Chap 2.
James had been riding for hours now. The road, winding through the dense forest and rolling hills, was much longer than he'd expected. His legs ached from the awkward, unfamiliar posture of riding the horse, and the weight of the sword on his side only made the journey feel more burdensome. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the path, but at last, something caught his eye in the distance—a city.
For a moment, James thought his mind was playing tricks on him. But no, there it was. A sprawling city, its stone walls rising up against the horizon, with the unmistakable architecture of the medieval era: tall spires, wooden rooftops, and the distant sounds of activity. It wasn't just a city—it was a medieval city, and there was no mistaking it.
I really time-traveled to the medieval times, James thought, a mixture of disbelief and awe washing over him. The city looked just like something out of a fantasy game—a setting where knights, merchants, and peasants lived side by side. But as he got closer, the line of people waiting at the city's gate made him hesitate. There were men and women on foot, carts pulled by horses, and even carriages being drawn up to the gates. It wasn't just the city itself that was medieval; it was the entire world around him.
His horse's hooves clattered along the road as he approached the gate. As he got within a few dozen feet, something else caught his eye. Among the people waiting to enter, there were beings who were undeniably not human. Elves with pointed ears, dwarves with stocky frames and long beards, and even demi-humans with animal features like tails and ears. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
What the hell? he thought, feeling his stomach tighten with confusion. He had been thinking that this was just a time-travel situation, but now—now he wasn't so sure.
Before he could gather his thoughts, a voice broke through his stunned silence.
"What, you've never seen an elf before?" The voice came from a man riding a horse beside him, noticing James's wide-eyed stare at an elf in the line ahead of him. The elf had long, silver hair and graceful features, with ears that stood out, elongated and pointed.
James blinked, quickly averting his gaze. He hadn't meant to stare so openly. "Uh, no," he said, trying to sound casual, though his voice wavered slightly. "I've only been in my small village, so... I've never seen anyone who wasn't human."
The man laughed lightly. "Well, it's no surprise. There aren't many of us in the human villages. But you'll see more of us in the cities—Elvaris especially. Lots of elves, dwarves, and demi-humans make their home here. It's a place where everyone's welcome, though a little strange to outsiders."
James nodded along, trying to hide his confusion. "Elvaris?" he repeated, the name sounding familiar but foreign at the same time.
The man smiled. "Yes, that's the city you're heading toward. You're in luck; you'll be entering the main gate in no time." He paused before adding, "My name's Thalion," he said, gesturing to the elf beside him.
"James," James replied, still in a daze, though he tried to sound more composed. "Nice to meet you."
The elf, Thalion, gave a slight bow from his saddle. "A pleasure, James. If you need help finding your way around, feel free to ask."
"Thanks, I will," James muttered, still processing the fact that he was surrounded by beings that shouldn't exist. As they continued to wait in line, James's thoughts raced. He had been sure he had just traveled back in time. But now? The presence of elves, dwarves, and demi-humans made it clear: he wasn't just in medieval times. He was in an entirely different world.
His thoughts were interrupted when it was his turn to approach the gate. The guard, a broad-shouldered man in leather armor, eyed him for a moment before speaking.
"Halt. Identification?" The guard's voice was firm but not unfriendly.
James blinked. He had no identification—he was just a guy who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. But then his hand instinctively reached for the pouch at his side, the pouch that contained those strange coins he had found in the carriage earlier.
The guard seemed to be waiting for an answer, so James quickly rummaged through the pouch, pulling out three of the silver coins. He hoped they were what the guard was asking for, because it was the only currency he had.
The guard examined the coins briefly, his eyes narrowing slightly at the unfamiliar markings, but he seemed satisfied with them. "Three Dwargon silvers," the guard muttered, then waved him through. "Enter."
James let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He had just entered the city of Elvaris, and now, he was in the heart of this strange new world.
The city was nothing short of magnificent. Towering stone walls encircled the entire settlement, with numerous gates that seemed to act as arteries, bringing life and trade into the heart of the city. As James entered, he was struck by the diversity of the people around him—elves with their lithe forms, dwarves with their stout builds, and demi-humans with various animal traits. They all moved about the cobblestone streets as though it was the most natural thing in the world.
Of course, it wouldn't be a fantasy world without adventurers, James thought dryly, spotting several individuals in armor, carrying weapons of all shapes and sizes. They walked with purpose, like seasoned warriors used to the dangers of the wild. James couldn't help but feel out of place. He was just a guy who had been thrown into a world that made no sense.
He needed a plan. He needed to understand what was going on, and fast.
"Excuse me, Thalion?" James called out to the elf, who was still riding alongside him. "Can you help me? I need to find an inn."
Thalion gave a small smile. "Of course. There's a good one just a few streets over." He pointed in the direction of a large building with a sign hanging outside depicting a simple wooden tankard.
"Thank you," James replied, nodding in appreciation.
Thalion led him to the inn, where the elf gave a final wave before disappearing into the crowd. James tied his horse to the post at the front and entered.
Inside, the warmth of the fire and the smell of roasting meat filled the air. A middle-aged woman behind the counter greeted him with a smile.
"Welcome to the Silver Tankard Inn. What can I do for you, traveler?"
"I'd like to stay for a week," James said. "How much would that be?"
The woman smiled knowingly. "For a week's stay, that'll be six silver. If you'd like to keep your horse in the stable, that'll be an additional three silver."
James nodded and handed over nine silver coins, keeping a few to himself in case of an emergency. After taking his payment, the woman handed him a key to a room upstairs.
After leading his horse to the back stable, James returned to the inn and settled into a table in the dining area. As he waited for his meal, a hearty bowl of pork soup with bread, he began to think about the world he had found himself in. His mind churned with questions—How did I get here? Why am I here?
Once his meal arrived, he dug in eagerly, the warmth and taste a welcome distraction. The food was simple, but it was filling, and for the first time since his strange arrival, James felt the weight of exhaustion hit him. The events of the day had taken a toll on him, and despite the strange new world around him, his body and mind longed for rest.
After finishing his meal, he made his way upstairs, unlocked the door to his room, and collapsed into the bed without a second thought. Within moments, sleep claimed him, and for the first time, he felt the strange world around him fade into a dreamless slumber.
End of chap.