Year 1121. Summer.
It had been nearly a month since Reid arrived in the Town of Eton. In that time, he had learned much about this strange new world. The calendar system was a curious blend of lunar and solar cycles, and the local geography, with its rolling hills and dense forests, had become familiar as he explored the town and its surroundings. He learned of Eton's mayor, a man named Gregor Tallow, who ruled the town with a firm but fair hand. The barmaid who had taken a particular interest in him was named Abella, and though she was persistent in her flirtations, Reid kept his interactions with her strictly business.
But not everything in Eton was as simple as it appeared. Reid soon discovered that the opal necklace he had used to pay for his stay was more valuable than he realized—far more valuable—at least for this town. Word had spread among the town's less savory elements, and it wasn't long before trouble came knocking.
Reid found himself cornered in an alley by a pair of town guards, each one blocking his escape routes. Their armor was worn and their faces shadowed by the dying light of the day, but their intentions were clear.
"I never thought the town's guards had to resort to robbing. The mayor isn't paying you enough, or you schmucks don't know danger when you see one?" Reid's voice was calm, almost mocking, as he flashed his dagger in one hand. The blade caught the last rays of sunlight, glinting menacingly. His other hand remained hidden from their view, and that alone made them hesitate.
Reid had mastered the common language in just four days, far earlier than he had anticipated. His ability to learn quickly had proven invaluable, allowing him to blend in and gather information without arousing suspicion. He knew the town wasn't entirely safe, but he hadn't expected a robbery attempt from those sworn to protect it.
One of the guards, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, sneered. "You're the one who doesn't know when to shut up, stranger. Hand over whatever else you've got, and we might let you walk away from this."
Reid smirked, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation. "You think I'm carrying anything else of value? The opal was just a trinket I picked up on the road. You really think someone like me would keep all their wealth in one place?"
The second guard, shorter but stockier, stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "We don't care where you got it. What matters is that you hand it over. Now."
Reid's smirk deepened into a cold smile. "You're making a mistake. You see, I'm not from around here, and I don't play by your rules. So I'll give you one chance to walk away."
The guards exchanged a glance, clearly not taking the threat seriously. But Reid wasn't bluffing. In a swift motion, he revealed what his hidden hand had been holding—a small, carefully prepared pouch of fine powder. With a flick of his wrist, he threw the powder into the air, right into the faces of the guards.
The effect was immediate. The powder was a potent blend of herbs and minerals Reid had concocted during his stay in Eton. It caused intense irritation, blinding the guards and sending them into a coughing fit. Reid didn't wait for them to recover. He moved like a shadow, slipping past them and disappearing into the maze of alleys before they even had a chance to react.
As he put distance between himself and the scene, Reid's mind raced. The incident confirmed what he had suspected—his time in Eton was running out. The opal had attracted too much attention, and now the town's corrupt elements were turning against him.
Reid knew he couldn't stay in Eton much longer. He needed to find a way out, to move on before things escalated further. But for now, he would bide his time, gather his remaining resources, and plan his next move.
Back at the inn, Reid worked quickly to pack up. He had not been idle during his time in Eton. Under the guise of an eager apprentice, he had spent weeks learning from the local herbalist, absorbing as much knowledge as he could about the region's flora and their medicinal uses. It wasn't formal education, but it was valuable all the same. Reid had only completed half of high school before circumstances had forced him into a drifter's life. Despite that, he had always valued learning, knowing that knowledge was often more powerful than any weapon.
His knapsack was already half-full with the essentials—dried herbs, a few vials of concoctions he had brewed himself, and a small stash of food. He added the daggers he had taken from the battlefield, carefully wrapped in cloth to avoid cutting through the bag. Next went the few coins and metal strips he had accumulated, as well as a leather-bound journal where he had been recording everything he learned about this world.
As Reid finished packing, a sudden knock on the door startled him. He froze for a moment, then silently cursed himself for not anticipating it. He had known his time in Eton was limited, yet here he was, caught off guard.
Reid moved to the door, one hand on his dagger, ready to strike if necessary. His other hand hovered near his knapsack, prepared to grab it and flee at the first sign of trouble. He cracked the door open cautiously, only to find himself staring at none other than Abella, the persistent barmaid.
She was standing in the doorway with a sultry expression, her cleavage prominently displayed and one strap of her clothing slipping seductively off her shoulder. Her skin was milky white, and her lips were puckered as if ready for a kiss. "Hey there, handsome…" she purred, leaning in as if expecting Reid to pull her into the room. Her dark brown hair bounced slightly as she tried to squeeze inside—
Without a word, Reid slammed the door in her face, the sound echoing down the hallway. He didn't have time for distractions, least of all from someone who seemed to think he was here for more than just survival.
Reid grabbed the last item he needed—the atlas he had stolen from the mayor's study a few days ago. It was an invaluable resource, filled with maps and notes on the surrounding areas. Slipping it into his knapsack, he secured the bag to his back and moved to the window.
With practiced ease, Reid unlatched the window and climbed out, dropping down into the narrow alley below. He didn't look back as he made his way through the shadows, his steps quick and silent.
And then there was the sudden prick of his danger sense.
The sky had already darkened, with the last remnants of sunlight having slipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the town. Reid didn't get a good look at what triggered the alarm in his mind, but before he knew it, he was airborne, his body moving instinctively to avoid the unseen threat. He landed hard, flat on his back, but rolled over immediately, transitioning smoothly into a defensive stance with his dual daggers at the ready.
He glanced at the spot where he had been lying moments before, noticing a deep footprint embedded in the ground—a mark left by a powerful impact.
Suddenly, Reid smelled danger.
His danger sense extended to all five of his senses and could manifest in various ways. The sharp scent in the air now told him all he needed to know: poison. The smell was unmistakable, and it set off every alarm in his mind. He cranked up his hyper-awareness to eleven, focusing all his senses as he parried a flash of movement to his left. There was a brief spark as metal clashed against metal, his dagger intercepting the incoming strike.
"Don't test me," Reid warned, his voice low and dangerous. "I might kill you, speedster."
From the blur of motion, a figure emerged, slowing down enough for Reid to recognize her. It was Abella, the barmaid. But gone was the flirtatious smile and sultry demeanor. In their place was a predatory grin, and in her hand, she brandished a short sword, its edge gleaming in the dim light.
"Awesome, so you are one of us… A gifted, huh? Neat…" she said with a twisted smile, clearly enjoying the revelation.
Reid's grip tightened on his daggers. "I can smell the poison on your weapon. Who are you?"
Abella's smile widened as she took a step forward, her eyes gleaming with a blend of ferocity and amusement. "Let's just say I'm… the danger…" she whispered, crouching low, her sword held to one side and hidden behind her small frame.
Reid instantly recognized the stance. It was a technique designed to conceal the length of the sword, making it harder for an opponent to judge the distance or predict the next move. He had seen it before in his past world, during the few months he spent in the high school escrima club.
"No way," Reid muttered, a sudden, funny thought crossing his mind.
"Yes way," Abella replied with a smirk, catching the slight shift in his expression.
"Abella… Danger? That's your name, barmaid?" Reid asked, his voice dripping with skepticism.
"It's an alias," she replied with a shrug, though her tone held a sharp edge. "Why do I detect a hint of mockery in your tone?"
"Nothing," Reid responded, ensuring his defense was rock-solid, his daggers angled in a way that protected him from any potential blind spots. "I just find it strange. Why attack me?"
Abella straightened slightly, her predatory smile turning into something more mischievous. "I'm horny, and you rejected me. That simple."
Reid blinked, caught off guard by her bluntness. It wasn't the answer he had expected, and it made the situation all the more unpredictable.
He couldn't help but let out a dry laugh, even as he kept his guard up. "That's your reason?"
"What can I say? I don't take rejection well," Abella replied with a casual shrug, her eyes still locked on him. "And you, Reid, are much more interesting than the usual drunks and farmers who would always annoy the heck of me. So, where exactly are you from? What are your affiliations? Do tell."
Reid shook his head, incredulous. "So you decided to try and kill me because you can't get in my pants?"
"Or see if you're worth the effort," Abella corrected, her tone playful yet dangerous. She shifted slightly, testing his reaction. "You might be more fun than I thought without your pants on."
"Unfortunately, I don't believe a word you say," declared Reid.
Reid's mind raced as he tried to figure out her true intentions. Was this just a twisted game for her, or was there something more at play? Either way, he couldn't afford to underestimate her. She was fast, skilled, and clearly dangerous. And now, she had turned her full attention on him.