II
Groaning, her mind swam back ton consciousness, as she rubbed her head, discovering a huge bump at the back of it.
Thank goodness I didn’t have a bad concussion. It could have been worse, like broken bones or something. Shaking the cobwebs of unconsciousness away, she assessed her situation: anxiety and hysteria mounted inside her. What had happened, and why had she fallen so deep? Was she dreaming this?
I should have watched where I was walking. Stupid me… With her reprimand coursing through her mind, she grabbed handholds and footholds, and tested her aged climbing lessons. Huffing and gasping for breath, she was aware of every muscle in her body protesting as she pulled her whole weight upwards. The place was so dark yet illuminated with a pinpoint of light that she had to grope her way up. Now that she noticed it, the scent of earth and dampness was prominent, and something nagged at the back of her mind, as she inched her way up. She could not hear any sounds of civilization. Even if this was the forest she had left, sound of motor engines was always audible. What was this total madness?
Bursting with a last surge of energy, she finally made it to the top, drenched in sweat heaving a sigh, as she toppled over the side, just lying there so she could recuperate. The countryside was different then when she had left it, as she had sensed. The grass was emerald, the air fuller and fresher, without the usual scent of gas fumes and one thing she stressed was that the air was silent, devoid of car engines, no airplanes, no concrete no buildings. This was a completely desolate country, for what it was worth. There was a small dirt road, snaking up in the distance towards a small village, its church top rising and few smoking chimney. The trees in the distance grouped in small clumps, the forest much more abundant than in the last place she was. A sense of dread filled her stomach as she examined the ground.
What the hell is this place? This isn’t home… Getting back to her feet, she spun around, looking back because she heard the sound of hooves.
Incredulous, she noticed a lone rider rushing towards, her, the horse a black stallion thundering towards her. The fear came all over again producing a bile taste in her mind, as she assumed a defensive stance, her hands raised to protect her mid-section and her face.
As the horse rider came closer, she noticed it was a young man about her age, yet he somehow appeared much older than her. His body was lean, tense on the saddle, as if in a great hurry, his face shaded by the sun blazing in his back. The man wore ornate clothes: a silk flowing shirt, under a golden rimmed wraparound waistcoat with a flowing crimson sash, a stark color compared to the mundane colors of the surrounding nature. The wind blew his dark hair into his face, silky and fluffy, tangling around a crown of jewels he was wearing. On his back an odd-looking weapon fit snuggly in a leather jerkin: a lethal double bladed staff. She was going to flag him down, but he just rushed past her, apparently absorbed by something else. Annoyed, she almost wanted to cry out after him, but somehow, she knew it would be no use. It wasn’t worth loosing her breath on it. Completely puzzled, she had to use all her self-control to not burst in cries of hysteria before she could move on, and go to that little village where she could maybe find some help.
Her decision taken, she started towards her main focus point: the same town he was heading for. This was completely senseless! How could she have fallen down the well while in her world, then entered another world altogether, where all traces of the modern world were unheard of? Shaking her head, she sighed.
“What have you gotten yourself into, Juline?” she asked herself. Soon, she realized her feet were starting to ache, and her stomach grumbled. How could she be hungry at such a time? Another sound of hooves disrupted her reflections and she made out two travelers on horses.
Is it me, or is this world late on new technologies? How will I get to ask them directions? Do I make to that little village and try to find help? Depends on whether they trust me or not. With her decision clear in her mind, she tightened the strap of her small backpack she had inadvertently taken with her before the walk and waved once more. The two riders slowed to a halt, and she discerned the first one: a stout man with graying light brown hair, literally balding on the top, with a generous mustache. He wore dark brown breeches, knee high boots and a loose white tunic, encircled with a coarse white belt and a broad sword. The second one, springing from behind was much younger, probably about her age, with light brown hair and a pleasant smiling face. The dark intense color of his eyes translated the fierceness of his attitude, as they scrutinized her. The young man, she noticed wore long leather breeches, sturdy strapped shoes and a black tunic, a bow slung across his shoulder and the quiver conveniently attached to his back.
“Hail to you, young maiden.” The older one called, halting his horse completely. The young one stayed silent behind him but continued examining her with careful inspection. “What misfortune brought you on the road?”
Hesitating, Juline searched wildly for an excuse then decided to tell the truth. “I am lost. Would you care to tell me where this is and what day this is?”
The old man replied promptly. “Of course. This is Shadow Land, and that village out there is Tyron. We are now in the third year of the Sun, and this is the 21
st day of the month of harvest…”
Completely baffled, she thanked him nonetheless and considered her options. The old man was about to leave when the younger one called the elder back.
“Father, maybe we can escort this young lady to the town. It seems she is a total stranger to this land.” He leaned down from atop his horse and kindly stuck a hand for her. “If you want, young maiden, you can ride with me.”
Accepting his proposition with a calm demeanor, she lithely jumped into saddle. This seemed incomprehensible to the young man. His voice was incredulous as he questioned her.
“Maiden, you surely do not intend to ride saddle style?”
She gave an exasperated sigh, aware that he was watching her with close scrutiny. “Why would I have to? I’m not from your land, so I do not have similar customs. And could you stop calling me
maiden? My name is Juline. Juline McCauley.” She gave him an awkward shake because she was sitting in front of him, conscious that she was leaning against the chest of a handsome young man. The handshake seemed to destabilize him as well and she laughed at his clumsiness.
“In all my life, I have never a girl such as you. My name is Ryan, and this is my Father, Gustave… We are merely journeyers on our way to the annual fair. We are selling jewels for the stands, and we have a few things to buy as well…”
Interesting: an annual fair. Maybe I can pick up something to eat while I’m there… What am I thinking? I just fell down a huge well and reappeared in this totally new world. Did I suffer a concussion or something? “That sounds exciting.” She admitted. “What exactly do they sell there?”
“All sorts of things. But here we are and I think silence is the best of wishes for you.” She silently obeyed his beseeching tone and took in stride the gruff guards. They were big, hulking men, in dull gray armor and shields, heads shaved off fit to wear helmets. “Stay silent, and we will vouch for you, though I doubt we will be able to explain your garb…”
It was true, she was wearing her regular jeans, a tank top and a jacket: barely sufficient for the provincial people of this county. Apparently, in this world, women were considered as inferior to humans probably used, for mere pleasure and service. At least, that was the feeling she had, as the commanding men, even frightening men let her through the gates of the city. As soon as she entered the vicinity of the city, she could feel the fear and tension inside.
It resided in the constant alertness of the villagers’ gazes, the wariness with which they eyed them, and the way they moved so furtively. She had an inkling that they knew how to get out of the way quickly, if trouble ever occurred.
Gosh! Since when have I been so perceptive? What’s up with me? She somehow had the impression that since the time she had landed, she had changed. Something inside her, long buried seemed to awaken.
“But I believe we have arrived…” He pointed to the marketplace, but they did not stop there. Instead, they stopped by a nondescript house, lost in the little streets streaming from the main place. Ryan helped her down, ushering her inside the tavern. “We will have some nourishment here. You look like you need something to put skin on your bones.” He judged her skeptically, inspecting her head to toe. Touched by their generosity, she expressed her thanks in effusive words.
“Thank you so much. How can I ever repay you?”
The older man shook his head, bringing his cup in salute to her. “It is a pleasure, and besides, this town is so dreary that we are not unhappy to meet a person so different from these midst.”
“Then why did you decide to come sell your things here?”
“We are mostly interested in the inexplicable killings taking place in the town. A suspicious character caught our attention and we are mainly here to investigate…” But he paused, his voice hooded. “We are not really merchants…”
The silence led her to assume they were more than just regular travelers and they had come here for a purpose. They used merchants as a cover. But whom did they have to hide from? “Who’s that suspicious character?”
“A man of a high social position,” Ryan completed. ”a certain lord. We have no information on him, however. But it is best you stay away from all this business. I don’t even know why I told you all of this.”
They ate the rest of their food in silence, while Juline assessed her situation. Ryan turned his unfathomable eyes towards her, mouth turning up in a smirk.
“What are you doing here anyway? I’ve never seen anybody dressed like you before. Your attitude leads me to believe you’re a stranger here.”
“Correct.” She intoned with an overly cheerful tone, winking back at him, and aiming a finger at him. “Now try to guess where I’m from…”
Ryan just shrugged, calling the innkeeper and asked for more mead. “Observing you, I assume you’d be from a totally different world.”
She was amazed by his deductions. The old man was gone now, probably to find out more information on Lord Sirius. “Any pointers on how that Sirius guy looks like?”
She didn’t bother to look up in his face, but browsed through the contents of her bag and gasped in delight when she noticed her toothbrush and toothpaste, sugarless chewing gum and floss, along with her keys and her wallet. She was a maniac of keeping her teeth spotlessly clean wherever she went, so this would at least advantage her.
“We have no leads yet, but we believe he lives off towards the Eastside, towards the forest. He is known to be quite secretive, and he never is seen in the daylight.” Juline considered this, fingers tapping the heavy oak table. “Why are you interested?” His question startled her out of her thoughs and she gave back a slightly embarrassed smile.
“I was just curious. That is all.” She tensed at an unseen signal, and let her mouth drop open as she noticed the same young man she had encountered before on his horse. This time, he was completely different, and seemingly relaxed in manner.
“What is it?” He asked in interest, and followed her gaze. “Oh, them. I know of them. They are a pack of well-known mercenaries from the North. They are camped down in the forest, just west from the town. I would suggest you to stay away from them, and be wary.”
“What are you talking about? You mean that man’s…”
“Hush. He is looking towards us.” His sudden warning put her on edge, and she turned swiftly, to catch the man’s gleaming eagle eyes. They caught hers in a predatory fashion, the color of glazed caramel and gold. Why hadn’t she noticed his eye color before? Was it possible for one to be so handsome? Wavering under the fierce intensity of his eyes, she turned away.
“Surely you have attracted his wrath. I would be careful if I were you…” He whispered urgently, as the young man got up and started walking towards her. “Why is he looking at you that way?”
Her shrug barely registered, instinct and full winged fear soaring in her mind. It kept screeching in her ear, activating the innermost instincts inside her. He was a few feet away, now, leaning over her and carefully inspecting her features. Averting her eyes from those blazing eyes, she caught a glimpse of dagger sheath hanging by his hip. Before he could even utter a single word, she acquired the dagger in a flurry of movement, and the blade gleamed at the soft flesh of his unprotected throat.
