With my shiny new friend at my side, the days got better. We became inseparable. He slept in my bed, woke with me, accompanied to do my chores, and sat with me during lessons. He fought at my side, or mock against me, for combat training.

The years flew by like hands on a clock. Each tick a day. My loneliness had been curved, so I set my mind to other ideas. I wondered what the future would hold for me.

“Some day you’ll have to face the Emperor,” Victoria would tell me.  Continue reading →