Peter’s arm was bandaged up with clean rags and Nathan would check on his wound every day to keep an eye on it. After a small talk with his wife, Peter ensured Elderade, her full name apparently, wouldn’t kill Nathan.

Peter and El sat at the table with Nathan. “I plan to go into town and see if I can find a way to contact some people to help me. While I am there, I am going to see if I can get anything for yourself Peter. Are you sure you have no pain medicine or anything in the house?”

“Sure am. That stuff is expensive. With a family of six, we can’t afford things like that as simple farmers.”

Nathan nodded. “I am not going to ask you for money, if you don’t have any, I believe you. But, if you want me to get anything while I am there for you, it is the least you can do. I understand if you don’t trust me to handle your money.”

El nodded. “You are right we don’t, but we need to buy some things. We normally send both the boys, so they can go with you. You can actually help carry things back, since Peter normally goes and helps.

Nathan nodded. “It’s the least I can do for you both. You didn’t stab me on sight, which is honestly a rare occurrence where I used to work.”

“Oh yea?” Peter asked.

Nathan nodded. “I was a Doctor in a city that was full of crime. Chicago if you ever heard of it. I’ve been stabbed a few times as well. Got a few scars to show it.”

Elderade shook her head. “Hopefully they are dead, we need less criminals in the world. I’ve taken care of my fair share.”

Nathan raised his eyebrows. “You used to work in law enforcement?”

“Not exactly.” She left it as that.

Nathan didn’t want to question her anymore than that. He obviously wasn’t in America anymore. But, he never realized some countries depend upon bounty hunters so much. “Right, well when do we leave?”

“I’ll give you all a list and Marcilio the money. You should be back just before dark if you don’t take too long.” El said.

A few minutes later, Nathan was following both Nadiel and Marcilio to the town. Along the way, he felt the need to ask some questions from the boys.

“So what’s the town name?”

“It’s more a city, Mom just has seen too many large cities and likes to call it a town. It’s called Twin Oak City. It’s a hub for lots of people.”

“Ah that’s good, better chance of a phone.” Nathan said feeling more hopeful of returning home soon himself.

“So do either of your parents use magic? They asked me if I use any.”

“Mom can!” Nadiel said, but was slapped by his brother.

“You idiot, we will get taxed more if they find out.” Marcilio looked up at Nathan. “Please pretend you didn’t hear that. My brother is stupid. And it’s not a joke, we actually think his brain was replaced with rocks after birth.” He chuckled.

“Hey, not funny! Mom doesn't like it when you pick on me!”

“Well Mom isn’t here is she? Behave, or I will tell Dad you didn’t.” That seemed to make Nadiel straighten up.

“Ahhh brotherhood.” Nathan thought to himself.

“So how common are people who can use magic, since your family doesn't seem to have any.” Nathan said with a smirk.

Marcilio had a thankful look on his face. “It depends. You find a lot of merchants with minor magical abilities, mostly just to help them detect the worth or quality of items. A few farmers are known to have magic that helps them tend to crops or their cattle.”

“Adventures are the most magically adept, but they fight monsters and save people. Having thelp help to do anything is more expensive than hiring a Priest or Doctor. We would be out a month's worth of coin just to have the lowest ranked one kill a pack of wolves.”

Nathan was impressed with how deep Marcilio believed any of what he said. It was almost creepy and Nathan was considering not spending the night at the farm now.

“Right, so why doesn't everyone have magic then? Is it expensive to learn?” Nathan asked.

“Kinda, it’s a mix of personal aptitude, along with money. You have to gain experience and apply that to what you wish to learn. From spells, to techniques, to skills.”

Nathan nodded along. “Experience is the greatest teacher. Study hard and work hard, and you can accomplish many things. How I became a doctor after all.”

“How are you a Doctor but not use magic?” Nadiel asked, no longer feeling threatened by his brother.

Nathan decided to choose his words carefully. “In my line of work, we don’t like to take risks. We use Science and medicine to take care of people. Occasionally the best way to treat a patient might end up being risky, but we always choose the best option based on the science that we know today.”

“But what Science is there? Pretending to be a Doctor is bad news. If the Church finds out, you will get a bounty on your head.” Marcilio said. “Our parents took a risk that you could help out, and honestly I am surprised at the things you say. Germs? What even are those.”

“Oh they don’t know about germs? Or simple biology? This isn’t good. Plus that bounty thing sounds like they are hiding the truth from people here” Nathan thought to himself. If he wants any hope of getting away from these Village People then he would have to play his cards right.

“Well we can talk about it later, around dinner time maybe. That way I can tell everyone at once, so I don’t need to repeat myself.” Nathan said with a friendly smile.

The two boys seemed to accept that answer and continued walking in silence. Going around a bend in the road, Nathan saw a stone wall with six guards standing around it. Three by the large open gate, and three more up top with crossbows.

“Okay, just follow our lead. We got lucky that Mack is on duty today. He is nice to us. Just don’t say anything unless they ask for your name. Also no Doctor business.” Marcilio muttered to Nathan.

Nathan nodded, trusting him. He saw no reason not to at this point.

Of all the guards wore the same outfit. To Nathan it looked like a mix of Roman and Dark Ages. With a mix of metal plates, along with large plumes. Red was a common color theme as well. Yet the armor looked simple. No elegant designs, as if it was made cheaply and to be used by anyone it was handed to. Several straps linking the parts of armor so they could be tightened or loosened as needed.

“I see you two boys are here for your weekly shopping.” One of the guards said with a smile. He was leaning against his spear, obviously not on guard by the three of them. Nathan assumed this was Mack.

“Yes sir, our Uncle is here visiting for a couple weeks and to lend a hand. With mom recently giving birth to little Dale and all that.” Marcilio said.

“Oh yea? Never knew Pete had a brother. Well get in there before and out before shift change.” Mack waved them through. “You know Zu’Cha likes to question everyone who enters or leaves the city that isn’t with a guild.”

Marcilio seemed to sigh in annoyance. “Ya, we will be quick, thanks for the tip.”

Nathan gave a friendly nod as he walked behind Marcilio and Nadiel. Once they were out of ear shot Nathan spoke up.

“So who's Zu’Cha?”

“A Drake-Man. He is here as part of a recent treaty King Matrol signed with the Draconian races. They helped out a bunch in the war a couple years ago. Sadly, the Drake-Men are a bunch of greedy reptiles. They don’t mean any harm, but they love having anything and everything. Including knowledge like Zu’Cha. He will talk your ears off and make you late.”

“Most people would just walk away, but since everyone is on edge due to their….ancestral history, nobody just leaves until he lets them. If you are in a Guild, you can just claim it’s ‘Guild Information Only’ and he can do nothing but believe you. If you are not in a guild, then you are shit out of luck.”

Nathan was interested in this Zu’Cha. Partially because he seemed to be someone Nathan would love talking to, but also by the way Marcilio described him. “What on earth is a ‘Drake-Man’?”

Nathan saw several groups of people wearing renasonise or cosplay outfits. At least, to his eyes. Swords, Staves, bows, heavy plated armor, and so much more. It reminded him of video games some of his younger patients played. And even few he actually enjoyed playing with them.

“So what’s with all the weapons? Is there something dangerous near the town?” Nathan asked.

“Those are just Adventures.” Nadiel said. “They go to the danger, not the other way around. Mom says that there are many who are the danger. She says we are to never upset an Adventure, and to avoid them at all costs.”

“What makes them so dangerous?” Nathan asked.

“Magic, skills, and the fact they are part of one of the largest Guilds in all the world.” Marcilio said. “Like Nady said, don’t give them a reason to mess with us.”

Nathan watched them and saw one of them have a floating flame ball hovering over his shoulder. It bobbed up and down and danced around his head. Nathan stood there with his mouth agape. Before the Adventure saw him, Marcilio shook his shoulder.

“Hey, what did I just warn you about!” He said in a harsh whisper.

Nathan shook his head and rubbed his eyes, taking only a small glance back to the flame. “It’s...it’s impossible!”

He followed the two boys absent minded as they started to shop at stalls. Nathan saw more and more signs of magic. From a few floating balls of light, to watching someone put so many items in a bag, Nathan knew for a fact they couldn’t all fit inside.

He then started to notice differences in the bodies of a few people. One of which was a large hulking of a man covered in hair. More beast than anything. Nathan almost mistook him for a giant ape, but his head and face was too human not to be that.

Between stores, Nathan found an ally and slipped inside and put his back against the wall. “Where...where the hell am I? What is going on here! This is all impossible!”

Nathan looked down and saw his hands were shaking. That’s when he remembered he could see perfectly fine even though he wasn’t wearing his glasses!

“This isn’t a prank or a weird punishment. I’m….I’m not on Earth am I? I died. That’s the only thing that makes sense. Right? But...this isn’t Heaven nor Hell. This is a real place, with real people, and MAGIC!”

Marcilio and Nadiel eventually realized Nathan was not behind them. “Hey, Mr. Shultz. What’s going on, are you okay?” Marcilio asked him.

Nathan blinked and looked to Marcilio. “Let’s finish shopping. I need to talk to your parents and apologize.”

Marcilio looked at Nathan with suspicion but nodded for Nathan to follow. They finished up their shopping and were heading back to the farm before the guards shift changed. Nathan asked only twice if anyone had a phone or communication device.

Once he was told no, then he was told he could go to the Mages Guild to send an important message if he needed to. After being told it was more expensive than three months of food by Nadiel, Nathan knew it wasn’t what he was after.

The walk back to the farm was silent. Nathan was carrying a bag of flour and two small baskets of other things including some soap.

Once they returned home, Nathan asked Peter and Elderade if he could talk to them alone.