I followed the river downstream until I found a tiny wooden bridge. The bridge must have been quite old to have as much weathering as it had. The boards warped from all the seasons they endured, and every single crack must have had a story to tell. It was kind of unique. In fact, even the stone road on either side of the bridge must have seen many bridges come and go. I took a deep breath in. "Ah, besides the minor wounds I've sustained, I quite enjoy this new world so far."
I stepped onto the bridge with my right foot, easing it with care as to not stress the old thing. "It must be on an old backroad or something." Then I planted my left foot forward. The boards squeaked in protest, yet, they still held. I rubbed my arm which was getting sore now. Waves of fatigue hit me for a moment, and in a panic, I checked my stamina.
Stamina 23/50
"Shit, I really need to find a town to rest at soon or I might—" A thunderous sound of horse hooves approached. "Ah! Help has finally arrived!"
'If I didn't know any better I'd think that was kind of spiteful." I shook the thought out of my head. My energy needed to go towards talking these people into helping.
The road extended into a thick part of the forest. The riders approached from there, and the sound of wagon wheels made my ears perk up. "Awesome!" I was overcome with relief. I tapped the sword on my back and began walking towards the incoming party. "Maybe, I could help them out in return."
"No, obviously not. I could help them…" I rubbed my chin, which was hairless, and thought. 'What can I offer them?' A level 0 human with no mana and generally kind of useless. However, my desire to find a path forward would not be stopped.
The thundering hooves came closer as I was lost in thought. Someone, probably the wagon driver, was hollering something in a language I did not understand. After a moment a wagon and four riders immerged. I dropped the bass and waved frantically at them.
The rider that was in front raised his right hand to halt the riding party behind them. "Who goes there?" The voice was stern, yet pleasant. Like a strong mother or brave lady knight. She indeed looked the part of the latter. Long blonde hair cascaded as she took off her helm. Her eyes were sapphires that dazzled the senses.
"Again, who goes there?" Her tone was more serious this time, which snapped me out of the trance I was in.
"Jason! I'm a newcomer who is lost and in need of rest." I grimaced as I let my arms back down to my sides. "Also, healing." I added
"Well, you haven't been much help." I grunted under my breath. She turned to her party members and spoke in a language I couldn't understand. It sounded similar to the language spoken by the wagon driver previously. 'Is that Latin?' It sounded familiar-- like something the cringe, crusade-obsessed, fanatics would say in my old life.
After a few moments of bickering with the aforementioned wagon driver, she faced me again."As Heroes should, we will help you." She motioned widely to the party behind her. "That young man with the green hair is Ferin. He will heal your wounds and provide you a stamina potion."
The healing mage was small in stature, and his face radiated warmth as he smiled. He seemed perfect for his role. Compassion seemed to swirl around him. "Hello, I am glad to help, Jason." His voice was as bright as his smile, it provided me with respite from my difficult journey so far.
I nodded happily. "Thank you Ferin!"
She turned the other way and pointed at a scary-looking shirtless orc. His massive frame was supported by an equally massive horse. He grinned, or maybe that's just what orcs looked like. "I'm Franky The Barbarian. Well met traveler." My jaw dropped. His voice was juxtaposed to his image. He sounded proper like a butler to a rich family. Very Alfred from the Dark Knight trilogy I suppose, except he wasn't distinctly British.
I shook the rude gawking expression from my face. "Yes, well met Franky!" I had hoped I didn't upset him by staring at him for too long.
She then pointed to the shrouded rider behind her. A smaller framed woman in a dark leather cloak. Her dark purple face seemed to shift beneath the shadows of her hood. "Hello, I'm Setri." Her voice was hushed and she seemed not fond of the attention.
"Setri, please remove your hood so Jason can see you." The woman obliged and lowered her hood. Ice white hair shaved on one side and combed over on the other side. 'I think I remember that being called a side cut.' I thought to myself and nodded.
She had long elven ears that were kind of fuzzy around the tip. She bowed slightly and quickly put her hood back on. The leader sighed and shook her head.
"Lastly, my name is Lana Earthwright The Knight." She bowed politely and motioned them forward. I bowed to all of them and noticed the ground was getting way closer than it should have been. 'I'm passing out aren't I?' Those were my final thoughts before my dirt nap.
///
"Mr. and Mrs. Avery, I'm afraid Jason isn't improving." The hospital room was frozen with silence. The doctor's words stabbed my aching heart.
"How long does he have left doc?" I held my tears back to be there for my grief-stricken wife. I wanted so bad to curl up and cry right now.
The doctor remained silent as he glanced at Jason on the hospital bed. The ventilator pump seemed to make the pause carry on for an eternity.
"We don't know Mr. Avery, if we were to transfer him to a different wing..." He considered his words carefully. "He may remain comatose, and pass in a week, or he could also be gone for a month, maybe even a year." My wife began to sob.
I set my hand on the hospital bed railing. "Do what you can doctor, we will do anything it takes to get him back."