Chapter 11: Lone Wanderer

Zack

16 years ago

Year 857

Zack woke up slowly. His body hurt all over, aching and popping as his body began to animate once again. He found himself lying in a bed, in a small room alone. Where am I? Zack thought to himself as he slowly sat up. He twinged from the pain but beared through it. The window nearby let through enough sunlight to light the room completely. He looked to be in someone's bedroom. It was well-kept and even had a small stone fireplace. How did I get here? I thought I was still in The Crucible. Zack carefully got himself out of the bed. He found his red cloth on the bedside table. It was obvious someone brought him here, however, Zack was far too exhausted to think clearly. He took it off and tied it back around his bruised arm. This scarf was the only thing from that place he could truly call his own and he would not lose it. As he tried to stand his muscles and tendons screamed in pain but he pushed through it, He was used to the feeling as his body told him to stop only an hour after he left the bandit camp, Besides, He had been through worse. He doubted he was captured by any enemy or bandit, They would most likely have killed him already. He pushed open the door and found a young man, roughly the same age he was, leaning over a desk and mulling over a large map on a dinner table with scribes and feathers littered everywhere. He looked up sharply at the sight of Zack in the doorway with a surprised expression. He quickly rushed over to support Zack as he hobbled over.

“Whoa, hey you're gonna hurt yourself,” He said in a concerned tone. The man had an Atlus accent but spoke a lot more clearly than boys his age.

“I’m…fine,” Zack said in a pained and tired voice.

“I suppose you haven’t looked in a mirror recently. You're in no state to walk around.” Zack was too weak to protest and was brought back to the bed where the well-spoken man placed him back down gently against the fabric. Zack sat on the edge of the bed and held his hand to his head from the pain he felt.

“Where am I” Zack said with labored breathing.

“We're in a small town west of Atlus city.” Zack looked up at the young man. He wore a blue tunic with loose brown trousers with several brown belts wrapped around his hips. The man had blonde flowing locks that were pulled back into a smart style and didn't have the untrusting face that Zack was used to seeing. “I found you on the outside of the Crucible about a day ago. You were passed out when I found you and in worse shape then than you are now. I took you to the nearest village and luckily I was able to find someone who didn't mind me borrowing their home to let you rest.” the man looked down at the red scarf Zack had tied around his arm.

“Ah, I see you have found your scarf, Good. I found that alongside you as well. Thought I would bring it along just in case it was important to you.

“So this isn't your home?”

“No, of course not. Settling down isn't in my lifestyle as of yet,” he said with a small chuckle

“Why were you out in the Crucible?” Zack asked.

“My men and I were trying to track down some bandits. We got a report from this town actually they had stolen from some of the people. That was actually how I managed to get us this house. By promising me and my men would take down their faction entirely.” His men? He couldn’t be any older than me and he was talking like a military captain.

“What do you mean your men?

“I mean as in my crew of men, I lead a small group of mercenaries who deal with those rats who call themselves bandits.” He moved closer to Zack and knelt down to him. “Might I ask? What happened to you?”

“I uhh…” Would he mind knowing where I came from or what I did? Perhaps not but Zack’s head hurt far too much for him to recall events clearly.

“Perhaps now is not the best time. You still seem a little shaken from the events.”

“Could I join your crew?” Zack surprised himself with how fast that came out of his mouth but it was the truth. A chance to get back and tear down the bandits who ruled over his life for his childhood. It wasn’t an opportunity he wanted to pass up. How long had he sat in that hut, wishing he could do something, anything to affect his fate, But in the end, utterly helpless.

“Hah, you're certainly full of surprises” The man stood there for a few moments and gave it some thought.

“Perhaps we can discuss it once you have healed properly. You are about the same age as the other soldiers in my crew so I’m sure there would be no qualms.”

“So theirs no adults in your army?” Zack said curiously

“I would hardly call it an army, There are only about 20 of us so far but yes, we are all about thirteen to fifteen years old or so. A lot of the men wish to keep it that way as many of them have known each other a long time and they believe it brings their brotherhood closer.” That sounded nice A crew of similar men to himself, maybe not in their past but definitely in their future. The future where bandits would think twice about doing as they please. Zack tried to move but flinched in pain from his shoulder.

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“Please get some rest. I’d be glad to see you help us but not in this state.” The man raised himself and lifted his hand above the empty metal mug that sat on the bedside counter. Blue light rose in specs above his hand and water came flowing from his palm at a steady pace, filling the mug with clear fresh water. Water magic, He’s my age and he can already use magic?

“Please, make sure you drink it.” He shortly left the room. Leaving Zack alone in the quiet room. The birds chirping outside were the only noise to enter the room. Zack for no reason began to weep. A tear escaped his eye and sat in there as he layed in bed, it clouded his vision as he sobbed in the bed. He held his forearm to his eyes to wipe the tears and cover his face. These memories won't leave my head. Despite Zack being in a better position in life and safety. The mental scars left behind by slavery wouldn't fade. Not to mention the feeling of being inches away from dying, being beaten down slowly by someone he thought he could trust. The memories played fresh in his head like he was living them all again. He would never be the same person again, he felt something deep within him. He felt it was anger…pain was all the hand of god had dealt him. No, it shouldn't be towards the gods. There was no point in directing his anger to beings he couldn't see. The better option was to follow through with his offer to the man and join him with the goal of breaking down the factions of bandits. This seemed to settle his racing mind. What did he ask again? Ah right…sleep.

Three days had passed and Zack finally felt fit enough to leave the bed. He only woke a few times during the seventy-two hours. It was as if his body knew how bad of shape it was in and wouldn't take no for an answer. A lot of his bruises remained but his strength had returned. Beside his bed sat a pile of neat and clean clothes left on a stool. On top of the clothes layed a scribe, He wasn’t able to read what it said however due to only learning how to speak English. The clothes were a pair of stiff black trousers, a set of black belts, a pair of heavy black boots, and a white buttoned uniformed shirt. It looked similar to the ones that the military wore but was most likely made for him or one of those young soldiers considering its size. He quickly dressed himself. The sensation of wearing something other than dirty rags was strange at first but much more liberating. Zack finished dressing himself by tying his red scarf around his arm once again. It looked much better against the white than it did against his rags. He quickly left the room but found the neighboring room devoid of the man he had spoken with previously. Instead, a middle-aged Ketan woman stood chopping and wiping down on her countertop in the cooking area. She was roughly the same height as Zack with her tail protruding out of a hole in her dress, fairly standard for most Ketan women. She had long brown hair that came down to her waist.

“Ah you’re awake”

“Have you seen uhh…” Zack was unfamiliar with the man’s name and stumbled in his request for a moment. “Is this your house?”

“Yes?” said the Ketan lady with a slight laugh. Zack quickly panicked realizing he was a stranger to the woman.

“I…I’m not a bandit by the way!” The woman remained calm and gave him a soft smile.

“Calm down I know. The young man filled me in on what happened to you. I agreed to let him borrow that room to let you rest. You look to be feeling better now”

“Did you know where he is now?” He asked still slightly panicked. Hoping he hadn’t left the town without him. The woman furrowed her brow and looked up.

“I believe he went to the stalls for supplies, I think that's what he told me yes.” She turned and pointed towards the door.

“If you take the path outside the door and follow it you should find the town centre, The stalls will be there and hopefully your friend will still be there.”

“Right!” Zack quickly rushed to the door, just about falling as he did.

“Make sure you thank him now! He’s done a lot for you so please be kind to him” Zack acknowledged what she said but didn't reply, too focused on getting to the stalls as quickly as possible in the hope of catching the young man before he left. He was truly indebted to this man and would not let this opportunity go. As he ran through the town he was distracted by the bustling crowds and the lively atmosphere, it felt so much different to anything he had experienced at a bandit camp. So loud, yet so calming. In the bandit camp, The place felt like a torture chamber mixed with a war camp, but here he felt like he could relax. It was a strange feeling but one he was willing to invite. Despite being distracted, he kept a good pace and did as the woman instructed. Eventually, he reached it, the town plaza. It was the most amount of people Zack had seen at once and he had to stop to take it all in. Had this really been what he was missing living as a slave, He looked among the vendors and their stalls. So many people. So many foods and trinkets and smells, it was all so much.

“Ah, there you are!” Zack’s trance-like state was broken by a familiar voice. He turned to find the same man who tended to him before walking towards him. He wore the same blue attire as before and was highlighted among the crowd by his smart blond hair. The man walked to Zack and placed his hand on his shoulder.

“It's good to you up and about, you're looking much better. Were you able to read the letter I left?” He asked with a curious tone. Zack’s excited look shifted to a perturbed look.

“Oh um no…” He admitted slightly embarrassed.

“Ah well, that's alright. You seem to understand the meaning seeing as you are wearing the garbs I left. They suit you quite well actually. I had one of my men scout them out for you in the hope you would join and you certainly look the part now.” The man gestured behind him to the member of his crew he was referring to. Behind him stood four young men of similar age to Zack and the young man, Granted with differing height and slightly different uniforms but they all looked quite well dressed. Zack opened his mouth ready to ask the man if he was capable of writing, seeing as this was a rare thing for men to partake in due to the lack of education most men received but the young man beat him to questioning.

“I do hope your offer to join us still stands. It would be a bit disappointing if you declined but nonetheless I won't force…”

“Of course I will.” The man was cut off “You kinda saved me from dying out there, it would be pretty bad if I didn't help return the favor. If I'm being honest I want the same thing you do. I want to take out the bandits. To rid them of their place in the world and bring them down.” The young smiled as Zack spoke.

“Perfect, You have really made my day Zack.” He patted him on the shoulder and shifted alongside him to walk with him. Let's get you introduced to everyone then. Just brace yourself. We can certainly be a loud bunch” This reminded Zack that he hadn't even gotten the man’s name yet.

“Actually what’s your name? I never got it”

“Ah, that's right I didn't tell you did I, My apologies. Its Matthew”