Valeria

I dipped my hands in the river and washed my face then observed my reflection. Long red hair, pale skin, a beautiful symmetric face, and my most distinctive feature, sapphire blue eyes. If I had to guess my age I would put myself in my 20s. Even though I was looking at my face and it felt familiar, I could not recall anything about myself.

Who am I!? Since I woke up earlier today no matter how hard I’ve tried I can’t recall a single memory! How is it possible not to have any memories of anything but my name yet still have a basic understanding of everything else!

Not wanting to dwell on it longer I swam out of the river and laid down naked on the grass letting the sun dry me. The heat was pleasant and laying there almost made me forgot about my worries. I didn't of course so I decided to prioritize.

Perhaps my memories will come back to me eventually. First, I need to find out where I am. Other than my clothes and a dull steel longsword I have nothing on me that gives me a clue to where I am. Would I even know if I had any clues? I don’t recall anything about the name of any locations.

Finally dry I got dressed putting on my undergarments, then a light blue tunic that covered my ample bosom, black cotton pants that fit my long legs perfectly, and finally, brown leather boots. I grabbed my sword belt and tied it around my waist. I drew my longsword trying a few swings and forms and was surprised to find that I was strong and that I had some familiarity with the weapon. Having tested my prowess I started walking, following the river downstream.

I don’t know why, but I know that if I follow a river downstream I will eventually find people and maybe they will know who I am.

I walked for what seemed liked hours and even though I wasn’t tired I was growing frustrated, and just when I was about to take a break I heard what sounded like voices further downstream. Recognizing the glimmer of hope I followed the voices straining my ears to listen better. I sprinted and then for some reason my vision grew slightly blurred, but I was able to hear better. I slowed down to a walk not wanting to trip and focused on listening to the voices.

“Max, pass me the whetstone.”

“Duncan, starting the fire already? What are you cooking?”

“Commander Percival said to cook the remaining meat lest it spoils.”

“We are only about 2 days away from the Port Town of Rigel we should relax while we can. When we meet up with the rest of our band they may have news of some work in the lands beyond the sea.”

I was close enough to them now that I no longer needed to strain my hearing, and as if natural my hearing and vision returned to normal.

What was that? I have a feeling that is something not everyone can do. It was disorienting but If I could do it again I could get used to it.

The sun was setting but I could make out a camp ahead of me. About 50 men and women in plated armor, leather, gambeson, and some wearing tunics with pieces of metal and leather attached to various places on their body. They were sitting down and talking amongst each other with a few standing guard it seemed.

Mercenaries? From what I overheard they seem to be heading to a Port Town of Rigel, I suppose I can ask them if I can accompany them. It will be risky approaching armed men and women that I don't know, should I be worried? I'm not sure how strong I am in a fight, but I doubt I can take on 50 armed men and women.

The mercenaries must have finally spotted me as I saw heads turn to look my way. Some stood up and grabbed weapons others went further into their camp probably to inform the one they called Commander Percival.

How should I deal with them? I don’t think they’ll believe me if I tell them I have no memories, and I don't exactly want to tell them about it either. I could just ask them to let me accompany them to the Port Town of Rigel directly, and perhaps they won’t ask too many questions.

A group of five men came walked my way and though their weapons were not drawn I could tell they were wary of me.

They stopped walking and one of them stepped out. “Who are you!” His voice was a bit hostile, but I paid it no mind.

“My name is Valeria. I mean no harm I'm simply on my way to the Port Town of Rigel if we have the same destination perhaps I can accompany you.” I spoke calmly but firmly as I did not want them to think me weak or scared of them.

Now closer I could see their faces and they looked surprised. Perhaps they did not expect me to be a beautiful woman. They looked at each other and began whispering. So I tried straining my hearing again.

"What should we do? She doesn't look dangerous in fact she looks quite pleasing to me."

"We should take her to Commander Percival."

"She doesn't look like any ordinary woman."

"She going the same way as us so we can't avoid her, I will handle this."

They stopped whispering and I stopped straining my hearing. The young man who yelled at me walked closer to me and addressed me once more.“Lady Valeria, we are also going to the Port Town of Rigel if you want to accompany us you should talk to Commander Percival he is in charge.” This time there was no hostility in his voice, and I could detect slight anticipation instead.

I nodded my head and spoke with authority. “Very well, take me to this Commander Percival.”

The young man walked up to me, and I could see that he was in his early 20s maybe younger, a little on the taller side and heavily muscled, handsome features, white tanned skin, hazel-colored eyes, and short brown curly hair, He wore dark green gambeson and carried a longsword at his hip.

He smiled at me and offered his hand. “My name is Maximilian, but I go by Max. I will lead you to Commander Percival.”

I smiled slightly but ignored his hand. “Lead the way then Max.”

He coughed perhaps to cover his embarrassment and led the way the others next to him where they occasionally looked back to me. As we made our way through the camp I felt gazes on me and could hear whispers, but I was allowed through without difficulty.

That wasn’t so hard. Now, I have to get some information about where I am from this Percival and figure out what to do next. Other than finding out where I came from and who I am, do I want to do anything?

I kept following Max lost in my thoughts until he stopped at a sizeable tent and went inside. The other mercenaries stayed outside and kept staring at me in curiosity and one I noticed did not even try to hide his lust. If things went wrong here then he would be one of the first ones I tried to kill.

I could hear faint whispers coming from the tent and though I was curious I did not want to disorient myself straining my hearing like before. The tent flap opened, and a man stepped out and examined me. I did the same, he looked to be in his late 30s, average height but a bit wide with sharp features, long blonde hair, full blonde beard and mustache, and hazel eyes. He was wearing a white surcoat over his steel plate armor with a golden tree emblazoned on it. We finished examining each other and he waved me in. I followed and went inside where Max was waiting as well.

When he spoke, his voice was stern likely developed in his time as Commander. “Lady Valeria, I am Percival the Commander of the Golden Tree mercenary band. Max tells me you are headed to the Port Town of Rigel, and you wish to accompany us.”

Let's see how much information I can get out of him.

I nodded my head. “I would like that. I'm not familiar with the area and traveling in a group may be safer.”

He stared, brows pinching, eyes narrowing, scrutinizing me. “The closest town aside from Port Town is 4 days away in the opposite direction. I also see that other than your longsword you carry no supplies yet look perfectly healthy and I can see no signs of any injuries on you. How is it that you found yourself here?”

How to answer… A simple runaway story will do.

“I do not wish to speak about it, but I ran away from my home and decided to make my way to the Port Town of Rigel for a change of fortune. I was rather well supplied, unfortunately about half a day ago I was startled by something in the woods and fell into the river and my supplies were ruined leaving me only with the clothes on my back and my longsword.”

Percival and Max exchanged glances and seemed to have figured something out, Max shook his head and Percival sighed in exasperation before looking at me. “Lady Valeria, please be truthful. Are you a runaway noblewoman? If you are then I’m afraid I cannot let you accompany us, If the Orion Kingdom finds out that we have a noblewoman with us then they may think we kidnapped you, and we don’t want to deal with all the troubles that may bring.”

So, I’m in the Orion Kingdom. I don’t know anything about it, nor does it sound familiar, and I don't believe I'm a noble.

I shook my head and spoke resolutely. “I'm no noble I promise you. Just a woman looking for a change of fortune, but I understand that you are cautious. So, I will simply follow you all far behind and if we are spotted, people will not think that I am associated with your mercenary band.”

Max looked distraught and appealed to Percival. “Commander, We have seen Orion nobles up close when they hired us, and they look nothing like her! She will only be with us for 2 days I don’t see the harm in letting her tag along!”

I thank you for the help Max, but your ulterior motives are quite obvious.

Percival looked at me apologetically. “Even if I allow you to come with us I do not think you would be safe. Lady Valeria, you are a beautiful woman and some men in my band may think you easy prey. I cannot protect you as it would make my band question my position if I chose to side with an outsider rather than with them.”

Max spoke up immediately. “I can protect her! No one will try to do anything to her if she’s with me!”

Percival’s not wrong. I noticed how some of the men looked at me when I was making my way through the camp, and the man outside the tent was the most obvious. Though Max is approaching it differently the result he is aiming for is the same if I accept his protection. I see only one option if I want to accompany them.

I looked at Percival. “I understand, I will need no one’s protection.” He and Max looked at me confused as I walked out of the tent.

The man who was staring at me with lust from before was tall and muscular, he was helmetless showing his tanned pocked face slightly covered by a black beard. He wore a dark green gambeson and had a hammer on his back as well as a longsword on his hip. The three other men were close by but if things went well I would not have to deal with them. The man looked surprised and again he stared at me with lust when he saw me approaching him. Before he could say anything I punched him in the gut in a blow that made him double over and fall on his knees gasping for air. I saw that the other men and Max and Percival who had followed me out of the tent were quickly approaching me. Before they reached me I grabbed the man's head pulled it down and drove my knee into his nose for a sickening crunch! Followed by the man’s screams and cries. Mercenaries who were approaching the scene froze in shock and stared at me.

I’m stronger than I thought. I wasn’t even using my full strength.

Stepping over the man who was cursing and cradling his nose I addressed those that had gathered In my most intimidating tone that my velvety voice allowed me. “My name is Valeria, and I will be accompanying you all to the Port Town of Rigel. Pay me no mind and I will do you all the same courtesy.”

I walked up to Percival ignoring everybody else. He was staring at me, and I held his gaze. “Well, I suppose I don’t have to worry about your safety.” He said impressed.

He extended his hand grinning, and I took it. “Welcome to the Golden Tree mercenary band.”