"I certainly can't stay here." He looked around the cave one more time as he left. "I know I should be more concerned with how I got here, but that needs to wait. I don't know for certain that the bug killed him and sitting here wondering what's going on sure isn't going to help me if something else shows up."

Robert left the cave and searched the muddy surroundings. There was the cobblestone path to the left of the cave, but on further inspection it was only a segment of road and sank into murky water after a short stretch in either direction, becoming nothing more than a rough rectangular patch of stonework. Noting several footprints in the mud coming down a small rise he picked his way along the impromptu path. He stopped about halfway up to carefully check what was over it. What he found was a deeply rutted road meandering through the trees. Here and there were wider patches of cobblestones as if it had once been a well maintained artery.

"Well, let's see what's down this road. But which way?" To his left the road appeared to run lower closer to the swamp with parts containing pooled water. The road to his right ascended a hill.

Sskritch. Sskritch.

Robert turned back to his left to identify the source of the noise. A large reptile with dark grey-green scales and wicked curved teeth was lumbering across a patch of ruined cobbles. Its scaled tail dragging across the stones made the sound. A bright red tongue darted out and with a burst of speed it darted into the trees. A bleating noise came from the shadows. The reptile appeared back out of the trees desperately trying to get across the road; however something unseen dragged it by its tail back into the trees. After a load rattling hiss and a few more seconds of struggle quiet returned to the area.

"So, up the hill. Definitely, up the hill." Robert said as he turned to his right and stumbled over something in the brush by the side of the road.

"Ouch! What the hell was that!?"

A small stone statue had fallen from a pedestal. Robert had only stumbled against the pedestal, but the statue was caked in mud and the vines twisted around the curve of its waist showing that the fall it had suffered was not due to Robert. The form of a young woman merged with the body of a spider. The white marble of the torso still gleamed under the mud and vines, while the contrasting obsidian spider abdomen and legs seemed to be pristine.

"Actually, it's quite pretty in a way."

Robert had always enjoyed sculpture and held those with the ability to make such works in high esteem. He had tried his hand at wood carving and found that he lacked the proper sense of perspective. Despite the distinct danger in the area he decided to quickly remove the vines and brushed off the statue settling it back onto the pedestal. After taking a moment to look around to make sure nothing was creeping up on him, he then cleared some of the brush to make certain nobody else would stumble over it. While clearing the brush he found a corked bottle containing a clear liquid. The bottle was half buried in the ground next to the pedestal.

"Well, it's not like anyone's going to drink it."

Working the rotting cork out to open the bottle he used the contents to thoroughly wash away the remaining dirt from the statue.

"Okay little lady. Not sure if you are a mile marker or a warning sign, but I need to get going." He sketched a lighthearted bow towards the statue and with a wave set off up the hill.

(This action is misread,"He already bathed and cleaned my body thouroughly" WHAT!?)

Robert soon found that climbing the hill took more effort than initially expected. The sun was higher in the sky and the near noonday heat mixed with the humidity and his exertion was starting to make the layered clothing weigh heavily on his frame. Reaching the crest of the hill he noticed a relatively straight branch of wood on the shoulder of the road. Feeling that it might be useful to test any muddy patches or streams for depth he picked it up and began using it as a hiking staff.

Beyond the hill the road appeared to be in better shape. The places missing cobblestones were far fewer than back near the swamp. Looking behind him he could make out the sluggish green river flowing through the swamp and large insects buzzing around the canopy.

Ahead of him was open grass land. Here and there patches of forest grew speckling the green plain with darker green blotches. It appeared that the land had been cultivated in the past and was now returning to a more natural state. A few miles in the distance he could see one of those patches of forest hiding the further progress of the road. Beyond the forest more hills blocked his view.

The most noteworthy thing was near the area where the road met the forest. A cluster of carts and humanoid figures were moving slowly along the road away from him. The carts were being pulled by something large, possibly oxen or horses; at the current distance it was hard to be certain. Robert decided he would approach the group slowly and see whether he could learn anything about them from a reasonable distance.

"I need to be on my guard. I don't know anything about this place, but I don't have the leisure to sit and worry about it. This is not a dream and I am going to need to eat eventually. Hopefully I can approach then and learn something without appearing weak and clueless."

After an hour of walking along the road Robert could finally hear the creaking of the wagon and people talking ahead. Slowing his pace he came around a bend in the road. After a few more minutes he slowed his pace and could hear the wagons and footsteps slowing to a stop. He could now see the group and they appeared to be human with two teams of oxen pulling large wooden wagons covered with canvas. The wagons were reminiscent of the Conestoga wagons he had seen in museums.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

The group had come to a stop at the edge of the forest, though now that he was closer he could tell that the forest was actually abandoned orchards, the trees growing in neatly defined lines, trunks in rows like soldiers. Large clusters of fruit made the branches droop down and some of the people were moving away from the road to gather the fruit, as the trees closer to the road appeared to have been picked clean over time by past travelers.

A man with a spear, presumably a guard, immediately came to full attention once he noticed Robert. The guard called out in a gruff voice, but Robert could only guess at the meaning of his words, but given the circumstances, he was likely saying something along the lines of, "Halt, stand and declare yourself!"

Robert stopped and raised his hands in front of his chest, then pointed towards his mouth and ear then shook his head.

"I don't speak that language. Do you understand me?"

The guard seeming to understand the situation turned and called out to the wagons behind him. Soon a tall jolly looking man in fur lined coat emerged from the leading wagon and walked towards Robert while smiling.

"Hello there. Can you understand me?"

"Yes I can. You know English?"

"Not sure what that is, but I assume it is the language you are speaking, so no I don't speak it." Pointing towards a blue and white bangle on his arm, "This bracelet lets me converse in any language. It’s an absolute necessity for a merchant like me."

"That is quite useful." agreed Robert.

Looking towards the guard, "You there, put that thing down."

Shrugging the guard placed the butt of the spear back on the ground, but his eyes never really left Robert.

"I am Melisandro, Arturio Melisandro, a travelling merchant, headed to the town of Stillwall. You don't look like a bandit or a shill, would you like to join us for our afternoon rest. There is plenty of fruit here, all free of charge." he chuckled and winked.

"I think that sounds good. My throat is getting a bit dry from the dust of the road. I'll try to keep out of the way." Robert was surprised at how easily the Melisandro made the assumption that he posed no threat, but it worked out to Robert’s benefit, so he was not going to question it further.

“Are you headed to Stillwall as well?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Well stop by my shop, I’m sure you’ll find something of interest.” The merchant said as he turned towards the wagons.

“Oh, not sure how familiar you are with the Galen fruit. Make sure you don’t eat the orange ones.” With those parting words Melisandro disappeared back into the wagon.

“I guess he’s used to travelers.”

Wanting to avoid questioning looks from the guards Robert moved off to the side and took a few of the ripe apple-like fruit from the trees. The skin of the fruit was mottled red and green. The flesh and juice was not very sweet, but not sour. The fruit served well at rehydrating him and filling his stomach. Hopefully eating it would not have any ill effects due to the difference in worlds, but he figured he had to eat sooner or later, so better sooner than later.

Robert observed the group milling about and preparing to head off again. There were three boys in their teens watering the oxen and checking the wagons and equipment. These were likely the merchant’s employees or apprentices. Besides the merchant there were six more men, likely guards, ranging in age from their early twenties to much older. Try as he might he could not recognize the language or any similarities to those with which he was familiar.

"Ten men and no women, well this seems like a rather medieval setting, so no real surprise I guess. The language barrier is going to be a problem though. I hoped that by some luck they spoke something similar to English or a romance language, because then at least I would maybe muddle through somehow. Heck, I guess I could have even pieced something together from Japanese if I had to, I've watched enough subbed anime, but I guess I'll have to try that thing out after all." He muttered, thinking of the bracelet he had gotten from the corpse.

The wagons and men began to move down the road again. The merchant waved at Robert with a smile as the group began to lumber away.

"Damn, well I guess I'll try the bracelet later. For now I better try to keep up with them. At least that way if anything shows up like that mosquito or the lizard maybe I can improve my survivability through numbers." Robert thought. "Though actually, I think I am more concerned about whatever ate the lizard."

As he shouldered his bag Robert noticed a large spider, presumably a jumper, creeping along the ground nearby. Tossing the core of the fruit on the ground near the spider, Robert said, "Here you go; this should attract some flies for you."

Walking off after the merchant's caravan, Robert failed to see the spider waving a leg in farewell.