Zer was feeling a little wobbly after riding a horse for the first time. Saying it a little would be actually not correct as riding it for three days had made him sick of horses. Maybe there would be a word called horse sickness in the language. Zer has noticed a strange thing. It was that he could understand and even talk in a very new language. It was just as instinctive as his mother tongue. Even talking in a different language poses some problems and hesitation. But it was completely bizarre that he could smoothly converse with a foreigner without knowing a single word of this language before. And thinking about the reason, what else could he even think? The whole event of being suddenly transferred to an unknown forest of a different world from his room suddenly was as bizarre as an elephant flying with wings.

But Zer had a very great ability. It allowed him to make rational decisions even when faced with chaos and uncertainty. Indeed, Zer found himself in an unfamiliar and savage world, where even his first encounter with someone named Victor held the potential danger of his life being at risk. However, he managed to survive that challenging situation and overcome the initial hurdles of this new and perilous environment. Certainly, Zer's luck shone through when he encountered someone as kind as Victor, who not only spared his life but also extended a helping hand by guiding him to his village. This act of kindness opened a door to new possibilities and connections in the unfamiliar world he had been thrust into. Victor could've just decided to abandon him there, feigning ignorance of his existence. That action could've led Zer straight to oblivion in the wilderness. Traversing the forest and seeing the ferocity of wild animals firsthand with his own eyes made him deeply believe that he never could have come out alive from that forest. The more he was afraid of that possibility, the more awed he became after seeing Victor who single-handedly defended them from any danger.

Zer was sure that Victor could easily kill a lion with his own hand. After thinking about it a shudder went down his spine. He glanced at the man walking with him holding the reign of the horse. It was necessary as Zer didn't know how to ride a horse and this foolish horse was also not very cooperative, often making the situation even more challenging for him.

Zer looked ahead at saw a beautiful valley covered with greenery between two streams. At the convergence of these sinuous streams, emerged a crystalline lake, its surface a mirror reflecting the skies above. It's as though the very essence of tranquility was captured in this embrace, where ripples dance like whispers and the shimmering water conceals secrets known only to the winds. Nestled against this serene lake stood a small village. For Zer who had experienced the marvel of modern society, this village, seemingly frozen in time, exudes an aura of rustic charm. Rooftops adorned with terracotta tiles peep through the canopies, and narrow cobblestone lanes intertwine like the threads of a story waiting to be unwound. Amidst the humble abodes, the chimneys exhale gentle plumes of smoke, showing the signs first human in this new world.

Zer was entranced, the scene before him a living embodiment of an old painting, each element carefully brushed onto nature's canvas. The lush valley, embraced by the sinuous streams, felt like a sanctuary untouched by time.

But Victor's voice shattered Zer's reverie. "Do you see that village, Zer? That's Atralia. My home.", Victor's lips curved into a knowing smile as he observed the captivated expression that adorned Zer's face. A shared understanding passed between them, an unspoken acknowledgment of the beauty that had momentarily seized their senses. In response to Victor's gentle prompting, Zer nodded his head in swift agreement. They turned away and began their descent from the mountain's lofty perch, their steps now carrying them towards the village that lay nestled within the verdant embrace of the valley.

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When they reached the valley, Zer's eyes caught sight of a youthful figure, a boy of perhaps twelve or thirteen summers, holding a wooden branch in his hand, sprinting with unbridled enthusiasm toward their path. The boy's visage was a canvas of innocence, illuminated by a smile that radiated the unspoiled joy of youth.

But after coming to some distance, the boy stopped as he was remembering something and then called out for them. his exclamation infused with a mixture of excitement and yearning. "Father…father! Can I accompany you now? I want to venture with you."

The urgency in the boy's plea was unmistakable. But seeing this Victor only clicked his tongue as understanding the implications behind the boy’s words like he was experienced with this kind of event, he asked, “ What sort of delightful chaos have you managed to cause, young Saver?”

………………

Zer was clad in the worn attire of the bandit that Victor had provided during their time in the forest. Upon their arrival back in the village, one of Victor's immediate actions was to furnish Zer with fresh linen shirts. This hospitable gesture was swiftly followed by introductions to Victor's own family members. In fact, the shirt was also borrowed from Rekan, Victor's brother who was a man of few words. But he didn’t hesitate to provide him with his clothes as Zer’s build was quite similar to his although he was leaner than Rekan.

In the context of this secluded mountain village, the appearance of an unfamiliar face was undoubtedly an anomaly, prompting curious glances from the villagers.

To ease any potential concerns, Victor adeptly wove a narrative, presenting Zer as a companion hailing from a distant land. The contrast of Zer's ebony black hair against the local populace's fairer hues lent authenticity to this portrayal, a simple yet effective means to reconcile his unfamiliar presence within their close-knit community.

Following the introductions, Zer acquainted himself with Victor's family members. Among them was Haley, Victor's wife, a woman in her mid-thirties. She exuded a warm and inviting presence, characterized by her gentle demeanor. With her curly, dirt-brown hair and warm brown eyes, Haley's appearance seemed to echo the sincerity of her good-natured temperament.

Also present was Rekan, as Zer had previously observed. Rekan's reputation for brevity held true, his words sparing and meaningful. Throughout their interaction, Rekan's responses were limited to a single nod, giving away little of his thoughts. While initially, Zer had entertained the idea that Rekan might not welcome the unexpected presence of a stranger in their midst, this notion dissolved as he noted that Rekan never once inquired about Zer's origins – neither from Victor nor from Zer directly. This reticence, rather than stemming from suspicion, seemed more a hallmark of Rekan's character.

In the mix was also Saverik, Victor's son, whose mischievous grin and observant gaze hinted at a playful nature. The boy's age likely hovered between thirteen and fourteen, an age when youthful curiosity often sparked boundless energy. Zer had already sensed Saverik's vibrant enthusiasm even before setting foot in the village. Zer pondered the workings of the boy's mind. What intricate schemes or fantastical musings could be weaving through that young consciousness?

In the household, there was also mention of Victor's daughter. Yet, her presence was notably absent due to an illness that often confined her to the solitude of her room.