Chapter 54 – Not Everyone is out to Get You

It was the tenth of the second month of the year 1810.

In a house, there was a person whose right arm and leg was covered in bandages. The house was simple. It was made of wood and stone. It had a fenced crop field where the wheat was shining brightly along with the sound, dancing to the eastern wind. A few feet away from the fenced crop field were people pushing wheelbarrows or carrying their tools. They wore simple tunics, straw hats as they try to go where their work was.

“Are you okay?” while he was sitting Joshua looked at the person who carried a hatchet. He was bearded. He had well-toned arms that one could see his scars. “You’ve been asleep for days. What happened to you?”

Joshua moved and leaned near the window. The sun entered through the window. Outside, there was calm wind blowing. Giving this calm yet peaceful feeling as if the wheat fields were an ocean and wheat were waves that were moving. There was a soft rustling sound that could be heard.

“You save me?”

“I did,” replied the man. “And it would help to know who I am speaking to.”

“Joshua, thank you for saving me, and you are?”

“The name is Dan.” He dragged himself near the bed. “And what happened to you lad?”

“I jumped off a cliff.”

“Trying to take your life?”

“No, I wanted to escape from a slaver. So I took a leap of faith, and found myself in that river where you found me.”

“Is that so,” he folded his arms, leaning back. “But that river’s full of rocks and is impossible to swim. You are quite lucky aren’t you?”

“Lucky?” Joshua looked down at the blanket. “Maybe I am.”

“Nobody could survive that jump with just a few broken ribs. Yet you broke an arm and leg. That’s lucky enough.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Now, you’ve been taken care by my wife. So at least tell me this. What was the reason you were taken by a slaver?”

“People made a choice out of my own will. I was given despite my efforts.”

Dan frowned. “You were betrayed?”

“No, I am pretty sure they made it clear to me that they have their own reasons. Did you hear what happened to Avilla?”

Dan raised a brow. “I hear that it got razed by the Bali and Cagan. Were you from that place?”

“Yeah, I fought for that city yet I was taken as a slave.”

“So it is true then...no wonder we were hearing artillery fire echoing through the valley. Were there really flying ships?”

“Yes, though The Thorn Cross Legion should be in that place now.”

“Good God, the Templar’s here in the Freelands?” Dan clicked his tongue. “I thought that those zealous soldiers would stay in their Midland. But I guess they just can’t help but scuttle when their supply lines are in trouble. Ah, good thing we didn’t make a deal with the Warlord there.”

“Where am I anyway?” asked Joshua.

“Edawick Meadow,” Dan said. “Or just call it the New Town of Edawick. This town was a small hamlet once but with settlers moving it became this big. We just need more walls, preferably thicker ones.”

Joshua looked outside. He could see the long grass dotted with flowers. There were cows in the distance and there was a flock of sheep being led by a Sheppard.

“This is a nice town.”

Dan smiled. “It is, I’ve lived here for five years. And I say it is one of the best choices that I made.”

“I can see why.” Joshua watched the small kids running around. Some of them carried wooden toys and straw dolls. “This place is peaceful.”

“It is. Far from the Big City and the lands are well-protected by an armed militia we formed to defend this town. There are dire monsters around, but a quick shot of a rifle or the usual boom from the cannon scares them.”

Joshua nodded. “Anyway, I must be a real pain to care off. I am sorry but I really have no ways to pay you.”

Hearing this, Dan looked at Joshua with a frown. “You know, not everyone had cruel hearts. I was just being a Good Samaritan. The world’s tough but sometimes you just have to show that there can be good in it. So please try not to insult the goodness that I handed you with.”

“That was not my intention.”

“I know. And you should know that I was just helping a stranger out.”

“That’s...really nice of you of you Dan.”

“Don’t mention it.” Dan lifted his back away from the wall. “Though I can tell that you don’t have any reason to go back to Avilla now, can’t risk being enslaved, unless you want that?”

Joshua smiled wryly. “I’d rather not break my arm and leg again.”

“I figured, well if you want too you can work in this town until you get enough travel expenses. This house is big, and my wife works in the bakery so it’s usually vacant. Do you have anything you can do?”

“I can do some basic healing if anyone’s wounded. Also,” Joshua glanced at the kids running around with toys in hand. “I think I can carve some toys for the kids, well, if someone would provide me with wood.”

“Oh, you can craft?” Dan looked at him. “I am a lumberjack and well, you see I am actually expecting a kid. Been trying to find a craftsman to build me a crib but well there is only a few craftsmen that are willing to come here.”

“Then let me help, well at least until after my arm starts to feel fine.”

“Sure,” Dan made a smile. It was quite heartwarming to look at. It was the face of a father eager to wait for his child. “I guess you’d be staying with us eh?”

“Not like I have any choice with this arm and leg. So please take care of me. I’ll try not burden you guys too much.”

“Sure, sure!” said Dan with a grin. “So we have a deal then, it looks like helping you out was not a bad idea.”

“I guess so.”

Joshua made a weary smile. He turned his eyes at the idyllic town. It was so peaceful and the soft sunlight covering it made Joshua feel like he’s going to stay in this town for a while.