it the Titanic.”
	“Myridea? The name of the Old World?”
	“Well, yes, but no. The name is thought to come from numerous sources. While we here in the New World call this planet Earth, the Old World did not have a cohesive name. Myridea became the name for it retroactively, coming from a myriad of mythological figures that share the name. Historic kings, one not too dissimilar to our King Arthur, a dragon, a river, massive ice flows, and I think no less than four weapons were given that title,” The witch explained, “This vessel will be the culmination of Old World magic and New World ingenuity. So many interest groups have come together for this, and it will be a show that American engineering is still going strong!” Her theatrics were getting to Reece again, “The Myridea is calling you, this I whole-heartedly believe.”
	“What am I supposed to do?” He tried to muster up more than a squeak to ask his question.
	“Write! Write and write! Go on this adventure and write about it!” She stretched her arms towards him, palms outstretched, “Bring back tales of the Sky Dwelling people, the things you see and find there! While I would love the trip to go sightseeing, I wholeheartedly believe someone like you should be on this maiden voyage. See the people, the sights, and put them to paper,” Maxine continued to grin.
Reece felt his hands shake and heart pound at the idea. Butterflies filled his stomach as he thought about it, “W-why me? Surely someone else would be a better candidate.”
“Contrary to what you think, the circles that I and Graxon frequent agree that you would be perfect.”
	“Graxon…” His mentor knew his situation. Whether he had that in mind or genuinely believed that Reece was perfect was a mystery to the man, “I don’t see how I’m perfect for it.”
	“You are not very experienced with the world. You would lack most of the prejudice that others would enter this project with. Obviously you have had dealings with dwarves and men, but what about Avalonions? Elves?”
	“Maybe once or twice, but no meaningful interactions.”
	Maxine continued, “No family to tie you down, not even a cat to leave behind. An apartment, perhaps some work you need to finish up, but nothing that would keep you from going on a journey– no, let’s call it an adventure! We both know you have written about one of the greatest adventures of our age, why not create one yourself? See the sights and people of this new world and teach the rest of us about it.”
	Reece felt he was being scrutinized again as he made a face, "I suppose…”
	Maxine was all smiles once more as she shook her head, “Whilst your Ballad of Sol Eater was excellent, the narrative you spliced in helped it not feel like another textbook, however, I feel it lacked a more personal, human element in an otherwise well written chronology. This would be the perfect way to experience this new world, this almost fantasy-like realm we have not stepped back into yet. What could have changed over our century apart? What do you think?”
	Reece put his drink down and rubbed his palms against his face. Weariness from traveling was creeping into his mind and body. The Sol Eater book was three years old at this point. He hadn’t had a single other book published since then. The only thing keeping him afloat was the odd transcribing project, a few translation works, and any articles he could write to get by. Reece was in a slump and he knew that. But he was unsure if this would bring him out of it. Maxine seemed to be very honest in her intentions. Reece struggled to decide what to do, “I see…”
	“As for your fee… With what I am going to pay you, you could fill a trio of carts with gold!” Maxine was beaming. Reece felt his heart stop at the pay’s mention. It was an amazing amount of money, and all for a book? She seemed to glimpse his mind as she nodded again, “A free form book about this skyward realm. The people, the facts, the history, everything you learn I want written down. I would like it all wrapped up in a nice, digestible adventure-like bow. The amount is as much for your benefit as it is ours, as we only have had two people go there at this point, and it does seem a bit dangerous. After the sum, you will receive royalties and future employment upon your return. But money and work is not all I am offering you; imagine the fame and fortune from it! Your name and your book would be known throughout the world!”
	Reece could hardly fathom that amount of money. He could buy a home– a mansion– maybe an entire estate for that much and still have enough for more. He could retire, though he didn’t want to. The idea of going on another book tour like he did for the Sol Eater book was very enticing. Just as enticing, was the idea of adventure– though it was just as terrifying of a thought. Monsters already existed, but this land above would have even more of them, Old World monsters too. Perhaps some that were thought to be extinct would still be alive and thriving up there. The thought of encountering a dragon made Reece’s blood turn to ice. The things he could write about were already swirling in his head, all the ideas and experiences to be had during a once in a lifetime trip. The fear in Reece’s heart was not enough to beat out the excitement and the potential thrill of bringing it all back in the form of a book. Reece knew he could not let this slip through his fingers. He drank more tea, “I have been meaning to see more of the world. I suppose this counts.”
	Maxine poured two more cups of tea, “It will be a wonderful adventure, I am sure. I will make sure your apartment is taken care of in the meantime. Perhaps I will start looking for a home for you, something a bit closer to your new employment.”
	Reece got the feeling that the witch really did want him to go. She was going rather far to convince him. Despite the magical effects of the tea, anxiety still gripped the man’s heart, “I-I’ll do it.”
	In an instant, Maxine lurched across the table and took the boy’s hand, quickly shaking it, “Wonderful!” She was grinning ear to ear and chuckling, “I’ll show you to your room for the night. I should have everything you need there, but on the off chance that that is not the case, let me know and I will remedy that. We have a few days before you head east!”
“East?” Reece echoed, “I thought the islands were to the West over the Pacific.”
“That may be, but the Myridea was built in Florida, and that is where her maiden voyage begins,” Maxine explained
	Maxine was quick to hop up and head to another room without him. Reece slumped a bit in his chair as he wondered what exactly he had gotten himself into. There was an energy, a buzz perhaps, that filled him. Was it anxiety? Fear? Dread? Or perhaps the excitement for adventure. Only time would tell if he had made a mistake or not.