The sun was rising over the gorgeous island of Aloxia, a little known landmass between Fallien and the Tular plains as the Irellian was pulling into sight of land. The calls of the crew were raucous and loud, and it brought a smile to the face of Vincent Cain as he gazed at the port through an ornate spyglass. It had been a long several months, and the scholar felt the need for a bit of a vacation of sorts. He’d been under a lot of stress, and so had his dear friend Rayleigh Ashton, so he’d devised a clever plan.

They were going on vacation, whether she knew it or not.

So far the plan had been simple. He had made up a fictitious artifact that he needed Ray’s help locating on the most tropical island in the land. Filled with white beaches, fruity drinks, and excellent food, it was the best place to look for something that didn’t exist. All he had to do was keep up the ruse long enough to help the mechanic unwind…