At a small inn in one of the neighboring villages, we have found ourselves. Only now, I am aware that dialect plays a rather large role in this world, and where I have become okay talking to both Gudrun and Jarl, I find myself questioning a few words. Both Gudrun and Jarl tell me things might become a lot worse in the longrun.,

Three days later, the small town was a lovely sight. The party had made few efforts to stop, other than during nights. The company would spend at least eight hours trying to sleep, and then the morning consisted taking a nibble of the traveler’s bread.

“There are more things to eat here,” Gudrun said. She then pointed back at a small patch of wild berries. “These are edible. They are called valdaberries.”

They had a sweet taste, similar to that of blueberries. But there was something satisfying about eating something other than bread. Nevertheless, the group found more and more berries throughout the area.

Valdaberries apparently are in season for only two weeks out of the year, and they grow in the lowlands.

Before they found themselves in an inn, although the sky didn’t go completely dark, there were still several stars visible in the sky. In memorizing the charts Valrun had given her, Emerys recognized at least one of the planets, before also noticing the wolf constellation. It was for but twenty minutes for which she could see the stars, but there was something surreal about it at the same time. A chill rushed down Emerys’ spine before she turned toward the small village.

When they had found themselves in the inn, there was an agreement for two rooms; a two bed room for Gudrun and Emerys, and a single bed room for Jarl.

Inside the room, a small board with different flyers waited. Emerys looked them over, finding one in particular which caught her attention. Come compete in our archery tournament. Participants will receive free room and board, while the winners will receive forty coins from the experience, with there being three tiers. If you would like a chance to participate, please visit me, Sir Erlen for details on how to sign up.

“I know this would delay us two days,” Emerys said. She pointed at the poster. “And I know I am not the best with my archery skills. But maybe I could sign up for this one?”

Gudrun studied it closely. “You do need money. And I'm not going to say whether or not you should join the competition. But also, where does this leave your companions? It's not the cheapest to stay in an inn, now is it?”

Emerys shook her head. “I understand."

“Figure out a place for us, and then if you still want to join the competition, you can.”

When she made it to Sir Erlen’s place, the archery range was nothing like Helja’s. With an indoor arena, several rows of targets, and several places to fetch new arrows off to the side, the arena felt quite quaint.

In another world, it could have reminded Emerys of the old arenas in Pelios, of which historians would often talk about with fiery passion. Although in those cases, it was normal for the contestants–of more than one gender–to compete wearing less clothing. Such things, in those cases, were usually an offering to the goddess of hunting. It was then said that the goddess of hunting, Agnesi, was the patron goddess of Emerys' family, long before they stopped talking about deities altogether.

Sir Erlen waited nearby. “It’s quite the place, eh? Not usually something you would see in some of the old villages. In most cases, these venues are for the elites to try and scout people to help join the wars here. Although you’re not a citizen, so we would have to make a special case for you. Not to worry, though, as we let international competitors in all the time when they want some money. Either way, we have found these competitions to be fine for such occasions where we need to boost the morale of our people, and to boost their defense skills.”

“Sir,” Emerys said. “I am interested in the competition, of course, and I am honored to be able to take part. However, I would like to ask whether or not your generosity would extend to any travel companions?”

“Who are they?”

“One of them is named Jarl, and the other one is Gudrun.”

“I know of Gudrun,” Sir Erlen said. “She was a shield maiden back when she was younger. I will allow her to join, but on the event she will be able to help us with our promotions, I should allow them both to join. And Jarl’s wife has given us goods before as well, in case that’s of any interest to you.”

“I will talk to her,” Emerys said.

“No need,” Sir Erlen said. “I can send one of my assistants to find her. Let’s work with you, on the other hand. I usually try and be selective with who I choose for my competitions. I see you have your own bow. Would you mind shooting five arrows for me? I can provide the arrows.”

Emerys took her bow, and after shooting all of the arrows he’d asked for, she turned back to him, her heart racing. She’d practiced with Helja, yes. But showing off her skills to someone with military prowess would likely have its own problems.

“You are rather alright at archery,” he said. “Not great, but just perfect for the competition. To join us, it will be five copper pieces.”

Emerys obliged, with the coins clinking as she placed them in his palm. “Just promise you won’t tell Gudrun or Jarl.”

“You have a deal,” he said, giving a sly wink. “Just keep practicing with your archery, and maybe they won’t need to know.”

It was wrong for her to hold this secret from them. The fact that there was a risk to this quest had lead her to wonder. Then again, Sir Erlen said he’d known Gudrun, or had at least heard a mention of his name. Gudrun had likely known. But as Sir Erlen went off to go address someone else, it was too late. Emerys had made a big mistake, of which would likely cost her.

She continued to practice her archery, trying to ignore any thoughts of Jakob. But once again, as her aim improved, she imagined she were closer to hitting him in the head. She would continue to work with her archery that night, spending at least an hour training. Only this time, she wasn’t learning for the sake of training; she was practicing for the sake of a distraction from the growing thoughts and conspiracies which had come up over the past few days.

A part of her, whether she’d liked or not, wished the whole scene was a mistake. Maybe she’d fallen asleep on some bedding provided for stargazers who wanted to lay down, back at Verina’s place. Maybe, just maybe, she would wake up to find herself back in her old world.

She could go back, of course. But what was the point in that? Even with her growing misgivings about finding life in a strange world, she had to remind herself that she didn’t have much to go back to.

My archery skills have grown, perhaps as an outlet for while I cope with things. Several of my arrows went into some of the inner rings of the target, too. As long as I win, and I don’t drop that I risked losing money, I should be alright.