Six days had passed since Kaden and Sofia had been traveling the road. Kaden would usually spend the day walking, gathering different herbs and practicing a little magic when able. The forest provided all the sustenance he needed and at nights he would enter the Grimoire to sleep. Between the two of them with the help of Sofia’s memories they were even able to crudely piece a little of the spoken language.

Most of the journey so far had been uneventful with the exception of the 5th day. They ran into another one of those creatures that Kaden had named Scorpion Cat of Death. This time however Kaden managed to hide safely inside the Grimoire and the creature had gone away after a few minutes of searching. He had been particularly glad when he had thought of this idea and it had worked well.

“Finally, civilization.. sort off. I know we spoke about this earlier just a reminder that..”

“I already know, no talking in front of others. I like how you restate my idea and then try and pass it off as your own. Also stop trying to tell me what to do.” She said it in an angry tone interrupting him.

Kaden and Sofia’s relationship had improved over the few days of travel. He knew she wasn’t really angry and she knew he said it to intentionally annoy her. In a strange way they were quickly becoming good friends.

The village was situated next a tiny river that was fed by a very shallow waterfall. There were a few densely packed buildings and some small areas designated for local crops. Next to the village situated on the water were a couple of small docks with tiny one and two man fishing boats tied to them.

For Kaden It was breathtaking, a true jungle paradise.

Three of the villagers came out to meet Kaden as he approached the village while Sofia was safely tucked away in his pocket. They greeted one another and the villagers quickly figured out Kaden only able to speak a few words of their language, Calang.

They gestured for him to follow them into the village. Kaden felt a little odd while following the three as he noticed the rest of the villagers would stop what they were doing to look at him as he passed. He had to remind himself that this was a small isolated place and his arrival was out of the ordinary.

They approached an open building in the center of the village. There was a man dressed in a long sleeveless coat sitting on a stool next to a table. A child was sitting on another stool close to him. On the table was an open bag with several tools, vials of different liquids, a few herbs that Kaden recognized and a few other he didn’t. There was also a several bottle of insects.. live insects. But the most curious thing was at the man’s feet was a bucket of water with two fish swimming in it.

The boy looked slightly injured and the man seemed to be examine him. Kaden guessed the man was the village doctor ..Or cook on account of the fish.

As Kaden got closer he noticed the boy had a broken arm, a severe gash on his leg, several bruises and scratches. The man took a bottle from his case poured a few drops into a glass of water then spoke to the boy. Kaden thought he made out some of the conversation, he was able to recognize the words, this and strong. The man then lifted the glass and drank the liquid himself. This dudes getting drunk, Kaden thought to himself judging from the man’s reaction to the drink. The man then shook his head and reached one hand into the barrel to grab a fish. With the fish wriggling in one hand, he reached for the boy with the other. His hands began to glow green while the boy started to heal and the fish would later become that night’s dinner.

The boy ran away completely fine with a smile on his face. The man handed the limp fish to another villager and approached the four of them. One of the three explained the situation to him and Kaden was gestured to sit. After another failed attempt at communication Kaden had a thought. He bent down and wrote in the nearby dirt. “I can understand written text but I can’t speak the language”.

The man smiled and wrote back, “I am Healer Padvor, welcome to our village. I am sure we have a lot of questions for each other but allow me to first ask, who are you? And where are you from?”

Kaden smiled. “Greetings Healer Padvor, my name is Kaden Vos and I am from very far away. Would it be too much trouble for you to point to and say each word as you write? I would like to learn to speak in your tongue” It had just occurred to Kaden that if Sofia records each word being said and sends him the memory later, the both of them would be able to speak the language very quickly.

Padvor and Kaden started to communicate about various topics. Kaden specifically being vague on any concerning his origins. The written conversation continued over a couple of hours, but Sofia managed to figure out Kaden’s train of thought and secretly transferred the memories.

Padvor was astounded at just how quickly Kaden was picking up the language. “That is a very impressive memory you have young Kaden, I feel you will be able to accomplish much. Now tell me, how it is you have a Benita Military Issue sword, or what is left of it”

Kaden explained to Pavor that he was passing through the fort, how it looked like it had been through a battle and how he stumbled across the sword in the fort since he lost his weapon to a creature with teeth and a huge stinger.

“You fought the Phinsis without preparations and lived?” Pavor said those words with a hint of doubt in them.

Kaden seemingly pulled out a scale from his pocket as proof, then mentioned he was saved by a giant bird. Kaden didn’t feel bad about changing events around, it was mostly true anyway.

Pavor listened intently as did a few of the other villagers that happened to be lingering around. “Very impressive Kaden, at first I didn’t believe you but Phinsis don’t part with their scales very easily.”

Pavor took a moment to consider something before he spoke again. “The news about the fort is worrying, it means the barbarian tribes have crossed the border into this land. We shall have to be extra careful when hunting or fishing. The village is on the edge of this kingdom and too remote for any help from the legion to arrive. We wouldn’t make it through the jungle without military escort even if we abandoned everything. If the jungle doesn’t get us, the tribes would surely cut us down.

There is little value for them attacking the village though, we don’t have anything of value for them and as long as we don’t run they shouldn’t see us as prey to hunt. Still, Kaden I would ask if you would be willing to stay and help with the village, at least until a replacement for the fort garrison arrives.”

Kaden unable to see any other options available accepted Pavor’s offer

“Gion is responsible for training and leading the village guard, she was a former Estarte in the Legion and is out fishing or hunting right now. I will ask her to show you what needs to be done when she returns, until then Saba will show you to a place you can stay”

Saba was one of the three villagers that had first greeted Kaden. She was a tall girl with long dark hair and seemed curious about the outside world. She had tried to question Kaden more about where he came from but only received several vague answers.

Saba reluctantly took her leave of Kaden after they finally reached the home designated for him. It seemed the previous owner had been taken by the jungle several months ago and the place was now empty.

It wasn’t very fancy, just a simple dwelling with wood floors, walls and a roof. It had three small rooms, including a kitchen, a bedroom and bathroom with rudimentary indoor plumbing.

“I guess this is going to be our new home for the next while” Sofia voice finally came bursting from his pocket.

Kaden lay on the cot in the room, “I have a strange gut feeling that we shouldn’t get too comfortable”

“Agreed”