Nathan was pulling a cart full of hay along with an array of tools. Marcilio told him he will be helping swap out the hay in the barnyard. Nathan already had a few things he wanted to ask about his temporary home world.

“So Marcilio-”

“You can just call me Marcy. Don’t tell Mom, but I hate that name.” Marcy said with a grunt as he shoveled old hay.

“Alrighty, he seems to be thrilled to be answering my questions.” Nathan thought to himself. “Okay Marcy, instead of me asking you a hundred questions, how about we do quid pro quo.”

Marcy stopped moving hay. “And what exactly is that?”

“It’s a phrase, it means question for question. Back in my college and internship days it’s how we got to learn more about each other. At the hospital I worked at, I always use it to learn more about patients or nurses that are under my care. For every question I ask, you get to ask one. But, you must answer completely truthfully. Sounds like a fair agreement right?”

Marcilio seemed to think about it for a moment before he nodded. “Sure does, and that means it’s my turn right?” He had a smirk on his face.

“Kid is quick witted. I might be in trouble.” Nathan nodded. “I suppose it does.”

“Alright, where are you really from. There’s no way you came from another world. No mage that I heard of can move objects to another city without a great deal of power. Let alone another world.”

“It’s the truth though. I am from another world. I have no idea how much your parents told you, or you might have overheard.” Marcy winced at that and Nathan knew he was indeed snooping on their conversations. “But I am from a huge city called Chicago. In a state of Illinois, In the Country called The United States of America, on the continent called ‘North America’ on the planet called Earth. I could go further than that to the specific location if you wish.”

“No, that’s fine. What’s your city like?”

“No, I believe it’s my turn for a question.” Nathan said after dumping a load of hay outside.

“Right right, sorry. Go ahead.” Marcy waved his hand to hurry Nathan with his question.

“Alrighty, so tell me what you can about magic. Specifically why doesn't anyone in your family use it.”

Nathan saw Marcy about to correct him, but stopped and seemed glad Nathan was keeping up with the lie about Elderade.

“Magic is just that, magic. Anyone can use it, but some people are better at it, and certain kinds. The problem is with anything, you have to learn it and apply Experience to it. With that comes money. My parents already saved money so I can join a guild when I turn 21 in a few months. They can train me and then I can make more money to pay for Experience or go and earn it myself. With three more kids to take care of, we will need a miracle to get money to learn even the cheapest of spells.”

“Alrighty, do you still want to keep your previous question? Nathan asked. Marcy nodded.

“Well, it’s a city with over 2 million people. We have buildings that reach hundreds of feet into the sky. It’s full of crime, poor, and sick people. But it’s home to me. It is never quite there. Car horns, sirens, gun shots, loud music, it’s constant. The smog in the air makes you slowly die if you breathe it in for too long, and I mean years at the least. The number of people who want to help one another is outnumbered by the people who just don’t care, or don’t wish for change. It’s why I never left. To give the people who want to help just one more person on their side.”

Marcy looked dumbfounded. “What? That’s impossible! 2 million people? There aren't even ten thousand people near Twin Oak! That’s not including the travelers and Adventures of course, but still!”

“I’ll give you a free one, yes 2 million. That’s six zero’s after the number two.”

“I know my numbers. Mom taught Nady and I. Zizi is still learning though.” Marcy retorted.

“Ahh, sorry, I didn’t assume you didn’t, just clarifying. Anyways, yes and that isn’t the largest. There are many cities with over 10 million, the most being around 35 million. The reason it works is due to large cities and super tall buildings.”

“And they do all of this without magic?”

“Not going to give you that one, plus I think you know the answer already.” Nathan said. He started on the next stall and worked on removing animal feces and dirty hay.

“My turn. This is going to be a two part question, but I feel like you would answer the second one anyways without me asking. What are guilds, and why do you need to join one at 21?”

“Ahh, yea I probably would have answered that. Guilds are organizations for different types of people. Within the guild you are assigned a Class. This is a representation of your Rank and Title along with your build. A great example is the one Dad is in.”

“He is in the Agriculture Guild, which gives him the rights and training along with a plethora of other things to be a farmer. His class is just that, Farmer. It’s one of the lowest ranks and titles, but he wants to go up in rank after I leave. Every able man or woman must join a guild at 21 under King Matrol’s rule. This is so everyone works. How Guilds are regulated is a different story, and each one is unique. Within a Guild they will take you to places to gain Experience. As a help you pick what skills to grow within your Class. Also, yes, you can join more than one guild, although you should avoid Guilds that hate each other. Like Assassin Guilds and Military ones.”

“So they are like work unions?” Nathan asked himself. “Okay, your turn.”

“How do you think you got here?”

Nathan stopped to rest for a minute and take a drink of water from a bucket. “Honestly, I have no clue. I would like to say the simplest answer and that is ‘magic’. A part of me thinks none of this is real, either a dream or some form of afterlife. Yet, I can’t disprove it. It secretly makes me angry that I can’t prove that any of this isn’t real.”

“And that’s a bad thing?”

Nathan forgo the deal, too focused on the situation. “Yes? No? I have no idea!” Nathan shouted, getting slightly angry. “Sorry, but it’s hard. How would you react if you woke up a world where machines were part of everyone's lives. Nobody farmed, Magic wasn’t real, and there were so many people, you barely even meet 5% of them in your life. Nobody is trusting or as nice as your parents, and to top it all off, everyone judges you for the littlest things, putting it out to the public just to make themselves seem better.”

Marcilio stared at the ground trying to imagine such a world. “That sounds horrible. And a little like Noble politics. The last part anyways, but everyone does that? Sounds like horrible people. I have no clue, I might just try and run away from it all, while at the same time try to get home to my family.”

Nathan picked his pitch fork back up and started to work while talking. “At least you have a family still. I’m 58 years in age. My parents died a couple of years ago after getting their house robbed and the shock drove them into a heart attack. All that is left is my brother and his family, but do I ever so hate and love that man.”

“Sounds like a brother to me.” Marcy said, looking to where Nadiel and Peter were working. “Also, you don’t look 58 to me. I say you are about mid twenties, maybe younger.”

Nathan laughed. “Thanks for the compliment kid. This gray hair isn’t something you get from being twenty.”

“Uhhh Nathan, you don’t have gray hair. It’s brown.”

Nathan looked at Marcy, and saw he was telling the truth based off of his face. “Do you guys have a mirror?”

“We have a small one Mom uses. You can ask to borrow it during lunch.”

Nathan continued working deep in thought, and missed Marcy asking a question.

“Whose turn is it by the way?”

“Oh, sorry. Uhhh you, you can go next.”

“Okay, what do you plan to do while you are here living with us? You will need to eventually join a guild, especially before the tax collectors come by and find you.”

Nathan hasn’t really thought about it. If Elderad’s friend is going to take a while, does he want to work at a farm the entire time?

“Well, I would love to continue my line of work being a Doctor if possible.”

Nathan snorted. “Yea good luck. Joining a Temple or Church means you are gone. The chances of us seeing each other again is zero.”

“Oh yeah? Well it’s my turn. Tell me about those guilds.”

“They aren't guilds, but use their rules and laws to bring in people into their service. They use the divine power to fuel their skills and spells. Depending upon which you join will land you as a Priest or a Cleric. Temples are about finding and fighting infernal or nefarious people. Demon Summoners, Necromancers, all the big bads in the world. Churches are those who help the people and guide them on the path of good.”

“We have a Priest in training to be a Doctor in Twin Oaks. Doctor is a rank above Priest who focuses primarily on healing and curing illnesses. The reason why we would never see you again is because when you join, you sign a ten year contract to be under their service, and you get sent to King’s city for training. You are there for two years at a minimum, then are sent to another city to perform your duties.”

Nathan decided to ask an important question. “And what god does that Priest serve?”

“No clue, Gods are a finicky topic, even Mom doesn't know much about them. Each God represents a different thing. You can pick a God to serve as well, and that might help you pick the path you follow. Dad has a small symbol to the God of Fertility hanging above the front door. I never saw one, but Mom has.”

“Do you know which God?” Nathan asked, and received a shake of his head as an answer.

“That’s two freebies for me, but I think it’s almost lunch time. We can head in, cool off, and eat some fresh bread and stew.”

Nathan followed Marcy and saw Peter and Nady were already out back cleaning off their hands. Nathan saw they used soap, which pleased him. They apparently took his advice about germs seriously.

Once inside, Nathan asked El to borrow her mirror.

“I don’t know...it’s expensive. Promise to not break it?” She asked with a stern look while pointing an eating knife at Nathan.

“I swear I won’t. I’ll be extra careful!” Nathan gave an innocent smile to hopefully win over Elderade.

She narrowed her eyes and pointed her knife upstairs. “It’s on the dresser in our room. Don’t go snooping around either, or I’ll cut your eyes out.”

Nathan had a feeling she was telling the truth. Not giving her a moment to change her mind, he headed upstairs. A quick look in the three rooms upstairs and he found the mirror. A quick look in the bedroom told Nathan that Peter and El had very little in personal belongings.

He saw a few trinkets, but paid them no mind. Instead taking the mirror and slowly turning it to look at himself.

Looking back at him was a young handsome mid-twenties man. His short hair was full and brown again. All the wrinkles on his face were long gone. Even his eyes lost their murky haze and he could see the sky blue color again.

“Holy shit.” Was all that Nathan could mutter. He moved the mirror to look all over his head, and proceeded to pat down his body, seeing many of his old skin was young and tight again.

“How did this happen?” Nathan asked himself. Yet another piece of proof he was magicked away from his hospital.

Nathan heard a knock on the door frame. “Nathan?” Nadiel said. “Mom wanted me to check that you aren't stealing anything. Are you okay?”

Nathan was a bit flustered and put the mirror back. “Yes, yes. Sorry. Uh, yes! Food! Lunch! Let’s go.”