Right as the lead Arm-Wolf is about to eviscerate me (I’ve decided to call them Arm-Wolves because I might as well name my would be killers) an arrow embeds itself in its head. Two more arrows quickly follow, and before the first one is even on the ground the other arm-wolves are slain. I hope. You know, you become surprisingly calm after accepting your death. I’m barely even phased by being saved an inch from death. Or…. shit. I’m crying on the ground. I may have pissed myself again. Nope, come on Tom, you’re better than this. The wolves are dead now, you can get up. I hope that whoever killed those arm wolves doesn’t want me dead, I think as I pull myself to my feet and together.

“Hey, you okay?” I head a shout to my back and right.

“Uh… y-yeah. I think so.” God, I can barely keep my voice from shaking. Deep breaths.

“We’re gonna come closer now, gonna get the arrows and look over the Brandarks. Don’t worry, just a village hunting party.”

I can hear brush and sticks being stepped on as the group moves towards me. Quickly trying to clear my face of the tears and snot, and doing my best to hold back sobs, I try and straighten myself. First impressions are important, and maybe these guys, or at least one guy, can get me somewhere I can use my real talents. A lean and short man brushes aside some branches, and I give him a quick glance over. A happy smile missing half of the teeth needed for one, tan skin, short brown hair, with what looks like cloth clothes covered in leather armor. The biggest things about the man was his bow, going from his head to his knees. Two other people, men, very similar looking to, I assume, their leader approach, appraising their kills.

“Name’s Greg, by the way. These are me mates, Simon and John.”

“Ello.”

“Hi there.”

“Well, it’s a p-pleasure to meet you. Thanks for the save there, I almost died.”

Greg snorts a little, before responding.

“It was no trouble, funny to think a few Brendarks would trouble anyone voluntarily walking through these woods. Are you a merchant or something? Lost your guards?”

“I – no. I was…” Fuck, what am I gonna tell them? “Kidnapped. By some bandits. I was just wandering out with my family, going on a trip when a group of bandits took us. They sold the rest of my family into slavery but kept me to do chores and set up camp. They thought it would be funny to leave me in the woods, I guess, and I haven’t seen them since.” Haha! Nice one. Score one for Tom. Quick thinking, witty Tom!

“Bandits? Around here? And what city? Why would they be stupid enough to keep you, I bet at least one of them has some decent [Build] and [Clean] skills, if not [Cook]. But don’t worry, I understand not wanting to talk about your past.” Greg instantly saw through my lie. Fuck, guess I’m not as good as I thought. Wait, did he say skills?

“In fact, that’s what the town of Ensart is all about. A fresh start. And freedom! From the Empire, from the Enclave, and anyone in between. If you’re looking to hide from your past, it’s the best place to go. ”

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Ensart? The Empire? The Enclave? The fuck?

Okay. I wish I had some pen and paper, right now. Or something to help keep everything in order. I guess I should try and weasel out as much information about this 'Ensart' as I can since it seems to be where I am going.

"Ah. Thanks for your understanding. But tell me more about Ensart, sounds like a lovely place."

"Well," Greg started, "Ensart is a farming town, the best this side of Callis. Forged under the watchful eye of a few Classed, and a safe haven for anyone willing to put in hard work. Even the skill-less are welcome here."

Greg looked at me with a watchful eye, with that last sentence.

"The more you tell me, the better it sounds. But I'm not much of a farmer, and I'm not sure how long I'd be there. If you're inviting me, that is."

With a booming laugh and an arm-wolf (Brendark?) over his shoulder, Greg motioned for me to follow him. "Of course I'm inviting you. You don't seem to have anywhere else to go. We have other things to do in town other than farming, there's always room for extra hands. Chopping trees, spinning cloth, tanning hides. Hell, I even think the Chester is looking for another apprentice."

"Chester?"

"Sorry, Chester is the town blacksmith. Oh, we've actually been looking for someone to help Ms. Jenson. She's been having trouble getting all of her chores down around her farm ever since her husband passed, may he rest in peace."

"Oh? What would that entail? Pardon my directness, but I am one for helping people." Putting me in a position to rob an old lady? Is it really gonna be that easy? I bet the people from this 'town', probably some stupid village, are gonna be real easy work over.

"The basics. Chopping wood, cleaning, cooking, preparing the killed animals. She's a very nice woman, so she won't work you too hard. As long as you don't piss her off." Greg gave a bit of a chuckle saying that and nudged my arm.

Wiping off where he touched me, and trying to hide it, I gave a little chuckle of my own.

"Sounds like something I can handle. How far away is Ensart, anyway?" We'd been walking for a few minutes as our little chat was underway.

"Only an hour or two away from here. Just a normal stroll, really."

An hour or two???? Fuck, that's a long 'stroll'. I'm still starving and thirsty! Maybe they brought a snack or something, and are feeling generous? I mean, they are practically offering me a new life. What's a bit of bread and water while I'm at it?

"Ah. Well, I'm quite famished and very thirsty. The bandits must have taken my waterskin and meager supplies. Do you happen to have anything I could eat or drink?"

Greg pulled out a hunk of cheese and passed it to me, along with a waterskin that was on his side. "I don't know why we even take supplies with us normally, but I'm glad we did this time. I've only eaten what we've brought twice, and both times I was just bored. Good cheese though, innit?"

The cheese was awful. I barely choked it down, thanks to the water he gave me. It definitely helped with my hunger, though. I may never eat again now...