The Gambler

Hertofyrd, a world of fiction.

"Welcome to Hertofyrd, Hiro." The woman smiles.
"Where- Where are we?" Hiro asks, looking around at the beautiful landscape of beauty he has been taken to. The ground is a vibrant green that he has never seen, the air smells so fresh and clean, the sky is a vibrant blue with a green and blue moon visible in the sky.
"This is Hertofyrd! A world quite different than yours! You could compare it to a world of fiction where you're from."
"Hertofyrd, a world of fiction." Hiro says under his breath as he continues to stare in awe at his surroundings. Hiro sat there taking in the air and view for over an hour, so long, that the sun began to set. As the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the rolling hills, the distant silhouette of a bustling medieval town came into view. Nestled snugly within the protective embrace of stout stone walls, the town sprawled haphazardly along the banks of a meandering river, its labyrinthine streets teeming with life and activity. Hiro's curiosity was peaked, and he began a journey towards the town. From afar, the town appeared as a patchwork of timber-framed buildings, their thatched roofs rising and falling in a jagged skyline against the fading light. Smoke billowed lazily from chimneys, carrying with it the savory scent of roasting meats and the earthy aroma of freshly baked bread. When Hiro reaches the walls, he stops, and just takes in the scene. At the heart of the town stood a towering castle, its turrets reaching towards the heavens like the outstretched fingers of a guardian. Flags fluttered in the breeze atop its ramparts, emblazoned with the sigils of noble houses and guilds, while the sound of clanging metal echoed from its bustling courtyard. Surrounding the castle, the town bustled with activity, its streets alive with the comings and goings of merchants, artisans, and townsfolk going about their daily business. Market stalls lined the main thoroughfares, their colorful awnings casting dappled shadows upon the cobblestones below, while peddlers hawked their wares to passersby. Hiro continued and began walking through the town. The air was filled with the lively chatter of voices, the clang of blacksmiths' hammers, and the clip-clop of horses' hooves upon the flagstones. Children played in the narrow alleyways, their laughter mingling with the strains of minstrels' songs drifting from taverns and alehouses. As night fell and the stars began to twinkle overhead, the town came alive with the warm glow of lantern light, casting a soft golden hue upon its ancient streets. And amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, there lingered an undeniable sense of history and tradition, as if the very stones themselves whispered tales of bygone days and distant adventures. A woman walked up to Hiro, whom is stilled in awe by what he is seeing.
"Hello there!" The woman says, smiling at Hiro.
"Um, hi." Hiro says, never looking at her.
"You a traveler?" She asks.
"Yeah, my world is nothing like this one." He still hasn't glanced at her.
"Your world?" She chuckles, "You're funny." Hiro looks towards her.
As he beheld her for the first time, he felt as though his very breath had been stolen away. She stood before him, radiant and ethereal, a vision of otherworldly beauty that surpassed anything he had ever imagined. Her features were delicate and refined, framed by cascading waves of shimmering silver hair that fell like liquid moonlight around her slender shoulders. Her eyes, pools of azure blue, sparkled with an inner light, holding within them a depth of wisdom and mystery that seemed to reach into the very depths of his soul. Her skin was flawless, porcelain pale and luminous, touched by a faint shimmer that seemed to dance upon its surface like starlight on water. And when she smiled, it was as if the sun itself had broken through the clouds, filling the world around them with warmth and light. She moved with a grace and elegance that was both mesmerizing and hypnotic, every movement fluid and effortless as if she were dancing to a melody that only she could hear. Her laughter was like music to his ears, a symphony of joy and wonder that stirred something deep within him. As he gazed upon her, he felt a stirring in his heart unlike anything he had ever known. It was as if she had awakened something within him, something primal and ancient, a longing that transcended the boundaries of time and space. In that moment, he knew with a certainty that he could never forget her, that she would forever be etched into the very fabric of his being as a vision of beauty and grace that would haunt his dreams for eternity. And as he stood there, captivated by her presence, he knew that he would never be the same again.
"Wow. You- are stunning." Hiro chokes out. She stops for a second and her cheeks flair red. She brushes her hair behind her left ear, revealing an ear that is pointed like nothing Hiro had ever seen.
"Oh, you're-" Hiro starts, he is interrupted by her, "Where you're from doesn't have elves? Oh! You must be from the New Colony then!" She smiles and grabs his hand.
"Wait- where are we going?!" Hiro yells. The Elf just laughs as she continues to run towards a building.
"Oh! I didn't catch your name!" She smiles upon entering the building. It's a tavern of some sort. Drunk men and women are scattered about, drinks being poured and served all over.
"Um, Hiro. Hiro Yun." Hiro responds, putting his eyes back on hers, becoming stunned once more.
"Hiro. I like that! I'm Elara Starwind!" She smiles as she guides him to a man sitting at the bar. The man sat hunched over the scarred wooden bar, his weary frame a testament to the trials he had endured. His clothing, presumably once fine and well-kept, was now tattered and stained with the grime of battle, the insignia of his former clan barely visible beneath the layers of dirt and blood. His hands, calloused and scarred, clutched a weathered tankard with a grip that spoke of both strength and resignation. The fingers that wrapped around its chipped surface bore the remnants of countless battles, each scar a silent testament to the sacrifices he had made in the name of duty and honor. His eyes, presumably once bright and full of fire, were now dull and haunted, their gaze fixed upon the amber liquid that swirled within his tankard. They held a haunted quality, as if they had seen horrors beyond imagining, and found no solace in the world beyond. Lines of weariness etched deep furrows into his weather-beaten face, accentuating the grim set of his jaw and the weary slump of his shoulders. His brow was furrowed with the weight of untold burdens, the memories of comrades lost and battles fought weighing heavily upon his weary soul. Despite the din of the crowded tavern around him, he seemed lost in his own thoughts, as if the world around him had faded into insignificance compared to the turmoil that raged within. And as he sat there, a solitary figure amidst the chaos of the bar, it was clear to all who beheld him that he was a man haunted by the ghosts of war, seeking solace in the only refuge he had ever known.
"Jack! This is Hiro! He's also from the New Colony!" Elara says, extatically. The man looks up from his tankard and looks Hiro dead in the eyes.
"Hiro? Hiro what?" The man says. His voice as deep and rugged as you would imagine it to be off first glance.
"Yun." Hiro clears his throat, "Yun sir."
"Yun? I don't know of the Yun family. Which clan are you associated with?"
"None sir." Hiro is now unsure whether his answer was correct.
"None, eh? So you're also on the run from the war?" Jack's eyes light up just slightly, the thought of a comrade sends a tiny spark of joy into him.
"Um. Yes. I am. I didn't want any part of it anymore." Jack stares at him for a second more, then turns back to his tankard.
"Take a seat, Yun. I won't turn my back on you, brother." Jack continues, "Get this man a round on me." Hiro sits next to the man, and Elara walks behind the counter into a room that appears to be a kitchen. Hiro had never drank before even though he was of legal age. He was always more focused on gambling. He gets his drink, identical to Jack's tankard, just more full.
"Drink up, my friend. Let's celebrate being free of those dreadful mages!" 'Mages'? Hiro wondered, but ignored. They cheers, and Hiro took a couple sips.
"Wow, this is good." Hiro says, with a smile on his face. The first time he has genuinely smiled in a very long time. He puts the tankard to his lips and begins to chug.