A small talk

Looking to his right he saw some clothes accurately folded on the table next to the bed. They seemed worn but neatly treated male clothes. Of course he was thankful and immediately began clothing himself.

The brown pant was quite to wide but a belt luckily was included. A white shirt was also included. As the temperature inside the room was pleasant he didn't have to worry for cold.

Slipping on a pair of sandals laid on the floor he left the small room. Following the noises he went to his left along a narrow corridor. Passing two doors on both sides he reached a stairway up and down. As the noises came obviously from downstairs he descended the stairs.

As he passed the turn on the stairway he saw a wide room. To the left at the foot of the stairs was a big fireplace and to the right was a big dining area. Some tables where occupied with people eating or drinking. He was not sure what daytime it was but as the light shone trough the windows it should have bee to early.

Opposite to the stairs he could spot a counter with barrels and bottles in a rack on further wall. Through the open door behind the bar drafted the smell of good cooking.

A brunette woman was leaning with her back on the bar, stretching her long legs straight. Her brown eyes glinted as she spotted him and a small smile flashed from her lips.

Opposite to her stood the busty elf that left his room not too long ago. She was gesturing wild and held her hands over ten inches apart as he reached a distance where he could hear her.

"... I tell you, he is at least this big. As I took of the provided blanket and bandages I was stunned. Should be quite to your liking if I remember right. We should..." ???

When the brown haired beauties expression shifted at her comment the elf halted mid sentence. With a bright crimson face she turned around as she seemed to have sensed him.

"I'm glad you're up. Please take a seat over there as I think the three of us should have a talk while you eat." ???

"By the way, I'm Mia. The hulking girl here is Alexis..." Mia

Not a Minute after they sat down some drinks arrived. The waitress darted away as soon as possible due to the awkward atmosphere. No one had spoken a single word since they took their places at the table.

He had no idea what to say as he was still trying to remember and process what had happened. And Alexis was staring daggers at Mia, while the elf was still beet red. So to break the silence he started.

"Thank you for helping me. I don't know what exactly happened but you sure had at least a hand in rescuing and healing me. I'm sorry I can't even properly introduce myself. I don't remember who I am or how I got here..."

"Oh, a János then... Well, cant be helped. At least you should be able to tell us how you ended up with cuts all over your body and arrows sticking in your back, no?" Alexis

Mia shot Alexis a sharp look. She was clearly displeased from her lack of compassion. But before she could speak up he answered.

"I guess your mistrust is normal. To cut a long story short, I was captured by bandits and... had the chance to flee. ...'Guess luck was on my side at least once when I stumbled on the street. After that I passed out cold... And here I am. Again, thank you." János

"Well, ain't that a little too short? If you want us to believe a word from your mouth we need a little more information... That wasn't more than we already know!

To give you some reason to trust us, so I guess we should introduce ourselves properly. We are sworn sisters from a time long ago. I came here on her behalf when she contacted me and asked to keep my eyes open in Eldrin Forrest for a guy that doesn't belong here..." Alexis

Even before Alexis introduced herself he had tried to analyze the women in front of him. As either his skill level was to low or they had some measures against it he had no success.

Of course his attempt didn't stay unnoticed and Alexis shot him a menacing glare. Lucky for him Mia cut in and pulled her attention towards herself.

"I guess I have to elaborate that myself. A lifetime ago I was a priestess to the goddesses, but I never lost my faith and our connection. In a divination 5 days ago I received a task. I was to ask only my trusted friends for help to find a man from another world and help him to find his way..." Mia

Alexis shot Mia a meaningful glance. The next moment her facial expression eased considerably as she looked at him for the first time with soft eyes that seemed to even hold some pity.

"W- w- ait a moment, another world? And THAT you believe so easy?..." J.

He was stunned. That he had somehow ended up in another world was expected. He had lost his memories, not his brain. Most of the general knowledge and what he had learned remained in his mind. Even some movies, games and books from his old life remained. But that was about all. Whenever he tried to pry further in his memories, the same head ace and nausea form when he woke up first attacked him.

"Well, that is to be expected... Alexis here is somehow pretty much alike." M.

Pretty reluctant Alexis told him how she was a reincarnated person. She had long ago been reborn as another person. In her case it was even another race but she didn't let out to much about this.

Working as an Adventurer she got famous thanks to her innate skills and was now roaming the lands after she retired.

There was no way for him to ask for her age though he had desire. But his life wasn't worth it.

After she told of her past and that she also wasn't innately from this world he decided to trust them at least for now. As they were obviously way stronger than him it didn't really matter. One way or the other they would get their information.

And so he told them his story. Detailed and from the moment he woke up in that dark chamber. They didn't ask questions in between and he only withheld the information regarding his system.

As he reached the end of his rather unexpected story he had a significant question.

"...but why did you call me a János?"

The women's faces had turned from curious to grim during his story. Frowning as he mentioned the battlefield in the temple and interested in his small battles their faces turned dark as he mentioned the Bandits mishandling him.

The moment he asked his question after the narration the were stupefied. Looking at each other they burst into laughter...

"And that is your question? After all you experienced, that is your first question?" Mia asked with teary eyes, still clutching her stomach.

"It's a typical placeholder in my homeland. I guess you still can't remember your real name after you told us your story.

As János will get awkward to call, how about we go with J.?" A.

Pondering about it a little he nodded. He had no idea when he'd get his memories back, and staying nameless would surely pose problems.

While János was thinking about his name the waitress returned. Mia had ordered some food while he told them his story.

Not waiting any longer he dipped his bread in his stew before him and gulped it down. It was tasty. Unsure whether it was due to his enormous hunger, his new senses or simply because it was made good. In the blink of an eye his portion was gone.

With wide eyes the two woman stared at him and shoved their bowels over to him. Nodding he simply took the offers and emptied them both.

"In your story you mentioned some temple. Do you have any idea where it was hidden?" M.

"Sorry, I don't. As I told you I was knocked out drafting down the river. Maybe if we find the place I stranded and follow the river we might find the cave..." J.

***

Quest:

'Your Story' cleared!

100 XP

***

***

Quest:

Their Story

Object:

learn about your saviors

***

Another notification popped up informing him of a completed mission. He had already forgotten that he received those optional missions.

"Don't sweat it. From what you told us she has hopes for an old story to come to a close. Nothing more. The mountain rivers divide in countless arms. Even if we found out on which shore you were found it wouldn't necessary lead to that place...

Anyway, we nee to report your story. Not the whole, but if those bandits came this close to a town the situation is turning worse." A.

She had seen János eyes widen at the mention of reporting his story. Not wanting to taint their beginning trust she clarified what she meant.

After another round of breakfast Alexis took him with her to the garrison.

Stepping out of the Inn they were in they went left down a paved road until a big t-crossing. To the left were some small houses with stables and two big storage houses. Opposite to them was a big meadow and behind it the forest.

They went rightwards. Passing a smithy and two stores they already saw their goal. A big fort made of stone was towering over the adjoining houses.