The man began explaining his circumstance.
"You promise to help me out if I tell you right?"
Faye nodded in response, though she really planned to put off judgment until after learning why he was buried to his neck. Although she was excited to find a human to learn information from, she wasn't willing to help out someone that was more trouble than they were worth.
The man sighed. "Alright, it's not a very interesting story, but I'll tell you. You see ah...my name is Rider. I was passing through Echanburn....um....and I got caught up on the wrong side of some unsavory types....they ended up bringing me here and burying me." The man smiled charmingly, clearly trying to win her over.
Faye stared without changing her expression. "Wow, how vague."
The man sighed. "Look, I'm not a violent criminal or anything like that, I just...I just found myself having some bad luck."
Faye watched his expression looking for any sort of indication that he may be lying. She didn't see anything, but she wasn't exactly the insightful type. Finally, she made her decision.
"Alright, I'll help you out,-"
"Yes! Thank y-"
"BUT! I want something in return."
The man's smile and expressions of gratitude waned for just a moment before he continued on with them.
"Of course! Nothings free haha..."
Faye began to slow and arduous work of digging Rider out. She found herself confused how he'd been place since the ground, as the earth was not disturbed around him and seemed to be extremely hard. Rider e planned after she asked, however, that one of the people that left him here to die was a mid level magic user and could manipulate the earth through spell work.
Faye silently took notes that whoever wanted this man dead seemed not to be so simple.
As she dug him out, she asked him questions, trying to find out more about this world she'd found herself in. Rider answered her questions gladly and without issue as he excitedly watched her work on helping him out.
"Echanburn? My apologies, I've never heard of someone that hadn't either heard of or been to Echanburn. Haha no offense, really. Let's see...there isn't much to tell, it's one of the bigger cities on this side of the continent. It's actually the city furthest east. Well, there are a few towns and villages past the city, but nothing worth mentioning population or size wise. It's a pretty good city if you're trying to set out and make a start. Plenty of opportunities...lots of people. Different types all around, not just human, there are halflings, half elves, I've seen a few elves...a Dragonborn here and there, though they don't like to venture out much so that's pretty rare to see..."
"Distance? Eh...it's not too far, a couple days travel, if you follow that road nearby by and then cut off north, you'll find a stone road that's much better cared for. Follow that east and you will come to Echanburn fairly quickly."
When asked about himself Rider gave half answers or changed the subject rather expertly. The only thing she learned of the man, aside from his first name, was that he wasn't well liked by some people in Echanburn. She wasn't even sure if Rider was his real name.
Faye dug for over an hour and found that this was going to take much longer than she'd thought. She opted to take a break for a moment, trying to rethink her strategy.
"Oh, that's fine, have a seat, take a load off, I'll just be waiting here for you. Don't worry I'm not going anywhere..."
At this point Faye realized that Rider seemed to like to talk. A lot. The thing was, unless he was answering a question of hers, he didn't say anything of substance. It was as if he just didn't want to have silence surrounding him.
Faye ignored his griping as she tried to think of a better way to dig. If she had a shovel it wouldn't be as bad, but she didn't. She had a broken sword but that wouldn't really help, she couldn't use her other sword in case she broke it and was left weaponless...again. Sticks only helped so much before breaking.
As she pondered how to make this endeavor go faster, she heard a rustling a little ways off.
She shushed Rider, who was still lamenting his bad luck. Slowly, she stood and turned toward the rustling. She drew her sword.
Rider seemed to want to ask what was going on, but quieted down as he saw her serious expression.
The rustling grew louder as Faye readied her stance and Rider stumbled over his words.
"Hey...ma-make sure you protect me! Don't leave me here alone!"
From the west a giant boar came charging toward the two of them. Finally seeing her opponent, Faye leapt forward to meet it head on.
Although it was in the middle of its charge, Faye's sword struck first as she carved into the boars side. The large beast cried out in fury, then directed its attack toward Faye in return. Luckily, she'd pulled back in time, the sharp tusks just missing her.
"I'll- I got this!" Rider called out from the side, then began the incantation of a spell. Being unfamiliar with magic, Faye was uncertain of just what he was attempting to do, but she watched as the boats eyes began to flutter. It staggered for a moment, as if exhausted.
Then, it seemed to shake off the spell effects and its eye focused once more. It snarled angrily, before charging toward Faye once again.