Some Preparations In The Making

February 21, 1976

Holy Kingdom of Soreh, Riad's Estate

(One Week Before Present Day)

(Yamir's POV)

"Of course. After all, if you aren't careful, then that would mean that this is going to be our "final" trip together."

Back then, I didn't realize that these words was going to be what would become the beginning of my story.

After imparting that death threat to me, Riad and Via had suddenly walked off towards their respective rooms to get prepared for their next journey, leaving me to be left alone in the kitchen.

Course I too was supposed to gather my things as well....but I was still in shock by Riad's words and needed some alone time to process the situation.

Despite the last four years where I have traveled the world with him and Via, there is still much about the world that I don't know about.

And from the things I personally have experienced, that was only from one "perspective" if that makes any sense.

For example, all of the knowledge and wisdom I gained over the years most likely came from people and places related to my "workplace".

But when it comes to matters relating to my "personal life", there isn't much that I really know about.

I have no memories, no friends, no family, or a place to call home. I'm an "outsider", a person who doesn't belong anywhere.

In the eyes of the world, the best way to describe me is probably a "ghost".

But my true purpose in life is to, supposedly, exist as nothing more but a weapon designed to fight in her master and mistress's stead.

To put it simply, I'm nothing more but a tool. One not even worthy of human values.

Supposedly anyways.

I would rather perfer not to be treated as some mutt after all.

Actually, speaking of which, now that I thought about it some more....

Riad probably only took me in for the sole purpose of sniffing out that one "person" he been chasing after.

To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if that's about as far as he ever thought of me.

It's probably because I figured that out a long time ago, but never addressed it.

A foolish mistake on my part.

As the years went by of me trying to stay naive, not once did I ever stop to think what Riad would do to me after I got him what he wanted.

But now that the cold and harsh reality has come knocking, I had no other choice but to stop and consider the dreadful possibilities.

*Sigh*

Okay, let's handle one problem at a time please.

First of all, what was the deal with that energy in the first place?

Why did it feel so familiar? Why did it feel like a reflection of myself? Why did it feel like a home I never had? And who was that female voice?

If I was understanding our conversation from earlier correctly, appearantly the person we're looking for is also some sort of goddess.

Which was complete news to me since Riad refused to go into details about this person, and I was one to not question anything that didn't exactly involve me.

In other words, I barely have any information to work with. The only lead I could possibly have to cracking this case right now is a single butchered word, "Daz".

Honestly, no matter how much I try thinking about it now, such answers were simply impossible to obtain.

And frankly, they really should be the least of my worries. I need to be more focused on the situation concerning my own personal safety. After all, dead people can't do anything but roll in their graves.

It didn't take a genius to figure out that it was obvious that staying here with them would probably put my own life in danger. Hell, thinking about it some more, it never really mattered whether or not I got them what they wanted in the first place.

Let's say for instance, I did succeed. Cool, I would have fulfilled my purpose, but now, what then?

For all I could know, I would simply became a tool that no longer have any use for, thus risking the possibility of becoming a "liability", something you most definitely don't want to be in this line of work.

And clearly, nothing would change if I failed or refused to cooperate.

"Damned if I do, damned if I don't. Tch, what a classic conundrum." Clicking my tongue, I looked towards the ceiling with a hand rubbing my aching forehead.

As I struggled to think of an answer out of this situation, a sudden flash of memories of a person from a bygone time came to mind.

"Remember, Yamir. No matter what happens, it's your job to always be prepared for every possible outcome."

I sighed while rubbing my eyes.

"What a pain in the ass."

Alright, let's review the possible outcome.

Outcome A would be for me to work with them and succeed. But then there would be a chance that I be casted aside afterwards.

The last thing I would want is to become a "loose end" they need to tie up.

Outcome B is that I do work with them, but fail in the process. However, if so, I will die. That much is certain.

Of course there is outcome C, but that's just me outright refusing to co-operate with them in the first place.

As of right now though, that's clearly not an option.

Under normal circumstances, "A" is the most ideal in this situation and obviously is something I should strive to achieving.

But the problem is that there is too many missing variables to simply pour all my time and effort into.

Like I said before, I have no clue of what they intend on doing to do me after everything is said and done. For all I could know, they might just betray me in the end. That certainly happens alot in the "workplace".

I need a backup plan. Something I can have ready when everything else goes wrong and all else fails.

In other words, a contingency plan, huh.

Again, not the most ideal option to go with, but hey, if I'm going to end up dead in a ditch at the end of the day, I might as well give it a shot while I still can.

Well, regardless of whatever moves I plan to make, I can't be hasty with my decisions.

First and foremost, I need to answers four vital questions.

When would be the right time to leave. Where should I go?

Who can I trust? And what should I do to continue on living?

To no one's surprise, I can't answer even those simple questions right now. That's how much important information is when it comes to making plans.

Without that much, it's far too risky to make any moves.

However, that does not mean all is lost yet.

If anything, I still have plenty of time on my hands.

So as long as the person Riad is looking for hasn't been taken in as a hostage yet, then I would still be needed as a tool for him to dispose of later.

And until that happens, it would be highly unlikely that Riad would move in to take me out.

Course, that's assuming he plans on killing me at all after everything is said and done.

Tilting my head to the side a little, I stroked my chin for a second and got lost in thought.

Needless to say, I began thinking of several key ways that could help formulate a plan of my own.

But no matter what option I chose to go with, all of them is going to put my ability of "deception" to the test.

However its way too early to go into detail right now.

First and foremost though, there was something minor that I wanted to figure out before doing anything else.

Since Via left the map on the kitchen table, I glanced over it for a second time, but this time more thoroughly.

After quickly locating the City of Acrya and the city state of Cheshire, I began running some mental calculations inside my head.

Thinking from Riad and Via's perspective, I narrowed down about a dozen of different routes of travel that they would most likely take.

Then, after taking into account of popular highways and the more efficient back roads, I deduced the possibility of how likely they would use either or.

Then whatever numbers was left, I later cross referenced it with a plethora of other variables.

Let's see, if I factor in the average speed of a horse, restroom breaks, rest and relaxations periods, resupply runs, weather conditions, and all possible use of terrain, then....

Ah, I see.

About half a minute later, I figured out the likely route that they would take to travel from here to Cheshire.

And from that route alone, I was able to draw up a rough estimate of the time and distance.

One week.

That's one week worth of precious time of me being able to prepare all my pieces accordingly and take the initiative.

While I'm unsure how long it would take to locate this "goddess" in the city, atleast I have that much time to work with.

It was just a matter of how to use that time wisely.

Cheshire, huh…

The plan I was thinking of was decent enough in theory, but putting it into practice was going to be easier said than done.

I still needed to formulate something more advanced than just the general idea to make it work, but that won't be possible until I start seeing some more pieces to work with.

Regardless, it was clear that I only have one chance to make this work. Because the moment some one catches wind of my actions, it's going to be checkmate for me on both sides.

But no matter what happens....

I have no intention of dying.