The absolute, imposing walls of Rowanheath were the first thing that greeted us as the sun set. We saw them well before we were even close, and as we approached, they just got bigger. Ina gawked the whole time, like country-folk who had never seen a big city. And, to be fair, that was exactly what she was. To me, it felt like I was coming home, I was finally going to be back in civilization - well, civilization as far as a Fantasy world could produce.
“It’s so big,” Ina said as we approached the South-Eastern gate. “How does anyone find anything in a place this large?” I knew it was a hypothetical question, but the logistician in me couldn’t help but find an answer.
“Typically, people make road, road has name, name lead people to thing, thing is what person want.” I had never made a less eloquent statement in my life.
“Is that how it works?” We approached the gate guards after waiting in a bit of a line, who looked us over a couple times before waving us on as though he were infinitely bored.
“Yes, less or more.” I turned about as soon as we were through the gate, I had no idea where we were going. We needed information before we got too carried away and got lost, then mugged, and then killed. The last thing we needed was to die as soon as we arrived in town.
“What is it,” Ina asked, her eyes still everywhere but where she was.
“Need direction. Guard, where can find food and rest?” I was beginning to really tire of this ignorant speech pattern.
“I’m sorry, what? Are you dumb, or just uneducated?” The guard looked over to his partner on the other side of the opening, they both shared a laugh.
“He just asked where we can find food and shelter for the night. Something inexpensive, preferably. We’re travelers from, eh…” Ina struggled.
“Right, right, sorry about the laugh. It’s been a long day. You’ll be wanting to head over to the Old Hill Inn, it’s a right sorry place, but it’ll do you right. Head North a while, then when you’ve come to the market district, turn West. It’s a few hundred yards past the intersection. Can’t miss it, it’s on a hill. Hence the name. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we close the gate in a few hours, and there’s a bit of a line on, since you’re lolly-gagging.” The guard waved us away as he turned to continue his “process of checking people.” Yeah, he was doing a fine job.
“Oh, just be on your guard, yeah? There’s groups of travelers about who are roughing up people who are part of that there ‘Crimson Alliance,” what-have-ya. Wouldn’t want to get carried off in the night, hahaha!” His laughter was unsettling, but his warning was appreciated. After we were done with the guards, we headed down the path they had recommended. The city was absolutely gargantuan, with its constantly splitting intersections, and the people pouring through the streets, even this late in the evening. At one point, I turned, sensing that someone was watching me. There was a shadow of a person running out of sight behind a building.
“Do you feel, eh, watched by person?” My question was more of a statement, but Ina understood.
“I got that feeling the minute we arrived here in the city, but I think it’s just because there are so many people. Don’t let it get to you, Vlad. You’ll go crazy.” Ina continued to walk, her shoulders set in that all too familiar “I’m on a mission” position.
“Did see shady person hiding, though. Is cause for concern, yes?” I had that irritating suspicion itching the inside of my skull again.
“There are lots of shady people in the world. Besides, why would they target us? We have almost nothing of value on us.” We spent the rest of the walk in silence, while the foreboding sensation in the back of my head grew. After a solid 10 minutes of walking, we arrived at the market district. It was absolutely crammed full of people trying to buy last minute items at a discount, or just trying to get home in a hurry. We edged and pushed and forced our way through, until we were finally able to take the Western road at the intersection.
“Market was crazy.” I turned my head to see the crowd disappearing behind us as we walked between rows of towering buildings. The light didn’t reach here, especially this late in the evening, so it was difficult to see.
“It was a good thing though, I think we lost whoever was tailing us.” Ina sounded chipper, as usual. Not a cautious bone in her body, really.
“Hopefully inn will be appearing soon.” My mind kept going back to that shady character who fled out of sight when I turned to look at him, but we arrived at the inn without event. It was an old, delapidated thing, with a slightly tilting frame to it. The wood was 3 different colors, with a myriad of patch jobs in various places on the walls. It stood 2 stories high, but the upper windows were mostly boarded.
“Do you think this is the right place?” Ina sounded uncertain for the first time since I had met her here in VGO. It was kind of cute.
“Sign says Old Hill Inn, must be place.” I gently placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder as I took the first step towards the inn. Once we entered, it was a far cry from the outside. The floors and tables were well-kept, and full of patrons. Dozens of people were sitting and standing, eating and drinking, some were talking, others were laughing or playing music. There was a well polished bar near the back of the common area, just to the side of the stairs, and in front of what could only be the kitchen. Ina and I headed over to the bar and we both sat down. The chairs were extremely comfortable after our day’s journey, and I couldn’t have been happier to finally get some fine alcohol.
“Excuse me, sir.” Ina’s voice carried gently as she called over the bar keeper, who I assumed was also the host of the inn.
“Whatcha want?” He was a stout Dwarf, with a beard that would rival the fur of a grizzly bear. He wore a quilted apron that was stained with years of food, drink, and polish. He held in his hands the quintessential trinket of every barkeep: a single glass, which he cleaned constantly with a cloth of some kind.
“Oh, we were wondering if we could get some food, and maybe a room for the night?” Ina seemed unaffected by the Dwarf’s brash demeanor.
“Aye, ye can, we’ll getcha set up right. Have ye got anything to trade, by the by?” He tilted his head as Ina pulled the relatively fresh rabbit from her backpack.
“I’ve got this, is this alright?” She laid it on the bar, and the Dwarf looked it over.
“I’ll have old Bertha make ye up some stew with that, won’t cost ye a copper.” Ina’s eyes glistened for a moment over that, her mouth visibly watering from the idea of rabbit stew. “As for the room, I only got one left, are ye okay sharin’?” He looked at the two of us, obviously anticipating that there might be a problem. I opened my mouth to speak, but Ina beat me to it.
“No, that won’t be a problem at all. How much will it be?” She pulled her money pouch from her hip and weighed it in her hand.
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“It’ll be a silver a night, that covers breakfast in the morrow as well.”
“That’s not too bad.” Ina laid a silver coin on the bar top and the Dwarf quickly swept it up. He stuck it in his mouth and bit down.
“Aye, good quality. None of that garbage the Imperials are trying to pander about as their new “falcons” or whatnot. Blasted Imperials and their games.” The Dwarf seemed a little miffed by the Imperials, despite the fact that he was running an establishment in an Imperial city.
“So, when should we expect that stew to be ready?” Ina asked the question carefully, as the Dwarf plucked the rabbit off the bar top and took it to the back, behind the swinging door.
“Give it a few, lass. It’s not magic, ye know.” And with that, the barkeep vanished from sight.
“Rabbit stew, is good?” I had to ask, because I had never experienced it before. I was looking forward to trying it, since absolutely everything else I had eaten in VGO was incredibly delicious.
“It depends on how they make it. My parents used to make it with herbs. They would sear the meat on a spit first, over an open flame, the skin rubbed with all kinds of savory seasonings. Then they would chop it into small pieces and cook it in a thick broth of vegetables and fat. Oh my, it was delicious.” She swooned at the thought of the food, and it was very enjoyable to watch. I knew she would be an incredible person to spend the rest of my second life with, and I was looking forward to every bit of it.
“Sound like heaven.” I licked my lips, thinking of the savory meal she had described. I was daydreaming about the stew when there was a disturbance towards the front of the inn. A pair of travelers had gotten into a fist fight over something. I wasn’t close enough to hear any of the conversation, or what they were yelling about, but a very large Wode stood from a nearby table, lifted them both with ease, one in each hand, and threw them out the front door. There was some applause as the Wode dusted off his hands and headed outside, I assumed to ensure they didn’t attempt to retaliate. That was some good inhouse security.
“People will fight over the most ridiculous things,” Ina said, more absentmindedly than directed to anyone. “It’s sad, the amount of war there has been. The deaths, the loss of life, all over ideals. Little things that people can’t seem to compromise on, no matter the cost.” Her words were naive, I knew, but also innocent, and very true. How many wars had I been an indirect part of? An uncountable number, I’m sure.
“People fight because it gives truth to lie.” The words came from my mouth unbidden. “One person tells lie to self, they believe. Then they must lie to another, who not believe. Fight break out, sometimes in word, sometimes in fist.” I shifted in my seat as I stared off into space. I was beginning to feel regret, the all too familiar experience I didn’t want to deal with right now.
“That’s true, Vlad. You’re very insightful.” I was pulled out of my daze by an unexpected kiss. It lasted longer than I would have expected, but it was wonderful. I was drawn in, I had fallen for her, before I even realized it. I was experiencing falling in love with Ina all over again. We were interrupted by a gruff, yet understanding, clearing of one’s throat.
“That stew ye be asking after, here ye go.” The Dwarf, whose name we still had not been privy to, placed a pair of bowls on the bar. He put a couple very large chunks of bread down as well. “The bread is on the house, fer bringing Bertha such a nice rabbit. She thanks ye for it. Been a while since we’ve had a fresh kill.” He stood there for a second, then sighed, picked up another glass off the bar top and went back to cleaning it.
The stew smelled amazing, filled with herbs and various kinds of seasonings. The gravy was thick and hearty, with large chunks of soft, well-cooked rabbit floating about. It accompanied largely chopped vegetables and a great amount of potato. Ina was already digging into the stew with the bread, taking large chunks from the stiff and stale bread, then dipping it into the stew. I followed suit, and was forced to acknowledge that food in VGO was better than anything I had ever eaten on Earth. My mind soared as I ate the incredibly filling stew, the flavors dancing around on my tongue. I was so disappointed when my wooden spoon hit the bottom of the bowl.
“Oh my gods, that was the most delicious stew I’ve had since I was but a child.” Ina’s face was covered in smeared stew gravy. I wanted nothing more than to take a cloth and wipe it clean, I hated food being on people’s faces. But she seemed so happy, I didn’t want to mess with it at all.
“Was truly best stew,” I said, with full honesty. I was pleased to be living this life, even with my regrets. Even with leaving Earth Ina back in the ground, and coming here alone, I was experiencing a full life, and it had only been 2 days.
“We should probably retire, Vlad. We’ve got to see about getting into the underground tunnels tomorrow, and I know nothing about it.” Ina stood, leaving her bowl and spoon on the bar top. The Dwarf grunted and pulled it behind the bar. He did the same when I stood from my seat.
“Ah, yes, rest. Is good, is necessary.” I followed Ina up the steps from the common room to the actual rooms. Ina opened the door for us, heading over to where there was a candle resting on a night table. She lit it from one of the lit candles in the hallway, then set it back in its place.
“So, are you going to have a problem sleeping with me again?” Ina’s eyes flashed with a teasing fire, something I had not expected to see in her. I knew it existed, it had been one of the things I had loved about Earth Ina. She had a wicked sense of humor.
“No, is no problem. Will sleep on floor.” I smiled, she smiled, we both laughed as we undressed for the evening. We were both down to our small clothes before too long, lying in the bed side by side. “Is strange, whole world is new, but I find you.” I hadn’t been thinking, I just spoke. I realized what I had said just as she responded.
“The world is a crazy place Vlad, but I’m so glad I get to share it with you.” I leaned over on my side, and blew out the candle. When I returned to my lying position, I was quickly covered by an arm. Ina’s skin was soft and warm, and so very real. She nuzzled against my neck as she gave a contented sigh. I closed my eyes for what felt like a brief moment before I was pulled into yet another dream.
I stood in a field, wearing my armor, which was strange because up until now I had been having dreams of my Earth life. The ground was covered in small white flowers, gently blowing in the wind. I heard a voice calling to me from afar, it was Ina. The voice started off ethereal, almost like hearing it through water, but it became louder and more clear as I walked. I headed towards a small forest in the distance, but it wasn’t any forest I was familiar with - the trees were all burned down, scorched, destroyed, as though annihilated by a great, raging fire. There were small buds in the ash and dust on the ground, like little trees coming to growth. They gave me a feeling of both peace and terrible fear. The voice rose to an unbearable volume as the dust started swirling like a cyclone, kicking up ash. Within began to form a pair of people, both were Ina, but they were separate. I instantly recognized small differences, and I knew I was staring at both Earth Ina and VGO Ina, side by side.
“Come with me, Vlad.” Earth Ina’s voice was broken, but I heard it with all the sweetness the world could offer. She extended her hand, and I was immediately transported to another place, high above the plain below us. I could see for hundreds of miles, and I watched as a scorching inferno spread out from a single point, an impact crater of some kind. Everything was running in slow motion, and I was surprised to see an absolutely massive meteor striking the ground in another location, far outside what I should have been able to see.
“This is Astraea?” My words came out in pure Russian, gone was the broken English, I was relieved, but terrified at the same time.
“This is the end, Vlad. I’m here, one last time, to tell you I love you. Behold, our stricken world, destroyed by our great impudence to the gods above.” With that terrible and cryptic message, I watched her mouth open, a silent scream frozen on her lips as she turned to dust and blew away. I blinked, not knowing what else to do, and I was back, standing at the edge of the wasteland. I saw VGO Ina standing there again, her body wrapped in a cloak I had never seen. It looked to be made of some kind of magic, the way it glowed gave off a warm and soothing sensation.
“Vlad, this is the end of everything.” She turned to me and reached out her hand. I reached to take it, like the last time, but before I could, her body shook and her face became a mask of agony and pain. She leaned over and held her gut, coughing as blood poured from her mouth.
“Ina, Ina! What is problem, how can help?” I was back to the idiotic broken English again, but I didn’t care as much as usual. I needed to help her.
“You can’t Vlad, this is fate…” Her voice faded as she fell to her knees. Her body turned to ash, and blew away, just the same as Earth Ina’s had done. My fingernails dug into my palms, my fists clenching as tightly as I could before I shouted with everything I was worth. My body was wracked with pain and agony, I looked down and saw my hands were starting to crack and split. My legs were beginning to do the same. I looked about in panic, and noticed I was standing at the epicenter of the crater, which was now deep beyond knowing. I screamed, I shouted, I tried to run, but nothing would stop the agony.