by R. J. Lloyd
A tall, muscular, man with long, blonde hair who resembled a statuesque Viking walked out through the door. He muttered about someone not doing as instructed as his large hand raked through his hair. With a measured breath, he leaned against the wall across from me and tilted his head back. Closing his eyes before lowering his head, his steel blue hues landed on me. He quirked an eyebrow before turning his attention down the cobblestone road as a couple crossed the path.
I stood up straighter, holding my bag close to my chest at the sight of the man. Normally, I would have just tried to use some sort of charm or batting of my eyes to convince him to help get me inside or to even just give me the forgotten password, but I was unfamiliar with this time and place. And that portion of my circumstance made me far less daring than normal. And it certainly didn’t help that something about him was completely alluring, tugging me to him.
Focus, Auriena. Focus.
I started to open my mouth but just as quickly shut it and sighed. "Good day," I said, suddenly realizing I wasn't sure if I should have an accent like the old man’s or even if I could pull it off. But I needed a way in.
The man nodded and looked me over, his expression not hiding that he must have found me at least somewhat attractive. The wind picked up, and his nostrils flared as he took in the scent of the tattooed, petite brunette across from him, his eyes raking over me even more intently. "Not from around here, huh?" He kept his eyes on me.
Damnit! How is that so easy to detect on me? I thought to myself. I cleared my throat before speaking. "No. I live a couple towns over. Just ummm..." I pulled my bag in closer. "Not been here much before. And I forgot how to get into this place but was supposed to meet up with a family friend." I ran through my lie in my mind, wanting to facepalm for how bad it sounded.
With a tip of his chin, he motioned to me. "Which town over where exactly?" His gaze was cemented on me. At this point, it was obvious that I had his attention.
Fuck. My nostrils flared slightly. Why does he have to look like a that? I couldn’t concentrate. "Which town?" I had no clue what to say. So, I blurted out with something. "Vegas. A number of miles over there." I waved my finger aimlessly in a vague direction. "You? Where are you from?"
"My town doesn't really exist anymore. Vegas huh? Sounds new.” He rolled the lit portion of his cigar between his fingertips, extinguishing it. “You look like all you have seen all day is ghosts, are you okay?"
I wondered why he seemed so intrigued by me. Why couldn’t he just walk on and leave me alone? I wondered if the older man who helped me get this far was wrong about the world being dangerous. Maybe this place was just full of good people. Still, I wasn’t going to let my guard down completely. Instead, I continued the conversation cautiously, "Ghosts... Well? Not really ghosts. Just feeling a bit lost. But yeah. I'm okay. I just... Well? I sorta need in there and forgot how. I guess I'm just a little lost and trying to get home." I motioned to the door of the tavern. Oh man, I was rambling. Did he notice?
He shrugged and knocked on the wooden door I had motioned toward. Another man looked through the cracked door, and the door swung open without hesitation. “Let her in,” he barked at the doorman before turning back to me. "Best of luck." He winked at me.
Slightly surprised, I headed for the door. "Thanks." As I passed by the towering man. Seeing a pack of what looked like cigars poking out of his pocket, I looked up at him. "You know, they've proven that smoking is bad for you. It would be a shame to waste that beautiful face." I smirked as I went to duck inside the tavern, now trying to remember who I was looking for and how to explain my situation to him.
The man blinked as he held the door. But instead of letting me pass, he slid down an arm to catch the back of my shirt. "Oh, did they now? Exactly who has proven this?"
I turned and looked at him, yanking on my shirt that was firmly in his grip, barely getting it free. "Excuse me?"
"Exactly who has proven that smoking is bad, little one?" He let go of me but stepped in my way, blocking me from entering the tavern.
Trying not to go into a panic, I straightened out my shirt a little overdramatically. "Scientists? People who..." Shit. I was suddenly glaringly aware that if I was back in time, there was no way anyone had proven this. It wouldn’t have even been a topic of science. "I mean... I read a book where it was a theory. Thanks for helping me in." I tried to duck under his arm once again to slip into the tavern before making matters worse.
He huffed and tilted his head. "Oh, no, ma'am. You come back right now. You really aren't from this place at all are you?" He stopped me from getting past again.
I turned toward him, wishing he wasn't saying that as loud as he was, afraid that we would attract a crowd. "I already told you I'm not. I'm from a small village a number of miles away. And who are you to command me around? What does it matter what small, inconsequential place I'm from? Is there some law that outsiders aren't allowed here?" Oh, how I hoped that wasn't actually the case.
He cracked his knuckles. "Oh, sweetheart. I own this little establishment. So, how about we talk about the subject at hand? Come in and have a seat, darling." He pressed a hand to my back, practically pushing me inside. Once near a spot along the back wall, he waved to a chair and table nearby as people got up and scurried away from his chosen spot. “Sit,” he instructed me.
I blinked at the people leaving the table. Something in the pit of my stomach mocked me, saying I’d screwed up now. Still holding my bag tight against the front of me, I took a seat. "Well, if you own this place, and you insist on interrogating me on my knowledge of smoking research, then would you mind terribly getting me something to eat? And maybe some water?” I pursed my lips at him. “Or one of your waitresses so they can. I hardly see you the type to do such menial work."
With a flick of his wrist, he waved at the staff to fetch the things I had requested. "So which world are you from exactly?"
My jaw fell open. "World? What do you mean?" My mind raced through any possible alternative to the word Earth someone might have used in another time period, but I came up with nothing. "This world. What other world is there?" I at least felt safe enough in that since only those who want to get locked away admitted they think there's any other habitable worlds. "Are you okay, sir? Is this some joke?"
"Oh, I am very okay." He opened his hand and summoned a fireball and watched my reaction.
I flinched slightly. Being a witch, I was used to some magic. But, being from Earth, I wasn't used to such blatant use of it or with such ease. I moved, hitting my back against the chair, pulling my bag up tighter once again. "Warlock? Or hybrid?" I quirked an eyebrow at him. "And how do you get away with being so open about it?" My voice was hushed as I looked around to see the reaction of others. “Is your time period used to this sort of thing, and my time period just has forgotten?”
The corner of his mouth came up, forming a sly smirk. “We are of the same time. We are just not of the same world.”
“Explain.” My eyes narrowed in disbelief. Not that any of my situation’s explanations were believable to me either. Honestly, I was still trying to decide if all of this was a joke. But I could tell this man had answers. Lots of them. And I needed them.
"See, the concept of controlling elements in this world is common. It's something anyone can learn if they have the discipline and strength. You are saying names and reacting not like you know of this." He waved his hand and turned the fireball into ice. The ball of ice shifted and then reformed. He set an ice rose in a glass of water as it was placed in front of me along with a platter of food. "This world is Naelyra. You are in the city of Eldercairn. And people that come here are either lost, homeless, or not really from this world. But not being from here is dangerous."
“So I’ve been told,” I muttered.
He nodded. “Take those words to heart. Unless you have status here in Naelyra, being from another world is like having a target on your back after the wars these people have seen.”
My sm
all fingers reached out to the ice rose, turning it slowly as I took in his words. As he explained the people he referenced, I looked around the room to check out those who were there with us, curious if there were others like myself. Others trying to hide their identities. "Other worlds? Common magic everyone can learn?" My words were spoken slowly, almost distant, revealing that my mind was drifting through thoughts. My eyes went to the food before me, and my stomach grumbled audibly. "What year is this?” My gaze trailed up to his face. "And how is Naelyra compared to Earth overall?"
He smiled at me. "So, little one, you are from Earth.” He settled back in his seat and let his gaze roam over me hungrily. “Earth is similar in many ways but different in many more. I have been there once. If I recall, it was visibly different. But my stay was short lived.”
I watched as the staff bustled around the room, serving food and beverages, taking advances from the men in the room that had had too much to drink. It wasn’t a family establishment, but it was certainly similar behavior to some places I had been to back home.
He moved to catch my stare. “You are on the planet Naelyra in the city of Eldercairn, as I said. I’m guessing you came through by portal, but I’m not sure how that happened because…”
"Shut up!" It was too much, too fast. My eyes went wide as if I had just snapped back from a trance. I gathered myself and lowered my voice. "Sorry. I'm so sorry. I just..." I looked around the room again. This time as if my vision had cleared. "This explains so much. Now I just need to figure out how to get home." My stomach growled even louder as a sense of excitement rose within me. Pulling the spoon free from the silverware roll, I examined the food before me with a suspicious expression.
He eyed me. "You know the food is perfectly fine right? But getting you home might not be as simple until I find out how you got here."
My green hues went to his. I was a bit surprised he was taking me in such stride. I mean, it wasn’t every day he met a woman from a different world. Or was it? Either way, it was obviously harder for me to comprehend than it was for him. "Yeah. Sorry." I lifted the spoon and nudged at the meal. "What is this?"
He looked at the dish in question then back to me, chuckling softly. "If I had to guess, just moa soup. Moa is like a big chicken from your world." He shrugged, visibly amused by my hesitation.
"Moa soup?" I leaned forward and took in its delicious aroma. After a few bites, I sighed in relief of the sustenance. "Thank you. It's very good. But... So...” I stammered, “Everyone here is just casual about magic and people from other worlds?" I found myself curious if the magic there was anything like I could wield or like the magic on earth as a whole.
"Mostly casual about it, yes. But no, not everyone can do it. Most can with time and training. But in regard to those from other worlds? There’s a good amount of people here that are unaware they exist, and those in charge would like to keep it that way. Your danger comes from both those in charge who might try to be rid of you before the public finds out, as well as those in the public learning of you and trying to kill you out of fear of what you bring or what you may mean. People here are extremely superstitious.” He took a swig from a flask he pulled out of his inner coat pocket. “So, how did you get here, little one?"
I set the spoon in the bowl and leaned back, tucking my bag into my lap. I watched the man and folded my arms across my chest. "Why should I tell you anything? Or trust you for that matter? You want one truth? I don't know where or when I am other than you say I'm on some planet called Naelyra, eating some soup called moa. I was sent to this tavern to find a guy for reasons I don't know, by some old guy that gave me these strange clothes, some money, food and direction. You say you own this place. Cool. But for all I know, at any moment, I'm going to have god knows what happen to me by god knows who. So, excuse me if I am not super keen on telling you my life story without knowing anything about you. But if your real question is if I'm here to upset some precious world order? No. I was minding my own business when I was pulled here. Now, I am just trying to figure out how to get home and maybe after that, how and why I got here." My eyes narrowed a little as I gauged his reaction. While I felt better having raged slightly, I knew I had answered his question anyway.
He chuckled slightly at my rant. "That guy you are looking for is me, and to be honest, this is a rare occasion. For someone to visit this world that is. I get your reservations. However, I do need to know how you got here. Now, tell me what happened, and I will answer some questions for you." He leaned back looking slightly impatient.
I wrinkled my nose, disbelief in my response. "So, your name is Falain?" The name popped back into my mind just then, a sense of relief rushing through me. He didn’t look like a Falain. Not that I knew what one would look like. "And you want me to tell you how I got here when I literally just said that after I get home, if I ever get there, I'll look into how and why I got here? I mean, I'd love to have my own questions answered, but I do believe that very question is one of them... how." I rubbed my face with my hands. "I'm sure you're a super busy man, Falain. Especially if you're running this little tavern and all. I bet it's a handful. And I truly don't mean to hold you up by pestering you. But if you know of a way for me to find one of those watery, wavy, light ovals in the air or whatever that might send me home, that would be amazing. I have my own business that has thirteen locations. And I have a couple of dogs. I need to get back. Otherwise, I am going to try to find my way back to the spot I fell through and see if it is still there... if I can find it." I wiped my mouth with my napkin and smiled politely, suddenly wishing I hadn’t left the spot I came to this world at. "Please."
“Why were you told to meet with Falain? And by who?” He leaned forward on the table.
“I’d rather not get anyone killed today.” Sarcasm tinted my words.
“Fine.” He studied me for a moment before leaning back again. “I can work on finding a way to get you back. However, the portal you fell through won’t be there by now. Those are random. It’s a long over complicated story. Suffice it to say I’m not Falain. I am Kanedraven Rathmore.”
I studied him this time, a puzzled look blanketing my face. I listened as he spoke, taking in his words and processing. Finally, my lips parted. “So... Kanedr…” I stammered over his name.
After a few attempts, he corrected me, “Kanedraven Rathmore.”
“Kanedraven? Rathmore? That’s a mouthful.” But at least he wasn’t Falain. Kanedraven suited him. It was dark and mysterious. Honestly? It was kind of sexy.
He chuckled. “Some close to me call me Kane.”
“Kane,” I nodded, my lips pursing as I tried on the name. Oh yes. His name definitely fit him. I tried to steady my breathing, which was threatening to stop every time I looked at him. “Yup. That’s easier. Kane it is. So, Kane, you want me to skip finding this other guy I don’t know either and to trust you? You can help me get home? Why? Why are you interested in getting rid of me from your world?” I took another bite of my meal, attempting to look like I had a handle on the situation. But the way my heart beat erratically in my chest, I barely had a handle on myself.
“Well, you don’t belong here. It could cause a lot of chaos or a public panic. I’m happy to help you. I suppose I can assist you in finding that other person of yours if you feel more comfortable with that idea.” He watched me, taking me in, his eyes almost taunting me.
For a moment, I was puzzled. “The other...” realization dawned on me. “Oh! No. I don’t even know why that old man sent me to him or what he can do. I suppose I don’t trust him any more than I know I can trust you. But I probably don’t have much of a choice. Now do I? Besides, for all I know, sending me to that guy was a trap,” I joked. Well, at least I hoped it was a joke. “What do we need to do or where do we need to go? Promise me you’re not taking me somewhere to kill me or sell me off as a sex slave or something?” A corner of my mouth turned up into a smirk, but a hint of nervousness slipped its way into my expression as I fidgeted with my si
lverware.
Kane’s reaction showed that he was even more amused by me. His posture changed. He leaned in toward me as if to say that he could bed me and make me his right there. I would be lying if I said I didn’t kind of want him to.
He licked his lips, taking my scent in. "Well, what I need from you is a bit of patience I suppose. While slaves and a sex trade does exist, I think you would be better off in my personal care for the time being. I hope the food was enough to settle you. I forget my manners though. Does a face like yours carry a name?"
Something about him pulled me in, pulling out my deepest desires. Even the way he spoke was alluring with how commanding he was. I needed many things, but right now I needed to get my head in the game. “My name is Auriena Raulson. My face alone? No. It does not have its own name.” I attempted a little sarcastic humor. “Your personal care huh?” I liked the sound of that, but at the same time, I wasn’t sure if it was the wisest of moves on my part. Yet, I knew I didn’t have much choice. “Patience I’m usually low on, but I’ll work on that. But what for? Are you not anxious to be rid of me and off your planet?”
“Auriena Raulson…. Noted. Auri… That is a beautiful name.” His expression softened.
“Auriena…” I corrected him.
“Well Auri,” he continued as if I hadn’t said anything, “Initially, yes. I would typically just get rid of someone that didn’t belong here without a second thought. But there’s something about you. I wouldn't mind a longer stay if you are up to it. We can learn a lot from each other. Wouldn't you say?" He drank from his flask.
"A longer stay?" I crossed my arms, trying to figure him out. "It's dangerous for me to be here, but you want me to stay longer? What on earth..." I paused and giggled at my slip of the tongue. "What could you possibly want to learn from me?"
