I stare at Avis as he downs his third ale.

  I slowly turn my attention towards Dardania who briefly looks up from her book to sigh sadly in the direction of her brother. I figure it best not to even broach whatever topic is happening here.

  I scan the inn we are staying at and it looks exactly as one would expect in a fantasy world. A bar at the back of the room, lined with wooden stools. People are scattered among the various tables and booths that fill the dining room. No two people were dressed the same. Some appear more luxurious, perhaps even nobility, while others look like your average workers. They are dressed in a type of overall look, covered in dirt, and downing more alcohol than should be possible for a mere mortal. Lastly, you have ones who look like the adventurer types. Wearing a mix between clothes and armor, and clearly this was just a quick stopover before they move on to their next town.

  A waitress sets three plates of food down, and goes on her way. The customer service in this world was definitely different. Less kind and more matter of fact. The bartender seems much more congenial but the servers seem to be just that, serving.

  “What is the plan here?” I ask as I begin to pick at my food. It was just steak, nothing out of this world.

  “We are waiting for a local expert in the Tabathia myth. I had the inn keep send word to him when we arrived. He should be here shortly.” Dardania slowly picks at her food as she continues scanning her book.

  I never took the time to actually pay attention to what she was reading, but I lean over and finally got a glimpse at the title, ‘The Arcana and the Saint.’

  Avis on the other hand has done all but shoveled his food into his mouth. He looks just as depressed as before, except more full and slightly drunker.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  I slip the Magician card out of my belt and slowly run my fingers over it.

  I still didn’t know what it meant to be the Magician, or part of the Arcana. I’m pretty sure it was this card that brought me to this world, I just didn’t know why yet. Hopefully this mythology expert is able to answer some of those questions for me.

  “I need to get my hands on that,” a creepy voice breathes down my neck. Every hair stands on end. I’m scared that if I tun around, something awful would be behind me.

  Slowly, I turn my gaze around and an almost naked man is inches away from my face.

  “Can I touch the card?” The man heaves at me, it sounds one step away from a moan. I try to slide backwards, but there is a table there.

  “Um, I’m going to say no.” I respond, unsure of what the hell is happening.

  “James, this is Tetra, our expert. I probably should have mentioned that he was a creep. My apologies.” Dardania closes her book and places it gently on the table as she looks at Tetra, her eyes full of worry.

  I slowly look him up and down. He has curly, dirty blonde hair, really tan skin, and as swimmers build. The weirdest part is all he is wearing is a speedo and boots. Nothing else.

  “Let’s take this up to the room before it starts to gets weird.” Dardania climbs out of her seat and begins heading towards the stares.

  “Starts?!” I scream after her.

  After we are all settled in the room, I hand the card over to Tetra who has calmed down quite a bit. I tried to get him to put pants on, but he prefers the comfort of nudity, so I think we should be grateful he is wearing underwear at least.

  “Sorry about before, Tabathia and the Arcana just really gets me hot and heavy.” Tetra says as he fondles the card.

  “So I’m sure you’re aware of the Tabathia myth.” He says casually, glancing over the top of the card at me.

  “Actually no.”

  “James isn’t actually from this world.” Dardania speaks up, “But we know it.”

  “Please don’t tell it, I can’t bear it again.” Avis whines from the corner where he is lounging in an arm chair brooding.

  “You probably know it better than myself, so if you wanted to tell it.” Dardania motions for Tetra.

  He takes a deep breath, mirroring someone who was about to begin singing—

  “The gods looked upon their creation, and abandoned it.”