Chapter 1 - (Part 3)

I’ve been galloping down the road for who knows how long. Day and night blurred together, as my concentration on the road flickers.

The only thing keeping me awake is the nonstop rain and my throbbing shoulder burning.

I haven’t properly ate since a week ago, and the blood on my skin has started to smell.

Slowly the horse trotted.

Until finally, coming to a stop.

Hmm? Am I still moving? How long have I been moving? I do not know.

In a delirious state, I could make out someone speaking to me, but my eyelids refuse to budge.

Eventually my body shifted to the side, falling to the ground, knocking the air out of me.

Soon darkness crept into my consciousness, until I realized I was being dragged briskly along the gravel.

Then my mind flickered away.

***

“You awake yet?”

“......”

Gradually I reopened my eyes to see a wooden ceiling.

Attempting to adjust to the light coming in, I looked around and asked.

“Ugh...Where am I?”

Waiting for a few seconds, the feminine voice once again spoke up, “You’re inside an infirmary right now.”

Ah I must have passed out before making it to my destination.

Stretching a bit, I sat up and look in the direction of where the voice came from.

“I don’t feel any better though.”

For an abrupt moment she looked away, before laughing into her hand.

“Well mister, you were going into shock earlier. Luckily for you, the outside patrols caught sight of you.”

Looking slightly conflicted, I checked over my body seeing that my shoulder was stitched up along with new stitches on my side.

“I honestly don’t really remember that much... But when was I injured on the shoulder?” I whispered to myself.

Taking in what I said, she came up to me and pointed at the wound.

“You see here? We had to cut out some of the rotting flesh in your shoulder, before disinfecting it.”

“Oh, I see.”

With a slight smile she retorted, “So what happened to come here all battered up for?”

Suddenly I remember the past events, ranging from the storm to the monsters and finally, to the Village of Iris.

Sensing I was slightly getting round-up, the nurse placed a hand on my forehead.

“It doesn’t seem you’re running a fever or showing any signs of illness?”

Taking a brief moment I said, ‘Sorry about that, it's just, that so much has happened recently. However, does the city know anything about a swarm of monsters coming?”

Biting on her pen, she sat down on the edge of my bed, thinking.

“Yeah, I heard that a messenger came by two days ago, talking about a herd of them coming from the south.”

Breathing out a sigh of relief, I moved over sitting next to her.

“Good, I was worried that when I was unconscious, this place might get attacked off guard.”

“Is it really that dangerous?”

“Yeah, believe me. See these wounds on my body?”

Seeing her nod slowly, I continued, “I got one from a warg and the other from a harpy. However, they could be consider small fry, compared to that dragon like creature I encounter.”

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

It took her a moment to process that information, until her face turned grim.

“Dragon like? What you mean by that.”

Slowly I told Farris the disaster that felled Iris, and a short version of my journey here.

As I continued to talk, she started to dabble down a brief report on the back of a piece of paper, until I was completely finished.

Silently, she chewed on the end of her pen, then spoke up.

“So, you say it's not just a hundred or so monsters, but close to a thousand. On top of that, they have a wyvern that breaths blue flames?”

Fidgeting slightly, I gave you a slight nod.

“Okay, Dustin. Just rest here for a bit. I’m going to show this to my boss.”

“Thanks for listening. I really do appreciate it.”

Quickly she stood up, hurrying to the door then briskly turned towards me. However, before she said anything, I interrupted her.

“I’ll be fine. Go now Farris.” I chuckled, shooing her away.

Giving me a warm smile, she disappeared into the hall.

I can see why she's a nurse. Nice, pretty and caring. I should get some rest before deciding what to do, from here on out.

***

Waking up the next day, I noticed that the storm was weakening in strength.

It has been over a week since it started, but the wind has changed directions.

Either we are on the backside of the storm or it’s dissipating finally.

While thinking to myself, Farris snuck into my room startling me when she knocked on the door frame.

"I see you’re as lively as ever, Dustin.”

Scowling at her I stood up from my bed, before approaching her.

“Yeah I’m as fit as a fiddle now.”

“Sure you are. Just don’t move around too much now. Don’t want those stitches to come undone.”

“Yeah I hear you. You going to change them then?”

“Yes. So hurry up and sit back down now.”

Making my way to a stool, I waited for Farris to unzip her medical kit and to get this over with.

“So Dustin. I’m still pretty surprise about how killed so many monsters out there.”

“Yeah, it was my very first time really killing anything like that before.”

“Really? From what I heard, you sounded just like a professional when it came to this.”

“Well I use to live in a small remote village, where hunting for pelts were our main source of income... There is honestly not much difference when killing a wolf compared to a warg. Granted one was like a puppy, while the other was a bear.”

“Nice analogy.” she laughed. “So who taught you the sword?”

Before I could reply, she ripped out one of my stitches.

“HHH! What the hell.”

“Opps.”

Wiping a tear from my eye, I grudgingly looked at her smug face before I continued.

“My father, Lance... He’s the one who pretty much trained me in swordsmanship. And trust me when I say, “It definitely wasn’t a walk in the park, but more similar to walking on hot coals.””

“Oh how so?”

Is she trying to annoy me?

However, before I could retort, she ripped another one out without mercy.

“AHH! Can’t you be gentler please?”

“Nope. <3”

And so we continued our conversation until she finally replaced all of my stitches.

After clearing my eyes with a cloth, I was able to get a better look at Farris.

She was lean, around my same height and had her brown hair tied up into a bun. Honestly she wasn’t that bad looking, except she looked close to her thirties already.

“Did you just check me out?”

“Hmmm?”

Looking closer I was able to tell she had a scar running down the side off her face.

“Hey where did you get that scar anyway?” I asked pointing it out.

“Oh? Is that why you were staring at me?” she slightly stuttered.

“Yeah, why are you asking?”

“Just thought you were checking me out, for a minute.”

“Ah. Sorry. Married woman aren't my type.” I replied, while obviously looking at her silver ring.

Whoa that was close, nice save me.

“Really now…”

Packing up her kit, she continued.

“I got this scar after climbing a tree and slipping. Long story short, I bashed my cheek into a branch below me, knocking myself out.”

“….Nothing else to add?”

Biting on her pen, she gave me a nod.

“Yep, but I had this for years already, doesn't really bother me if people stare at it. Especially my patients, because who knows what may happen to them under my care?”

A little bit of a cold sweat formed as I watched her evilly chuckle to herself. I let out a loud gulp as I hurriedly got my shirt back on.

“Anyway, you can be discharge now. What are you planning to do now?”

“Wait. Don’t I need to pay first?”

“No, it’s already covered, since we found some silver in your belongings.”

“Oh. Well, I don’t really have any plans right now. Stay here until the monster wave passes through is an option. What do you think I should do?”

Waiting for a moment, she came over to me and brushed my shirt off before replying.

“Since you’re new here, you’ll need to provide proof of your identity for starters.”

“Oh. You want to go with me and show me around then?”

Briefly she considered this, while munching on the back of her pen. Then she smiled as she motioned me to come with her.

“Alright let's get going, I’ll get your stuff ready, before heading out.”

Following her out into the hall, I whispered to myself. “Can’t wait to see the city of Amber light.”

***

This day would mark the beginning of my journey.

- Year 347