You rap hard against the thick wooden gate and a small window opens up. It's a not a small pointy nosed goblin refusing to let you see the wizard that answers but a large nordic-looking man who grunts some sort of greeting at you. You stare back at himand shrug, then motion helplessly to your ears. The man's eyes narrow but the small window closes and you hear rustling before the large gate swings forward. You prepare to step forward but the large nordic-looking man proves to be just that and steps in front of you. His arms are crossed against his very broad chest decorated in armor that glints in firelight. A long sword hangs on his left hip and a dagger long enough be another hangs from the right. While you're examining his weaponry he is examining you.

"Starbucks?" he questions unexpectedly. It's a struggle but you keep yourself from saying anything. Unfortunately body language says a lot and yours just said you recognized the word. "You smell like coffee," he clarifies.

"I figured by now I smell trees and animal crap," you confess.

"Nope, you smell like soap and burnt coffee. You always will here." The words are gruff and despite the friendly topic he's still standing firmly between you and the gate.

"The scary woman in the forest said not to talk to the natives." The words just fall out of your mouth in the absence of continued conversation from him.

"The scary woman was right. Fortunately I'm not a native," he says as he uncrosses his arms. You must have looked eager because his shoulders sag with the next words. "But I'm not going to let you in either. You won't last the night before someone drags you back to me then I'll be stuck with horrible task of removing your head from your body. Head that way," he points into the darkened forest. "Follow the river until dawn and you'll find a cottage. Anne-Marie lives there, she's a fallen like you and me. She'll help you if you help her." You're not looking forward to entering that forest again but you nod and give your thanks before trudging back into the dark.

Walking along a river bank isn't too difficult and morning comes either through the passage of time or your desperate pleas. And the directions are accurate. There's a wooden cottage up a very steep bank from the river but from this angle you can easily climb a gently sloped hill. The grass on the hill is slick from early morning dew but you managed after only slipping once. There is a woman in front of the house sitting on the step. She smiles as you as you approach.

"Another," she nods. "Good, I was getting lonely." She stands and looks you over, particularly your bare chest. "And a young, fit one," she smiles. The talking like you can't hear her is unsettling so you speak up.

"The guard said you would help me," you say and she nods again.

"As long as you help me." You look around the little cottage that is barely big enough for one. There a couple chicken scratching the dirt and a tiny plot of vegetables growing. You wonder what the woman could need help with.

"Alright," you answer and the woman grins broadly as she takes your hand leads you inside.




Congratulations! You lived and you found a way to learn and survive in this world!

I'll be back later to tell you who you are so you can look for the next part of this story.