Byfraßt is an oddity Asyyrgraad would develop outside its borders, the ethereal trip between each side unnoticeable. Such transport would prove a boon to the rest of the world, were they to share it elsewhere.
-Dyykuhl
1
Jaani heard the one Ækaak TZ church bells ring on the first day of the year 4876 IIIÆ, prompting him to get out of bed and get into his monk's garbs. He went to the balcony doors, drawing apart the curtains and allowing the light inside, but slowly opening the doors themselves due to the frigidity of the weather. He stepped outside to view Langveilikbyen, which seemed like another northern settlement. As he glimpsed the scenery, he still felt unsafe conveying an Asyyr citizen outside her country.
"Ugh," Jinnah grumbled as she tried to get out of bed, "vould you shut dose doors, eh? It's freezing cold!"
"If thou wishest so," agreed Jaani, closing them. "So, what are our plans for the day?"
“Ve can continue to your homeland, ja.”
"As thou desirest. Shall we breakfast here before we leave?"
"Ja."
The two descended to the ground floor restaurant, sitting at the counter to see the seal barmaiden breastfeeding her babe. "So, vat vill it be, my good friends?"
"Frankgallian toast with friends potatoes, ant eggs, and beetle bacon on the side," requested Jaani.
"Same here, except pancakes?" ordered Jinnah.
The seal shouted the orders to the cooks in the back. Then she asked her customers, "So, do you have any special plans for de day?"
"Not really," Jinnah answered.
"We simply wish to travel to my homeland."
"As you two vish."
2
After breakfast, the couple was on the road, southward bound from the capital of Sjulbard. The terrain was similar to that they had encountered underground during the previous part of their adventure, with opaque rocky walls showing little signs of changing no matter how far they ventured. They did glimpse branching tunnels and other travelers of diverse sizes, halfling and standard-sized beasts alike. Their journey was fast, assuring Jaani that he would return home in perhaps only a few days at most, and while he knew that Jinnah she was traveling and how exactly to drive a carriage properly, he still felt insecure smuggling a resident of Asyyrgraad outside her country.
When the three Æklaak bells tolled throughout the subterranean caverns, the travelers reached a border checkpoint where a pair of bear guards defended thick metal doors denoting the entrance into the Kingdom of Grinzlæ. Jinnah halted the vehicle, she and Jaani descending to show proof of their identities.
"Velcome! Vere you at the Djyambor, Miss Jin?"
“Jes, vit de help of my good bodyguard here.”
"Ja, I have defended her from many a threat," Jaani feigned his accent. "She is of noble birth, vich explains vy she vould vant someone as skillful as me to ensure her full protection."
“Hey, hey, no need to go into your life story, eh?”
"My apologies. So, are ve granted passage, or is dere any need for special precautions? Ve hear dat dere have been attacks by Daeymaanen upon followers of the Asyyrkirk."
“Rumors, mostly. Dey may reign true in countries outside Asyyrgraad, but ve are an exception, ja."
"Dat's reassuring," noted Jinnah, sarcastically and seriously.
"Anyvay, safe travels to you both!"
When the soldiers opened the iron doors to let the vehicle through, its passengers noticed that the scenery changed as it had when they left the twin northern cities, the tunnel walls transparent yet surprisingly secure to reveal many swimming outside the passageway, mostly bears, polar and otherwise, many waving to the travelers.
3
When the four Æklaak bells rang, the travelers reached the boundary between the Grinzlæ and Norjzæ kingdoms, the latter having scenery like that of the former, with transparent walls underground, though most of the swimmers beyond the walls were narwhals, their prongs prominent from their foreheads, many waving greetings at the wayfarers. As Jinnah drove, Jaani continued to reminisce about his stay in Asyyrgraad, despite knowing similar luxury awaited him back home.
When five Æklaak came, Jaani glimpsed a great source of light at the end of the tunnel. As it drew near, he could see that it alternated in rainbow colors, similar to the doors back in Vaelhæll. There were dozens of other vehicles that made her slow, and they had to wait several minutes, the colorful light intensifying as she slowly drove forward, but she was able to eventually get the carriage to where border guards greeted them.
"Velcome!" greeted a ferret patrolman. "Before ve grant you passage into Ferrojya, ve vill need to see some identification, ja?"
The prince provided his false password and Jinnah hers, but he knew not if it were true or false. "Ah, I take it you two vere at de Djyambor, eh?"
"Both of us, yes, I mean, ja," replied Jaani, "as her bodyguard."
"I assumed so," suspected the soldier, returning the passports. "I hope you enjoyed your stay up dere. I understand dat Zyyaeon and Gladshyym must have been marvels to experience, eh?"
"Dey are vonderful," agreed Jinnah.
"So ve have heard. Anyvays, you two have a good day, and may Jehu be vith you always."
"Vid you as vell, at least in guarding de border," returned Jinnah.
"Ve are certain you vill find Byfraßt qvite a vonderful experience as vell."
"The rainbow bridge, yes," Jaani knew, hearing about the legendary connection.
Beyond the cavern exit, the prince glimpsed an ethereal rainbow light that intensified as Jinnah drove the carriage forward. He could see many other vehicles on the dextral side drive forth and vanish with bright white sparks. On the sinistral side, such sparks heralded the arrival of vehicles onto this side of the fabled bridge. As he had never experienced this road before, Jaani knew not what to expect, with the carriage pulled forth by its trusty cockroach, the wagons ahead on their side of the highway numbering no more after a few seconds, a bright flash coming that made him blink.
4
After a few seconds, Jaani opened his eyes to see the same rainbow light from before, gradually shifting to a view of a bridge in similar construct to that of the area preceding Byfraßt, with a great open doorway bearing traffic passing through on the dextral and sinistral sides. The light eventually faded, Jaani gazing backward to glimpse the southern side of the rainbow bridge, around which was the great Ottalujya Ocean that surrounded Ferrojya, a sign in the Ferrojyan language above indicating ingress into the country, flags on the towers on each side of the entrance fortification, rectangular with a horizontal cross on a white field, the cross bearing blue boundaries and an interior red hue. True to the nation's identity, most of the soldiers and civilians were ferrets, seeming welcoming of those who entered their territory, also bidding fond farewells to those who left with their various vehicles.
Throughout the giant doorway of the fortification guarding Ferrojya Jinnah drove the carriage, beyond being the nation's woodlands, the elevation being inconsistent on both sides of the roadway. The climate was cold, the trees missing their leaves and blanketed in snow along with the ground, not to mention the highway itself that impeded the carriage's passage. A few minutes later came the town of Heidelyyn, its population a mixture of different races, although ferrets and hedgehogs dominated the species makeup, Jinnah having to slow the vehicle even more to avoid running anyone over. The hamlet seemed no different from that of any northern city in Aulvenheim.
"I hunger," indicated Jinnah.“I propose dat ve dine here, ja.”
"A sound idea. Art thou familiar with this town?"
"Ja, I could be," she noted, pointing to an inn with a brown wooden sign depicting a white doorway opening with lines protruding to the center. "De Gate of Byfraßt."
"So thou hast been here before."
"Ja, a few times, maybe."
"Thou art knowledgeable about the world outside thy fatherland."
“Vhat makes you say dat? It is but one town vich I am familiar vit outside Asyyrgraad.”
"Hmm. We dine there, then."
Jinnah then turned the carriage in the direction of the inn, traveling past the main entrance toward the stables, a thick-clothed resident opening the doors into the hay-strewn building where the Asyyr maiden sighted a vacant chamber
“I have dat for you, Lady Jin, ja!” Jaani suddenly heard someone in the building say.
"My tanks!" she bid as she stopped the vehicle and leapt off.
"As I said before, thou dost certainly get around outside Asyyrgraad.
“Ja, Lady Jin is regular here, eh!” the stableboy noted, tugging the roach and carriage into one of the vacant stalls.
Jaani whispered, "Perhaps we should not overstay our welcome here."
“My toughts exactly, ja.”
“An who do we have pleasure bring here as guest for once, ja?”
“Just anodder random monk. Just… go about your duties, boy, eh?”
"Ja, madam!"
5
Jaani followed Jinnah through the stables into the inn, its tavern and restaurant alive with afternoon cacophony, not to mention the sickly-sweet odor of T'bakgo. Fortunately, the denizens appeared more apathetic towards Jinnah's presence, the two approaching the bar counter, where a ferretmaid tended to her customers.
"Ah, Lady Jin!" the mustelid greeted. “I tink you been to Djyambor, eh?”
“I didn’t overstai my velcome, and my good friend here is desperate to get home, ja.”
"Far south of here, to give a relative answer," Jaani responded.
“Good enough for me. So, you both fancy sometin to drink, eh?”
"Tvo milks," requested Jinnah.
“Coming right up!" The ferret faced the shelves with their myriad bottles of various liquors, her twin babes strapped to her back, and she poured the customers her milk into two mugs, being certain not to expose her bosom to them before pirouetting, placing the drinks in front of her customers. "Fresh from source, eh!”
"To a hopeful happy homecoming!" cheered Jaani as he raised his mug.
“Gud for you," Jinnah apathetically answered.
“You like usual, Lady Jin?”
"Certainly, ja."
"What would constitute 'the usual' here, madam, if thou mindest me not inquiring?"
“Roach steak an salad!”
"In that case, I shall have it as well."
Jinnah provided a few coins to cover the bill. The ferretmaid bid, “Tanks as always, dear!"
“Now if you’d excuse me, I must go to de lavatory."
"Yes, I am certain it hath been a while, but wilt thou return before our lunch is served?"
“I assure you, I vill.” Jinnah then whispered, "Dey don’t use Ma’ajyyk here, so I haf plenty of time.”
"Very well, then." As she departed, Jaani faced the ferretmaid and asked, "So, what news of Ferrojya?"
“Not much in dat regard, ja. King Færyys give his yearend speech to citizens, an he would surely agree, eh. What news from Asyyrgraad I may ask, in return?”
"In that regard, I acknowledge that I know not much more than thou probably dost, madam."
“Of course, ja. It is nature of Asyyr government to stay silent in such areas, eh.”
"Well, sometimes silence can be a good thing, a virtue, if thou wilt."
“True, but no one hear from Zanktkoenig for long time. Surely His Holy Majesty would at least give short message to herald new year.”
"Were I an Asyyr citizen, that would concern me."
“Some tink He has gone missing.”
"Another fair point of concern."
“No one hear anythin from any other family member, either.”
"Greater cause for concern, to be certain. Whence I hail, 'tis tradition for some other member of my--I mean, my homeland's--royal family, to step in and give news of how the country fareth, until the king proper recovereth and giveth his own message."
“Governments often work in strange, sometimes illogical ways, ja.”
"Aye, government rarely, if ever, changeth."
6
After around twenty minutes or so, the ferretmaid received two plates from a cook that had emerged from swinging doors leading into the kitchen, and placed them upon the counter before Jaani, saying, “Lunch is served, ja!”
"And she still hath not returned." Just then, he heard huffing and puffing through the din of the dining hall, accompanied by the Asyyr maiden returning to her stool. "Speaking of which..."
“Sorry, sorry, ja.”
"Where wert thou?"
“Dat is…none of your…business," she responded, quickly devouring her meal.
As Jaani took his time eating his, he suggested, "Perhaps I should take the reins when we leave. Thou canst navigate, shouldst thou be in suitable shape when we depart."
"Jes, dat vould be a sound plan.”
"Well, unless thou hast other, um, pressing business, shall we take our leave, then?"
"Sure ting!"
Jaani got up from his tool, awaiting Jinnah to do the same, though she was still somewhat huffing, the prince catching her when it seemed she was to fall to the floor.
He suggested, "Perhaps thou shouldst rest in my wagon."
“Dat vould be vonderful, ja.”
Jaani escorted Jinnah out of the restaurant, reaching the stables. Upon his arrival at the stable harboring his roach and carriage, the stableboy from before stated, "Lady Jin! You are okay?"
“I am fine, tank you very much."
“Jehu be wit you in your travels, ja. You too, sir.”
"I thank thee, young lad," bid Jaani as he climbed onto his carriage's driver's seat. Facing Jinnah, he inquired, "Dost thou know Ferrojya outside this town?"
“I fear not, no. Perhaps you can simply ride southvard. Dis island is on de vay to Anagumayra, so I am certain you vill eventually reach your homeland, ja.”
"To try hurteth not."
Jaani lashed his roach, driving his vehicle outside the stables into the streets of Heidelyyn, the prince seeking a clock so he could determine the current time. He saw one on a church that indicated around 8:30 TZ, assuming he was making good time on his quest back to Atturgraad. The wilds of the island kingdom quickly arrived, with the two headed into the unknown.
7
Jaani could heighten his travel speed once in the woodlands of Ferrojya, the current highway being fairly empty, unsurprising given the time of year, the weather obviously a deterrent for any prospective wayfarers. West through the hilly wilderness, the prince could faintly glimpse a lake, but he dared not gaze for too long, given his wish to remain careful in case of slippage on the snow-powdered route. The wild insects showed themselves not, with nary a spiderweb or anthill in sight, although the snow would undoubtedly masquerade the latter. During the journey, Jaani appreciated the serenity of this part of Bystopfia, with his homeland being one of the far more densely-populated countries in Anagumayra, not to mention all Baertaanjya, but as well, he looked forward to meeting his citizens again. However, the fear of how his mother would handle his return with a strange woman caused him dread.
They were on the road for a few minutes when they reached the next village in Ferrojya, Ljuzardia, whose inhabitants were mostly reptiles and ferrets, no landmarks of note, but the townspeople appeared kind and waved at the wayfarers before they reentered the hilly wilderness.
The woods, after a few more minutes, gave way to the village of Svinenna, its citizens comprised of porcines and the kingdom's namesake ferrets, with those outside their abodes seeming scarce, hardly a surprise given the winter weather, with Jaani and Jinnah quickly reentering the wilds.
Next came Nordskvarl, a hamlet inhabited primarily by squirrels and ferrets, which lasted longer and appeared mainly on the southern side of the highway. The road began to curve southwestward, with a great store bordering the northern side, Einmytr-high walls on both sides of the street.
Then came Arbaukk, its denizens being cervine, many who carried axepicks and appeared to be the mining type, wearing helmets to protect themselves from whatever ceiling elements sought to down them within the mines. Some of them, noticing the bullhorned prince, tapped their antlers in greeting, Jaani nodding back, the Kyymaer seeing wooden scaffolding leading into the nethers of the hills within the township.
After a stone bridge spanning the stream came the village of Nasumivik, its residents mostly mice and ferrets, with Jaani taking the highway southward back into the woods, the road straightening southward before curving into the next hamlet, also populated mainly by mice, called Streymaus. Here, the highway curved from southwest to southwest alongside the river, beyond which the riders could glimpse another township.
The road straightened east-southeastward, going into the bordering town of Hoovikk, where hooved mammals formed most of the population.
Then the highway reentered the winter woods, the river still bordering the north, after which came the twin villages of Fokskaling and Rivrtaun, the former which foxes dominated, and the latter which nautical races like otters, river and sea, the former saluting the prince once they gazed at him, and seals, the road curving due southeast back into the combined environs of river and forest.
The roadway gradually curved southward into the hamlet of Hossvilk, with its denizens mainly equine, the village begun by a bathhouse, and the river inhabited by a few horse fisherman, their nautical vessels appropriately sized to accommodate their larger frames--although boats with smaller beats like the nationally-dominant ferrets coexisted with them--within this township, the highway curved roughly eastward, the village's buildings dominant on its northern side, before the woodlands came again, with some forested land between the road and the northern river, the woods more distant on the southern side. At this point, the woods lasted longer, with the route undulating repeatedly, but still loosely transporting the prince and maiden southeast.
The highway would curve roughly westward, after which came the community of Colliefjord, whose inhabitants unsurprisingly were of the canine collie variety, and who cared not about the vehicle passing through their settlement.
Beyond, the road southwest into the mining hamlet of Œraaring, where countless wooden-bordered entryways led into various mines, Nybehlunken among them, happy to help their standard-size coworkers with whatever tasks they could find.
Afterward, the road ran south-southeastward through the wilds of Ferrojya, with the path ultimately curving southeast and another fjord becoming visible, through which trekked a few massive whales and dolphins that gave no heed to the landdwellers, but were mindful of the various vessels that traveled through the waters and were equally mindful.
The quaint community of Svindainna came as the highway ran east-southeastward, with brief scenery of waters to the north and woods to the south giving way to the larger settlement of Huvetones, its residents of the ungulate variety, the antlered and horned citizens tapping their respective head extensions in salute upon noticing Jaani. One of the chief sites was a quarry from which laborers extracted concrete, with various beasts of burden carefully conveying the resources to appropriate storage areas.
A larger city consisting mostly of hooved beasts, Hoovikk, came a few minutes beyond brief woods, the highway beginning to curve more southward. Here, bells from one of the churches heralded the arrival of nine Æklaak, with Jaani pleased that he and Jinnah had made time through this island kingdom. One of the primary sites was the National Museum of Ferrojya, which seemed active, although he didn't want to be distracted by it and thus carried on.
Hoovikk gave way to the national capital of Taurvshan, with most of its residents of the bovine variety, but ferrets were plentiful among them. Traffic was fairly light throughout this burg, the prince continuing southward.
The community that followed, Suuposst, was smaller than the capital, with its residents more mixed in terms of species makeup. At the southern side of this settlement was a tunnel that led underground through the mountains, with plenty of torches on both sides of the route giving light, and several side routes leading to Nybehlunken settlements, some of the little folk visible as well while the two traveled.
Jaani and Jinnah couldn't tell how much time had elapsed during which they traveled through the tunnels, although when they finally emerged into the town of Kirkharboor, the ten Æklaak bells melodiously sounded from its quaint church, which bore white paint on its walls and a gray roof. Several ships sailed from the harbor, although a bridge that was high enough to let vessels sail through its arches was present, with the wayfarers entering the bridge, traveling southwest to whatever destination lay at its terminus. Westward could they view a distant island, but another came after a few minutes with its own accompanying island.
When the bridge descended onto the island, it entered the settlement of Skopahaven, its residents mixed in terms of racial makeup, and beyond which was another tunnel through the mountains, several Nybehlunken occasionally visible. A few subterranean lakes appeared as the two traversed the passageway, with halflings saluting them and minding not that big beasts sought to make their way through Ferrojya.
The carriage emerged a few minutes later into the town of Saanderyr, with two primary lakes visible, snow-covered beaches also present, and a few residents in boats on the waters. One of the most notable sights here was an art museum, and a harbor from which ran a great bridge similar to that they had previously traversed.
Since the day still had time yet to expire, Jaani and Jinnah drove onto the bridge, with its disposition like that of the previous one, with occasional wayfarers and checkpoints where soldiers patrolled in case those who would commit misdeeds decided to chance them. The bridge landed on another island in the kingdom, but another town greeted them not, with the highway running southward along the isle's eastern side, the combined view of westerly mountains and easterly sea accompanying their current leg of their journey.
As the journey progressed, the carriage passed through the seaside hamlet of Skwirlvoy, its inhabitants a combination of squirrels and ferrets, a minority population of various other species in the mix. At the southern side was a cemetery centered by a church, with the travelers respectfully crossing their chests in honor of the deceased that had likely since transmigrated into other forms, intelligent or not. The mountains and nautical scenery continued beyond the settlement, occasional westerly roads leading underneath the mountains, a few Nybehlunken sporadically visible emerging or going the opposite direction.
After a few minutes came another great stone bridge, surprisingly not accompanied by a town, which ran south-southeastward with the highway, and was even larger, but the day had yet to expire, and the couple felt comfortable continuing, the evening still having a few hours remaining. They could occasionally glimpse vessels below passing through the nautical arches, and the soldiers at the guard towers seemed not to care about their passage.
The bridge eventually approached another island, with no village to greet the wayfarers. Almost immediately after the bridge lowered to the land did it descend into subterranean territory, with the scenery like that they had encountered during previous legs of their journey that had taken them underground. Miniature vehicles that Nibhaelunken controlled were occasionally visible on the opposite side of the highway, along with a few side roads that led to halfling settlements. The travelers took comfort at the serenity of these stretches of their journey but oddly felt not the need to converse during their trip.
The highway ultimately emerged into a valley, coupled by the ringing of eleven Æklaak bells, with a multitude of other roads making them slow their progress. They entered the community of Styyrvina, with the majority of its inhabitants of the bovine variety, but there were ferrets as well and other species in the minority. Their sizes were also diverse, the residences reflecting that, and the roads were sized enough to accommodate standard beasts. A few conversed, the occasional one pointing at the carriage, but they went about their own business afterward. The temperature was cold, albeit not to the point that there was snowy precipitation, but most of the citizens nonetheless wore thicker clothes that would undoubtedly thicken as winter transpired.
8
Jaani gazed upward and glimpsed three specks that gradually enlarged; two flew smoothly, but the other was erratic. When large enough, he could see the Gripfyyns, Jinnah seeing them as well, she and her companion waving at them, and after a minute or so, Uncle Bill and Aunt Shirley landed atop the wagon roof while Monty crashed into the road.
"Now here's a trio of faces I have not glimpsed in a while," Jaani indicated. "What bringeth ye to this valley town?"
"We wish simply to check upon Lady Jinnah and maybe discuss how we'll proceed at the local inn," Shirley answered as she puffed on her pipe. "You're making excellent progress, good prince, or shall we say, friar, brother, or whatever title you claim to bear falsely."
"I would never dare impersonate a priest officially. One could say I am simply outfitted in their clothes and am but a simple wayfarer."
"You're no 'simple wayfarer,'" suggested Bill, "though it's understandable since it'd be dangerous for all of Bystopfia to know you're a prince."
"I didn't know!" Monty said as he got on his feet through his slurred voice. After retching, he added, "Seriously--hic--who is this guy?"
"You really should cut back on drinking, son."
"I think it would be a perfect time to stop for the day," suggested Shirley.
"Well, we still have daylight, but I would not ignore the advice of Lady Jinnah's retainers," affirmed Janai.
"Yeah, I came up with the--hic--idea!"
"The Bouncing Bovine," Shirley mentioned.
"The--what?" Jaani gazed where Shirley had pointed, a sizable inn bearing a wooden sign depicting a white bull leaping joyously. "Ah, it seemeth to be a nice place, so mayhap we can confer there for the rest of the day."
“I am somevhat exhausted, especially after coming into Ferrojya, so I vouldn’t mind stopping for de day, ja.”
"Art thou sick? I remember back when we entered this kingdom thou wast absent back at the restaurant where we dined."
“None of your business, nosy! Let’s just stop for de day and listen to my aunt and uncle, eh?"
"Let us stable up, then," Jaani then suggested, turning his carriage towards the Bouncing Bovine's stables, driving inside, stopping and hopping off, a stableboy taking care of the roach and wagon.
9
The party of five headed into the inn proper through a door designed for full-sized and halfling beasts, Jaani encountering a familiar atmosphere of multilingual conversation, mostly Ferrojyan, but maybe a few other tongues derived from the Asyyr language. The sickly-sweet odor of T'bakgo greeted the visitors as they entered the restaurant and tavern, the otter Kyymaer, ewe, and Grypfaanen sitting at the bar counter, where a ferretmaid with a babe slung to her back smiled at them.
“Welcome to Bouncing Bovine, ja! What can I do for you dis fine evening, eh? Care for sometin to wet your whistles?”
"Red wine for me," requested Shirley, extinguishing her pipe out of respect for the ferretbabe, who cooed once she had done so.
"Same here," requested Bill.
"Beer for me--hic!"
"Monty..."
"How about you two?" the ferretmaid asked Jaani and Jinnah.
"Milk," they simultaneously ordered.
“Coming right up, ja!" The ferretmaid first poured the Grypfaanen their drinks, but hte milks were more labor-intensive. "Here you go, eh! You be eating here as well?”
"Aye, we plan to stop for the day, I believe," Jaani suggested, facing the Gripfyyns.
"Yes, we are," agreed Bill.
"Likewise," concurred Shirley.
"Fine by me--hic!" Monty proclaimed after taking a swig of his beer.
"So," Jaani began, "shall we talk about how to progress from here tomorrow?"
“I tink ve should order first before talking about dat, no?” Jinnah suggested.
"But of course." Jaani perused his menu. "Steak and lobster for me, with fried potatoes."
"Steak and salad for me, ja," ordered Jinnah.
"Fish and chips," Bill requested.
"Same," Shirley said.
"Another beer, please--hic!" gulped Monty, slamming his empty mug on the counter.
"Monty..."
"I got it all down, ja!" the ferretmaid assured, writing their requests and shouting them to the cooks behind the swinging doors. Then she poured Monty's additional requested beer and gave it to him. Afterward, she leaned onto the counter, crossed her arms, and asked, “So, you on vacation, or sometin?”
"Ja, ve are."
"Ferrojyan?"
"Asyyr, actually."
“Ah, Zanktkoenig’s country, ja. Fine place of birth, eh.” Facing Jaani, she asked, “An what about you, sir? Doing missionary work outside Asyyrgraad, ja?”
"I am, in a sense, but I am not Asyyr."
“I could tell by your accent, good sir, ja. From one of Aulven countries, eh? Somewhere in Baertaanjya, I tink?”
"Good guess, madam. One could say I was on a pilgrimage from my fatherland to visit Asyyrgraad."
“How you enjoy it? You go to twin cities?”
"'Twould not be a complete excursion into Asyyrgraad were I not to visit them. Hast thou been there, thyself?"
“Oh, no, since I am busy wit my baby an all.”
"Hast thou a husband?"
“Oh, ja, but he is out at sea doing his job an all. What your companions do?”
“I’m just a random maiden he happened to pick up in Asyyrgraad, ja.”
“You do realize monks must be celibate, eh?”
"Nothing of the sort. She accompanieth me in my missionary work."
"Yes, and my wife, son, and I are responsible for getting her safely to wherever she needs to go," informed Bill.
“Where you from, good sir, ja? I can’t place your accent, if you call it dat, eh.”
"We come from Okamihaimu."
"Never hear of it!"
"It's a country in Vanaerhyym," noted Shirley, "a country of mystics, a mix of old and new cultures."
“Mystics, eh? Sounds like Asyyrgraad in some way."
"But Asyygraad is far more advanced in terms of technology, isn't that right, Monty?"
"Damn right--hic!"
"Though there are certain societies across Bystopfia that take not kindly to Aesfyyren," noted Jaani. "Many in the Asyyrkirk, for instance, are closed-minded towards those with inherent talent."
“Ja, some believe dat Ma’ajyyk and miracles should stay inside de realm of de gods," injected Jinnah.
"Well, the Byybæl sayeth not to suffer a witch or warlock to live."
“Some translations render it mean malicious spellcasters," noted the barmaid. "Many priests an Zanktvatren through history not care about Ma’ajyyk folk, preferring to hang dem or burn dem at stake, eh.”
"New Yerushalyym," mentioned Jaani.
"New what, now?"
"A town in the Union, I think now Empire, of Vanaerhyym, within one of its myriad subdivisions, Maushulsetz."
"Never heard of it."
"Most beasts outside Anagumayra likely have not. Members of a breakaway Asyyr sect crossed the Ottalujya Ocean because many across Baertaanjya took not kindly towards them. They established several townships there, New Yerushalyym among them, and lived peacefully for many decades. One day, however, they glimpsed children dancing in the woods, which they interpreted as a Ma'ajyyk ritual, and launched several inquiries into what had transpired that would make them behave as such. Many blamed others that had no part in the incident, and the result was that most alleged warlocks and witches were hanged, one crushed under stones. When one of the townsfolk told those back in Anagumayra about what happened, an investigation showed that tainted food had caused many delusions, leading them to believe Ma'ajyyk was at work."
“Luckily, we Ferrojyans take much better care wit our food, ja.”
"That transpired roughly two centuries ago."
“Speaking of dat, here comes yours!"
Cooks emerged from the swinging doors and placed the dishes upon the table before the customers, who began eating in silence.
10
After the meal, an inebriated Monty's head was slumped onto the counter, with Shirley asking, "How much for the food?"
“If you stay here, dey are free.”
"We shall stay, then," agreed Bill. "How much for the rooms?"
“Two hundred Kyrœnen, Djuutish.”
"Aye, Ferrojya was once part of Djuutland," Jaani recalled Aulven history.
"Here you go," indicated Shirley as she gave the ferretmaid two hundred-Kyrœnen coins.
“Tanks, ja!" The ferretmaid then shouted, "Iljyuudo! Get your lazy butt here right now, eh! We have customers!”
“Ja, Ilyyæa, I’m coming!" a male ferret sitting at one of the restaurant tables responded, putting his mug down and going to the bar counter. After taking the two coins from his wife, he told the five guests, "Come along now!”
The Gripfyyns, Jaani, and Jinnah followed him through the restaurant into the lobby and up the stairs. He stopped before two adjacent doors and handed the Grypfaanen family their key and Jaani and Jinnah theirs. Into their respective guestrooms they went, the otter Kyymaer and ewe shutting themselves in theirs. Jaani was the first to enter the lavatory and dress into his one-piece pajamas, Jinnah taking her turn afterward and emerging in her nightgown. Into each of the two beds they crawled, inching themselves into comfortable sleeping positions and calling it a day, with Jaani wondering what lay en route back to Atturgraad, still worried about the reception of his traveling companions once home.