Chapter 2

It was already afternoon when I woke up feeling fresh. The soreness of my body was gone even my headache. I believe I can now stand up and explore the place.

With a bit of stretching, I left the bed and went to the basin near the entrance of the tent to wash my face only to see my reflection in the water.

'Sigh, not a dream.'

I wash my faced and grab some clean cloth beside the basin to dry. After that, I stopped at the entrance, took a deep breath and exited the tent.

What welcomed me was a camp filled with men in armor and each of them is busy doing something. Some of them are polishing their swords, others are walking their horses, bringing supplies while a few of them are drinking ale.

I noticed the tents are all color yellow, or maybe yellowish white and there are flags here and there showing a purple shield with spear tied with skulls.

Great, now I'm pretty sure I'm in Golden Company camp because that's their coat of arms.

I started to walk down the camp fire a few meters away from me where I saw Tristan having some conversation with other soldiers while drinking ale. They look like they are having a good time.

As I walk, I felt a lot of gazes directed at me and I'm pretty sure it's not friendly but not hatred either. It was more like a contempt and a gloating look. I can't really blame them since the original owner of my body was clumsy and timid despite being a member of the company. I guess they take it as shame of being one of them. Thank god I wasn't a bastard or I would be treated differently in bad way if that is the case.

Thankfully, Tristan saw me approaching and gestured for me to join them. I oblidge because why not? It's a good opportunity to know more specific things about the current events in Essos and maybe Western as well.

"Glad yer awake, lad. I really thought you were really a goner. I guess even the gods doesn't want yer ass in the afterlife, Hahahahah!" Tristan greeted with a red face laughing loudly at my misfortune. All the guys around joined him in laughter.

I wasn't offended by his jeer. In fact I treated it as a friendly jab like a banter between close buddy. I just shrugged and calmly sat down beside Tristan before saying, "Lucky I still got my balls intact when I fell."

Suddenly, all of them stopped laughing and stared at me dumbfounded including Tristan. They are actually expecting a reaction of me being pissed off and running. It's a pity that I get to own this body now.

After a few seconds of silence, someone couldn't hold it anymore bursting out a laugh.

"Hahahaha"

"Hahahahahhaha"

Tristan, who was still staring at me stiffled his laugh but I can see confusion in his eyes.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that? I'm not going to sleep with you big oaf, I prefer women.", I snickered.

My words earned another wave of laughter among them. However, I can now see some seriousness when Tristan looks at me. It was now filled with question mark of who was this familiar but unfamiliar guy in front of him.

To ease him, I took the initiative to explain.

"You are probably wondering about my sudden change of temperament, Aye?"

He nodded but didn't reply waiting for my explanation.

"The fall did something to my head." I said while pointing at my head injury.

Tristan frowned while nodding in understanding muttering "That's why" repeatedly.

"I must say lad, I prefer this kind of behavior more than your old shitty self. You became funny, hahaha I like that." Tristan patted my shoulder while smiling.

I scoffed and said, "Fuck off, I still like women."

"Hahahahahahah"

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH"

"Bwahahahaha"

Not long after, I got along with the group and I got to know each of them. Each one tell their own story and I listened to them in enjoyment.

We drank the ale with relish which was awful by the way. I missed the cold and mild beer from my old world. However, this is all we have for now so why not cherish the camaraderie. But I need to find away to introduce beer in this world and let these good men have taste of it. I bet they gonna love it.

Then I noticed something in Tristan's head. I already had a glimpse of it earlier as I couldn't make sense out of it. I thought maybe I was just drunk or something's wrong with my eyes.

"Hey Tristan, what's that on your head?" I asked.

"What? Something's on my head?" Tristan asked in confusion while he brush up his hair by his fingers.

Another soldier looked closer in his head. He was confused as well.

"You're messing with us, lad? There's nothing on his head beside his hairy scalp."

"I know what it is. He's drunk! He's probably drunk, hahahaha."

I rub my eyes and shook my head before squinting over to focus my gaze. Now I could swear I see something in his head.

'What the hell was that? Hmm..it looked like...a ring?'

Yes, I saw rings, I mean literally like a wedding ring. They formed a group slowly floating on top of his head in different colors and when I started to focus on one of them, words appeared. That particular ring says 'Horseback Riding'. It's color were copper.

I learned forward to check on the rest when I saw something in my peripheral vision. It says 'Extract?', Yes or No? What the hell does it even mean?

'Wait.. Is this my boon? My Golden finger?'

Excitedly, I chose 'Yes' because I'm not an idiot. The moment I extracted the 'Horseback Riding' ring. I felt something appearing inside my clenched hand like magic. It was a copper ring with no decorations. Without anyone noticing, I slipped it in my left index finger and I felt that it adjusted automatically to my finger's size. Then a sudden surge of information regarding horseback riding went in my brain as if it's mine. It's like I'm doing it all my life.

A few seconds later, I couldn't help but grinned with the sudden benefits I get or going to get. I couldn't believe I have this peculiar ability that will help me survive and thrive in this world. I decided I'm gonna test it out tomorrow morning to see its effects and not just some fancy hallucinations from the ale. And since I'm already here, might as well get a few from Tristan. While they were paying attention to the soldier who was telling a story, I leaned closer again to Tristan and chose a black ring that says 'Intermediate Swordsmanship'. I extracted it, appearing in my hand. But I didn't wear the ring because I'm afraid of the after effects. I thought that it's better to be cautious and wear it when I'm alone. Who knows there might be a major changes in my body after I slipped it in my finger.

After another hours of jeering and banters, we decided to call it a day. Tipsy, I struggled to stand and wobble my way towards my tent. I removed my boots and dive into my bed. I started snore as I immediately fell asleep without any care in the world.

--

Next day before noon, Tristan and I was in the stables. At this time, I'm standing before a tall black horse while Tristan was standing next to me tending to the horse.

"Are you sure about this? You haven't done this on your own before. Look what it got you when you attempted this the last time." Tristan asked bewildered of my request.

While looking at the majestic horse, I said, "That's before, it's different now. I'm crazy enough to ride this stallion and that's all I need to make it work."

"Okay, I'm not gonna save you this time. I will bury you with this horse's shit the moment you landed on the mud." Tristan chided while securing the saddle.

I nodded and said, "I could work with that."

"Ready?"

"Of course."

"Hop on then, do you need a lift?"

"Nah, thanks."

While making sure I'm wearing the copper ring, I placed my hand on the saddle. Then everything became easy. I inserted my left foot in the stirrup and pull myself upward like a pro. And there I was, seated comfortably on the saddle. I took the reins from Tristan while he was staring dumbly at me. I slightly kicked the stirrup and the horse started troting.

I was excited by the feeling and it was all real. I really gained the knowledge and experience to ride a horse. I couldn't help but get excited about the thought of wearing the black ring. Just to make sure, I urge the horse to start running fast, turning around and back to the stables. Thankfully, I managed to pull it off without me planting my face on the muddy ground.

I hopped down from the horse, feeling smug before asking my hairy friend, "Heh, what do you think?"

"I think we need to call a celebration, let's go find the boys and have a drinking match once again. Hehehe." Tristan hooked his arm around my shoulder excitedly.

"Pshhh, you just wanted to drink and you just found your reason."

Tristan, laugh and said, "Getting smart now, aye? Let's go lad, we have some bragging to do, hahaha."