Niall staggered down the hill. He found it particularly unfair that Gwen was seemingly unaffected by the deer that they carried. Rather than jointing it and taking it back in pieces, they had slung the whole carcass on a pole and had taken one end each as they walked it into Raintor. The slush underfoot did not make things easier. Gwen cheerily called out greetings to people as they passed, while he was sweating and panting. The final insult came when they arrived in the village square.

“I’ll take it from here.” Gwen said.

As Niall collapsed onto a bench, she took the whole deer and carried it by herself over to where a large rack had been set up.

Niall mopped his forehead and looked around. There were signs of activity everywhere. Men, women and children bustled around wrapped up against the cold. Some were laying out more tables and chairs, while others were helping to build an enormous bonfire in the middle of the square. A large blond man with a big open smile and a hint of Viking about him, stood at the precarious peak, as the surrounding people threw up more wood for him to pile on. To one side, a group of laughing older men and women were peeling and chopping vegetables.

Alana called over to him. “If you’re free then you can give me a hand with this.” She was rolling a large barrel over from the Inn to an outdoor bar that was being set up. Niall jumped to his feet and helped her move it. Together, they set it up next to the dozen or so barrels that were already there.

“Good,” Alana said. “That’s the last one. Let’s head home. Plenty of time for us to get ready before it starts.”

A few hours later, Niall walked back into Raintor with Devon, Alana and Kiran.

“So, this Snow Snap festival? What’s it for?” he asked.

“It’s to celebrate the fact we’ve made it through the Winter.” Devon said. “Once the snows start to melt, we know we’ll be safe. We use up the last of the reserves we had been holding back as we know Spring is almost here.”

As Devon spoke, the four of them walked into the town square. It had already been dark for an hour or so and flaming torches placed around the square illuminated the scene.

The majority of the town was already there and the festivities were well underway. Groups of laughing townsfolk were gathered around the tables with plates piled high with roast pork and venison, fried potatoes, and roasted carrots and parsnips all covered in rich, thick, gravy.

The family and Niall joined one of the tables and helped themselves from the heaped platters and jugs of beer and wine that lined the tables. As the meal drew to a close the sound of a drum echoed in from the streets around the square. As if it were a signal, a cheer went up from the townsfolk and there was a general move from the tables to line one of the paths that led from the edge of the square to the unlit bonfire.

Niall joined them and had just got into place when a procession entered the square and started to make its way down the lined path to the bonfire. Leading them in was a woman beating a bass drum that was almost as large as she was. Behind her were a mixed group of musicians playing a cheerful tune on fiddles and recorders. Following them were two men carrying a large pale white skull. Niall did a double take when he saw it, it was the skull of a bull and one of the horns was missing. Behind them, in a suit of leather armour and carrying a large axe was Lars, the father of the man who had attacked Niall on market day.

The procession stopped in front of the bonfire and the crowd clapped along to the tune until the musicians stopped. Lars held up his hand for silence and the crowd quietened.

“It has been a long hard winter, but we’ve made it. Let the fire be lit.”

Lars picked up a lit torch and thrust it into bonfire. Within a few moments the large pile of wood was ablaze. It was not the most inspiring of speeches but the crowd had had a lot to drink and cheered when he lit the fire.

When they had cheered themselves out, Lars continued. “But you don’t know how hard.” He gestured at the skull. “Even this far from the border, we had a Bulvine attack near the town.”

The crowd started to mutter. This was clearly news to most of them. When the muttering died down, Lars started to speak again. “But you don’t need to worry. Thanks to the efforts of some citizens that wish to stay anonymous,” at this Lars looked down at his feet bashfully, the implication was clear, “the Bulvine warrior was defeated. Your town is safe!” Lars roared the last words then seized the skull and threw it into the fire. It exploded in a shower of sparks and the crowd started to cheer again

As Lars continued to ramble on, Niall felt disgusted by the whole thing. He slipped out of the crowd and poured himself a tankard of ale. Avoiding the light, he made his way to one of the stone benches that lined the far side of the square.

As he sat there sipping his drink, he felt someone come to sit next to him. He looked up to see Gwen sat at his side looking across the square at the bonfire. She was wearing a long sleeveless dress made of dyed brown leather. A thick bearskin cloak was slung around her shoulders. Never without protection, a dagger was strapped to her waist and the ever-present multicoloured feathers in her hair completed the outfit.

Niall looked at her for a moment before speaking. “You look nice.”

“Did Niall really just open with that?”

Gwen gave a small smile. “I know.” She glanced at him before turning back to the square. “To be honest, you look the same as usual, but I see you washed your hair.”

“That skull. It was from the Bulvine you and Devon killed.”

“I know,” she said again.

“Doesn’t it bother you that you didn’t get credit for it?”

“Why would it? I know what I did. If I worried about what people in small towns on the edge of the Kingdom thought of me then I would make myself miserable.”

“Well, I think people should know how skilled you are. You’re amazing.”

“Niall is very bad at this.”

“I know,” Gwen said for the third time.

Niall ran his hand through his hair. As it happened, Gwen was right; he had washed it. It had grown out during his time in Gwilliant and was a far cry from its product-coated incarnation when he was an office worker. “This is pretty much my last day here for a while. I’m off to militia training in a couple of days.”

Gwen turned to him and looked him in the eyes. She pulled one of Simone’s feathers out of her braid, then reached up and tucked it in Niall’s hair. “Come back safe, Mr Vendra. I’ve got used to having you around.” With that she was gone.

Niall watched her leave. After a couple more drinks he headed home. Once in bed, despite the exertions of the day, it still took him a long time to get to sleep.

***

The next day Niall prepared to leave. The Snow Snap Festival done with, it was time for Niall to get ready for his militia training. Packing didn’t take too long. Despite having been in Gwilliant for months he had not acquired many things. A change of clothes, a good knife Devon had made for him, and a multi-coloured feather.

With all of those stuffed into a knapsack there was not a lot left for him to do so he headed out into the forest for a last walk. There were hints of buds peeking out on the trees and the head of shoots straining against the mud. Winter was on its way out and Spring was itching to take its pace. Niall sighed. He was going to miss this place. It had given him a home, a job and a purpose for the last few months. While learning to defend himself was the right thing to do, it did not mean he had to be happy about leaving.

After dinner on his last night, Devon and Niall sat outside savouring a last glass of Dwarvish Firewater.

“So,” said Devon. “what’s your Testimony looking like now? You don’t have to tell me, of course, but I would be interested if you cared to share.

Niall pulled it up and talked Devon through it.

TESTIMONY: Niall Vendra

ATTRIBUTES

Strength: 29

Endurance: 40

Agility: 23

Will: 26

Perception: 30

CLASSES:

Junior Smallholder 6

Apprentice Blacksmith 6

Acolyte Healer 6

Hunter 3

UNALLOCATED SKILLS:

- Flow 6

- Meditation 4

- Steelmind 12

- Telepathy 1

“You know what,” Devon said, “given where you started, you’ve made amazing progress in a few months. All of your attributes are over twenty, which is the usual adult baseline, and your Endurance is impressive, no matter who you are.”

“You think so? I still feel pretty weak compared to everyone and everything out there.”

“You shouldn’t be cocky, but you’ve managed to get four classes and you’ve even evolved one of them. When you get back, with the progress you’ve made so far, I’m confident we’ll get you to be a full Smallholder and a Journeyman Blacksmith by this time next year.”

“I just have to get through militia training first.” Niall swiped his Testimony away and looked over to Devon. “So, any advice for me when I get there?”

Devon stroked his beard. “I don’t remember it being too bad. Just do exactly, and I mean exactly, what you’re told. Run, don’t walk, and do everything as quickly and enthusiastically as possible. Don’t stand out, stay in the middle of the pack, not too good, not too bad, and you’ll get through it easily. You might even find yourself enjoying it.”

“Never saw myself as a fighter to be honest. But this is a different world.”

“One thing. Camp Sedrun is a few miles away from Hallen, the duchy capital. If you get the chance to get to Hallen you could check on Lucas. I told you he was Patrick’s partner and they lived there in the University Quarter. It’s where I lived for many years as well. You’re here because Patrick’s dead. He and Lucas were together for over three decades. I’ve not seen either of them for years, but I want to know Lucas is doing OK by himself.” He looked ashamed. “I should have gone myself by now, but I couldn’t’ justify spending all that time away.”

“Of course,” Niall said.

“Well, you mentioned wanting to look through Patrick’s research. Lucas is a great guy, I’m sure he’ll let you look through it. Patrick never gave up trying to get back to Earth, so may be some things there will help you.”

“This will definitely stop me from having to nudge lazy Niall.”

“Also,” Devon seemed a little embarrassed. “If you get a chance to go to the Blacksmith’s guild, could you ask after my daughter, Alyce. She’s doing her masterwork. I’m sure she’s fine but I can’t help but worry.”

“Of course I will. It’s the least I could do. I owe you so much. Not just for this, but for everything you’ve done since I got here. I wouldn’t have lasted even one night without you.”

“My very great pleasure. Oh, and in case I forget tomorrow, this is for you.” Devon handed over a belt pouch.

It weighed satisfying in Niall’s and clinked as he took it. He looked inside and a large number of silver and copper coins looked back. From working with Devon, Niall had a good sense of what things were worth. This pouch contained the equivalent of a months’ worth of earnings from the entire forge . “What’s this?”

“Wages.”

“I don’t understand.”

“What’s there to understand? You’ve been working as my apprentice for months. I wouldn’t expect you to work for just food and board. I should’ve been giving it to you every week so I’ve added in a bit of a bonus to make up for it.”

Niall could feel tears pricking at his eyes. “This is too much. I can’t accept it.”

“You can, and you will. You’ve helped me earn a lot more than is in that pouch since you got here. Alana and I are fond of you. Come back with a few more levels ready to work and we’ll call it square.” He picked up the bottle and gave it a shake. “Right, I think we have time for one more glass of firewater before we have to turn in.”

The following morning Niall set off for Camp Sedrun. One of Alana’s substantial breakfasts fuelled him on his way. He was surprised at how hard he found it to leave Raintor behind. As he walked along, he realised he could not remember when he had been as content as he had been for the last few months. Devon and Alanna had welcomed him not only into their home but into their family. The combination of hard work both around the smallholding and in the forge had filled a hole in him he did not realise was there. Even as he left, he was already looking forward to going back. Not forever, he still wanted to get back to Earth, but for a while.

The roads were empty as he headed away from Raintor. It was not a surprise, Raintor was not exactly a buzzing metropolis. Outside of market day, visitors were few and far between. Even on market day, the majority of those who came into town were from the surrounding farms and hamlets.

A couple of miles outside of town, however, he spotted a man sitting on the ground leaning against a milestone by a fork in the road. He had a wineskin in his hand and was taking sips from it at regular intervals. The man jumped to his feet as he spotted Niall and started down the road towards him.

Niall gripped the long staff he was using as a walking stick more tightly. He did not have much, but he would really prefer not to be robbed if he could help it. As they got nearer to each other, Niall realised the man was around his own age but big, both tall and well-muscled. In fact, with his long blond hair and beard he reminded Niall of a Viking. Niall had seen him around town but they had never met. He tightened his grip. Better safe than sorry.

The man called out as he got within shouting distance. “Are you Niall Vendra?”

Niall nodded. “Yes, I am. Who might you be?”

The stern look on the man’s face transformed into a beaming smile. “Amazing. I really hoped I hadn’t missed you. I’m Liam Huffport. Everyone calls me Huff.”

Huff’s smile was infectious and Niall found himself smiling back. “Well, you didn’t miss me. What can I do for you?”

“Turns out we’re the only two from Raintor who are heading to Camp Sedrun for Militia Training this year. Seems silly to go all that way by ourselves. I thought we could travel together.” The smile faded from Huff’s face. “If you want to that is.”

Niall reached out to grasp Huff’s forearm. “Not at all. Good to have the company.”

“Excellent. Now if you had anything for a hangover besides hair of the dog, I would be forever grateful. I think I had rather too good a time saying goodbye to my friends last night. Oh. Hold on.” With that, Huff leaned over behind a bush and promptly threw up.