I returned to the first floor and got to work securing my new home. I didn’t find any tools so for now I just stacked furniture to seal the window openings. The front and back doors had a bar that could be placed across them to prevent them from opening. I wasn’t used to the humidity so was sweating profusely. My water would be gone in no time at this rate. Shadow wasn’t much help and had secured herself a padded chair where she was laying down and grooming herself.

With water in mind, I headed out back to investigate the well. I wasn’t too keen on drinking straight from the well so would need to at least boil the water to ease my worry of contamination. The well was a circular hole in the ground with stones around it up to waist height. I was happy to see a wooden cover still over the well although the rotted wooden bucket laying in the dirt was discouraging. I picked it up and the handle was still attached to the light metal chain from the overhead crank but the bottom was rotted out and it crumbled in my hands.

I had to go back to the kitchen and found an appropriately sized pot to use as a bucket. With the new bucket attached I opened the lid and lowered it into the well. I hit water about 20 feet down and brought back up some clear looking water. It was tempting to drink the water right there but the thought of being sick without anyone to help or any medicine snapped me out of it. I brought it inside to boil but discovered my next problem. How was I going to start a fire? I didn’t recognize anything in the kitchen that could be a lighter. It was possible one of the strange magical tools could but I had no idea how any of them worked or if they even would still work.

One of the magical appliances looked like it could be a stove but after fiddling with it for some time I couldn’t get it to work. I wracked my brain, then remembered seeing a video of how to start a fire using a bottle of water but had never tried it. Using my full water bottle and some dark covering material and stuffing from one of the padded chairs, I went outside to attempt starting my first fire without using a lighter or match. I put the materials in a tin I had found and then proceeded to try and use the water bottle like a magnifying lens. It took a lot of trial and error but after about an hour I finally figured it out and had flames coming from the tin.

I miraculously got the stove going and the water was in the process of heating up. It would be a pain to keep using that method if I wanted a fire so I gathered up some of the candles spread throughout the house to light. The magical crystal lighting must have been fairly expensive as there were only one lamp in the master bedroom and the chandeliers in the ballroom and dining room that used the crystals. Everything else was good old fashioned wax candles. While the water was heating, I decided to try one of the purple apples. I was fairly sure they wouldn’t grow poisonous fruit right next to their house but decided on just a small bite for now and would wait to see if anything bad happened. The fruit was juicy and sweet but tasted more like a peach than an apple.

I let the water boil for a while and then placed it in another pot and repeated the process a few times. While I was picking fruit, I noticed the smoke coming out of the chimney. I was a little worried that it would invite unwanted guests but if there were only animals present in the city then it shouldn’t be a problem. It was starting to get dark by the time I finished boiling water and had a good supply built up. I made sure Shadow was inside and then barred the doors.

I held off eating more fruit for now and wanted to give it more time. If I still felt fine in the morning, then I would label them safe to eat. Instead, I broke out the chips and bread. I didn’t know if bread was good for cats but she seemed to enjoy it. It wasn’t much of a meal but all the work during the day had made me hungry. I had even managed to take all the sheets and blankets off the bed and shook them out. They were covered in dust but otherwise in good shape. Everything in the master bedroom had been in surprisingly good shape and there was even a small shelf of books.

I idly pet Shadow as I ate and then retired to the bedroom. The bedroom had a shuttered window on one side, an attached bathroom, and a door that led out onto a balcony. I peered out the window and then out the door but there was no light to be seen across the city as expected. The mansion was located on a small hill so from the second story had a fairly good view.

I started going through the books by candlelight, but there were no magic books. There was a history book about the kingdom in which the city was located. I found out the city was named South Port and the kingdom was named Mortix. I could only assume the rest of the kingdom lay to the north, past the jungle. There was no map in the book so I couldn’t be sure. It was nice to be able to read the books however.

The rest of the books appeared to be fictional stories split between adventure and romance, but I found one additional book in the nightstand. It was a well worn field guide to monsters. It included pictures and descriptions along with tips on how to defeat them. As I paged through the guide, my heart sank. It seemed the jungle was home to some seriously strong creatures. Since the jungle was overtaking the city, it was a good bet some of those monsters now inhabited the abandoned city.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

My new goal was to find some weapons and armor before I ran across any of the monstrosities in the field guide. There had to be a weapon or armor shop somewhere in the city. Since it was a port city, maybe they would be closer to the docks. Unfortunately, my current residence was a long way from the docks. The locked door also itched at the back of my mind. I decided tomorrow I would try a little harder to get in there.

The morning arrived and I found Shadow sleeping on top of me. I was definitely missing air conditioning and had been too scared from the field guide to open the window and balcony door. I had even shoved a chair up against the bedroom door for extra security. I yawned and gently moved Shadow off my stomach and opened the window shutters. It was another beautiful tropical day. I belatedly noticed I had forgot to light another candle and my original had gone out. I wasn’t even sure how long candles lasted so was probably foolish to think one would last all night.

I carefully opened the bedroom door and peeked out but didn’t see or hear anything. I crept down the stairs and didn’t relax until I had checked that everything was still secure. Shadow wasn’t ready to get up yet and stayed sleeping in bed. I still felt fine so had more of the fruit for breakfast along with the rest of my energy drink. It felt weird sitting alone at the huge dining room table. I quickly finished breakfast and decided to get to work before feelings of being lonely and homesick took control.

I had noticed a shed off to the side of the estate while I was exploring the yard yesterday so headed there to look for tools. The door to the shed was hanging open and debris had started piling up inside but there were still an assortment of tools hanging above a workbench. I wasn’t afraid of a little rust and grabbed a hefty looking hammer and a long, tapered metal bar that was thicker than my walking stick. If I couldn’t get the door open with these then I would have to give up.

On my way back inside, I spotted Shadow stalking through the grass. “Be careful and don’t go too far.” I warned. She looked over at me and meowed and I swear she nodded her head, but I must have been imagining it. I was soon back in front of the locked room with the tools. I jammed the metal rod into the door where the lock would be and started pounding it with the hammer. After it sank into the gap between the door and wall, I grabbed the bar and pried with all my strength. I heard a snap and the door sprang open to reveal a lavish study. I used my phone light to pierce the darkness and saw an ornate desk dominated one wall and the rest were lined with bookshelves. The study was as preserved as the master bedroom had been and I thanked my lucky stars as I spotted a fancy sword hanging behind the desk.

I opened the only window in the room to let in some light. If I was even luckier then some of the books would be about magic. I went to the sword first and took it off the wall. The handle and scabbard had gold fillagree and it was slightly curved. I was no expert but would call it a cavalry sword. I unsheathed it and marveled at the etching carved into the blade. It almost reminded me of the runes on the summoning circle so maybe this was a magic sword. In any case it seemed to be well made but seemed too light in my hands.

Now that I think about it the pots of water and furniture I had carried around seemed too light as well. I did not exercise and had spent most of my time in front of a computer or the TV so had no muscles to speak of. I hadn’t looked at myself in a mirror since being summoned but my arms did seem to be bigger and I could actually feel a six pack. Did my body get enhanced along with my mind? To experiment, I put down the sword and grabbed the metal pry bar to try bending it. I grunted and sure enough the metal started bending with a creak.

I smiled, flexing my biceps and thinking I could get used to this. Going back to the sword I swung it around a few times and tested the edge. It was definitely sharp and not just an ornamental piece. I didn’t really know how to use a sword but it was better than nothing. Also, if it was a magical weapon I had no idea how to activate it.

I went through the desk and found a few coins and some parchment and writing instruments but not much else. Next I started looking at the book shelves and noticed some large rolled up scrolls on top. I unfurled them and they were maps. I smiled at the discovery and tossed them on the desk. I would study them later but for now was more interested in the books. Sure enough, I had hit the jackpot.

A whole section seemed to be on magic, with one titled An Introduction to the Magical Arts. I pulled it out and placed it on the desk with the maps. There were a few books on martial arts as well but the rest seemed to be ledgers and accounting type books. I stopped as I heard a noise from the first floor. I grabbed the sword and went to investigate.

As I peaked over the railing, I saw Shadow proudly marching around with a brightly colored bird in her mouth. She dropped it on the floor and looked up at me, meowing in triumph. “Nice catch. Looks like you’ll be eating good anyway.” I was about to go back to the study but had to do a double take as I noticed the bird had two heads. I scratched my cheek in confusion. I didn’t know if that was normal or if it was some kind of mutant. Shrugging, I got back to work.