The World Walkers: Taithmarin: Joel: Stepping Onto Taithmarin (part 2)

[k_a_webb]

Part 1

“I thought you said I’d never be able to go home,” Joel said, studying Alex.

“Barring really bad luck you won’t be able to.” Alex sighed. “Look, how about we go to your flat, I’ll make us a nice cup of tea, and I’ll tell you all about the time I accidentally found a door that took me back to Earth.”

“My flat?”

“When the book logged you as a new arrival we set you up a flat. It’s one bedroom, so I’ll be sleeping in the lounge for the next two weeks; furnished, which makes the rent slightly more expensive but means you don’t have to work out how to move it all when you leave; and the rent includes all the bills, so all you have to do is buy food and anything else you want.”

“How do I pay the rent?”

“For the first six months, at least, you’ll be given money by the council so you can get used to Taithmarin. That can be extended, up to two years, but if you still haven’t settled in after that you’ll be taken to one of the Stormkin’s schools, because they have the skills to help you. Before you ask the Stormkin are one of the races that live in this town, along with the Nox Gadael and the Caelestis Eira.” Alex started walking and Joel felt he had no choice but to follow him. “I’ll tell you more about them once you’re settled in to your new home, because talking in the corridors isn’t something I’m particularly comfortable with at this time of day.”

“Any particular reason?”

“It’s coming close to shift change and the last thing I need is for someone to tell you how much they hate being here.” Alex shook his head. “A lot of humans, sadly, never do become comfortable with Taithmarin, normally because of the other races. Both the Stormkin and the Caelestis Eira are bipedal, but they’re nothing like humans, and the Nox Gadael are dogs.”

“Dogs?”

“They’re very like labradors, but they have horns like unicorns. We’ve been hearing rumours that they might be being born with more than one, although right now they are nothing more than that, and as we’re still having them walk through the doors on a regular basis it’s not something I can see happening too often. Mostly they’re third generation Nox, with parents who’ve been here for over a decade and often had at least one litter born with a single horn.”

“Right…” Joel bit his lip. “I can understand why it can be hard for humans to settle in.”

Alex nodded. “I don’t think it helps much that the Nox can talk. Having a dog talk to you, when you’re used to dogs being able to do little more than make noises, is a very strange thing, but some humans have really settled in well here. Are you willing to learn magic?”

That was a question Joel hadn’t been expecting and didn’t know how to answer. “Maybe,” he said eventually, wishing he’d never stepped through the door, even though being on another world did mean he could start again.

Mirrored from K. A. Webb Writing.

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