Reverse Chronicles

City of New Beginnings

     As we finally get out of Araplene, I grabbed the map from the receptacle. Jyria is located in the southeastern plains of the continent. The plain is also called Jyria and it borders the southern seas, the Araplene forest to the west, the Tracie river to the north, and the Ryuse Riverlands to the southwest. The city is located at the western part of the plain just outside of the Araplene forest. Now that I look at it, this world is bigger than I thought. From Croverre to here, it is just a minuscule fraction of the entire map. But hopefully, I can find answers here in Jyria.

     When we exited the forest, the sun was already at our backs. I have half of my total HP left and I was tired of all the fighting. Daniel, however, was still energetic. Well, I can’t blame him, he did minimal movement during battles because he was in the rear. We headed directly towards the city. The plains were much greener compared to Croverre. I can feel a strong gust of wind brushing up against my body.

     “We’re finally here,” Daniel put his hands on top of his head. “After days of roaming around the forest, I can’t believe that I am finally here.”

     “Yes, we are. How many days were you in that forest?”

     “I don’t know, but I was relieved when I saw you in that cave.”

     “I’m thankful that I wasn’t alone.”

     We continued on our way hearing the solid sound of our footsteps, the melancholic murmurs of the wind, and the chirps of birds flying across the sky. As we almost arrived in the city, we saw other people. Some were in groups being in a commotion, others were sparring outside, and a few were building structures.

     I started to hear the sounds of the commotions and the grunts of the workers and the sparrers. As we got closer and closer, music could be heard from the pubs near the outskirts. There was laughter and arguments. When we arrived at the entrance of the city, a man wearing a hood approached us.

     “Welcome to Jyria, the city of beginnings. My friends call me Moe and I can help you get around the city for a fair price,” the guy seemed shady but his mannerisms and the tone of his voice sounded as if we could trust him.

     “What do you think?” I turned to Daniel but he was already gone. I remembered what he said about arriving. It seems he already left without even a goodbye.

     “Well, ma’am?” the stranger gathered my attention. I started to think. Can I trust this guy? I can’t trust strangers, but I don’t know how to get around the city. With his help, I could get around easily, but then again he is shady.

     “Okay, name your price.” Out of my mouth, without hesitation. I hope I don’t get scammed.

     “Only 20 gold and I’ll help you navigate around the city.” 20 gold huh? I have 100 gold, but that doesn’t seem like a good price. Just imagine how much I would have to pay for a place to stay if this guy’s services cost 20 gold.

     As I was about to get my receptacle, another man approached us. “Is this guy bothering you, miss?” I heard the clearest and deep voice say to me. I looked at him. He looked like a soldier with all of his leather armor. He had a maroon full leather armor from top to bottom fastened tightly that his muscles are bulging through. He wielded a longsword and had two daggers. He had blond hair and blue eyes. His facial features resembled that of a model from my world.

     “I wasn’t bothering her at all,” the other guy replied to him.

     “I was asking her,” he replied with resolute words. Are these female hormones? Why do I feel strange?

     “Well, he said he could help me get around the city,” I answered as honestly as I could. “But, I think his price is too expensive.”

     “What do you say, I’ll show you around for free?” the soldier-looking guy offered. It was a tempting offer. I could go around the city without charge. It would help me save money. However, I better not be deceived by his looks.

     “What are you?!” the other guy protested.

     “Sure, I’ll take that offer,” my lips let out those words before the other stranger could say more.

     “Cool,” the other stranger grabbed me and we went on our way. “My name is Franz. As you might have noticed from my armor, I’m a soldier. I’m training to be a knight.”

     “That’s awesome. I’m Josh, and my class is something you haven’t heard of before.”

     “Josh?” He made another strange face. “Now that is a strange name for a girl. And your class is something else?”

     “Well,” I thought of telling him that I’m a boy, but he might ditch me so I kept it hidden, “I’m actually a boy,” or so I thought. Why does my mouth defy my thoughts?

     “You’re a boy? Okay, that’s cool. You have a cute costume there,” he replied which shocked me. It seems this world is more open-minded than my regular world. “So where are you headed, Josh?”

     “Is there something like a magic academy here? Or an institute of mages?”

     “Yes, there is a school on the other side of the city. But it will take a long time for us to go there and the sun is already setting. You need to find a place to stay.”

     “Yeah, I guess.” Is this guy thinking of something?

     “I would like to make you stay at where I am training, but my mentor doesn’t allow me to have someone else stay for the night. So, I could only lead you to the nearest inn beside where I am training so that I can fetch you early tomorrow.” With those words, it seems that chivalry is not dead, at least for this world.

     “Okay, that sounds great.” We walked for a couple of streets. We eventually reached the river flowing through the city. He told me about his dreams and much about himself. It seems that Franz is not from Jyria. He is from the northern territories and he left home to pursue his dream. We eventually arrived at an inn called Dowe.

     “Here is your stop. A night here costs one gold so it’s very friendly. You can also add another gold for a meal. I will meet you here tomorrow at first light.”

     “Thank you,” so this is what a gentleman is? “I will meet you here tomorrow. Goodbye.”

     After we said our farewells, I went inside and rented a room for the night. The prices are what he said they are. I got a room for one on the third floor of the inn. It gave me a nice view of the city. The inn was beside the river so it had an ostentatiously relaxing view. I could hear the sounds of stringed-instruments from a distance. The commotion of the city whispering from a distance. As the stars climbed up, the city started to become peaceful. I spent the night comfortably inside my room.