Aidan blinked against the early morning light streaming through his cell’s small, barred window. He stretched, wincing as his muscles protested the movement. His new cell was more comfortable than the dungeon, but the hard stone floor still left much to be desired.

As he sat up, the cell door creaked open, and Ysildea entered, holding a bundle of clothes. “Good, you’re awake,” she said, her tone neutral but with a hint of sympathy. “Put these on. You’ll need to be dressed properly for your work on the farms.”

Aidan grabbed the clothing Ysildea held out. The rough, simple fabric felt luxurious compared to his previous state of nakedness. He quickly dressed, feeling a small measure of dignity return. Ysildea watched him before she nodded in approval and opened the cell door completely.

“Come with me,” she instructed, leading him out of the cell and down a corridor. They entered a small dining hall with a table with a simple meal: bread, cheese, fruits, and a bowl of stew. The smell made Aidan’s stomach growl loudly.

Ysildea gestured for him to sit. “Eat. You’ll need your strength for the day’s work.”

Aidan sat and eagerly began to eat, savouring every bite. The bread was soft, the cheese creamy, and the stew rich and filling. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was until now. As he ate, Ysildea sat across from him, watching quietly.

After a few moments, she spoke, her voice softer than before. “I want to apologize for your poor treatment in the dungeon. We purposely underfeed prisoners to keep them weak and compliant. It’s not something I’m proud of, but it’s a necessary measure.”

Aidan looked up, swallowing a mouthful of stew. “I understand. It’s not my first time in a place like that. But thank you for this,” he said, gesturing to the food. Aidan noticed a brown orb floating behind Ysildea’s head, but as he tried to focus on it, the orb seemed to vanish.

Ysildea nodded, completely oblivious to Aidan’s stare. “We have to ensure the safety of our people. However, now that you’re working on the farms, you’ll receive proper meals. We need you strong and able to work.”

Aidan continued eating, feeling the warmth spread through his body. “I appreciate it. I’ll do my best to prove myself.”

Ysildea offered a small smile. “I believe you will. Just remember, actions speak louder than words. Show us through your work that you can be trusted. Can I ask you a question?”

Aidan looked back up as he chewed. Swallowing before he answered. “Sure. If I can answer, I will.”

Ysildea seemed to relax a little as she heard his answer. “Where did you get those scars? Your body seems to be covered in small cuts. Most seem to be in the process of healing or fading away. That’s not to even mention the massive slash down your back.”

Aidan listened as he watched another brown orb float across the dining room. HE turned his attention back just as Ysildea finished her question. “Most of my scars would be from fighting the goblins and other things that are in the forest.”

Ysildea shook her head as she questioned him again. “Why didn’t you heal them? Surely, you know that once the scar sets in, healing won’t be able to remove it. Only a full restore might.”

“They can’t be healed away.” Asked Aidan as he tried to understand if he understood her correctly. “That does explain why they haven’t gone away.”

“Oh.” Gasped Ysildea. “You didn’t know?”

“No. I didn’t.” Replied Aidan with a sigh. “Hopefully, people dig the scars. The other question you had. The three large scars on my back. That was from a bear that was trying to eat me. The person healing me didn’t finish the job, so I guess they are also there for good.”

Ysildea nodded as she listened with a small smile. “It’s ok. I think they make you look strong.” She said as she looked away before standing. Ysildea motioned for him to follow her. Leading him out of the dining room and through a series of corridors. Aidan could feel the crisp fresh air wash over him as they ascended a flight of stairs and stepped out into the open.

Aidan squinted against the bright sunlight as he took a moment to appreciate the breathtaking view of the rolling fields and the distant mountains. Ysildea waved for him to follow her as he guided him out to a group of workers already toiling in the fields. An older Elven man with weathered skin and a stern expression approached them as he noticed them approaching. “This is Thalion,” Ysildea introduced. “He will oversee your work here.”

Thalion eyed Aidan critically. “New human, eh? Let’s see if you can keep up.” He handed Aidan a hoe and pointed to a patch of land overrun with weeds. “Start here. Pull the weeds and turn the soil. We will be planting new crops tomorrow. If you have any questions, ask one of the other workers. I’ll be back to check on you later.”

Aidan nodded, taking the hoe and heading to the indicated spot. He watched as Ysildea spoke to someone before entering the doorway they had come out from. Aidan stretched as he began to work, his body quickly remembering the physical labour he had often performed during his travels. The repetitive motion was exhausting and oddly comforting, distracting from his troubled thoughts.

The hours passed slowly. The sun climbed higher, beating down on Aidan’s back. Sweat dripped from his brow, and his muscles ached. After being confined for so long, running for his life before that, the simple work felt almost peaceful. The other workers, a mix of elves and other non-human races, kept a steady pace, barely acknowledging him. Occasionally, Thalion would pass by, offering a grunt of approval or a curt correction.

As the day wore on, Aidan noticed a figure approaching, carefully walking so as not to step on the rows the others had completed. Aidan noticed as they came closer that it was the Elven guard who had first interrogated him in his cell. The guard watched him for a moment before speaking. “You work hard, human. But hard work alone won’t earn our trust.”

Aidan paused, wiping sweat from his face. “I understand. I’m just trying to prove myself. I never caught your name. I feel silly calling you the guard all the time.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The guard nodded. “Yes, true. The name’s Eldric. If you need me, ask around. Most people here know me. Keep at it. You are doing good here. Actions speak louder than words.” With that, he turned and walked away.

Aidan watched as Eldric, the guard, walked away. Their conversation had been disjointed, with Eldric jumping between topics as if pieces of other discussions had slipped in. It left Aidan puzzled, trying to piece together the guard’s intent.

As the sun began to set, Thalion called for the workers to gather. “Good work today. We’ve made progress. Tomorrow, we plant. Rest well tonight. You’ll need your strength.”

Aidan followed the others back to a simple barracks near the fields. The accommodation was basic but far better than his previous cell. He found a bunk and collapsed onto it, his body exhausted but his mind racing. He thought of his brother, wondering where he might be. The new world he found himself in was not that much different to an early Earth, with the mix of magic making it seem like a fantasy.

As he lay there, a thought struck him: this hard work, this toil in the fields, was a trial of sorts. If he could endure this and prove his worth through honest labour, perhaps he could earn the trust and help of the Elves and the other races. And maybe, just maybe, find a way back home.

The next morning, Aidan rose early, his muscles still sore from the previous day’s work. He joined the other workers in the fields, feeling determined. Today, they would be planting the crops.

Thalion stood in front of the assembled workers, his sharp eyes scanning each face. “Listen up,” he barked, his voice carrying authority. “Today, we’re planting wheat. Each of you has a specific job to ensure this is done efficiently and properly.”

He began assigning tasks, pointing to different workers. “Lindir and Elara, you’ll handle the ploughing. Make sure the soil is turned evenly. Naida and Feron, you’re in charge of irrigation. Check the channels and ensure the water flows properly. Aidan,” Thalion’s gaze settled on him, “you’ll be planting the seeds. Follow behind the ploughs and place the seeds in the furrows. Make sure they’re evenly spaced and buried just right. You plant the seeds one half-finger deep. Lightly rake the soil to cover the seeds, think you can handle that?”

Aidan nodded, taking the sack of wheat seeds, Thalion handed him. The rough burlap felt heavy in his hands, but he welcomed the weight. It was a tangible reminder of his task and his chance to prove himself.

He moved to the freshly tilled field section, watching as Lindir and Elara guided the ploughs, their movements synchronized and practised. Aidan figured this was not the first time they had done this. He followed, carefully dropping seeds into the furrows they created. He used his foot to cover each seed with a thin layer of soil, ensuring they were buried but not too deep.

The work was repetitive, but Aidan found a rhythm. The steady pace of the ploughs, the feel of the soil under his fingers, and the weight of the seed sack on his shoulder all blended into a meditative routine. His mind drifted to memories of his travels and the times he had worked on similar farms. Despite the different worlds, the basics of planting remained the same.

The only thing that Aidan still couldn’t figure out was the brown orbs floating around, seemingly at random. Aidan watched as they floated past some of the others, but no one reacted to them. Aidan figured either they were used to the orbs or they simply couldn’t see them.

Thalion moved through the fields, checking on each worker, offering a grunt of approval here and a sharp word of correction there. When he reached Aidan, he watched him work for a moment before nodding. “Good job, human. Keep it up. I’ll make a farmer of you yet.”

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the heat intensified. Sweat dripped from Aidan’s brow, and his muscles ached from the constant bending and moving. But he pushed through. The ache was a reminder that he needed to get stronger if he was going to survive. Far to make things had almost killed him since he found himself in this world.

By midday, the field was transformed, rows of freshly planted seeds stretching out in neat lines. Aidan paused to wipe his forehead, taking a moment to appreciate their progress. The other workers were taking brief rests, drinking water and chatting quietly among themselves.

Just as Aidan started planting again, the sound of shouting shattered the peaceful hum of his work. He looked up, his heart sinking as he saw a group of bandits charging towards them. The bandits were a ragtag group, their armour piecemeal and their weapons mismatched. Their faces were twisted with malice, eyes gleaming with the anticipation of violence. Aidan hesitated, a flood of conflicting thoughts and emotions swirling in his mind.

Should he fight or run? He was a stranger here. He was only trying to prove his worth and earn trust, not get involved in a battle he might not survive. This might even be a good time to slip away. Aidan ran through the options in his mind. A scream sounded to his right, and he made his decision. He couldn’t stand by and let the bandits harm innocent people. His conscience wouldn’t allow it.

The workers had scattered, some grabbing tools to defend themselves, others fleeing in panic. Aidan’s grip tightened on his sack of seeds before he dropped it and sprinted towards the commotion. He saw Thalion and a few other workers trying to fend off the attackers with their farming tools, but they were outnumbered and outmatched.

Among the chaos, one of the bandits, a burly man with a scar across his face, was wrestling an elf to the ground. Aidan’s anger boiled over. Without hesitation, he sprinted towards them, the world narrowing to the figure of the bandit. Aidan knew this would be just like his fight with the goblins all over again. He needed to be smart about how he fought.

Aidan tackled the bandit with a primal shout, knocking him off the elf. They tumbled to the ground in a chaotic whirl of limbs and immediately began exchanging blows. The bandit was strong, his fists crashing into Aidan with brutal precision. Each punch felt like a sledgehammer, rattling Aidan’s bones and driving the air from his lungs.

Pain exploded across his jaw as the bandit landed a heavy punch, and Aidan tasted blood as he gasped for breath. Aidan’s vision blurred with pain and fury. The bandit sneered, his scarred face twisting with cruel delight. “Weak,” he spat, delivering a brutal punch to Aidan’s ribs. Aidan felt something crack, and agony flared through his side.

Aidan roared in response, his fists swinging wildly, but the bandit was relentless, his blows precise and punishing. Aidan’s head snapped back with a particularly vicious punch, stars exploding in his vision. The bandit’s laughter echoed in his ears, a taunting sound that fanned the flames of his rage. Aidan knew he was losing this fight. The bandit was simply stronger and faster.

Aidan raced through options, scrambling to find a way he could win. In a brief moment of clarity, Aidan remembered he had learned the [Arcane Strike] skill that channelled magical energy into a physical attack. Focusing on the pain and rage that swirled in his mind, he shouted, feeling it pulse through him, mingling with his fury.

The bandit reared back for another punch, but Aidan’s fist was already glowing faintly with power. He swung his fist with a roar, connecting with the bandit’s jaw. The impact was explosive, sending a shockwave through the bandit’s body. The bandit’s eyes widened in shock as he collapsed, unconscious before he hit the ground.

Breathing heavily, Aidan stood up, clutching his side where the bandit had landed his punches. He wiped away blood from his mouth as he struggled not to scream from what he figured were broken ribs. He looked around to see the remaining bandits retreating; a few of the bandits lay on the ground, unmoving. Aidan guessed that the fierce resistance from the workers was proving too much for them.

Thalion walked over, raising his hands as he approached Aidan, a look of grudging respect on his face. “You fought well, human. Perhaps there is more to you than meets the eye.”

Aidan nodded, wincing as he moved. “Just trying to prove myself.”

Thalion clapped him on the shoulder gently. “You’ve done more than that today. Let’s get you cleaned up and see to those injuries.”