It was dense and quiet, but you could hear wildlife and probably monsters in the areas. And yet, Ilhard. Gylan and Hames were with me as Jacais stayed with his son in case Varon came back. Hames decides to talk about how certain things came to be.
According to the rumors, these monsters showed up in the middle of the night. The sky went dark, and the moon was red, and then suddenly, everyone heard a strange screech in the night. Then, more than 100 types were around. Orcs included. Slime was one of them, followed by tree dwellers, dirt bombs, water flumes, etc. They were all over the place. I haven’t encountered anything yet except for those… Slimes. But it was a scary feeling, to be honest. Their horses were Black, White, and Brown. I was riding with Gylan as we were going to meet with Ernard.
“So, you are a University student? That is an interesting turn of events.”
“Is there a reason for the saying?” I questioned. He nodded in response.
“Most women don’t enter that sector, which is extremely rare. It is mostly dominated by men. There isn’t much wrong for a woman to pursue, just more difficult.” I nodded. I understood the times. I believe in balance, and any woman who can try should try without scrutiny. Everything was starting to get scarier the more I thought about this. And then the words of my father had suddenly came to mind from our previous conversation.
“Dad, don’t tell me your reading of that story again.”
“What story?” Erica questioned.
“The story is about a place called Nova. However, we once thought it was a myth. Its pages entail the details of every map, every corridor, and every place from here to there alone. It’s a fantasy world, to be exact.”
“Like, what… like a type of Lord of the Rings, or Zelda, or…?” Theodore questioned.
“Both…Maybe almost all of them.”
“Oh sh...”
“QUESTION. Now that we know that this place is linked to it in some form or way, HOW do we find our way out? Because if it is anything like that 80s movie Goonies, you sure as heck better find out a way out of here, some treasure to take home, and so we can all get rich quick and speed outta here!” I said in a quick reform. Erica wanted to high-five me, yet I was deadly serious, and so was my dad.
He shook his head.
“No. NO taking ANYTHING from here.”
“Almost all of them…” I muttered to myself. Now, I was curious as to what to do from now on. The book also talks about these monsters as well. But now, all I remember was that the Grass Slimes were the worst. They tend to hide along with the Dirt Bombs.
Tying all of this together, I will have to study the entire thing on my own.
Then, we suddenly hear other voices further down the road. It was two young men or boys. “Halt!”
“Oh, man…”
“Are you from Dannasa??”
Gylan nodded. “Yes. I am Gylan Armstead; these are my colleagues, Illiad Yieldman, and Hames Thomatiaus, and Christa Malone. We have to speak to your leader about an important matter.
Then, the short one decided to introduce himself. “Dylan. And that is Tomas. I am afraid you’ll have to come back later. We have an emergency situation right now. “
Tomas nodded.
“But this is an emergency also!”
“Apparently, this is much worse. Sir, Varon. He has warned us that a young girl in strange clothing is going around untamed and needs to be detained so he can return her to the Princess and the King Amaldus III.” Oh great. So he wasn’t kidding about sending me to the Royal family.
“So then, Varon. Does he live here?”
“Sometimes. He tends to travel a lot, so he rarely visits. Said about chasing after the girl…” Tomas spoke.
“I doubt it. But fine. You have about half an hour before we have to send you guys back.” Dylan concluded. So they let us through, and we dropped off the horses at the stables before leading us into the village of the Daskan Forest. As we walked, I could see why they named it Dannasa, Daska Forest, and its people. They were children-like people, yet there were also adult-like people as well. They age until a certain point and then stop. Some don’t either and still remain to age.
There are many different treehouses, shops, a river running through it, a well, etc. A young woman and two others approached us and asked me a question.
“Good afternoon. I’m Rosa. This is Triffie, and Arlena. We heard about your arrival and wanted to know if you could join us while the men handle official business?”
I stared at Hames, who was already speaking. I heard a familiar sound and suddenly requested that I be immediately hidden, especially from Varon. They nodded and offered to hide me for the time being, as far as to tell Varon ‘no’.
“Come quickly!” Triffie called, and I followed her immediately until I was inside of the house. They said nothing, while I could hear Varon argue and get upset as soon as he entered the area and spoke to them.
They could not say where I was and that he should handle the matters with the Dannasians, how it wasn’t fair to do this to a woman, etc. And that is exactly what they had told him. This led to Varon’s serious frown and offered nothing more to say. Gylan said matter-of-factly.
Then Dylan eyed me in suspicion. “She don’t happen to be that girl, do she?” I paled when I overheard this somewhere. This wasn’t so good.
“And what if she is? She is no danger. In fact, we need to speak to Varon right now if he is still here.”
“Varon. This was her story.” Varon huffed. “You know, official business. She told her side, and that was the matter. She isn’t from this world, and you know that you cannot just hold her hostage. If so, take the matters to the King. That is not an option.”
“If she is from another world. I must still take her to see them anyway. But fine. Please have her come see me when she is well enough. I won’t harm her. I just want to talk to her for myself and get to know what she has to say. Especially since you all are so willing to protect her, an ‘outsider.’“
That very day, it was the afternoon. I happened to have noticed.
It was tranquil and quiet except for the busiest of times, which was when they were shopping. Somebody was playing a flute to attract the children.
“Varon will return this evening. He is heading towards the Castle to have arrangements made and should be back in the forest soon.” Then Hames frowns. “Though I try to understand what his reasoning is. Monsters tend to come out at night, and therefore, it is dangerous.” I gulped.
“M-M-Monsters?!” He sighed.
“Nothin’ new around these parts of the woods, lassy. It often gets like this.”
“But, I thought you all said that there was peace in the land?”
“That was over thirty years ago. It’s gotten worse since then.” Ilhard spoke. He was grasping at his spoon and started eating. I tried the porage as well. It was soft, easy to eat, and very sweet, and I felt almost at home. Home. I want to go home!
“If only there was a way to handle them all before Varon gets back. You know. Clearing a path.”
“But that would mean Christa has to stay here, obviously,” Gylan says. But Hames agrees.
“There isn’t much that can be said. Slimes are almost everywhere.” He pushed the issue before drinking his tea.
“And then what?” A mistress of the Inn, Ilyria spoke. She has long blond hair in a loose ponytail, and blue eyes and wearing maid clothes.
“Ilyria. What to do then for Christa?”
Ilyria had looked towards me and nodded. “She stays here, of course! Heck, she can even help out in the Inn as part of payment for the stay. It’ll get her used to things and give her something to do.”
I sighed in relief. At least I get to have a small job while here.
“But Varon would want to take her to the castle,” Hymes suggested. But Ilyria rolled her eyes.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
“Man! Is that all you are worried about? I guess changing her clothes and such would help, but they probably would want to investigate more. You better make sure she is secured somewhere other than here. She may not be a danger to us, but if she is being tracked, she could be without her consent.”
“In what way?” I almost asked, offended. Then she looked at me.
“Other monsters with a brain,…Orcs.”
“…Orcs?!” I nearly wanted to leap out of my chair.
“Shh! Are you trying to scare customers out of the Inn?!” She chastised.
“Well, what do you expect me to say or do? I’m nervous enough. I had enough adventure for one day or two and want to return home!” I protested.
“Well, then you better hope for Varon and the Royal family than to find a way to get ya back home. Where that may be, child.” Ilhard spoke again this time. “This is no joke. Best for you to realize this now before you get any hopes up.”
I figured that was going to be a letdown. But I am not giving up. I am getting home. I had zero plans of staying in the Land of Verenia longer than I needed. Just to find the seal or the next exit and go home.
“And it seems like Varon would be happy to obligate to get you back also.” No kidding. IF THE ARROWS DIDN’T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT!
“Well, he almost shipped me to the other world.” Then Illard smirked at the reaction. “I’m pretty sure it was a warning shot.”
“Warning shot, my butt! He nearly had me killed.”
“Again, a typical warning shot. Varon isn’t the type to kill in cold blood unless you give him a very good reason to do so. “ He, too, sipped his tea. “Even let’s say he accidentally ticked you on the cheek. With a slight drip of blood, even Varon would have gotten an earful from any one of us. He is that well-trained. That, my dear, was indeed a warning shot. If he wanted to kill you, you would have been dead.” This was no doubt to Illiad of everything he believed, and yet it touched me enough in the heart that I almost believed him.
“So, I guess what Iliad is trying to say is: he isn’t a killer.”
“Okay. You are going to scare this poor girl in the middle of the day. Now let me do some work.”
For the rest of the day, everybody was working, talking, and even strategizing on what to say to Varon. They loved him but felt he was taking it too far. He was indeed a hero of the land and second to Aonghus the V. Aonghus is related to the original Great Aonghus Evenshire. And was even said to look exactly like him. I wondered how true that is.
Triffie, Arlena and even Rosa came by. Rosa had long, dark black hair and brown eyes. Triffie had brown hair and brown eyes, and Arlena had brown hair with hazel eyes. All three wore similar outfits. But they were Daskan outfits.
“Sounds like everything is different around here since you came,” Triffie answered. Rosa and Arlena nodded.
“So again, your Rosa, Arlena, and Triffie, right?” I said by memory.
“Yep.”
“So now you understand why we had to hide you. Varon can be told to be stubborn. I’m shocked he hasn’t found anybody yet…”
Then Rosa nodded.
“Maybe that Maerinda, girl? Daneria?” They shook their heads. “Nah! Both farm girls are usually unhappy with him around. Maerinda had liked him in the past, but things got weird. Varon clearly told her ‘no’, because he didn’t feel right.” Then Rosa hit at Arlena.
“Arlena, how do you know such rumors!”
Then Arlena narrowed. “Because Maerinda told me that’s how!”
Daneria is red-haired, and Maerinda is brownish-red. There was a painting picture of them. Both girls are sisters and hardly see anybody around. Their mother and father work on the ranch but have suggested that Varon gets a horse, Arlena told me. That horse was Estella. Another horse was a male, but he said no to that right then. What a story.
“The male horse went to Aonghus and kept it for the time being. Maybe you would like to know how to ride a horse?”
“And cook, and clean and dress. What is this? I feel like writing a good thesis and getting myself out of here as soon as possible. My father and mother are waiting for me back home.”
They all nodded. Then Rosa added.
“And my guest is so is friends and others as well.” She frowned and then continued. “I know you must be scared. So we wouldn’t ask further about it. Overall, I think Varon should give you a chance.”
“Can somebody explain to me about that witch that everyone says, Sefro, what?”
They sighed.
“Arlena, maybe check to see if Rissa is around?”
Arlena did so as quickly as she could and bolted out of the room. I stared, and they explained in detail. A young Daskan named RISSA was introduced. She had long brown hair tied in a bun and blue eyes. She was said to be paled skin while SKIMMER and HICKS were around somewhere. They apologized, as they suspected something had happened to Arlena when she was found, and explained they had recently come here. TYE and MERIDETH were around as well. She is similar to Rissa but with brown hair and this brown hair was said to sometimes have a shimmer to it, also, with blue eyes but a bit darker tone.
Then came Skimmer, Hicks, and Tye as Merideth was buying and picking up herbs. Somehow, I wanted to join her. The boys introduced themselves.
“Hi.”
“Hello.” They all said nearly shocked. They responded as if they had never seen a girl before, yet there were plenty of young women all around. Older ones too. But I can understand what was the real issue here. Not seeing somebody from another world is different and can be seen as almost forbidden in a way. Was “forbidden” even the right word to say?
“Well? Do any of you have anything to say?” Rosa said with a frown. But Tye rolled his eyes. Okay, rude…
“Not much.” He shrugged.
“—Yeah… sorry about that. You have a lot on your plate. They wanted to know if you were willing to play with us or whatever you were interested in. We have music, art, and games; you can even learn how to climb and stuff if you are interested. We teach other kids when the parents agree to it, though. Nothing more.”
I nodded.
“Great! I’m Tye, and this is Skimmer…”
“Hey!”
“…and Hicks here is a bit rough, but he can be easy to get to know once you’re okay with him.”
Hicks seemed to have nodded all of a sudden. Also, when looking at Hicks, he had red hair and green eyes. But Skimmer had brown hair and brown eyes, and Tye with black hair and brown eyes. Semi with a blue streak across his hair. Probably dyed, and yet his name is Tye.
“Merideth is doing some herb finding?” Rissa added.
They all nodded.
“Well, that makes a lot of sense.” Then she turned to me. “You must want a bath, we can make the tub warm enough for you if you’d like. And we might be able to give you a change of clothes…”
I decided to get a bath. They wanted to change my clothes. However, it was temporary as they only wanted to hand wash what I had and dry them. They gave me a pink outfit that was a dress, and it was similar to a maid-style outfit but pink. It was nearly flowery in nature, which was nice. However, my concern was for the other guy, Varon. What were his issues? Why did he hesitate to not kill me? After reevaluating everything… even if he really wanted to, I probably wouldn’t have had a choice here. Then there was the witch, Sefredina, at work. And then Demetrius? Did he really vanish? Did he die? Is he also here?
Fear flooded over me.
I’m not liking the sound of these questions. It is bad enough I don’t have any answers when it comes to this. Demetrius had said that people sent waves of information to him in a dream. What dreams/nightmares were they?
I ended up playing with the Daskans, and they have taught me something. The importance of childhood and using it to your advantage. Evening came, and the time had shown that it was getting darker outside. The Groves and Moss-covered part of the forest looked even darker.
Varon suddenly came back and knocked on the door to the Inn. However, this time, he wasn’t as hostile as he was before this even happened. But yet Varon had also requested that I and him would be alone. And so, that is what had happened.
“You request to be alone?!” Rissa said in suspicion. He blushed.
“I promise it isn’t in that way! I stand by chivalry and honor.” Varon protested harshly.
“That is beyond the point! This Inn…”
“Then you will give me your items.” Gylan requested in return. They agreed, and I was shocked that he would even hand his weapons over as proof that he wouldn’t harm me. I was still suspicious of him, but he said nothing. Then they exited the room, just leaving Varon and me alone.
“I take it that you are Christa Malone?” I nodded. He sighed heavily and asked if he could sit down across from me. I nodded. What else could have been done? “Thank you.”
“No Problem…” I nearly growled. I wasn’t happy to learn about our first encounter.
“So you really came here…I’m shocked. Most people wouldn’t dare enter this forest. Not even the witch herself. My guess is you’re not from here.”
“I told you so! Why didn’t you listen to me?” I begged. He frowned.
“I did what I had to do to protect my people. It wasn’t my intent to have hurt you. But you had that key. WHY?”
“What can I have said? This necklace belongs to my father. He found it in a secret place many years ago, and then somebody else had another half.”
“Yet, Sefredina didn’t have it…” He pondered.
He looked up at me and looked at me sternly.
“Who had another half?”
“How can I know I can trust you?”
“You’re going to have no choice. I’m told to be the hero of the land. Yet, I still feel they should look to another person at times. I didn’t forbade anything until many years ago. The royal family had called me. Yet with little to no ties between King Amaldus III and the Princess. But if you come and cause harm just by your presence alone. Understand that there might mean little protection on your part.”
I frowned next.
“Little protection, why?”
“Because you are an outsider.”He said standing up and then suddenly wanted to call Rissa and Rosa. He kindly asked them if there was anything to drink or light refreshments, as he said this was a long talk. They came back with it. “Please make sure to go use a restroom whenever your in need.”
“Why, is this a long story? How come I was able to understand you?”He thought for a moment, as he wasn’t too hesitant to say anything to me about his theories or whatever he had in mind.
“The flute. The melody I used must have entered in and changed the perception of your hearing. It is said it can do that to certain individuals. Somehow, you heard it. There are also Medisa Nuts that can do the same. I use them for stunning enemies.” He frowned again. “Now I have a question for you.” He bit his lip. “Forgive me for asking, but I have to know.” He gulped. “How old are you? You seem extremely young for a woman to me.”
I was a little taken aback.
“Eighteen.” I see him sigh in relief.
“Okay. We’re about the same age.”
“Why? You thought worse, younger or older?” He shook his head.
“Wouldn’t have mattered…, forget it right now.”
That entire evening was nothing but talking. They held a celebration with Varon for his return to the land and hoped that he would grow and mature as a hero. However, he started to say something but looked at me and sighed. He shook his head and went along with the ceremony. I wanted to stay behind, but it was insisted that I go. However, he gave a look that told me what his true intent was.
“You understand that he is going to have to take you to the castle tomorrow.” I gulped. “T-The C-C-Castle?”
“Aye. It is of a matter of importance. You see. Varon was always tied to the Royal Family, regardless of what his young mind thinks. He can’t hide from his destiny any longer. He is too talented, very courageous though shy. Sometimes, he often doesn’t know what to do in such matters of formalities, except around the Princess and those he trusts.” Then Gylan turned to me. I wondered where the others went amongst the crowd.
“You see, Daskan Forest had always had its quirks. But even the later parts have almost been seen with monsters now. That wasn’t always the case around here.”
HOOOOORRRRAAAAHHHH! Everyone had started, and there was some drinking, and it was offered to me, but I shook my head. Varon had a bit of it, yet, I was getting uncomfortable.
“Don’t worry. Varon isn’t the type to do anything. He is just enjoying himself. Yet he’ll be well off in the morning.”
Then he looked like he shook his head to say no more drinking, as he had to bring me to the castle tomorrow.
“The Castle…”
“—You wonder what it is like?” I nodded.
“You’ll know when you see it.”
“But I don’t know much about this castle! How am I to talk, walk, to act?” Gylan sighed.
“All you can do is listen to Varon. If he said no talking, none. If so, you speak. It is a matter of more than just tone, and it is what you do or don’t do.” Then he continued. “Better of assumptions without giving assumptions. In other words, let them do most of the talking.”