September 9, 535
When Eldric awoke, he found himself in a strange room. The room was dimly lit, with no windows and just a single candle to light the surrounding walls. Below him, he felt the softness of a bed he hadn't felt in his entire life. As he rose, he glanced around the room, noticing a table with strange tools atop it next to him. A closed door to his right told him he was alone, and yet he felt no fear. He tried to remember what had happened before, or how he got to this comfortable bed, but there was nothing. A surge of pain overcame him and he gripped his chest. His arms and legs moved slowly, aching with every move out of soreness. Minutes passed and as the pain subsided, the closed door swung open. A tall, skinny man walked in and stood by the table, not paying any attention to Eldric. He wore black glasses that covered the entirety of his eyes, and despite balding on the top he had long black hair around the sides. Finally, the man turned to Eldric and smiled. His teeth were almost perfect and shined a bright white color, almost brightening the room with his smile.
"Good morning, Mr. Freeman," the man spoke in a light tone, his words calming and reassuring. "My name is Dr. Eckhart Bachmeier. How are you feeling today?"
Eldric looked on with suspicion. He continued to grasp his chest and looked the man up and down. Bachmeier wore a long white coat over his light brown pants and gray sweater. His arms were thin and veiny, and his hands had no meat on them. His neck didn't look like it could hold his large head, and his nose stuck out like a branch on a tree. Eldric struggled to mouth the words out of his mouth, and sought his voice. "Where am I?" When the words exited his mouth, they were raspy and hoarse. He coughed several times and the tall man reached out and placed his hand on Eldric's back.
"Greenwood. You're in Greenwood."
Eldric finally stopped coughing. "Where the hell is that?"
Scratching his bald spot vigorously, the man's face drew one of confusion. "Where indeed? It's all a matter of perspective."
"I don't have time for riddles." Eldric was becoming frustrated with the strange man called Eckhart, he just wanted answers and they were not being given.
"We're in the republic, Eldric, on the western side. Greenwood borders the Uninhabited Territory, which is where your companion said you mistakenly went towards. You know it's dangerous to go out there, right?"
Eldric thought. "Uninhabited Territory?"
The man nodded. "Yes. Your companion stated you were from Atesland, so you might've thought the republic went on longer than it did." Smiling, the man gave Eldric a thumbs up with his tall, skinny thumb. "Worry not, young Freeman. Greenwood is as far as you can go!"
Eldric didn't respond. He could barely interpret the man's words with his chest burning as it is. His head began pounding, though different from the other times it had. To him, this seemed to be a normal headache.
"Quite the journey, though, I must say." Eckhart grabbed a small chair from the corner and sat on it backwards, facing Eldric's bed. "Coming all the way from Atesland would take you, what? Years? That's as far east as anything on the continent. Tell me, what's the Eastern Republic like?"
Eldric shook his head. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Eckhart grew a melancholic smirk. "I'm attempting to lighten the mood, young Freeman. You've been asleep for three days, so I can imagine your confusion. I did take a look at your wound, however, and it seems as though you're well enough to leave when you're ready."
"Wound?"
"You'd been shot pretty bad from the looks of it. Likely by bandits out in the Uninhabited Territory. Strangely, though, you've healed right up in three days' time. Remarkable, is what I call it."
"Where am I?" Eldric repeated.
"Greenwood." The man said kindly. "Bachmeier's clinic to be precise. As I've said, I'm Dr. Eckhart Bachmeier. I tended to you while you were asleep on behalf of your companion."
Eldric finally understood. He repeated what Bachmeier had said to him in his head before hanging on the word 'companion'. He jumped, realizing that Michael hadn't been here. "Michael! Where is he?!"
Eckhart sat up. "Michael?"
"Yes, Michael. My- uh- companion. The one who brought me here. Where is he?" Eldric knew Michael wouldn't be here for long, considering he'd finished his end of the deal. However, Michael wouldn't be one to leave without saying goodbye. At least, that's what Eldric had hoped.
"Michael?" Eckhart repeated. "I don't know of a Michael. Your companion, Leodric, hadn't mentioned anything of the sort."
"Leodric?" Eldric looked away from the doctor, remembering what Michael had said about Leodric. Had he been alive all along? "Did Leodric say he was staying in Greenwood?"
The doctor shrugged. "He didn't say anything of the sort." Eldric frowned. "Though, he did give me this letter and said to give it to you upon your awakening." Eckhart reached into his coat pocket and revealed a small yellow envelope. It was stained and damp, yet still together in one piece. He set the envelope on the table next to the bed and placed his hand on it. "Before I can give this to you, however, I need to make sure you are in stable condition."
"I thought you said I was ready to go?"
"I did. Your ability to heal wounds is, in a word, remarkable. I've seen nothing like it before and so I must ensure that it isn't on just the outside that you're healed."
"But I feel fine."
"Young Freeman, I see many patients like you every day. I trust that if you are healed, this will take no more than an hour."
His hands tied, Eldric nodded. Eckhart left the room, returning the yellow envelope to his pocket before leaving. Eldric lay back on the bed, his mind swirling with fragments of memories and confusion. The room was silent, save for the occasional creak of the wooden floorboards. As he stared at the flickering candle, he began to piece together the last moments he could recall. He remembered fighting against the man called Zaorth in the Land of Solitude with Michael at his side. He remembered getting shot, though everything afterwards was a blur. He thought for a few more moments before the door swung open once more.
Dr. Bachmeier's return broke the silence. The man moved with a precise efficiency, his thin fingers deftly flipping open a notepad he brought back with him as he sat down once more. He looked at Eldric over the rims of his glasses, his eyes unreadable.
"First, we'll start with some basic questions," Bachmeier said, his voice calm and methodical. "I need to assess your mental clarity and memory function. Where is it you were travelling from?"
"Ei-," he started before cutting himself off. If he revealed he was from Einrich, things would probably not be pretty here. He was sure that was what Leodric had planned for when dropping him off. "Eister. A small town in Atesland."
Bachmeier nodded, jotting down notes. "And can you recall the events leading up to your arrival here? As much detail as you can remember."
Eldric closed his eyes, focusing. He could remember some details, but he knew not to specify the things he shouldn't. "We were traveling west, my companion and I. We had heard rumors about the Land of Solitude—stories of ancient ruins and hidden treasures. But mostly, it was about getting away from Atesland. Things there have been... difficult. It was a long journey, and we'd made it quite far. I believe we went too far and into the Land of Solitude and we were ambushed. I remember the gunshots. I remember my companion shouting my name, and then... darkness."
Bachmeier scribbled furiously, his expression remaining neutral. "And you feel alright in that area you were shot in?"
Eldric leaned forward, grabbing his chest. "Yes. It hurts, but I've felt worse pain before."
The doctor nodded, making more notes. "Your memory seems intact, which is a good sign. Now, I need to check your physical responses." He reached into a drawer and pulled out a small hammer, the kind used to test reflexes. "I'm going to tap your knee, just relax."
Eldric complied, shifting and dangling his legs over the edge of the bed. He felt the light tap and watched his leg jerk involuntarily. Bachmeier moved on, testing various reflexes and making notes each time. After what felt like an eternity, he put the hammer away and turned back to Eldric.
"Physically, you seem to be in remarkable condition given the severity of your injuries. I'm still astounded by how quickly you've healed. However, I'd like to run a few more tests to ensure there are no underlying issues."
Eldric nodded, though impatience gnawed at him. "What kind of tests?"
"Just a few more questions and observations," Bachmeier replied. "Please stand for me Mr. Freeman."
Eldric complied, his legs almost buckling over the weight of his body. The doctor checked all over his body, feeling every muscle, every nerve, and every bone to make sure all was good. He had Eldric test his grip, which was still quite good. After another eternity of several tests and observations, Eckhart put the notepad away and set his quill down onto the table.
"Well, it looks to me like you're okay to go."
Eldric nodded. "Thank you."
The doctor explained how to leave the building and handed Eldric the yellowing envelope. Thanking him, Eldric made his way to the door before being stopped again.
"Oh, one more thing Eldric Freeman," Eckhart began with a large grin across his face. "Nobody calls that place the Land of Solitude here. I'd recommend changing your vocabulary before you're caught by the wrong people. Understand?"
Eldric looked at the doctor, who returned to his notepad and continued scribbling on it with his quill. He gave a slight nod to the doctor and left the building.
As Eldric stepped out of Bachmeier's clinic, he was greeted by warm light and a smell he could not recognize. Greenwood stretched out before him, vibrant and alive with a palette of colors that seemed to dance in the midday sun. The buildings, though shorter than most in the Empire, blended seamlessly with the greenery around them, their walls adorned with intricate murals and mosaics that depicted scenes of history, mythology, and everyday life. Each building was a unique masterpiece, blending seamlessly into the next, creating a continuous tapestry of art that covered the city.
The streets were paved with smooth cobblestones, their patterns swirling in elaborate designs that guided the flow of foot traffic. Street vendors lined the sidewalks, their stalls overflowing with exotic goods and colorful fabrics. The air was filled with the tantalizing aromas of street food, a fusion of spices and flavors that provided Eldric's nose with scents he could only dream of.
The people of Reinbose were just as colorful as their surroundings. They wore garments of every hue, from deep, rich blues and purples to bright, fiery reds and oranges. The citizens moved with purpose, their expressions ranging from joyful to determined, as they went about their daily lives.
Eldric's eyes were drawn to the marketplace. Merchants hawked their wares, calling out to potential customers with practiced enthusiasm. The market was a sensory overload, with the sounds of haggling, laughter, and music blending into a harmonious cacophony that reminded him of the Market District in Heldenstadt, though somehow different. Eldric felt a sense of awe and excitement as he took in the sights and sounds of Reinbose, feeling a strange sense of belonging despite the unfamiliarity of his surroundings.
Several new buildings and stalls were being constructed around him. The citizens of Greenwood worked together in harmony on these projects, requesting nothing in return. Banners were hung over every balcony, and the mood had been surprisingly high.
As Eldric walked, he felt the weight of the envelope in his pocket. He continued to walk as he procured it. Flipping to see both sides of the envelope, nothing had been written on it. Inside was a single sheet of parchment, the writing neat and precise. Eldric began to read as he walked, his eyes widening as he took in the contents of the letter.
'Eldric.
First of all, good morning! I'm writing this very soon after dropping you off at Eckhart's and have no word on when you'll recover. Recover? Is that the word? Wake up I guess would be more appropriate. Something knacks at me which tells me that all will be okay and that somehow, some way, you'll make it out unscathed. I've provided this letter in hopes that you will earn some understanding after waking up from your slumber. How was it sleeping on that mattress? I can imagine it probably didn't feel too good to be very confused as you woke up in an unknown room with a strange unknown man.
Dr. Eckhart is a good man and one I've worked with in the past. His demeanor might set you off, but I can assure you that he means well. I met him years ago within the Land of Solitude on a trip I was taking to make an exchange with some Reinbose bandits. Things had gone south, but luckily he was there to help me out. I owe him my life, and now you do as well. Sorry for making you indebted to someone you've never met!
I imagine you've been confused with the usage of Leodric in the conversation with the doctor, and strangely it hadn't come to my mind until I've reached this portion of the letter. Well- Leodric is me! Michael! When I'd met Eckhart years ago, I used his name thinking I'd never see him again, but here we are.
This is around the third time I've seen Eckhart, and each time he's been a great service to me. If you're reading this, then he's once again added more debt that I owe him!
Anyways, I'm rambling on. There's so much to say, yet not enough time to say it. You're likely wondering if I'm still here in Greenwood. While I'd LIKE to say yes, the chances of me actually being here for however long you're asleep is low. There are things I need to accomplish here in Greenwood, so if you wake up within the week we got here (before the Festival) then I'll probably still be here! At the end of this letter, I'll write where I'll be staying. Pop in whenever you wake up and, well, if I'm there then you can wait around until I return. I'll be using the Leodric name around town, so nobody will know who 'Michael is'.'
Before Eldric could read the next part of the letter, he bumped into a short, stubby man, causing him to drop the letter. The man turned around and quickly helped Eldric pick up the parchment paper which contained the letter. The man was well dressed. He wore a deep black suit with a black tie and a black undershirt. His hair was thin on his head and combed over to cover the entirety of his head. He had a small brown mustache which covered the brim of his mouth and as he smiled, he showed his slightly crooked teeth.
"Apologies, friend, I didn't see you there." The man's voice was surprisingly smooth. He carried weight with every word, making sure to choose every word correctly. The men to his sides, also dressed in all black, stood in front of the short man as if protecting him, but he quickly brushed them aside. "Are you all right?"
Eldric nodded. "Sorry, I should've been looking."
The short man exchanged looks with his two bodyguards before turning back to Eldric. "No worries, friend. I'm sure this letter holds great importance to you."
Chuckling nervously, Eldric smiled. "Yes, you could say that."
"Are you excited for the festival?"
Nervously, Eldric nodded again. "Yes, sir. I cannot wait."
"That is good. It is the great people of Reinbose that make the festival something to come in town for. Is it not?"
"Yes, I agree." Eldric wanted to get out of the conversation as quickly as he could, but the short man was not letting him.
"Do you come from outside Greenwood?"
"I do."
"What part of Reinbose?"
"Atesland." Not knowing exactly where Atesland was, Eldric responded to keep in line the words he told the doctor. The man's eyebrow raised before he grew another smile.
"I've been to Atesland twice before in my life. It's a beautiful country, is it not?"
"I agree."
"Rolling hills, welcoming people, I could talk for hours with any one of them. They taught me your local game, did you know? I've become quite the master at it!" The man laughed a hearty laugh.
"That's good. I should really be-"
"It took me some time, you know. I couldn't exactly get better around others who also didn't know how to play!" The man laughed again. "If we ever meet again, we should play a game. I can show you a thing or two about how much I've grown!"
"I'm sure that would be wonderful." Eldric saw no end to this conversation. He wanted so desperately to finish his letter that he became frustrated. "Look, it's been wonderful talking to you, I must be going now."
The man nodded. "I understand. I apologize once more for bumping into you."
Eldric shook his head. "No, it was entirely my fault."
The short man gave a toothy smile. "I am sure we will meet again. What was your name, my friend?"
"Eldric," he replied regrettably, "Eldric Freeman."
"Mr. Eldric Freeman. I do hope you enjoy the festival."
"Thank you, sir." Eldric quickly walked away from the short man, who began to converse with his bodyguards and with passers on the street. He thought he would not continue walking if he was going to read the rest of the letter, so he began looking for a small place to sit down and read it.
After minutes of walking, he wandered into a quieter part of the city, where the streets were narrower, and the buildings cast long shadows over the cobblestones. Here, the noise of the marketplace faded into the background, replaced by the gentle murmur of the city's more subdued activities. Eldric found a small, secluded park, its entrance marked by an ornate wrought-iron gate. He pushed it open and stepped inside, breathing a sigh of relief as he was enveloped by the tranquility of the green space.
He reexamined the letter, its parchment crumpled from the run-in he had with the short man. He briefly read over the beginning of the letter again before finding his place and continuing to read.
'You probably don't know what the festival is, do you? I can explain better in person, but then again there's a chance you don't wake up until after I've left… Well, I'll explain it to the best of my ability here! The Festival of the Republic, as I believe they call it, celebrates the foundation of the Republic as a whole. Meinir Rietveld was born in this village, well now some call it a city, and along with his friends founded the Forces of Landon. In the year 101 of the Hrofth calendar, the Forces of Landon were sent to the Island of Arlington by the then High Emperor Ashe Eraj. That part isn't super important, but what is important is that from the Island of Arlington (which, fun fact, used to be called the Island of Landon prior to the Great Calamity), in the year 104, Meinir declared war on the Empire by attacking Eraj Harbor. The Festival of the Republic is celebrated on the day the harbor was attacked, marking the birth of the republic. Some say it's not that day but instead the day the Empire surrendered, but you'll find people arguing about it all day with one another.
Yes, it's quite the unhappy story for something to have a festival about, but the two nations have been at war for so long, that not many understand the meaning behind it anymore. Instead, they focus on their pride as Reinbosians, which can be commendable to some. If you ask my opinion on it, it seems quite unnecessary, though I'm sure I'm in the minority with that opinion.
Enough with the history lesson, you're probably wondering what it is to do from here. If I'm not in town, then do whatever it is you please! I recommend heading further east. In eastern Reinbose, there are nomads who welcome just about anyone into their lives. They're the original settlers of Alcrest from before the Great Calamity, and they are very traditional in their ways, but if you help them, they'll help you.
If you decide to stay in Greenwood, then that's fine and good. There's a large market in this town, so I'm sure if you stay here long enough, we'll meet again. Because of this (and the whole other scenario where I'm still in town), you'll find no goodbye in the contents of this letter.
One final note: regarding the deal we made in Clerud. If I'm out of town, forget about it. You've upheld your end of the bargain by the time I've left, so there's nothing left for you to do. Of course, if I AM still in town, then you'll still need to uphold it, but I promise I won't make you do anything that would be seen as treason here in Reinbose.
I'll conclude this letter now. Remember that whatever you do, do it with confidence.
I'll see you soon.
Michael.
P.S. Here's where I'll be staying if I'm still in town:'
Eldric read the letter all the way through, and then he read it again. After that he stood and changed his sitting spot, before reading the letter one more time. He finally put the parchment back into its envelope before standing and reciting the address written at the end over and over until he'd memorized it. He left the park, and after more minutes of walking, he'd finally made it to the home Michael had mentioned in his letter.
The building was on the outskirts of the village. It was made of all wood and didn't look to hold more than a single room. There weren't many other homes around it, the nearest one being several hundred meters away. Eldric stepped to the door and knocked on it. Nobody answered. Twisting the doorknob, he found that the door had been left unlocked.
The air was cool inside the house. The floor was clean and the walls sturdy. There was a single square table in the middle of the room next to a small kitchen station, and two beds stood on the opposite side. A single bookshelf was to the right of him, and as Eldric walked around, he noticed a small note on the square table.
I'm still here – Michael
Eldric drew a sigh of relief. He placed the envelope on the table and stepped over to the kitchen. He'd gotten quite hungry since waking up, and there seemed to be just enough food in the kitchen for one meal. He quickly worked it up and ate it in a matter of seconds, before stepping over to the bookshelf to grab a book to read while he waited for Michael.
* * *
When Michael returned, the sun had set long ago and Eldric was well into his book. Michael made eye contact with him before sighing with a smile and lying on his bed. There were no words spoken between the two for some time, and Michael was the first to break the silence.
"How do you feel?"
"Fine."
"That's good."
Eldric flipped to the end of the chapter he was on and set the book down. "Your letter made no sense."
Michael chuckled. "I bet it didn't. I wrote whatever came to mind and so it wasn't properly structured. At least it did it's job."
"And that was?"
"To bring you here."
Eldric looked at the envelope.
"How was Eckhart?"
"Fine. He said my recovery time was unlike any he'd ever seen."
Michael sat up, chuckling. "I can agree to that. You're a strange one, Eldric Freeman." The two fell into silence again. Michael stood and walked over to the kitchen and began looking through the cabinets.
"So what'd you do the three days I've been out?"
"Oh, nothing much. Shopping, talking, trying to strike up deals. You know how it is. Haven't been to Greenwood in some time, so I thought I'd try to get new connections, you know?"
"Fair."
Michael's hands stopped. He snapped his fingers and swiveled around to face Eldric. "There was something I'd meant to tell you if you woke up before the festival."
Eldric cocked his head. "Is it about my end of the bargain?"
"Bingo. Reinbose has a series of regions, right? And each state has its own Governor who rules over that respective region. We're currently in the Founder's Region, aptly named, and I've gotten in contact with the Governor Max Rooijakkers about allowing us to attend the President's banquet. You're going to come with me tomorrow for that meeting."
Eldric threw his hands up. "Wait a minute. Banquet? Meeting? You're throwing so much at me I don't have any time to catch up. I barely know a thing about the festival as is, now there's a banquet?"
Michael sighed. "Right, so basically this festival is a pretty big deal. So big, in fact, that every year, the President of Reinbose comes down to Greenwood and hosts a banquet at the Governor's mansion. It's an exclusive event, and you need to know someone to get in. Kinda like how in Einrich, nobles get to do whatever they well please."
"Okay, so we don't know anyone. How do you expect us to get into that banquet? And why anyways would you want to get in?"
Michael thought for a moment. "If we get into that banquet, you can gain citizenship here pretty damn quickly. Just talk to the President himself, ask for his permission, and just like that you're a Reinbosian. Me, on the other hand, I'm looking to strike up a trade route between the Land of Solitude and Reinbose. If I know people in high places, that makes it super easy for me to do that. It's a win-win situation for us."
Eldric scratched his temple. "Okay, I can kind of understand your reasoning, but how do you expect us to get into it? Unless Eckhart is secretly some political figure, we don't know anyone in this town. How'd you land a meeting with the Governor?"
Michael smiled and crossed his arms. "Easy. I made the Governor think we're related to some politician in eastern Reinbose. Nobody from the capital has any time to get over there, so they take my word for granted. I've been working on gaining their trust for the past three days, and it's finally paying off tomorrow with the meeting."
"And how does this make me repay my end of the bargain?"
"You're clearly a foreigner. We just say you're a relative or a friend from Atesland, and just like that we have an excuse for us to be from way out east. Make sense?"
Eldric looked down at the table. "I guess? There's so much I don't understand, but I'll take your word for it."
Michael nodded. "That's probably for the best. Regardless, we'll need to get you a nice suit tomorrow, so come shopping with me."
"Do we have the funds for that?"
Michael chuckled. "You can't be the relative of a politician if you're not filthy wealthy, so we've got that covered!"
Eldric sat back in his chair. If this was going to bring him citizenship, he was willing to go along with Michael's strange plan. As long as nothing went awry, he wouldn't need to worry about anything anymore. He stood from the chair and walked over to the unused bed. Despite being asleep for three straight days, just one day of moving about had made Eldric as tired as he'd ever been. So tired, in fact, that as soon as he laid his head down, he fell fast asleep.
Michael turned to Eldric. After making a small dinner for himself, he followed suit, readying himself for the many meetings tomorrow brought.