Bryson Coldwater found himself standing in a tranquil field of grass. He looked around confused, wondering where he was. He didn’t remember ever coming here, he didn’t even know where he was. How did he even get here?

Bryson did his best to think, he couldn’t remember how or where he came from. Okay… what was I doing here before this? Bryson thought for a moment. His mind went blank momentarily before he slowly managed to recall his steps.

“Right. I was stopping a cult.” Bryson recalled, “How did I get here?”

Bryson began to wander around a bit but found no landmarks he recognized and it felt as if the field went on forever. The more he moved, the more he realized how unnatural this place was. Now alarmed he began to carefully scan the area before he saw someone standing right before him.

The man in front of him wore a simple naval uniform minus the hat. What struck Bryson’s attention most was how similar this stranger looked. It was like staring at a warped reflection of an older version of himself with bright white glowing eyes.

“Hello there Bryson.” He said with a grin.

“How are you?” Bryson asked glaring at the strange man suspiciously.

“Oh you don’t know? I thought the pixie and the dryad would have told you this already. My name is Hallow.” Hallow said with a wide grin.

“She’s an anthousai.” Bryson said now in a defensive stance, “Where did you take me?”

“Easy there boy. I’m not here to hurt you.” Hallow said with a laugh, “Besides, I’m not even the reason why you’re here. This is all on you.” He said gesturing at the landscape.

“What nonsense are you speaking?” Bryson growled.

“What I’m saying is-” Hallow paused as he spotted something in the distance. Suddenly turning deathly pale Hallow made a noise akin to an angry hiss before vanishing.

Bryson confused looked backwards and saw nothing but endless plains. Turning back around he was greeted with another figure.

“Gah!” Bryson jumped as he saw the man before him.

The man resembled Hallow, though his facial features were a bit different. He was dressed rather differently as well he was in a form-fitting suit that resembled something one would wear to a funeral. On his head was a simple black bowler hat and he watched with silent amusement at the Bryson’s reaction.

“Bryson Coldwater it is interesting to finally meet you.” The man said taking off his hat as he addressed Bryson.

“Who are you?” Bryson asked thoroughly confused.

“Neither friend nor foe if that’s what you’re asking. I’m simply an observer, for now.”

“For now?” Bryson said brow furrowing.

“Once it ends, I will be there to collect.”

“What?”

“You’ll find out later.” The man in the suit said as he peered around the grassy flatland, “You better be careful next time. You aren’t in any real danger, but me having to be here is a bad sign for you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Bryson asked, as confusing as this man’s response was he realized that at the very least this stranger held no animosity towards Bryson, but his vagueness had Bryson wanting answers.

“You’ll find out when we meet again. Hopefully in Strarth properly next time. I am itching to try the local cuisine. Stay clever and careful. What happens next will be an interesting one.” He advised and Bryson felt everything disappear.

***

“Urrgghh.” Bryson groaned as he slowly opened his eyes. The first thing that hit him was a splitting headache, as he reached to rub his head his arms felt as though they were made of lead.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“Lord Bryson.” A voice, Florence’s voice said urgently.

Bryson blinked in surprise seeing her face appear right before him. As he looked up at her confused he saw Lottie and Kristel peer over to him as well.

“Lord Bryson, are you okay?” Kristel asked fear and concern filled her eyes.

“What happened?” Lottie said, her usual energetic demeanour replaced one with worry.

“Are you alright? Do you remember your own name?” Florence asked as she checked his eyes, shining a light at him.

“What? No, I’m fine.” Bryson snapped as he pushed the flashlight away and tried to get up, only to find that he lacked the strength to, “Help me up.” He ordered.

Kristel looked over to Florence for permission, who gave a begrudging nod of approval. Helping Bryson up he took a moment to recover as he felt the blood rush from his legs.

“Bryson.” Florence said quickly grabbing him in case he stumbled.

“I’m fine…” Bryson trailed off as he looked around the place. He at least recognized that they were no longer in the same room where they fought the cult members and that possessed man. They were outside in the forest.

As Bryson looked around he noticed the seven kids that were freed also standing about a bit further away looking at him in concern. Looking up at the night sky he noted that there wasn’t too much time that had passed.

“What happened and how long was I out?” Bryson asked.

“You were unconscious for about thirty minutes. We brought you here and treated you. Physically your wounds were minor but your mana reserves were nearly drained, you briefly stopped breathing, it could’ve been lethal.” Florence reported.

“How bad am I?”

“With your abilities you should replenish most of it after a night's rest.” Florence said begrudgingly, “But don’t think that means that you can do this again.”

“You think I want to?”

“Lord Bryson, what happened? You and the man vanished for a few seconds before you reappeared alone.” Kristel asked.

“It was a trick I learned a few years ago.” Bryson said which got only questioning looks from the others, “It’s complicated. I’ll explain it later. Are the others alright?”

“They're fine. We can take them back to proper authorities and family so they can be cared for.” Florence said.

“Okay, then let’s get out of these woods before. I think the mosquitoes are going to be the death of me if we stay here any longer.” Bryson said.

“Alright, Kristel keep an eye on him.” Florence ordered as she began to lead the group of kidnapped children out.

As they headed back, Kristel and Florence did their best to make the others feel comfortable. But to Bryson’s surprise, the one he was expecting to keep up group morale was strangely silent.

Lottie was looking much more reserved compared to her usually bubbly self. Something was wrong with her and Bryson and the other two knew it. She was looking troubled. Bryson slid next to Florence.

“I’ll be back in a moment.” He whispered as he indicated to Lottie. Florence said nothing but nodded and Bryson then approached Lottie.

“Come with me.” Bryson said abruptly.

“What?” Lottie said surprised looking at Bryson as if snapping out of a trance.

“It’ll only be a moment. Come on. I need to talk to you.”

“Can’t this wait? Don’t we need to take the others back home?” Lottie said not able to meet Bryson’s gaze.

“Then let get this over with quick.” Bryson said as the two retreated off to a more quiet area.

“What’s the matter? Is something wrong?” Lottie asked sounding nervous.

“Yeah, you. What’s happening?” Bryson asked once alone.

“Huh? What do you mean?” She said looking confused.

“Why are you so quiet? Is something wrong with you? Why are you so quiet? Did you get hurt without us knowing? You should tell Marsh, she can take care of you.” Bryson demanded.

“I’m fine.” She said quickly, “You’re more hurt than me.”

“Then why are you acting like that? You can tell me Frost.”

“It’s my fault.” Lottie said in a small voice looking down at the ground.

“What?” Bryson said blinking in surprise.

“If I didn’t ask you to come you wouldn’t have been hurt. Florence and Kristel were nearly… nearly…” Her voice broke as she began to sob.

“It didn’t happen.” Bryson said quietly, “Don’t blame yourself, I agreed to this, so did the other two.”

“But it was because of me that you guys came and you all got hurt.” Lottie sniffled.

“If we didn’t help who knows what would happen with the kidnapped children.” Bryson said as he gave Lottie a hesitant pat on the shoulder. Lottie in response moved closer into Bryson’s embrace.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” She cried on his shoulder.

“Eugh… it’s fine.” Bryson said begrudgingly accepting the hug before speaking in a far gentler tone, “You know how to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again?”

“What?” Lottie said pulling away from him.

“Get strong enough so that I won’t need to do something like that again.” Bryson said offering her a smile.

“Okay. Okay I will.” Lottie sniffled and whipped her tears away and nodded at him with a smile.

“Hmm.” Bryson grunted as he snapped his fingers and her tears and snot were instantly whipped away from the two of them, “Come on, let’s not keep the others waiting. They’re all concerned for you too.”

“Okay.” She said following him out. Once joining back with the main group, they continued their trek back to the city. Lottie almost immediately returned back to her usually loud, cheerful self.

“Good job Lord Bryson.” Florence whispered to him, “She looks better already.”

“I regret my decision immediately.” Bryson said hearing Lottie’s voice cheering on the kidnapped victims and filled them with hope.

“You truly are amazing Lord Bryson.” Kristel praised.

“Just keep walking.” Bryson growled. Though seeing Lottie’s cheerful face, Bryson couldn’t help but smile a bit. But only a bit.