The doctor started the treatment. He first passed me some kind of herbal medicine, then said "This will numb the pain. Drink it". 'I have nothing to lose anyway', so I drank it. After a while, I could feel the pain being subdued, which made me happy. With that sorted, the doctor took my broken arm and with one swift move, straightened it up to align the bones.
"AAAGHHH!!!"
I roared in pain. No wonder he gave me that medicine first, I almost fainted from the pain. Taking large gulps of air, I tried to stay conscious. The doctor applied some kind of medicine onto my arm, then bandaged it together with some square sticks.
I couldn't take it anymore, the pain was too much and my mind gave in. I woke up in the morning, but didn't know what day it was. One thing was for certain, I was starving. The pain in my arm was there, but not as severe as before. Besides a broken arm, and an empty stomach, I wasn't sure what to think of my predicament. I laid there for couple of hours, before the doors to the house opened. A middle aged woman came in while carrying a tray with her.
She placed the tray on top of the nightstand, then simply left. I was a bit angry that she didn't even acknowledge me, 'Some nice people live here'. Though weak, my healthy hand reached for the food on the tray. A stale bread and cold porridge, not the best food for a patient. The amount wasn't great either, but I'd take anything at that point. 'They treat you like shit, and provide minimum amount of food... Great. What the hell did I get myself in to?', I questioned in my thoughts.
While laying on the bed, I recalled the fight with the bear. After a while, I found three crucial issues that led to my current situation. Number one, I lacked experience and knowledge. I didn't know how to hunt properly, nor had knowledge about animals, medicine and so on. That was one of the crucial points, which contributed to my bad situation. Going into the forest inexperienced and without knowledge, while hoping for the best, was not a good idea.
Number two, I had no supplies. I was stupid enough to actually enter the forest without any supplies, or basic tools. I realised that was a huge mistake. Supplies were very important, and shouldn't be taken lightly. The final mistake was the lack of strength. It wasn't really a mistake though, more like lack of proper training. Hunters trained since young age, and even then would be assisted during their first hunts. I wasn't strong nor fit either. Not since I landed on the streets.
Though a few stupid mistakes were made, I wasn't discouraged. Rather, I was motivated even more. I wanted to explore my life, even if I were to lose it. For that reason, I needed experience, supplies and strength. Experience also tied in with knowledge. Experience that would allow me to deal with certain situations better. Taking the bear as an example. With more knowledge and experience, perhaps the whole ordeal could've been avoided.
'I have some experience already, and learned a few things along the way. But, what I know and can do is simply too shallow.' I thought. The best way to gain knowledge, was to have a teacher. If someone taught me how to do certain things, I would have the knowledge. Afterwards, I could try to apply that knowledge in order to gain experience. It seemed like a simple thing, but it wasn't. The problem was, I didn't have a teacher. 'I've no one who can teach me, therefore no access to knowledge' I thought. There were a few ways to remedy that. I could either get someone to teach me, or get some books on the necessary subjects and learn from them.
There was also the issue of supplies. Without money, there weren't any supplies. 'Once my hand get better, I can do some work, and earn a few Coppers' I thought. Even a low paid job, would eventually allow me to buy the necessary supplies. Other option was to steal, but walking that kind of path was dangerous. Moreover, I wasn't a thief, and would be caught sooner or later. The final aspect was the strength. 'There is no magical way to just get stronger' I thought. In order to get stronger, I needed to work hard. Workout everyday, as well as learn new tricks or techniques.
This was all great and all, but there was one problem with all of that. My arm was broken. Besides that, I was at a place I knew nothing about. I had no idea who these people were, or their motives for helping me. Judging by their attitude, they weren't really friendly. 'Now that I think about it, who would provide food and treatment for free. I have nothing on me that is valuable, so I can't pay them. I wonder, what the hell might they want from me when I'm healed?' I thought.
The days passed like that. I couldn't regain my strength, because the amount of food I received, was barely able to keep me from starving to death. The doctor would visit once in a while, and check up on my arm. I tried asking him some things, but he just ignored me. He would simply check the arm, perhaps apply some more medicine, then leave as if that wasn't his concern. I didn't feel happy about that, but had to accept that these people were cold-hearted.
Two weeks passed like this. I didn't talk with anyone. I asked some questions and tried to talk, but they just ignored me. They only said what they wanted to say, and didn't even bother about staying in the same room as me. I gave up any efforts of trying to talk with them. I was less and less fond of these people. It was like they were torturing me with silence. After those two weeks, I became indifferent to their behaviour. I stopped caring, and decided to focus on my own goals and life.
Another two weeks passed, which made it about a month since I was brought to that village. I could now move my arm, but there was still some discomfort left. It wasn't full healed yet, but at least it wasn't crippled.
On that day, the doctor came again. This time, he removed all the bandages and sticks while asking me "How does it feel?". I simply ignored him and moved my arm around. He got up and left, but that was just the beginning.
After the old doctor left, someone else came in. It was the old man who dragged me around like a rag doll. He looked at me and said, "Now that you are better, you will work for us. You need to pay back your debt to us. We helped you with your injuries and fed you".
'I knew they had some kind of motives. So they wanted me to work for them, like a slave' I thought. "What if I refuse?". The old man raised his brows, "We can just cripple you, and throw you back to the forest. Your choice", he replied without a hint of mercy. I asked another question, "What if I try to run?". To that question, the old man just sneered and said "You can try". He then added, "You will work here for one year. Do whatever we tell you to, and after a year, you will be free to leave".
'They may have some kind of measures against me prepared. Once I disagree, they can just force me to work or even kill me... Now wait a minute', figured. I wanted to gain knowledge, supplies and strength. All of that could be accomplished in this village. 'Since I have to spend one year here, why not make it worth my while? I can train, get knowledge and try to accumulate some kind of supplies' I thought.
"Alright, I agree", the deal was sealed. The old man said nothing, he just smiled and left. I remained in my bed for next couple of days, just to make sure my arm was properly healed. After that talk with the old man, my food portions increased, which was the only positive side of that deal.
Six days after my bandages were removed, the old man returned. This time, he was holding some kind of paper in his hand. He threw the paper at me, and said "Read it through. Those are the rules you will abide by, and the tasks you will carry out". I looked at the list, and my brows furrowed.