Veldor

“worlds”, hearing that word hit me hard like a blazing fire and all I could think of was – there are others? I was almost certain of that the minute I mysteriously found myself here! One of those worlds could very well be mine! Okay, I didn’t expect to get a history lesson, or an awareness alert lecture- whatever that was called, but I’m glad I did. Truth is – the longer I stayed, the closer we got to our destination land – Asthyreah, the more all of it confuses me. I desperately needed to find a way to get back home before things gets more complicated than it already is.

We arrived at a place called Vehldor, a small border town, north to Asthyreah in what took like weeks, but from what I had just learnt, it probably just took a few days.

The streets were rowdy, crowded and lively at the same time. The noise made from the loud music and voices stirred up the place at set it ablaze. Seeing this made me reminisce on home, when I was still little, I would sneak from the orphanage with my best friend, Mira on the 12th month of August each year to attend the annual festival at Tangsu province back in my world, it was the liveliest and most cheerful place I had ever known, filled with genuine laughter, true happiness and real smiles not the fake ones’ people now wear, plastered on their face, making them look like a piece of plastic. It was where I first experienced genuine happiness, even though it was sometimes just watching families be happy and sharing in their joy. I went there even after Mira was gone, I still went there even after it was no more. I felt my eyes cloud with mist as I watched the street coloured with markings of thes joy of the celebration.

It felt good walking the streets. It was definitely more homily than the hinterlands and thank goodness, not as freezing cold either.

“stay close” he ordered as he led the way, taking the horse by its reins.

Though I wasn’t so appreciative of the way he spoke, without flinching or protesting to his authoritative tone, I nodded un-objectively. Fact was, homily or not, I was a stranger in a strange land and yes! I didn’t know him well, but right there and then, Stephon was the only person I could trust.

* * * * * *

I almost got lost in the crowd, good thing I was kept a close eye on by my personal escort- Stephon, who kept me on track with his constant reminder as he repeated the words – “stay on track”.

Within minutes, we were away from the crowd and standing in front of a wooden door frame which swayed open with an effortless push from Stephon. He stepped inside and I followed behind him.

Inside…

There were few people scattered around the large room. Viewing the wait in area, it was apparently an inn. I hadn’t noticed that from the outside, it looked quite small.

Stephon headed straight towards the east lane of the large room, where the counter was, behind which stood a shabby looking middle- aged man, my guess is he was probably the clerk. He had hard features with a grin on his face which complemented his swayed unharnessed anchor- like mustache and new growing beards that looked like he had them mowered earlier and not the usual shave. It made him similar to long John Silver character from treasure Island or a captain Hooke.

Stephon appeared to be familiar with the place, I could tell he had been here before. I observed around while Stephon made inquiries on booking rooms for us to rest the night. There weren’t many people around, but it obviously wasn’t a usual guest house that I was accustomed to, what more could I expect, everything here is nothing I have ever being accustomed to. I was so carried away being “busy” doing nothing, but fixing my gaze blankly at anything, searching for God knows what when I heard someone speak-

“looking for something young lady” the clerk asked cheekily. “or someone” he added. He had a heavy Irish accent which was strange, ok maybe more-like a Viking- Anglo Saxon accent, similar to what I heard in movies. His voice so deep and hoarse, he himself could choke on it. I almost scoffed after listening to him speak before I snapped back to reality, to the question I was just asked.

I stared at him a little confused, then at Stephon, who looked as stoic as ever, not even trying to hide his lack of concern for anything, or anyone - expected

“uh – nothing – really” I quickly replied nervously as I faced back to the clerk.

“really – you say…” paused. “well then! If that’s the case, I should tell you, don’t look to far off, you’ve got the whole package right here” he smirked motioning to Stephon. My mind was almost blank until I realized what he meant.

I almost choked by his statement, “God... no_ we are n... I mean I am not…” was he thinking that we_ “not to worry miss, no need to give me any explanations, I am just a humble servant after all” he said, again with a smirk on his face that clearly showed his satisfaction with the sick joke he just made. That annoying, shabby, rotten-minded jerk, who does he think he is. At that moment, I felt like smacking out the smirk off his face. Well, I wasn’t wrong about the nosey pirate character I attributed him with after all.

Stephon and I walked to the dining area of the inn that was just a few meters away from the lounge. He pulled out a chair and I did the same. Though, I was kind of hoping he pulled out one for me too, I mean it’s not like I invented the phrase ladies first or after you. What was I expecting, that I’ll get special treatment – the lady-like type from a gentleman, who is so good looking by the way, when for starters, I was never a so-called lady so to say. He’s done me good enough by keeping me safe or at least that’s what it looks likes, more-so, I’ve learnt not to expect anything except big darn surprises!

Once sitted, we ordered our meals, not a complicated menu as I’d expected, and there werent many options to choose from. We dined in silence. Occasionally, I shot glances at him, wandering if I should say something, ask something, but he didn’t look conversable though, with his eyes fixed on anything but me, so I figured I should keep my mouth shut. After dinner, we headed to our rooms with Stephon leading the way as we reached the corridor that connected the guest rooms. The awkward silence continued to linger between us.

At the corridor... he stopped suddenly and pointed out to a room.

“this will be your room for the night” he said casually, walking away. “oh_ ok” I said when I got into my room and observed it.

“wait a sec! Aren’t you forgetting something”. I asked to his back. He turned to face me, with dilated eyes, looking a bit confused by my question. “key- to my room?” I clarified, which made him at ease.

“you have a lock on your door, don’t you?” “then use it” he added coldly.

Just as he turned to leave… “get some rest, you need it” “we leave at dawn, no later than that” he said and then strode away. That guy was just impossible! one minute he acts like he cares, the next, he’s a guardian for emotionless temple (metaphorically). What else was I to do in a room like that, with lanterns and candles for fluorescent light and no T.V – Sleep of course!

I dragged my feet sluggishly and slouched on the bed. My ankles were much better, but my limbs quickly gave in from exhaustion. Closing my eyes, I muttered under my breath, “Stephon was right, I’ll give him that. I needed this… “huhhhh---.” I gave a deep sigh and it wasn’t long until I was asleep.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

It was the early hours of the morning. I heard knocking on the door, “must be Stephon”. I sprang up to my feet and rushed to reach for the door knob to be swayed open…

“Step - - -” I clenched my teeth at the sight of the man in front of me. He was not Stephon as I expected but the inn attendant.

“miss, breakfast is prepared.” “would you be coming to the dinner or you prefer it served in your room?” he asked politely. “well, um – I thi...”

“oh, not to forget, the gentleman you arrived with last night wanted you to have this.” He cut me short, then handed a letter to me and swiftly walked out.

What is this. “Strange.” I thought as I opened the letter to read its contents

It was addressed to me.

Tara,

Sorry I have to leave suddenly, something urgent came up that I need to take care of and cannot wait. I have organized everything for the trip to Asthyreah and will be back soon. Remember, avoid talking to strangers and avoid suspicious conversations, but if you must, do be discreet. The danger is far from over. Promise me, on no occasion would you leave the inn.

Stephon.

“urgent!” I glanced over his handwritten letter again. “what could be that important” I asked myself. I know he must have had a life of his own before he met me and that didn’t bother me before, because I thought I could trust him, but now, I don’t know what to think. Something about him was suspicious, like he was keeping a secret bigger than – his knowledge of my identity. He was unreadable and unpredictable. One thing I knew for sure – there are a lot of things I didn’t know about this guy, extremely important details of his life that I need to find out. I know am already in hot water, but I can’t let myself get scalded.

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