Cory accompanies them

It wasn't a hard decision for Cory to make. It was that or wander alone in a foreign world, with whatever dangers it holds.

"That would be great." Cory responded. A little shocked with how easily the woman had lifted him up. Especially since she was a few inches shorter than he was. He wasn't tall or large, only 5'11" and around 185lbs. But on the end he shook it aside.

"Thanks... Stalia, was it?" He held out his hand, which she quickly batted away.

"We are not so formal yet for you to address me as such." She was a bit surprised and upset some random man treated her with so little respect, but she was also smart enough to not get upset considering his foreign situation. "Since you seem unfamiliar with these lands, I will introduce myself properly. I am Her Highness, Princess Aristalia Vergo, of the first house of Vergo, ruling family of Vergathia."

Cory tried to remember it, all repeating it in his head a couple of times before noticing a look of expectancy on her face.

"Oh... Um. I'm Cory Thompson, from Rigby, Idaho in the United States of America... My family are potato farmers..." He paused momentarily before giving an awkward bow.

"I like you, Cory. You're entertaining." Runa spoke up, breaking the awkward silence.

"We've wasted too much time, here." Stalia spoke back up, turning and walking toward a beautiful well kept horse that was standing several feet away. "Unfortunately, we only have our own horses, so you'll just have to try and keep up."

"How, rude." Runa piped in jokingly, then she turned back to Cory. "You can ride with me. My horse is a bit bigger than hers anyway, and I'm already the lightest one in the group."

"Um... Thank you..." Cory let the sentence hang out a bit.

"You can just call me Runa. I come from a noble family as well, but I've never been one for honorifics. Runa Arcwind, if you care for last names. Fourth house of Vergathia."

"Thanks, Runa. I'm still really confused about what is going on, and I really appreciate the help."

Runa saddled up, and reached a hand down to help Cory up. He took a seat behind the saddle, and looked for something to hold onto. As if she could read his mind she spoke back up.

"Just hold onto me, if you need to." Runa gave a little wink his way before turning forward, and tapping the horse with her heels.

Cory had ridden horses before, but it was always solo. The jerking of the horse forward made him instinctual ready for a hand hold, and the only thing he could find was Runa's waste. She smirked a little as she felt his hands grab into her. She was genuinely a nice person, but also couldn't help but be excited by the fun she might have messing with this new foreigner.

"I'm sorry for introducing myself earlier." Cory heard a soft voice to his side, and looking over at the silver haired woman riding nearby. "I felt it would have been rude to interrupt the conversation earlier." Her voice was oddly calming. Quiet and soft, yet completely clear and easy on the ears. Cory could only imagine she must have an amazing singing voice.

"My name is Lancia. I belong to no house of nobles, but rather I have devoted my life to serving the goddesses."

"It's nice to meet you, Lancia." Cory nodded his head in a simple bow. "Since you're probably the most familiar, who is Celestia Mira?"

"She is the Goddess of wisdom and judgement. She is symbolized by the eye. Ever watching. Being able to see all, she is the only among the three with the wisdom to properly judge the people of Vergathia."

Cory listened intently. He was stuck in this new world, and knew it would be smart to acclimate himself to the culture as quickly as possible.

Lancia continued speaking for several minutes, getting into the more ritualistic worship of the goddess and what it meant for her followers. Those who chose her as their focus spent most of their lives searching out and absorbing knowledge. Many of her eldest followers were in positions of judgement and council within the kingdom.

"I have not myself seen a ring exactly like yours before, but it is undoubtedly a gift from her to you." She lifted to a hand of her own, showing off a ring. Also silver, and ornately carved. At the top was a blue gem cut into a long shape, embedded as the blade on a sword. "I, myself, was chosen at a young age by Celestia Armada, goddess of victory and protection."

She went randomly silent for a moment. "...I will tell you more later. If you so desire."

Cory looked up and down Lancia. He would've been absolute sure she'd be some sort of cleric of a healing God with the robes she dressed in. But he also noticed as she grew quiet that her attention was caught elsewhere. In fact, all three of the women seemed focus on something.

He felt Runa shift a little in her saddle, and heard her voice whisper back. "Be ready to grab the reigns when I tell you to."

"Sure thing." He responded back, not really sure how he would, but with a feeling like the opening would be there.

He then started scanning the horizon ahead of them. It took only a second to see a dark robed figure several hundred feet away, standing in the middle of the road.

The group's speed slowed slightly, but they kept the horses marching forward.

"I am Aristalia Vergo, Princess of Vergathia! State your business or quickly move aside!" Stalia spoke with authority, commanding her voice well, but the dark robed figure just stood there. Cory noticed her tense up as they continued their approach, and put a hand on the hilt of the sword at her side.

"Runs." Stalia spoke up.

"As you wish." Runa responded. Cory felt her move the reigns back to his hands, and he gripped them, as he now felt obliged to try and keep the horse's pace steady. She reached back around him and came up with a bow and a quiver, quickly arming herself, then standing up in her stirrups as she knocked an arrow.

*Pfffffft!*

The arrow hit quick, and Cory could hear the thud of the impact as it nailed the figure in the chest.

"HeheheheheheHEHEHEHEHE!" The figure stood there, a creepy laugh echoing from behind the hood of his robes.

*Pfffffft!*

Another arrow now stuck out from his chest, but the figure didn't move. His laugh growing more and more menacing.

*Pffffft!*

The figure's head knocked back as a third arrow nailed him between the eyes, blowing the hood off. The head creaked back into place, showing a liver spotted bald head of thin white stringy hair. The eyes were completely sunken in and missing, and the rotten, barely toothed mouth continued to laugh horribly.

Cory had a hard time bearing with it. It's like the laugh was piercing his own mind, and singing louder in his skull with every passing second. He'd never experienced a headache like this one, and for a quick second he thought his nose may have started bleeding as well. He's not sure how he managed it, but he held the reigns tight as his vision began to go dark. He remembered seeing a flash of bright light, and Lancia's beautiful voice ring out before losing consciousness.