Philomel stood at the edge of the darkness, tears dripping down here face. She felt lost, isolated, like she was the only person in the world who truly could understand. Not even her best friend, Vaeron, could know the pain she currently felt right now, not even her on and off lover Shinsou. Because this was so personal, this was so individual. Only she had had her extraordinary life's with of experiences. Only she had lived through the agony of it all and made the choices.

Only she, she was determined, could understand. Which was why she stood at the edge of the chasm that looked only into darkness. A rend in the earth that had been opened when the volcano that shook the entire world erupted. Indeed, the time of Ashfall had ended, the meteor fragments had been gathered, and obsidian discovered, but there was also this. Known locally as the Rift, it was a break in the rocks at the Jagged Peaks of Corone, hidden amongst the cragged valleys. It was where Philomel had come to think, after the ultimate betrayal.

Her closest allies had done it. Her generals had done it. Finally, after a long series of arguments about something small that had gotten it of proportion they had finally decided to go rogue and leave her, taking away her ship. Now all she was left with was her fortress and the legacy of an army and hundreds of brothels under her guidance.

So still a lot. But less than what she had had.

And more, because there was the pain. Because those who were once her right hands could not understand why she needed a bodyguard, needed a throne and needed and heir.

And they didn't understand why she was round with child again.