I was having a dream. A dream where I was eating a hamburger. It was a very simple dream. I’d loved hamburgers. They were all I ate- though not always by choice considering how much of a miser my former boss had been. Lettuce, onions, and ketchup create a symphony of flavor as the taste of a quarter pound all beef patty cooked medium well-

“Rise and shine!” A cheery voice interrupted. I snorted and sat up. I was covered in thick furs of various animals in a room that got significantly brighter as Prudence opened my curtains. This brightness wasn’t due to any sort of sunlight, but rather floating orbs. The kind you see on ghost hunting shows that are there for a second and gone the next. Except these weren’t disappearing and I hoped that they weren’t soul Prudence kept around as glorified light bulbs. I want to fall back into the warmth of sleep and the pleasant hamburger dream, but Prudence hums a catchy tune that causes the bed to shift so that I roll out.

“Whazzat?” I grunt.

“It’s time for breakfast! We have a lot to do today and I need you awake!” She ruffles my hair affectionately.

“Knock it off. It’s not like I’m te-” Oh, God that’s right. I was a ten year old. Prudence gave me a hurt look and I sighed with defeat. “I’m sorry. This whole thing’s new to me and I just… I haven’t had any time to adapt.”

“I understand perfectly. Get dressed and come to the kitchen when you’re ready.” She then walked out the door. I let out another sigh. I had so many questions. ‘Maybe I should just go with it. If what Prudence said is true, I’m gonna be stuck here anyway.’ I think. I pick out a linen dress from the dresser and a pair of sandals that feel rough against my feet as I walk down stairs. Prudence has already prepared a meal of bear meat, bread, and blackberries. I gobbled it all down and had a glass of milk. “Thank you.” I said to Prudence, who had eaten a slice of bread and nothing more. She smiled. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you ate everything. The task I have for you today will not be an easy one.”

“Tasks? What can you have me do? I’m ten!” Prudence shakes her head. “Nelia, you simply must make up your mind about if I should treat you as a ten year old or a woman.”

The situation was a little more complicated than that. It was something we’d have to figure out later. I shake my head for now and she takes out a few books. “These are the history of the world you live in. I expect you to study them, learn about it. I simply can’t have you wandering around unaware of where you’re going. It’s begging for disaster! Why, you could be eaten by the Mountain Trolls of Arcania. Or devoured by the Nine Armed Cyclops of Whatootsie!”

Aaand there she went spouting names that would get any normal person thrown into an asylum. “I expect you to read about geography today. Tomorrow we’ll focus on history!”

“You expect me to read all of this in one day?!” I exclaimed.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I expect you to read it by the time I return from market.” My mouth dropped. “Do calm down. I am only making a joke. Take your time and learn my dear. I have flowers to sell. Ask Nolan if you have any questions. Prudence, awaaaaaaay!” She exclaimed as she shrunk into a sparkling green mass and vanished. I pinched myself before I began to read.

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I’d never been a very good student. I passed High School with A’s and B’s, sure. But that was because I either had help or cheated. While it surprised me how often I got away with it I never complained. These books reminded me why I’d gone through most of my schooling years cheating. The material was so dry it could pass for a desert. There were places that I couldn’t pronounce all over. I was lucky I’d ended up in a town simply called Vivid. It turned out that this new world was one continent with multiple nations that lived on it in harmony. The book went in depth to the different races and their characteristics. It honestly felt like I was ready a fantasy RPG guide. 

By the time Prudence returned- in a similar way to which she left- I was already though two of the books. “My goodness!” She gasped as she looked at my progress.

“What? Was I not supposed to read?” I ask.

“No I’m merely surprised by the fact that you’ve read so much. I was only gone for an hour.” Crap. At this rate I’d be Einstein. 

“Come with me.” Prudence ordered. She picked up the axe as she walked through the kitchen and out a door that I’d never seen. I followed her to a backyard of sorts. It was closer to a garden. Flowers of all shapes and sizes were planted in the earth or crept up toppled walls made of stone. The air was fragrant and filled with the sounds of birds that whistled in delight. Prudence led me to the center where the flowers had been cleared away from a stump with a single log of sitting on top of it. “I would like you to chop that piece of wood.” She said with a smile.

“Okaaay?” I said. I took the axe from her. I’d never held one prior to now so the little bit of weight that it had surprised me. What could I say? I didn’t grow up on a farm. I did know that the sharp end was supposed to hit the wood though. So maybe there was hope for me. I swing the axe down with all of my ten year old strength… and miss the piece of wood entirely. Prudence doesn’t laugh or mock me. She corrects me and lets me have another swing. Literally. This time I manage to cut the piece of wood in two. I lift the axe out and ask, “What was the point of that?”

“Oh, dear. It looks as though it wasn’t cut.” Prudence says.

“What are you talking about? I just cut right through it!” I look and the log has magically reformed. I frown and ask, “Are you screwing with me, Prudence?”

“Not in the slightest! I simply need that piece of wood cut up. Come back inside in an hour or so for a snack.” She says before leaving. How responsible. A senile old woman leaving a ten year old with an axe and an hour.