Introductions 2

Great! I’m stuck in another world with no means of possibly ever coming home! Even more: This world called Liyúra is full of mythological beings and beasts like dragons, demons, elves (pardon, they call themselves ælves!), oh, and magic is real! Could be the perfect nightmare scenario for disaster! Or a once in a lifetime opportunity to study a new, unknown world and one of the greatest mysteries imaginable: magic! The coin could easily flip on either side.

I made a second attempt to stand up and succeeded this time. Still I stood on shaky legs, the unfamiliar heaviness of my body weighing me down. Now I could see that all three girls were indeed taller than me. The ælven girl was very slim, but stood half a head above me (and I’m six foot tall), while the equally tall demoness was more athletically built. But both were dwarfed by the herculean stature of the beast girl that towered almost one full head over the others. All of them had their gaze at me, and I wondered if the humans in this world looked much different from me.

“Allow us to introduce ourselves properly now.” said the ælven girl when I finally found my footing. “I’m Illyára, an ælf from the northeastern coastal woods of Æthyëra, and I’m thirty six years old. I studied magic with a specialization in healing magic.”

Ah, that’s why her touch felt so soothing and pain easing!

“And I’m Al’Reeza, a daimon from the continent Ah’ru in the far east.” continued the demon, pardon, daimon girl. “I’m thirty two years old and a high mage with no specific specialization.”

There was a pause and everyone looked at the beast girl who seemed reluctant to talk.

“Yára already gave away my name.” she finally grumbled. “Everyone can see that I’m a beastfolk. I’m from the northern midlands and my age is none of anybody's business.”

She crossed her arms and it was clear, she wouldn’t reveal anything more for now.

“And as much as I hate to interrupt this touchy get-together,” she added grimly, “but we have more urgent matters to tend to!”

Immediately the mood changed.

“Right. We have to prepare for our leave as quickly and discreetly as possible, preferably alive.” said Illyára in a serious tone.

“Do you think Dúran made it?” asked Al’Reeza.

Both Illyára and Lily shook their heads.

“It is possible, but we can’t assume that and we certainly are in no position to help him.” continued the ælf.

“Without Vilehms help,” she nodded friendly in my direction, “we ourselves would’ve been wiped out.”

“Bah, I would've recuperated just in time.” grumbled the daimon girl under her breath.

“What did I do?” I asked, perplexed. It couldn’t have been just my bandage, right? “And my name is Vilém.”

Illyára looked at me, cocking an eyebrow.

“That’s what I just said.”

“No, you said Vilehm.”

“And?”

“It’s Vilém.”

“Apologies, but the difference eludes me.”

“Do we really have time for this?” asked Lily exasperated.

“The dragons can attack at any time. We need to prepare and we need to make a plan for crossing the ice.”

“I can make a provisional iceboat from the Amanites,” said Al’Reeza, “and provide a cloth for the sail. In the meantime, do you think these woods harbour any edible wildlife, Lily?”

The beastess nodded.

“Leave it to me.”

“Do you think you can fend them off when there is another attack?” the daimon-girl asked Illyára.

The ælf shrugged.

“No problem. I’ll be on lookout and prepare myself. They won’t sneak up on us like last time!”

“Still, if there are too many, call me and I’ll help out. Fine?” pleaded the daimon.

Illyára nodded.

“Excuse me, can I be of any help?” I asked timidly.

Again everyone looked at me.

“Do you have any magical abilities?” asked Lily.

I shook my head.

“No.”

“Do you have any hunting abilities?”

I shook my head again.

“Do you have any combat abilities?”

“No.”

“Do you have any weapons?”

“No.”

“Then no, you can’t.”

Brusquely she turned around and walked towards the cave entrance.

“Just a moment!” I cried. “You could drive with me in my velomobile!”

The beast girl paused and turned around.

“Do you have any idea what kind of journey lies ahead of us?” She asked in a dangerously quiet voice.

“What does it matter? Staying here is no option for any of us. Doesn’t it make more sense to travel together? And as you admitted, you have no vehicle. I have. And I’m willing to share.”

Lily gave me a long glance, before she shook her head.

“Somebody fill this fool in, I have work to do.”

With these harsh words she finally turned and left the cave. Al’Reeza and Illyára shared a long look, before the daimon girl gave me an apologetic smile and went after the beastess.

“What’s her problem?” I asked the ælf who stayed behind.

“Don’t let it get to you.” she replied and gave me a sympathetic smile. “She has a rough history and a short temper. We are in a very dangerous position and she feels it the most. She is now the only one in our group without any magic and wants to prove her value especially hard.”

I haven’t considered that they probably had suffered hard losses against the dragons. How many of their companions must’ve died? All of a sudden I realized that I was in a war zone - and that the peaceful break could end at any time! Ashamed I lowered my eyes. Unfortunately my stomach decided exactly this moment to let out a loud growl. The missed dinner made itself unmistakably noticeable! The ælven girl smiled again.

“Do you have something to eat or shall we provide you with any supplies?”

“No, no, I’m good!” I stammered, feeling even more embarrassed.

“Then I leave you be for the moment. If you want to join me, I’m on lookout on the crater rim.” She pointed upwards and left the cave as well.