It had been a few weeks since Anthony Blatchford found himself in the village of Rivaris, trying to make sense of his new reality. As he lay in bed one morning, he resolved to take a more active role in learning the language of his new home, Thelvani. Today, he would begin his lessons with Emeric, the head of the household that had taken him in.

Anthony dressed and made his way to the common area where Emeric was waiting for him. The older man was seated at the table, a serious expression on his face. He nodded as Anthony approached and gestured for him to sit down.

"Today, we start with Thelvani," Emeric said in his native tongue, speaking slowly and clearly. "Repeat after me: 'I want to learn.'"

Anthony concentrated, his brows furrowing as he attempted to mimic the sounds. "Norath aen lekti," he repeated, his pronunciation stilted but passable.

Emeric nodded approvingly. "Good. Now, 'Thank you.'"

"Graesul," Anthony replied, feeling a small surge of pride as Emeric's stern expression softened slightly.

"You learn quickly," Emeric said, his voice carrying a note of approval. "This will make your life here easier."

Anthony smiled, grateful for the praise. He knew that learning the language was crucial for his survival and integration into this new world. Learning Thelvani wasn't easy. The sounds and structure were unlike any language he had encountered back on Earth. Yet, his knack for languages and his determination to adapt drove him to push through the initial difficulty.

"Graesul," he repeated to himself as he fetched water from the well, trying to embed the word into his memory. His time with Emeric was invaluable, but he knew that repetition and practice were key.

Each day brought new lessons. Emeric was patient, correcting Anthony's mistakes and teaching him new phrases. Soon, Anthony began to understand more of what was said around him, and he could respond with increasing confidence.

His lessons extended beyond the language. Emeric began to teach him how to perform various chores around the house and village. Fetching water from the well was one of the first tasks he mastered. The walk to the well became a routine part of his day, and it was there that he met Gareth, a villager who was always ready with a friendly greeting and a helping hand.

"Gareth," Anthony said one day as they both hauled buckets of water, "how do you say 'good morning' in Thelvani?"

"Norath malor," Gareth replied, smiling. "You’re doing well, Anthony."

"Graesul," Anthony said, pleased to use his new knowledge.

Emeric also taught Anthony how to till the land and prepare it for planting. The work was hard, but it was satisfying to see the tangible results of his labor. The rhythmic motion of the hoe, the feel of the earth under his fingers, and the sweat on his brow connected him to the land in a way he had never experienced before.

On some days, Emeric and Lorkan would take Anthony hunting in the forests surrounding Rivaris. It was during these excursions that Anthony learned about the various creatures that inhabited this world.

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One such creature was the Cervar, a beast that seemed to be a cross between a deer and a wolf. Standing nearly two meters tall, with the body and antlers of a deer but the paws and face of a wolf, the Cervar was a formidable opponent. Its carnivorous nature made it a danger to the villages, and hunting them was a necessary task to ensure the safety of the villagers. The meat provided much-needed protein, the pelt was valuable, and the antlers were used in medicines.

Anthony marveled at the skill of the hunters, especially Emeric and his rival Tavian, who was also a friend. Tavian was always ready with a joke or a friendly challenge, and the camaraderie between him and Emeric was evident.

"Anthony," Emeric said one day as they tracked a Cervar through the forest, "do you know why we hunt these creatures?"

"For food and protection," Anthony replied, his Thelvani improving with each passing day.

"Yes," Emeric said, nodding. "But also for balance. The Cervar are fierce, but they are part of our world. We respect them, even as we hunt them."

Anthony absorbed this philosophy, adding it to his growing understanding of Altheron. There were other creatures too—the Susars, large boar-like beasts that were equally dangerous; the Lapin, rabbit-like creatures with the agility of monkeys; and the Anatar, duck-like birds that were a common sight near the village's water sources.

The need to hunt and defend against these creatures meant that everyone in the village, even the children, learned to use bows and edged weapons. Anthony admired the villagers' resilience and adaptability.

One evening, as they returned from a hunt, Anthony decided to ask Emeric more about the village and its surroundings.

"Emeric," he began, "where is Rivaris located?"

Emeric looked at him, then pointed towards the distant mountain visible from the village. "Rivaris lies at the foot of Muril, a solitary mountain. Beyond the forest, you will find a series of hills, a day's travel from here."

"And the people here," Anthony continued, "they seem wary of me. Why?"

Emeric paused, considering his words. "You are different, Anthony. You come from another place, and people are curious. Some are wary, yes, but most are simply curious. Over time, they will come to know you."

Anthony nodded, understanding. The villagers had accepted him, but there was always a distance, a sense of otherness that he couldn't quite shake. He felt it in the way they watched him, in the whispered conversations that stopped when he approached.

Still, he had made friends. Old man Nolan, with his sharp mind and vast knowledge, had become a regular conversation partner. He was one of the few educated people in Rivaris and had taught Anthony much about the history and customs of Altheron.

Mara, the ever-cheerful young woman, always had a smile and a kind word for him. She made him feel welcome, even on the days when the stares of others felt particularly heavy.

And then there was Tavian, Emeric's friend and rival. Tavian's jokes and challenges had become a source of comfort, a reminder that even in this strange world, there were moments of normalcy and camaraderie.

As the days turned into weeks, Anthony continued to adapt to his new life. He learned to navigate the intricacies of village life, performing chores, hunting, and slowly earning the trust of the villagers.

One evening, after a particularly exhausting day, Anthony sat by the fireplace, reflecting on his journey so far. His thoughts drifted to his past life, the stark contrast between his existence on Earth and his current situation.

"I was just a student, a lover of books and history," he thought, staring into the flickering flames. "Now, I'm a part of this village, learning to survive in a world I never imagined."

He thought of his family and friends, the life he had left behind. The ache of homesickness was still there, but it was dulled by the sense of purpose he had found in Rivaris.

"This world is harsh and dangerous," he mused, "but it's also full of wonder. There's so much to learn, so much to experience."

With a deep breath, he pushed away the lingering sadness and focused on the present. He had come a long way since waking up in this strange world, and he knew he had much further to go.

"I'll make a life here," he vowed silently. "I'll find my place in Altheron."

As he drifted off to sleep that night, the sounds of the village around him, Anthony felt a sense of acceptance and determination. His journey was far from over, but he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.