Lennox ascended the stairs, his footsteps light against the polished wooden steps. The air grew still as he reached the Tavern Master's quarters, a space that had quickly become familiar yet still carried an air of novelty.
Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting warm golden hues across the elegant furnishings. The scent of aged parchment, polished oak, and faint traces of lavender hung in the air, a lingering reminder of the tavern's mystical nature.
He paused for a moment, letting his gaze drift across the refined yet cozy space once again. It was hard to believe that only a day ago, he had woken up in a different world, in a body that wasn't originally his.
Yet, for all the strangeness of this reincarnation, there was an undeniable excitement bubbling within him. This was his world now, and if he was to thrive in it, he needed knowledge.
His eyes flickered toward the bookshelf on the far side of the room. Tall and well-crafted, its dark wood shelves were lined with books, tomes, and scrolls, some simple and well-worn, others bearing intricate bindings and gilded lettering. A faint, almost mystical aura clung to many of them, as if they held forgotten wisdom waiting to be unearthed.
These had once belonged to his late mother, a treasured collection she had guarded zealously. She had often encouraged the previous Lennox to read them, hoping to instill in him a love for learning, but the old Lennox had been too restless, too disinterested, to bother. He had ignored the very knowledge that might have helped him navigate this world better.
A waste, Lennox thought, shaking his head. But he was not the same person. He had already made a resolution to change, to gather knowledge and carve his own path in this world.
His fingers traced along the spines, feeling the textured bindings beneath his touch. Some were aged and cracked, others smooth and pristine, yet all held secrets of Aetheris waiting to be unraveled.
His gaze soon settled on a few titles that stood out among the rest: The Lands of Eldoria: A Traveler's Guide, its deep blue leather cover adorned with an embossed map of the continent in silver ink; Dynasties & Power: A Political History of Valoria and Beyond, bound in rich crimson with the Valorian royal crest stamped into its surface; and Whispers of the Ancients: Cultures & Traditions Across Aetheris, its black leather cover etched with silver inlays resembling constellations.
Lennox exhaled slowly, already feeling the anticipation thrumming through his veins.
He reached for The Lands of Eldoria, its weighty presence reassuring in his hands. The sheer size of the tome promised a wealth of information.
He strode over to the mahogany desk by the window, settled into the comfortable chair, and flipped open the book. The parchment let out a soft rustle, and within moments, he was absorbed.
The book unfolded the world before him, laying bare the vast and intricate geography of Eldoria. The continent, shaped like a crescent moon, was a land of contrasting landscapes, where various kingdoms thrived with their own unique identities and challenges.
In the north, the Kingdom of Arvendel sprawled beneath towering ancient forests, its people deeply attuned to nature and magic. The city of Silverleaf Haven stood as a testament to their harmony with the land, its very architecture woven into the great trees. Mystical sites such as Elderwood Grove were rumored to be sanctuaries of druidic power, where the balance of nature was maintained.
Further south, where fertile plains stretched endlessly, lay Valoria, the kingdom in which Lennox currently resided. It was a land of sprawling farmland, powerful cities, and a deeply ingrained noble hierarchy.
At its heart stood Valoria City, the grandest metropolis on the continent, known for its majestic castles, sprawling academies, and bustling markets. One landmark, in particular, caught Lennox's attention—the Celestial Spire, a towering magical academy said to touch the very stars, a place where mages of great renown honed their craft.
To the east, the Empire of Drakos loomed with its rugged, volcanic terrain and dragon-riding warriors. Their capital, Drakonspire, was a fortress city built into the very mountains, and the treacherous Obsidian Peaks beyond were said to house ancient dragon lairs, their secrets guarded by fearsome warriors and scholars of draconic magic.
The southern reaches of the continent were dominated by Eldhaven, a kingdom forged in arid deserts and ancient ruins. Its capital, Sandspire, was carved from sandstone and magic, standing defiantly against the harsh climate. There, knowledge of arcane power and forbidden relics flourished within the walls of the Veiled Ruins, a place said to be steeped in secrets from a forgotten age.
Then there were the Ebonridge Mountains, a jagged natural barrier separating civilization from the wild frontier beyond. These lands were untamed, riddled with dangers, and home to ancient, forgotten forces that few dared to disturb. And right at its southernmost foothills, bordering the wilderness, lay Greywater, the town Lennox now called home.
He flipped the page and delved into the political structure of Valoria, quickly realizing how deeply hierarchical the kingdom was.
At the top was the Valorian Royal Family, ruling from Valoria City with an iron grip and political cunning. Beneath them, dukes and duchesses governed duchies, overseeing military forces and major cities. Margraves controlled border provinces, managing the kingdom's defenses against external threats. Counts and countesses ruled over counties, ensuring economic prosperity and trade.
Greywater, Lennox soon realized, belonged to the southernmost parish of Valoria, governed by a minor noble—Baron Aldric Ferrand. The baron answered to Count Dorian Velmont, who in turn served Margrave Edric Halford, responsible for all of Valoria's southern borderlands. With the region being so far removed from the capital, it was no wonder that Greywater had become a haven for adventurers, mercenaries, and outlaws.
The next section covered combat disciplines—the cornerstones of strength in Aetheris. Mages, capable of manipulating mana to wield elemental destruction, space-bending sorcery, and summoning arts. Warriors, harnessing chi to achieve inhuman feats of strength, speed, and endurance. Archers, possessing enhanced precision, some even wielding wind or perception-based abilities to turn the tide of battle. Rogues, deadly in the shadows, their speed, agility, and stealth making them living nightmares. And Healers, wielding divine magic, able to mend wounds, cure ailments, and ward against dark forces.
Lennox's fingers drummed against the desk. He had no magic, no chi, no combat training. But if he could somehow gain access to these abilities…
He turned the page, fully immersed, flipping through more accounts of adventurer factions, guilds, and mystical anomalies scattered across the land. Time passed unknowingly, his mind absorbing every detail, every thread of information.
His focus felt sharper than ever, his comprehension clearer, likely a lingering effect of the Emberbrew Ale he had consumed earlier.
Just as he considered turning another page, he paused, stretching slightly as his eyes drifted away from the text. The moment of silence allowed him to notice something—a faint sound coming from downstairs. Lennox frowned slightly, his mind shifting gears. Had Garrick returned?
He hesitated, listening intently. The noise wasn't loud, but it carried a distinct rhythmic quality, something steady and deliberate.
As he focused, he caught the faintest scent wafting through the air—rich, savory, and undeniably mouthwatering. His stomach tightened instinctively, hunger surging back with renewed force. Was someone… cooking?
Shoving his curiosity ahead of his reading, Lennox set the tome aside, rose from his chair, and quickly exited his quarters. His steps were light as he descended the stairs, his senses honing in on the aroma growing stronger with each step.
By the time he reached the common room, the tantalizing scent had fully taken hold, an unmistakable fragrance of seared meat sizzling on a pan.
Now certain of the source, Lennox crossed the tavern floor, pushed open the kitchen door, and stepped inside—only to freeze in sheer disbelief.
There, standing by one of the magical cooking stoves, was Garrick.
The burly warrior, usually an intimidating force in his obsidian-black armor, had set the heavy plating aside, neatly stacking it against the wall. Now clad in the fitted, dark tunic and reinforced trousers worn beneath his armor, he moved with calm efficiency, sleeves rolled up to his forearms as he expertly flipped thick, golden-browned cuts of meat in a pan. The pan sizzled loudly, sending bursts of flavor-packed steam into the air, each waft carrying the irresistible essence of charred beef and rich spices.
Lennox blinked. Garrick? Cooking?
Of all the things he expected upon entering the kitchen, this was not one of them.
"You're back?" Lennox asked, still caught between surprise and appreciation for the sheer deliciousness of the scent filling the kitchen.
Garrick gave a simple nod, never pausing his movements as he adjusted the heat with practiced ease. "Thirty minutes ago." His deep voice was as composed as ever.
Lennox let out a wry chuckle, stepping closer. "You got all the ingredients?"
Another curt nod. "Bought what we needed." Then, after a brief pause, he added, "Didn't want to waste money, so I hunted a wild deer outside the town. Skinned it, cleaned it, and brought the meat back." He gestured toward the sizzling pan. "This is part of it."
Lennox stared at him, speechless for a moment, his eyes flicking from the pan to Garrick.
He couldn't quite grasp it. It had only been two hours since Garrick left. In that time, he had traveled out of town, hunted and killed a deer, skinned and cleaned it, then shopped for ingredients before returning to cook breakfast?
Finally, the disbelief gave way to curiosity, and he asked, "Where's the rest of it?"
Garrick didn't even look up as he continued to work the pan, his voice steady. "Over there." He nodded toward a large, magical deep freezer in the corner of the room.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Lennox made a beeline for the freezer. He swung open the door, and his eyes widened. Inside, neatly piled, were well-chopped, symmetrical slices of deer meat, each piece perfectly portioned as though it had been prepared by an expert butcher.
Lennox exhaled, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're ridiculously efficient, you know that?"
Garrick simply flipped another piece of meat. "Just practical."
Lennox couldn't help but grin. His first summoned subordinate was turning out to be a jackpot.
And right now, with the delicious meal nearly ready, he was feeling even more fortunate.