4 Civilization

At last, Leo reached the end of the forest. The sky began to turn dark already, showing just how long they were in there.

"Do you see the flickers in the distance? These are the torches from the village guards. They will ask you some questions before we enter. Just tell them honestly, nothing to hide after all."

Sam said, and walked faster than before. He walked besides Henry, leaving Leo next to Leah.

"Will it be okay if I tell them what happened to me?"

Leo asked, and turned to Leah with a worried look.

"It should be. They are able to determine if a person is really lying to a certain degree. Don't ask me how, maybe knowledge of human nature by experience. In addition, we can vouch for you."

"Would you do that for a stranger like me" Leo questioned, not believing they would put their village in danger for him, a unknown person.

"Why not? You are but a child, and Henry controlled you with magic."

'Right, I'm just a lost child with memory loss. I doubt they will expect a transmigrated in a this body.'

"Hurry up, I want to fall onto my bed and rest. Maybe they have left us some soup to eat, already starving again."

Henry pushed, and another question arouse in Leo.

"Ehm, Where can I sleep when we arrive? I don't want to inconvenience anyone."

Sam thought about it a moment, and after a while he said:

Well, I guess we can't let you sleep by a total stranger, and our houses are too small for even another person.

An Inn would be great, but it is too expensive.

If you are okay with it, you can sleep in the shed. I know, sounds terrible, but the stored hay there can keep you warm enough."

"I guess... that's okay." Leo exclaimed, already missing his soft mattress back then. "Thank you for looking after me."

"Yeah yeah, but can we be quick? I need to shit really bad, and i rather do it in a proper dumpster than out here."

Leah, holding her forehead, sighed:

"Really, can't you keep that for yourself. I never needed such pictures."

Sam laughed, and after another 5 minutes of walking they arrived, finally, by the guards, which were standing beside a wooden gate. The gate was simple, a bundle of thick wooden logs kept together with a sturdy string. The fence was over 2 and a half meter high, and lit up on some parts with torches. The wooden wall enclosed the whole village, and there were only to main entrances.

When the group arrived by the guards, they were greeted by a middle aged man. He wore a similar leather armor, a sword hanging by his waist and strong looking boots.

He eyed them, saw Sam and Leo. He said:

"Hello Samuel, Did you have a successful hunt? If so, I can't make out any bigger spoils."

"Hi Geiz. Not really, only some Goblins. We encountered a mysterious phenomena though. The magic energy was chaotic and scared away the vast majority of potential prey.

When investigating, we found this little one here."

He showed Leo to Geiz, who observed Leo with an interested gaze. He asked Sam again:

"Are these your clothes? How come he wears them?"

"He was butt naked when we found him, lost his memory and is total lost. We hope someone here may know him and can help."

"So it's like that, huh. Alright, little one, can you answer me some questions?"

Leo nodded, and Geiz began to ask some simple questions, like who he is, if he may know why he was in the forest and what happend.

Leo answered honestly, but hid the parts which were to unbelievable.

As if he suspect something but can't put his finger on it, Geiz looked deeply at Leo, but he remained unfazed.

A child may cover under such an intense gaze, but not a grown man.

Thus, after a moment, Geiz opened the gate, and let the group in.

Before he closed the gate, he asked Sam, Henry and Leah:

"Right now it is too late, but can you report what you found out to the village head. He said something about a disturbance in the vicinity, and maybe you found a clue."

"Will do, good night, till tomorrow," came the response. They then stood on a dirt road, left and right some simple houses with whitewash, hay roofs and fire wood in front. Leo expected a horrible smell of feces, as he heard in medieval times the sanitation was bad.

As it was dawn, almost nighttime, there were few people on the road. The few people outside only glanced at them, and paid no further heed.

"Then let's disband for now. Tomorrow morning by the main house?"

Sam asked, and Leah remarked:

"Sure, the earlier the better. Asking around if someone knows a 13 year old with no distinguish features? Not to say he is not a big help either."

Henry said, but not in a mean tone like one would expect from how he phrased it.

"I'm sorry that you guys worry so much about me. Not only do you gift me clothes, but also a place to sleep and the spoils from the Goblins."

"Nah, I want those back. First, they are numerous sizes to big for you, and clothes are expensive.

As you see," Sam showed Leo some of the people, some buildings and the state of the street, "we are not exactly wealthy. Adventuring and hunting is dangerous, and we can't do this every day."

"I understand. Is it alright if I lend me these till I can afford my own?"

Sam smiled and nodded.

Leah and Henry bid farewell, and walked together along the main road.

"Good night, Sam and whelp. Think of a name tomorrow, can't give you nicknames all the time."

"Night Sam, Whelp. See you tomorrow."

They walked away, leaving Leo with Sam.

"Us two have to walk this street," he pointed to the right, along a smaller road," Our house is not far, the first street left and at home.

I live with my younger brother and father, so our home is relatively cramped.

The shed is right next to our house, windproof and clean. Not the best, but you will manage."

Leo wanted to express his gratitude, but before he could open his mouth, Sam continued:

"No need to thank me. I somehow know how it is to be on your own, and the help I provide is nothing much. Furthermore, I don't expect you being here for free.

Some work has to be done, and you can help with it."

'Again, not only does he help me, he even gives me work to repay him and not feeling like a total burden.

A great guy.'

Leo remained silent, and both walked alongside to the mentioned street, next to Sam's house.

It is a rather small house, barely enough to contain three persons, a fireplace and a dining room.

At the back is a covered fireplace, an anvil and a big barrel with water. A grinding stone stood next to the fence, which enclosed the whole thing.

"My father is a smith, so if you have some money, we can build you some things, like weapons or tools."

Sam yawned, stepped on the stair leading into the house, and said.

"I'm beat up. The shed there," he showed Leo with his thump over the shoulder," is yours for tonight. Not locked, 'cause no valuables. We are pretty familiar around here. See you tomorrow."

Still somewhat perplexed by the situation, Leo nearly missed to thank him for the patronage.

He felt the fatigue, barley getting out:

"...ank you. ...Night.."

Sam ruffled Leo's hair, what was a strange feeling for someone with his memories and mental age.

"Sleep tight. We see the village head tomorrow and the branch, so get a good rest."

He vanished inside the house, leaving Leo alone in front. He walked right, and opened the door to the shed.

Inside were a store room and one above. It was small, and besides the hay was some sacks of grain, flour and other stuff, like scraps.

"Well, compared to sleeping in the bushes this is so much better."

Leo said, walking over to a bunch of loose hay and make it as comfortable as possible.

'My first night in this world, and already so much happened. What will tomorrow keep ready for me?

And-'

With thoughts revolving around tomorrow, Leo's eyes got heavy, and slowly draft away into a deep sleep.

-Next day-

"Sleepyhead, get up!"

A voice traveled in from outside. Leo, still in his sleep stage, moved around the hay, not minding the fine twigs piercing the shirt.

Do I speak unclear? I- said- Stand- up!"

Between each pause Sam knocked hard against the exterior of the shed, startling Leo.

He got up, brushed off some dust plus hay needles and opened answered.

"Up, I'm up."

Sam opened the door, and slivers of light shone inside, illuminating his body.

"You look like dog shit, wash up at the bucket of water there. A cat wash has to suffice."

Come inside my house when ready."

Leo walked out, squinting his eyes at the sudden brightness. He walked to the bucket not far away, standing on a grass spot.

It was clear, cold well water. First Leo washed his face, and a lot of dirt came off. Next he took off the shirt and cleaned his upper body. When he finished, he looked down in the big bucket.

The same face as yesterday. Brown hair, strong nose, wide chin and brown, slightly red eyes.

'I need some time to accustom, I guess.'

A sigh escaped his lips while he put the shirt back on.

He walked to the front door of Sam's house, knocking.

Tock tock.

"Come in" Came Sam's response.

"Who is that?" A young sounding voice asked.

Leo opened the door and walked inside. He was welcomed with the smell of a vegetable soup.

A table with three people sitting at it, and a fourth chair.

The bearish man sitting at it said with a commanding but friendly voice:

"Sit, my son already told me. Hope you can find your place and so."

Leo was surprised. Even this scary man before him was so friendly to offer him food. He smiled at the man, and sat next to Sam and the man.

"By the way, that bear of a person is my father, Thomas. And the kiddo is my brother Bron.

He should be around your age"

"Don't call me kiddo, Sam. 13 years is already old enough to help father in the smithy."

Bron said in a insubordinate tone.

"Sure Bron, you will always be a kiddo in my eyes.

And this here is our little friend we found yesterday. 'Cause of his memory loss, he doesn't remember his name,-"

Here Leo had to cut in, as he did not want to be called little or so the whole time.

"About that, can you call me Leonardo, or Leo for short? Little one is in the long term no good way of calling me, no?

"Is that you birthname?" Thomas asked. He invoke in Leo the feeling of a friendly giant.

"No, at least I can not remember. But thinking about it, I need a name. And this one is quite to my liking."

"Is that okay pops? Just making up a name.?"

"Sure it is, all names are made up. Or do you not want a name?"

Sam shook his head. "I mean is it okay to call him so, after all he may already have a name, a family and so one. What if-"

"What if? There is no real demerit in having a name. Even if he is a noble with surname, Leo can always change his name.

Now, Leo, eat!"

With a swing, Thomas placed a wooden bowl filled with soup, a spoon and a jug of water in front of him.

Leo, while smelling the aroma, took the spoon and ate it.

While tasting somewhat bland due to the lack of salt, the freshness of the vegetables made up for it.

Then, when he finished, Sam said:

"So, let's discuss what is today's plan... ."