Crown of Rebirth - Chapter 2

The next few days passed slowly for Neru, or Kael as he had told the guards. He was weak and tired from his injuries, but he spent most of his time thinking about his past life and trying to piece together what had happened to him. He still didn’t know how he had ended up in this strange new world, but he was determined to find out.

The guards brought him food and water, but they didn’t speak to him much. They seemed to be keeping a close eye on him, and he didn’t trust them. He knew he needed to get out of the city, but he didn’t know how. He was too weak to fight his way out, and he didn’t have any money or resources.

On the third day of his confinement, he heard a knock on his door. He tensed, wondering who it could be. The door opened, and a woman walked in. She was young and petite, with long brown hair and bright blue eyes. She was dressed in a colorful outfit that marked her as a merchant.

“Hello there,” she said, smiling at him. “I heard there was a new patient staying here, and I thought I’d come say hello.”

Neru eyed her suspiciously. He didn’t trust anyone in this city, and he didn’t know this woman. “Who are you?” he asked.

The woman laughed. “I’m Vivian. I’m a traveling merchant. And you are…?”

Neru hesitated. He didn’t want to reveal his true identity to anyone, but he also didn’t want to lie again. “My name is Kael,” he said finally.

Vivian nodded. “Well, Kael, it’s nice to meet you. Are you feeling any better?”

Neru shrugged. “I’m… recovering, I guess. Slowly.”

Vivian walked over to his bed and sat down in the chair beside it. “I’m on my way to the capital city of Tigre. I have some goods to sell there. Would you like to come with me? It might do you good to get out of this room for a while.”

Neru was surprised by the offer. He didn’t know this woman, and he didn’t trust her any more than he trusted the guards. But at the same time, he knew he couldn’t stay in this city forever. He needed to get out and explore this new world, find out what was going on.

“Where is Tigre?” he asked.

Vivian smiled. “It’s a few days’ journey from here. We’ll be traveling on horseback, and I have enough supplies for the both of us. It should be a fun adventure.”

Neru hesitated. He still didn’t know if he could trust this woman, but he also didn’t see any other options. He needed to get out of this room and start exploring.

“Alright,” he said finally. “I’ll come with you.”

Vivian clapped her hands together. “Great! We leave tomorrow morning at first light. Get some rest, Kael. We have a long journey ahead of us.”