Final preparations and heading through the portal.

The day was a whirlwind of activity for the two. They turned off the unneeded appliances and let their friends and family know they would be out of touch ‘camping’. Then they went shopping. This time of year, the weather on the Mythfolk home world was meant to be warm, so they grabbed some extra travelling clothes and some large backpacks and packed everything they thought they would need.

By five o’clock, they were standing outside the portal, signing the last of the paperwork they needed, to exit. “This is so exciting,” Monica said as the human customs official handed us some advisory cards about what was known about the Mythfolk world.

Then they were shown through to the portal. It was not as impressive as either of them thought it would be, it was like a wall of heat shimmer, distorting vision, but they couldn’t see beyond it into the new world. They both tried to wait patiently, but both were eager and excited.

While they waited, Monica sent a message to Jan. “Mitch and I are visiting the Mythfolk Homeworld for a few weeks. I blame you.”

It didn’t take long for her to get a reply of a winky face followed by the word, “Enjoy”.

Suddenly they heard a high-pitched whistle come through the portal and the man near them said. “They are ready for you. Enjoy your stay, and watch out for gratha; that stuff packs a punch.”

Hand in hand, Mitch and Monica stepped into the shimmering field. The sensation was unnerving. Like going downhill in a fast car or roller coaster, their stomachs lurched for several moments, and then, they were on the other side.

Their eyes struggled to adjust for several more moments as their hands guided them away from the portal. As their vision returned, they found two Mythfolk smiling back at them. “Welcome,” said a woman with deep and dark skin. She stood about seven feet tall and was wearing nothing but an off-the-shoulder, triangular piece of fabric and a dark metal necklace adorned with a medallion. The cloth was roughly sewn and only covered half her torso, leaving one breast completely uncovered. Her whole body, what was visible, was heavily ordained with whitish scars, and she was very muscular. “I am Nicay, and I will guide you for a few hours until you get settled. The sun has just risen, so we have all day.” Her name sounded like Nikky, but with an extended ‘y’ sound like in away.

Mitch couldn’t help but stare. She looked strange, the angles of her face and jaw rounder and her ornamentally scared breast was large. “Umm,” he stammered.

Monica laughed, “I’m Monica, and this is Mitch. Nice to meet you, Nicay.”

Nicay tilted her head, saying, “If you come this way, Jorna has some refreshments ready to greet you all.” As more people from Earth came through the portal, they were guided away before joining their host at a spot covered with furs on the ground. Around them, there was a kind of settlement. Tents, semi-permanent and permanent constructions sat downhill from the portal. Beyond was a shimmering river with a wooden building overhanging a slow-flowing bend. There, an exceptionally fit and antlered man was serving food and drink. His back and sides were covered in a pattern, and red fabric seemed to hang from his antlers. He was wearing nothing, and it was Monica’s turn to stare.

“Gratha, wild berries and cured meats,” Nicay told them. Her English was good, heavily accented, but easily understandable.

Mitch and Monica settled onto one of the furs as Jorna approached with two small plates of the meat, berries and drink. Monica took a plate from him, but her eyes hardly left his crotch. Mitch laughed and jabbed his wife in the ribs, “I guess it’s your turn,” he laughed, referencing Monica’s jab in his ribs when they first met Kay.