Esmerelda.

She was the one thing that never changed.

Flynn traced his hand along the giant hourglass in front of him, its surface cold against his fingertips.

Five years.

Five years until they made it off this wretched ship. That’s what Quintilian had told them, no, promised them. All he had to do was make it through five years.

And then there was the issue of the prophecy...

But one thing at a time, Flynn told himself. Alexis’s problems could be dealt with later. He had more important things to deal with than heroes and villains and useless quests.

Flynn gazed up the top of the massive hourglass, ten feet high above his head, then moved his eyes slowly downward until he could see the white sand sifting steadily through the neck. The tiny gap was so slim he had to squint to see it.

Flynn’s heart sank. They were never getting home.

At least he still had Esmerelda. As long as he had her, they’d be fine. She was the only reason he’d agreed to come up here to the ship anyhow. Back home, the Council had tried to convince them they were doing this for the benefit of future generations, for the betterment of society, for the “greater good”.

Only when Esmerelda was selected did he agree to go.

Flynn smirked. “As if sending thirty teenagers up into space with nothing but a Star Wizard was a good idea,” he muttered to himself.

“So being a Star Wizard is a bad thing now?”

Flynn jumped. “Quintilian!”

The Wizard smiled. “Surely you heard me, my dear boy. Even a Star Wizard can’t be completely soundless when he walks. Only fools think they can master total silence. Except for Lorenz Minor, of course, third generation, fantastic navigator...”

Quintilian chuckled to himself, wrapping his long dark cloak tighter around his shoulders and gripping his tall staff like a walking stick. His deep gray eyes met Flynn’s, turning serious. “But I’m sure you’re not here for a history lesson.”

“No,” Flynn mumbled, turning back to the hourglass.

Five long, lonely years... and Alexis wasn’t even worried...

Quintilian strode across the marble floor towards the boy, sensing his thoughts. “Ah. I suppose Alexis informed you of the prophecy?”

Flynn pressed his lips together. “Well... she wouldn’t give me the details. Only that it had something to do with Ez.” He scratched his arm, uncomfortable.

With Ez. Esmerelda.

The one girl who never changed...

The old Wizard leaned upon his staff. “I see.” He paused for a moment, staring at Flynn. “And would you like to know the rest of it?”