Beyond the Thorns: A Novel

“Are you sure Jyra?” Eldric asks.

“Really?” Our aloof bartender looks up from his glass.

“Yoliho won’t be the same without you,” the chief waitress looks down, thumbing her pen.

“Yes I’m sure, plus I’ll just be in the next town over if you truly need my assistance at the inn.” I sigh, a grin plastered to my face, “... or if Pops can’t stop bawling his eyes out once I’m gone.”

“I will not cry, many staff members leave and I never let myself get torn up about it.” Eldric huffs.

“Except for when that once dancer left,” I quipped. “What was her name… Lil-”

“We don’t talk about that Jyrasck and you know it,” Eldric retorted before I could finish.

I laugh, “yeah okay. Well, I’ll be seeing you,” I beam.

“Make sure to send letters as much as possible!” Pops shouted as I turned about, bag (and hair) flying with my action.

“Whatever ya’ say chief,” I flick my hand to the side in a wave as I hear him start to weep. Goofy old-timer.

I make my way to the South entrance of Belduar and exchange some silver for a rental horse.

一☉一

“. . . Say, horse?” I look down at the trotting beast’s mane, “how far is it to Yalev?”

Tlot tlot, tlot tlot, the sounds of the horse’s hooves were my only answer.

“I wonder what it’s like there, since I’ve never left Belduar and all. Maybe they’ll have a nice inn I could part-time at, at least then I’ll have a source of money.” I think aloud, pretending that the horse I was riding was sentient.

“Mmm, are you a new one on these trails?” A male voice spooks me, sending a jet of released energy towards the voice. Fortunately, it dissipated before it injured anyone, unfortunately, I was now slipping off the horse.

The man laughs,“ need some help mm?” He grasps my arm and lugs me back on the horse correctly. He was a well built man, with dusty, light ginger hair and the air of the middle school popular kid.

“Thanks, uhm…”

“Elliot, Elliot Stanford, the expert and world record holder of fast travel mhm,” he jams his thumb at his chest eccentrically.

“Fast travel? Across what?” I ask, skeptical.

“Across every and all trails! What else, mmm?” Elliot raises his hands to the sky, his horse slightly speeding up as he did so before returning to a matched pace of my horse.

“How can someone even get a world record for traveling?” I mutter, slightly taken aback.

“By memorizing all the long and short routes to and from everywhere! How else would I do it mm?” Elliot presses towards me, that speech tick, or whatever it is, was getting annoying.

“Must be nice to have such a talent,” I slightly speed up, this kid is tiring.

“It is! The only problem is my other companions will often not listen to me and make us take longer to get where we want, mhm.”

“Your companions…?” I ask, looking behind us. Nobody in sight.

“Mmm, yes such a bothersome bunch. Cedri- Cedrick?” His horse halts abruptly, Elliot clicks his tongue, “tsk, I have to go find them. See you later mm?” he waves me off and starts cantering back to where he came.

“Adonas smiles upon me,” I sigh, glad I managed long enough with that man’s speech tick.

一☉一

I reach the Northern entrance of Yalev, a little jittery after the chance encounter with the dusty ginger.

“Is there a good inn somewhere around here?” I ask, hoping I could get some coins from here.

“Yes actually, it’s just a block down. Real flashy, ya’ can’t miss it,” the sour looking male replies. I hand him a gold piece and make my way as instructed,

I walk casually before I abruptly stop whistling mid-step when I almost pass a flashy (and rich) looking building. The words, “Garrett's Gambling Hall and Inn” above the door with old neon rods that were painted over in glow-in-the-dark paints. Antique… interesting choice…

I turn 90° on my heel and walk in. When I do, I mutter an expression of surprise as my eyes adjust to the stark contrast of lighting. The clicking and shuffling of gambling was upscaled versus the occasional poker nights at Yoliho. But this is probably not even in full swing yet, as it will be at night.

“Ah, you look like ya’d know a thing or two, wanna take a shot at some Black Jack?” A slightly intoxicated man walked up to me.

“N-no, I'd rather not…” I politely deny.

“Come on, just one game won’t ‘urt ya’,” he drawls.

“If I play one, I’ll play them all, plus I don’t want to upset your regulars,” I half-lie.

“Why else would ya’ be ‘ere if not to try ya’ luck?” The man asks, confusion coming through the fog of his eyes.

“I’m just trying to get some coin ‘cause I’m new around here and all.”

“Ya’ shoulda’ said so! I’ll get ya’ to Garrett,” he pats my back and hobbles off. As he walks further away, I shift off and on my heels uncomfortably for a minute as the scent of marijuana struck my nose. By the time the man comes back, I’m holding back my urge to gag in disgust.

“Right this way,” he grumbled, seemingly having sobered up to some extent. He led me up some stairs and through double doors. Behind those was a young-looking woman seated on a rather old, but well kept, sofa. Seems like someone has a thing for antiques.

“Who’s this?” She asks, lust flooding her tone.

“My name’s Jyrasck, but I’m called Jyra,” I answer.

“I like it, foreign, memorable,” she smiles almost seductively. “Any talents or things of note?”

“I’m just wanting a part-time job ma’am.”

“As a bard I assume, correct?”

“No, just a behind-the-scenes type deal.”

“Talk with Lucas,” her face becomes bored. “You’re hired.”

“...Eh? B-but Miss Garrett-” The escort stammers.

“Did I stutter? Get his times settled or no raise for the next year,” she threatens, causing Lucas to click his tongue bitterly before leading me downstairs once more to settle my schedule.