Kaleb jolted awake, and his heart sank as he glanced outside, realizing he had overslept.
He shot upright, heart pounding, as he frantically looked around.
"Damn it," He said, cursing under his breath.
The sun was already high in the sky, its light streaming through the gaps in the wooden wall of the shed. He was supposed to meet the guard at sunrise.
"No, no, no…," he muttered to himself, quickly scrambling to his feet and putting on his clothes.
He bolted out of the shed, barely pausing to shut the door behind him. His heart raced as he sprinted across the estate grounds as fast as he could. The estate's gates finally came into view, and his eyes locked on the guard, who had already mounted his horse, preparing to leave.
"Wait!"
Kaleb shouted, his breath ragged as he pushed himself harder. Glancing over, he clicked his tongue, his expression annoyed, but he didn't move to stop. Skidding to a stop at the feet of the horse, his chest heaving.
"I'm... I'm here," he gasped, doubling over to catch his breath.
"You're late slave!" the guard snapped, his tone sharp.
"I'm sorry," he said, struggling to keep his voice steady. "I overslept."
The guard sneered, looking upon him with contempt and disdain. "Of course, you did. Useless, wretch. I wonder what the Count saw in a worthless slave you that he decided to buy you a weapon. As far as i can tell, you're worth is no better than the dirt beneath my boot."
'Maybe thats why youre just a fucking guard!'
Kaleb thought, swallowing his pride and bearing with it. As any outburst or defiance would only make things worse.
"Get on, Or I'll leave you behind" the man barked.
Kaleb nodded silently, suppressing the rising anger within him, and climbed onto the horse without another word. As Kaleb and the guard rode through town on horseback, Kaleb's senses were overwhelmed as he took in the world beyond the estate for the first time.
It hit him like a wave, a strange sense of awe he had never before experienced. This wasn't just another town, he was in a completely different world. The cobbled streets were bustling with people in clothes that resembled medieval garb.
Vendors shouted from their stalls, selling everything from freshly baked bread, colorful fabrics, and hand-forged tools and weapons while carriages pulled by horses clattered down the narrow roads. The buildings crafted from wood and stone, had a rustic charm as they lined the streets, their roofs thatched or made from heavy tiles.
There wasn't a trace of modern technology anywhere. No cars. No electricity. No phones. It was as if he had stepped back in time, into the pages of a storybook world. But as far as he knew, this place could just as well be an undeveloped town, only time would tell.
Kaleb's heart pounded as he tried to take it all in. For a person from a more advanced civilization, it was all so surreal. He clenched his fists, as the reality of where he was settling deeper into his mind. As the horse moved through the streets, he couldn't help but marvel at how different this world was from everything he had known.
The horse's hooves clattered against the cobblestone road before to a halt.
"Get off" the guard commanded. annoyed and Irritated but powerless he complied.
The excitement and anxiety quickly pressed down on him. Showing little patience, the guard quickly tethered the horse to a nearby post before turning to Kaleb.
"Stay here," the guard ordered.
"Where are you going?"
He ignored Kaleb and walked away. He scowled, watching as the guard made his way to a small building nearby. He took a moment to steady himself, glancing around the busy street as it bustled with activity, people setting up their stalls, townsfolk chatting animatedly, and the occasional horse-drawn cart rumbling by.
After a brief wait, the guard returned.
"Let's go," he said, leading Kaleb toward a nearby shop.
The sign above the door was in a language he was unable to understand.
"Hey, what does this say?" he asked.
"I'm only here because I'm on orders to take you to get a weapon, not to be some sort of tour guide. Now get in here before I force you in!"
'What did I expect?' Kaleb muttered walking in.
Inside, the shop was filled with an array of weapons, swords of various designs, shields of varying shapes and sizes, bows, and arrows of different lengths, were all neatly displayed on wooden racks. The scent of oil and metal was strong in the air as a heat radiated from deeper within. A burly man emerged from a door behind the counter, wearing a leather apron and wiping his hands on a cloth, looked up as they entered.
"Welcome," the man said gruffly. "What can I do for you, fine gentlemen, today?"
Kaleb took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the assortment of weapons.
"I'm here to purchase a weapon," he said, trying to sound confident.
The man was in disbelief as what looked to be a slave was stood before him, intending to buy a weapon. He looked to the guard who explained that it was an order from the lord of the land.
"Him?" he said raising an eyebrow, "A slave? Here to buy a weapon?" he grunted, clearly taken aback.
The guard stepped forward. "Like i said, it was the lords order, so If you don't mind just provide him with a weapon so I can be on my way"
The smith nodded, "I see. Well then, what kind of weapon do you usually use boy?"
Kaleb looked around at the array of weapons, feeling overwhelmed by the choices and not knowing what would suit him best, he turned to the smith.
"I've never used one, could you help me choose?
"Alright," he said as he began running his hands across his body.
Kaleb pulled away instinctually, his face flushing with both surprise and discomfort.
"What are you doing?" he asked, a hint of alarm in his voice.
The smith looked up, slightly taken aback by Kaleb's reaction.
"I'm analyzing your build," he explained "It helps to understand how you move and what weapon might fit with your physique"
Kaleb's confusion gave way to understanding, though he still felt uneasy about the intrusion.
"Oh, I see. But can you be a bit less… physical?"
"It was either that or you strip naked, but don't worry, I'm done"
"So what's the verdict?"
The smith took a step back, eyeing Kaleb with a more appreciative gaze.
"You've got strong muscles for your size," he remarked, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "You're not the tallest, but you're built solid. Someone like you would rely on agility more than brute strength, I reckon."
"What does that mean?"
"Well, a weapon like a long sword or a battle axe are too heavy and would just slow you down. You need something that'll work to your advantage, and that's speed."
He reached for something at the top shelves "Something light and fast, but sturdy enough to do some real damage."
"Try this dagger. It should be easy enough to handle." He said, handing it to Kaleb.
Kaleb took the sword and unsheathed it, the man watched as Kaleb tested the weapon, observing his movements closely. He swung it a few times, feeling its weight. 'He's right' he thought, "It is easy to handle, but it feels off
"It feels unsteady," he said, handing it back.
The man grunted and moved on to another weapon.
"Well just have to find one that fits you then"
He continued to show Kaleb different swords and daggers. After trying several options and finding faults with each, Kaleb's and the smith's frustration grew. And having stood impatiently in the corner the guard let out an exasperated sigh.
"For fucks sake! Just hurry up and pick one, slave. I have more important things to do than keep you company all day," he snapped, his tone sharp.
Kaleb shot the guard a glance, " Calm down, I'll pick when I find one that feels right. And if you have a problem with me doing this, complain to the count, not me!"
The smith gave the guard a stern look before turning back to Kaleb.
"Take your time, lad. A weapon isn't something you just settle on."
His eyes were drawn to a barrel in the corner of the shop.
"What about those?" he asked, pointing to the assortment of weapons tossed haphazardly inside.
The smith grimaced.
"Those are all just duds, weapons nobody wanted or that had defects. They're not worth much, and most are in poor condition."
Kaleb approached the barrel, digging through the pile. He pulled out various weapons, inspecting each one. Despite their rough appearance, he noticed some were surprisingly well-balanced.
"Maybe there's something useful here," Kaleb said, more to himself than anyone else.
The smith sighed but shrugged.
"Suit yourself. Just don't expect much from those."
Kaleb rummaged through the barrel, pulling out a pair of twin short swords.
The shop owner's brow furrowed in confusion.
"Strange…"
"What is?"
"I don't remember making these," he muttered, examining the weapon.
He attempted to unsheathe one of the swords, "It's stuck tight." he said grunting in frustration as it wouldn't budge.
He handed them to the guard. "Maybe you can give it a go."
The guard, with a scowl, reluctantly gripped one of the hilts and yanked hard. His face reddened as he strained to unsheathe it, but the blade didn't move.
"What kind of junk is this?" he muttered, tossing the sword to Kaleb.
Intrigued, he gripped the hilt gently, and, with little effort, the blade slid out. The metal shimmered in the dim light, and Kaleb stared at it in awe.
The smith's eyes widened.
"Well, I'll be damned…" he whispered, watching Kaleb handle the weapon with ease.
As Kaleb held the blade, he noticed it's peculiar nature, as it wasn't like any weapon he had seen, whether it was in this world or his.