“I need to apologize. I may have judged you all before actually understanding the situation.” Nathan started. Both Peter and El gave him weird looks, and a slightly bit of questioning from El.
“I’ll explain, but it will take a few moments and I hope you believe me, even though I didn’t believe you. You see, I thought when you mentioned Magic and a bunch of other things like not having a phone or car, that you were country bumpkins or brainwashed by a cult.”
El looked hurt and Peter just looked more confused.
“I fully believe I am from another world. Where I am from, is a planet called Earth. There we have no magic, no adventurers, and no guilds like you have here. Our farmers and even the poorest of people know what a phone is, what a car is, and most know magic isn’t real. They do believe in other things, but at the end, your family just didn’t match up to what I would call ‘normal farmers’ back where I am from.”
“When I went to town and saw real magic, and the different types of people, although most looked human. I was in shock.” Nathan pointed to his eyes. “Before I came here, I had to wear glasses. I am 58 years young, but after saying it, I realize my body feels way stronger and healthier than before. I haven't had any real food or drank anything but I feel only slightly thirsty and mildly hungry.”
El held up a hand. “How do you know you are not from another part of the same world, where magic isn’t real. Perhaps you are the brainwashed person at this table.”
Nathan chuckled to ease the tension. “You know, I would almost believe you. But my people have mapped the entire world. We had technological marvels that are not something you can just keep hidden from an entire world. We have weapons, the ability to communicate across the entire world, dozens of modes of transportation that can carry you around the entire world in less than a day. I could write an entire book and put it in the hands of any willing person in a matter of minutes from any part of the world.”
El’s eyes widened at that thought, while Peter seemed to be thinking. “So, why do you believe it all now? That you are from another world?”
“Like I said, what I saw in town. I am a man of Science. I trust things I can see and prove with facts and logic. What I saw….there was no way to disprove it. I tried to come up with anything. Drugs, tricks of light, maybe even well made puppets and illusions. Yet, time and time again I couldn't prove that it was not real.”
Nathan let out a breath, as if a weight was lifted off his shoulders. “I hate to say this, but I need help getting back home.”
Peter looked to his wife and squeezed her hand. “Can you give us a few minutes please Nathan?”
Nathan nodded. “Of course, I understand it’s a lot to take in. If you have any questions I’ll be out on the front porch.”
Nathan went to the front and sat down while watching the sun set. It’s been a long day, and he was still second guessing himself in his bold claim.
“In another world...imagine that.”
He knew at least a hundred patients of his years that would love to be in his shoes, even more if magic is all it’s chalked up to be. The ability to heal with effort and energy instead of resources and medicine? It would be a miracle.
Nathan knew it was going to be too good to be true, but if he could get home and tell people that magic was...is real then he would be laughed at. That is unless he could prove it.
The idea of him casting magic was laughable. Yet it intrigued him. Going home and fixing patients that had no money to get the care they need all with a simple wave of his hands and the muttering of weird words.
Nathan then realized the downfall of this. Religion, politics, and so much more would be bashed into a new age as he is fought over, bribed, and possibly killed.
Nathan shuddered at that thought. If he did bring magic back home, he would need a way to spread it quickly. If he couldn’t, then would need to hide it. Performing miracles in the shadows.
He heard the door open and assumed it was Peter or El, to his surprise it was Nadiel. “Hey Mr. Shultz.”
“Hello there Nadiel, would you like to join me in enjoying this wonderful sunset?”
The boy nodded and sat next to Nathan. “You know, you can just call me Nathan, or if you want to be friends, then Nate.” He smiled at Nadiel.
“Then you can call me Nady. Everyone else does.”
“So Nady, what brings you outside with a strange old man.”
“Eh I wouldn’t call you old, but I wanted to know about germs, or well science. You mentioned it earlier today.”
“Ah I see. Well germs are these super tiny little things. They have proper scientific names, but we don’t worry about that today. Everything has germs, and there are different kinds. You have germs, I have germs, the ground, even water has them.”
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Nadiel tried to squint his eyes while looking at his arm.
“No, you won’t be able to see them with your naked eye. They are super tiny, think of the smallest thing possible, then even smaller than that. Now, not all germs are bad. But those that are, can cause you to get sick. I assume you’ve been sick before yes?”
Nathan got a nod in response. “That’s why. So long as you keep things clean, and avoid nasty things like dirty food, or dead animals you will be fine and live a long healthy life. I could go into more and more detail about them, but that would take a long conversation and we would have to talk about several other things.”
“So how do we get rid of all the germs? That way we don’t get sick anymore?”
“Oh, that’s very hard. Like I said, they are everywhere, and can also be helpful. It’s how dead animals decompose, and how your own food is digested. If not for germs, life would be difficult. They break down the food and it’s nutrients so your body can absorb them and become strong and regain all your energy from a long day of work.”
“What’s nutrients?”
Nathan continued the conversation, going down a rabbit hole of questions from Nadiel. It was about an hour before Nathan heard Peter open the door. “Come on back in Nathan.”
Nathan looked at Nady and patted his leg. “Well friend, I better go and talk to your parents. If you have any more questions, I will be happy to answer them, but let’s wait till tomorrow alrighty?”
Nadiel nodded and headed upstairs to his room. It was almost bedtime for everyone on a farm. Nathan sat back at the table, and saw El looked a little red, as if she got done arguing with Peter.
“Going to cut to the thing you are probably most worried about.” Peter said. “For now, we think you are telling the truth. That said, we can’t do much to help you, but El might have an idea.”
She took a deep breath and glanced around as if someone might be listening. “There are some things we would like to keep secret, much like yourself I assume. I used to live a life that was much more active than being a farmers wife. I have a friend who I can send a letter to and see if I can get some answers on a way for you to go back home. It’s the most we can help.”
Nathan was ecstatic by the news. “Well, your friend isn’t anybody shady or does anything illegal does he?”
El hesitated. “Not illegal no. Morally questionable? Yes. We worked together, and he owes me a favor or two still. It will be some time before the letter reaches him, and even longer for him to get an answer. Till then, we are willing to let you stay here if you promise to help out on the farm. With Peter’s arm as it is, we would be severely behind on work.”
Nathan nodded in agreement. “And if you don’t mind, perhaps we can help each other some. Teach me of your world, so that way I don’t stick out like a sore thumb. If possible, I would be more than happy to help here, but I am afraid manual labor isn’t my forte. Is there a drug store or a clinic something where my skills are better suited?”
They both shook their heads. “No, not unless you can use magic, which you have claimed to have none of. I imagine you also have zero experience, and not even registered with a single guild if you just arrived this morning.”
“I have some experience in my line of work, I can promise you that.” Nathan retorted.
“Sorry, you don’t have Experience at your world either? From learning skills, or killing monsters?”
Nathan was growing confused. “We know what experience is. It’s what happens when you learn something or a skill by doing it or studying.”
El blinked. “It’s kinda like that? Shoot, it’s hard to explain without showing you or seeing it first hand.” She tapped her chin. “It’s going to take a lot of work to teach you our way of life here. Especially with not knowing about magic or Experience.”
“I am a fast learner, I didn’t get to where I was in life without being so.”
“We will find out tomorrow when you work.” Peter laughed. “For now, you will have to sleep down stairs. We have a couple spare blankets we use for winter you can borrow, but you will either have to sleep in a chair or on the floor sadly.”
Nathan waved a hand. “Having a roof, food, and someone I can trust is more than I expected after today.”
Peter gave Nathan some stuff for his night, and soon he was alone in the dark. It took him a long time for him to fall asleep, but he sadly had no clue how long. No clocks existed in their house, though they do exist in town.
Nathan woke up to a rising sun and the sound of people thundering down stairs. He groggily got up and rubbed his eyes. Instinctively he tried to reach for his glasses, but remembered he didn't need them anymore.
“Rise and shine Nathan.” Peter said. “We will have a quick breakfast, and Marcilio will help get you situated. Nadiel and I are going to finish fixing up the shed. Feel free to ask him any questions you got, if he can’t answer them, El will be able to during lunch or at the end of the day for ya.”