“The village meeting is tomorrow, and we meet with a regional Valjor” Helja said. “You must be able to shoot properly if you’re going to impress our local Valjor into giving you a hunting license. That you must have before we can have you hunting on your own.”

“I understand,” Emerys said.

A Valjor is a regional governor who governs more than one village. At least three villages are under the protection of our Valjor. 

Three weeks’ worth of using a language she barely knew, at least with the intense studies, had left Emerys with a lot to desire. But she reminded herself she would try anyway, despite the growing desire to use her home language. For that reason, she kept her journal notes in her native tongue. Over the past week, she had made note of three things.

First: There is a vegetable here called a cavinor. It is said to be in the same family as carrots, it has a sour taste, and it has a round, bulb-like shape. Additionally, the leaves of the roots tend to make for a good seasoning when one wants to create a bitter flavor. I have since used it to season my fish stews.

Second: The lack of darkness here is starting to irritate me. Although when I do discuss such things, Jarl informs me that in a few months I will become sick of the darkness. At this time, I am not certain I believe him, though.

Third: I will need to obtain a license to hunt with Jarl and Helja, but as of right now, I have obtained thirty copper coins, for which five of copper coins are worth one silver coin from home. Over the past week, I have garnered such earnings from helping to skin the animals we hunt.

There were plenty of other notes, as the journaling helped to keep her grounded in her new reality. It was, in some senses, it was as if she were telling her own story, with a yearning to go on an adventure in order to build her knowledge of this new world.

When the assembly started, Emerys found her outfit was out of place. Still wearing the loose-fitting blue tunic, the tan sash across the waist, and then her blue veil, it was apparent that she wasn’t supposed to purchase things from any of the villagers without the clearance from the assembly.

Upon learning of such a rule, Emerys had found Gudrun, asking her a question. “So then why did you help me on that day?”

Gudrun looked her in the eyes. “I’m not originally from here either. And I don’t care about their petty rules. Plus, I was curious as to who you were. Not solely for generosity, but also because I wanted to know who you were, who you were with, and things like that. It became apparent early on you’re not from here, and with what I know from tales abroad, you’re likely not from those areas either, and I can give you one reason why. Your coins aren’t what I’ve seen before.”

“How do you know?” Emerys asked.

“My father was a merchant on a nearby isle, but he had been to the more mild regions of our world,” Gudrun said. “He brought back their silver coins, and the writing on yours are nothing like theirs. But I can see that you, based on how you dress and your reactions to the daylight, are likely from those regions. As can Helja and Jarl.”

The conversation had left Emerys with a mix of feelings–most of which she’d not had the chance to process. Not really. And the morning before the meeting, she found her attentions divided. She’d practiced her speaking skills with Jarl and Helja beforehand.

Since the conversation with Gudrun, she had asked Helja and Jarl about the money she earned. She then received word to remain quiet on such a subject. After that point, she did not press the issues further.

“Are you still only helping me because you want to know more about me?” Emerys asked.

“I mean, there are a lot of things we don’t know about you still,” Helja said. “Normally, it wouldn’t be our business, but you came to our village as a stranger in a slightly confusing time, and so as a collective group, it is our business to know who you are. Is that clear?”

“I think so,” Emerys said.

After that practice session ended, Emerys felt as though she were much farther from where she wanted to be. She took a brief moment to glance up at the blue sky. Where was she?

When she entered the meeting hall, three-hundred people waited–many of whom were younger. A few people brought in their children–many of whom looked to be under five years of age. At the end of the room, there was an older woman. The Valjor. She wore a deep green dress with brown sleeves. Lady Renja, her name was.

“Tonight, I stand before you with a special announcement. Rumors abroad tell us there have been a few people who have disappeared, as well as some who, at least in the broader world, have appeared in our world without prior notice. Our village has received one of these women, and it is said she is trying to become a huntress.”

Emerys stood, her heart racing. She had not taken part in public speaking since her early twenties. “My name is Emerys, I am from a city known as Pelios, and I found myself in the village of Eljar. It is my honor to find a place amongst you. It would be of the greatest honor should I be able to settle in Eljar, then.”

“That you can do, but there are a few challenges first,” Lady Renja said. “You will now be granted permission to barter and trade with the villagers, although your hunting license will need more, because you are not yet a citizen of this kingdom. In order to prove yourself, you will need to find the king himself. Are you in agreement to these terms?”

Her mood plummeted. Of course, she should have expected this. She had wanted to travel, in some senses. The desires did not include seeing the king, especially not to deal with her legal troubles–she’d had enough of those in her own world.

Years ago, she had read fanciful stories about adventures–some similar to hers. Unfortunately, adult life, as well as adult rules, meant there was more to being an adventurer and discovering life in a new world meant there were problems with such realities.

“I am,” Emerys said.

“I will then send a letter to the king, announcing your arrival,” Lady Renja said. “You may choose two people to accompany you on your journey, but they have to accept it.”

The rest of the meeting went over minute things in relation to the villages. At that point, though, Emerys no longer paid attention to what they had been saying. The most interesting thing in the assembly were the split assets between a recently-divorced couple. At that point, she went back to her own book, trying to ignore the proceedings–as well as the memory they brought.

I am to go on a quest to meet the king now, and I must choose two companions to go with me. I will think long on it, although I have half a mind to ask both Gudrun and Jarl to do so. Although I don’t know if either will approve of my requests.