“What to do first when you’re stuck in a foreign land?” Max thought standing alone in the dark. Here and there someone would pass next to him, in most cases completely drunk and talking gibberish.
Max still couldn’t believe what was happening to him. Yesterday he was just a normal high schooler, waking up early and going to school, coming home and playing video games, and everything on repeat day after day. Now he was in an unknown land, completely forgotten by everyone, and he had to get to some Merlin guy to teach him some basic shit to survive. And he killed 14 of his schoolmates and got cursed by doing that. Could it get any worse?
“How do I read this map?”
Max unrolled the ancient map, its edges frayed and browned from countless years of use. The parchment was thick and stiff, crackling slightly as it flattens out, revealing a huge network of inked lines and symbols that tell the story of a long and difficult journey.
“This is a very old map, feels dirty holding it in my hands.”
Each town is marked by a tiny, carefully sketched image: houses with pointy roofs, a windmill turning in the breeze, and a fortified castle with pennants fluttering. The main road, a bolded black line, snakes its way across the map from one end to the other, winding through valleys and over mountain ranges.
“I guess that I am here.”
Under his index thumb, a simple drawing of a large oak tree stood beside a castle, circled with green paint. Under it stood Ermsworth.
Just like in other cases, text popped up in front of him, giving him some extra details about the place.
“The kingdom’s capital, a grand city with towering stone walls and majestic castles.” Max read out loud.
“The next stop, The Whispering Woods.” he did not like the sound of that. “A vast, mysterious forest that travelers must navigate.” The map depicts dark, dense trees, and a black path that seems to disappear into the trees. The icon next to it was a tall, scary-looking tree, with faint ghostly lines to suggest whispers or the wind.
“If I survive that, I’ll be going to the Town of Riverwand. Located at the edge of a wide, winding river, this town is known for its bustling markets and vibrant docks. Interesting. Might spend some coin there.” The icon was a bridge over a river, with market stalls and a few boats.
“The Silver Peaks…” he kept on going. “This is never going to stop, I have such a long road ahead, this will be easier if I just take it town by town. But first, I need some food and water. But where to get it in this medieval dump?”
He noticed a lot of people coming from one direction, a small narrow street. Maybe it wasn’t smart but he had no choice, it felt like the smartest thing to do.
“I have nothing to be afraid of, I’ll just move slowly and watch my back.” he took the small wand, that he got from the King, in his hand and prepared for any trouble.
He ran like a 10-year-old girl head through, not stopping and not even looking, his eyes closed from the fear. And when a bright light hit him he thought that he had died, but he didn’t.
He ended up on a well-lit marketplace of Ermsworth, lanterns casting a warm glow on the still working stalls. He stopped at various vendors, carefully selecting what he’d needed for his long journey.
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At the end of the shopping, his inventory was filled with a lot of yummy stuff.
BREAD AND HARDTACK
* Bread: The loaves of bread are fluffy and white, their crusts golden and inviting. They look surprisingly good, with a soft texture perfect for the first few days of travel.
* Hardtack: Dry and hard, these biscuits are designed to last. Though bland, they will provide sustenance for weeks without spoiling.
DRIED MEATS AND SAUSAGES
* Dried Venison and Pork: The strips of dried meats are dark and chewy, seasoned with salt and spices. They are perfect for snacking on the go and provide a good source of protein.
* Sausages: Strings of sausages hang from the stall, their rich, smoky aroma making everyone hungry. These sausages are well-cured and will keep for a long time without refrigeration.
CHEESE AND BUTTER
* Cheese: Hard wheels of cheese, their rinds thick and protective, are cut into manageable portions. The cheese is tangy and rich, excellent for pairing with bread and meats.
* Butter: A small cask of butter, wrapped in cloth to keep it cool. The butter is creamy and smooth, ideal for spreading on bread.
DRIED FRUITS AND NUTS
* Dried Apricots and Apples: The dried fruits are sweet and chewy, their natural sugars providing a quick energy boost.
* Nuts: A mix of almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts, offering a satisfying crunch and a good source of healthy fats.
HERBS AND SPICES
* Herbs: Bundles of dried rosemary and thyme, their scents fragrant and earthy.
* Spices: Small pouches of pepper and salt, essential for seasoning meals on the road.
DRINKS:
WATER AND ALE
* Waterskins: Sturdy leather waterskins filled with fresh water from the town well.
* Ale: A small wooden barrel of ale, safer to drink than water found along the way. The ale is dark and rich, providing a bit of comfort during long nights.
WINE AND CORDIALS
* Wine: A bottle of red wine, its rich aroma promising a pleasant diversion on particularly hard days.
* Cordials: A flask of herbal cordial, which can be diluted with water to create a refreshing drink.
TOTAL COST ESTIMATE:
* Bread: 6 bronze coins
* Hardtack: 5 bronze coins
* Dried Venison and Pork: 9 bronze coins
* Sausages: 5 bronze coins
* Cheese: 14 bronze coins
* Butter: 6 bronze coins
* Dried Fruits and Nuts: 8 bronze coins
* Herbs and Spices: 4 bronze coins
* Waterskins: 5 bronze coins
* Ale: 12 bronze coins
* Wine: 8 bronze coins
* Cordials: 6 bronze coins
TOTAL: 88 BRONZE COINS, 8.8 SILVER COINS, OR 0.88 GOLD COINS
“Cheap for how much money I’ve got left.”
He looked happy with the prices, he got a lot of food and drinks, and he should be safe until he reached the Town of Riverwand.
With the main gates opened, Max stood there prepared for his adventure to begin. The darkness was all around him, when he crossed the castle bridge he was on his own, alone in the dark, with god knows what creatures hiding in the bushes, hungry, waiting for easy prey.
“Fuck this shit,” he said shit too many times today. He turned around and went to the first inn he saw.
The innkeeper, a stout man with a friendly demeanor, greeted Max with a nod and a smile. "Good eve, traveler! Looking for a bed and a hot meal?"
Max nodded gratefully, he felt like he deserved some rest, and the journey hadn’t even begun yet. He negotiated a fair price for a simple room with a straw mattress and clean linens. The innkeeper handed him a heavy iron key, worn smooth from years of use.
Ascending a narrow staircase, Max found his room—a cozy space with rough-hewn wooden beams overhead and a small window overlooking the town square. The bed, though basic, promised a good night's sleep. A basin of water and a candle awaited him on a sturdy oak table. He locked the door behind him and drifted away.