him of the time his father took him upstate to visit his uncle’s farm.
As his focus returned, he could see that he was indeed lying in a bed – one made up with fresh linens and a thick blanket. The room was small and furnished with a compact dresser and wardrobe. The window to his right was open and the white curtains in front of it were pulled far back, allowing the brilliance of a clear day to shine in.
Ethan took a moment longer to survey his surroundings. He had no idea how he had gotten here. The last thing he remembered was hurling himself through the portal with arms locked tight around Jonas.
He was just about to get out of bed when he realized that he was no longer wearing his uniform. In fact, he was completely naked. Wrapping the blanket around himself, he walked over to the wardrobe. Inside he found a tan shirt and brown pants, along with a pair of dingy leather boots. The pants and shirt were a bit too big for his thin frame, and the boots a touch tight, but there was nothing else available. At least he found a belt hanging on the door to keep the pants up.
He was about to explore outside the room when the corner of his eye was caught by something moving at the window. A more direct look had him staring in utter disbelief. There, sitting on the windowsill, was what he could only describe as a tiny dragon. It was no bigger than a house cat. Black scales shimmered in the sunlight, and needle-like spines protruded down the entire length of its slender back and along a tail that was nearly as long as its body. White, razor sharp teeth peeked out of its mouth as it cocked its head and looked at him with reptilian shaped eyes that were deep blue in color. It seemed to be regarding him with intense curiosity.
Ethan simply stood there, mouth agape. Then a noise from outside the door caught the dragon’s attention. Spreading its leathery, bat-like wings, it immediately propelled itself up and away. Ethan ran to the window and poked his head out, hoping to see where the creature had gone, but it had already disappeared. There was nothing but a cloudless sky and a blazing sun.
The door behind him opened. Ethan spun around to see Jonas standing in the doorway, a look of concern on his face.
“I’m glad you’re finally up,” he said. “I was beginning to worry.”
“What the hell is going on?” Ethan demanded. “Where am I? What have you done with my things? And where’s Markus?”
Jonas held up his hand. “Please, one question at a time.” He examined Ethan’s attire. “I’ll get you some better fitting clothes later.”
“I don’t give a damn about the clothes. Just tell me what’s going on, or I swear to God I’ll…”
He got no further. All of a sudden Ethan could feel his head beginning to swim and his legs wobbling.
Jonas rushed to his side and helped him over to the bed. “Take things slowly,” he said. “The portal must have had a harsher effect on you than it did me.”
Ethan pushed Jonas away. “Answer me.”
“I told you before we came,” he replied flatly. “We’re in Lumnia.” He could see that Ethan was struggling to accept the situation. “Come with me,” he added. “There’s food in the next room. I’ll tell you what I can while you eat.”
At first Ethan didn’t move, but after a moment was forced to accept that he had little choice if he wanted to make sense of things. He needed answers, and Jonas was the only one who could provide them. He followed the older man out of the bedroom and down a narrow hallway that led into a large room with a hearth, a stove, and a roughly crafted table with several matching chairs. The walls were bare aside from a few hanging pots and pans, and the floor was covered with a frayed rug that spanned most of the room.
On the table was a wooden bowl containing what looked like porridge, together with a clay cup filled with water. Jonas waited until Ethan had taken a seat, then sat across from him.
“I understand how confusing this must be for you,” he began.
Ethan ate a spoonful of the porridge and frowned. “Not very tasty.”
“I don’t doubt it,” said Jonas. “The people here are simple farmers and unable to afford much in the way