Stone's Edge

Somewhere in an unknown land.

Maks stands up after a couple of thougthsand streches his body. He put on his helmet just in case. Warm sunlight flows through distant treetops, the sky is filled with a familiar blue color and beneath his feet, firm ground covered with grass. He turns towards the wall, which are in fact the ruins, remnants of a central fort. He's still in his armor which he wore in tournament. That alone makes it feel too real. This isn't a dream. Not anymore.

"Ruins are usually deserted... yet the path here is oddly well-trodden. Is this some isekai scenerio Ania always talked about? Or have I gone into the afterlife? Whatever the truth, I need to move."

He walks along the broken ramparts, passing a shattered column and the foundantions of a small entry gate. Further inside the whole for remainings he could see a fundaments of few buildings and destroyed well. On the ground nearby are visible rusted metal objects, this place could once forged tools or even weapons. At front of the gateway, there's also a small stone pillar which bears an inscription. Though he has never seen this language before, he somehow is capable of reading it:

Harazamos

Various heraldic insignia surround the name.

"Strange. I can read it? Multiple heraldry... different noble houses ruled here or maybe something else entirely?"

Maks prepares himself and sets out toward the road and head to the rigth in direction of the distant village. As he walks, echoes of his past haunts through his mind. The clang of halberd hitting his head, the referee's cry and at the end he could still see in front of his eyes the message he received on his phone.

With each step, he could hear the ground reacting to his sabatons. He pauses, lays shield and axe aside and scans the fields. In the distance, a family walks with the goats, too far away to notice him.

Suddenly, a boy emerges from the path ahead. As the boy closes the gap, Maks sees that it is not a boy, but a young man slightly younger then him, maybe of around 20 years old, he wears a simple tunic, fabric trousers, a small knife at his belt and carries a basket filled with herbs. The stranger looks at Maks with wide-eyed curiosity.

"Greetings, traveler", he says hesitantly. "You've stood motionless ever since I've noticed you. Need some help?"

Maks lifts his visor and answers

"Hello. Yes, I could use some help. I don't know where am I... or how I got here..."

"Will he think I'm insane?" Maks thinks in panic, while adjusting his helmet.

The boy nods, with weird signs of understanding.

"I come from the village called Stone's Edge. If you look back you can see the ruins of the old fortress. I can lead you to the village, we have fresh and clean water in the well."

"Gladly. But wait-- aren't you even a bit surprised I'm completely lost?" Maks asks out of confusion.

"Not at all" the boy smiles. "You're likely a victim of the God Araketes tricks. Legends say he can manipulate partially or fully with your memories, causing you to forget everything. Ah... by the way, I'm Thomas"

Maks reflects

"Unfamiliar legends, maybe some faith... Thomas sounds like a culture from west. I shall keep in secret about being from another world"

"I don't remember how I arrived here. They call me Max."

Than he continues into his thoughts

"If this truly is a Western culture, I should sign my name with an "x"... just in case if my variations doesn't exist in this world."

Together they head toward Stone's Edge.

About an hour later, Stone's Edge.

The village is small but diverse. Villagers practice various trades. Small houses with one bigger form a circle around a central square, from which three roads radiate, along the road stands even more houses. At the center stands a stone well, where women gather water and exchange gossip. Children play nearby. Suddenly, a loud clang echoes, a blacksmith's hammer. Max turns as he notices the sound at once.

Thomas realises the curiosity of Max:

"There's Saban the blacksmith" as he points the direction "He's skilled with armor. If you need repairs, he might take a look at yours, as it's been a long while since he's seen such equipment"

Max goes into his thougths

"Saban... That's not a west name. It sounds Arabic. Maybe this world mixes cultures? Trades here seem more varied than in medieval villages on Earth. Interesting..."

He approaches the smithy. The forge glows red-hot, a piece of metal gleaming in the heat. Saban stands over his anvil, tools laying on a workbench at his side. With a rhythmic whistle, he hammers the metal shaping it, then plunges it into water.

"What bring you here, stranger?" He asks in some kind of aggressive tone, setting down his hammer.

Max introduces briefly, then removes his armor and hands it over to Saban. During the examination, Max notices his helmet's rear padding is now finished. Strange, but nothing surprises him anymore.

Blacksmith calming his tone slightly says:

"This metal is rare here, there used to be more of it, but the empire has exhausted it" as Saban observes each part of armor. "It grants an upper hand in fight and it's durable. I haven't seen such craftsmanship like this in ages. That's a very fine work. As thanks, to give me little joy by seeing that armor of yours, I'll pay you a lunch at Yaruka's place."

Max thinks:

"Now it is Yaruka? Sounds Asian. This world is truly weird. Nonetheless it would be good to eat something"

"Thank you, sir" as he replies.

Shortly after, in the village's inn.

They enter a small building with a few wooden tables. Yaruka greets them, a petite woman with warm eyes, a genuine smile, long red hair and striking yellow eyes. Max is little surprised by seeing not natural hair and eyes colors, which didn't exist on Earth. Saban shows a gesture to order 2 dishes. She heads to the kitchen knowing to prepare the special dish. The aroma of herbs and simmering broth fills the building, making Max's stomach growl.

Yaruka returns with two steaming bowls of soup.

"This is a specialty of Erendor's cuisine, enjoy your meal" - as she says while placing the bowls in front of the customers and goes back to counter.

"Erendor?" As Max asks the blacksmith.

"Yes, that's the name of empire which rules over these lands"

Max leans over the bowl and breathes in the scent, he can sense something reminding of the oregano and carrot. The soup seems to be rich and hearty. Each spoonful seems to wash away his fatigue and hunger of today's small journey. When he finishes, he returns the bowl to the counter and thanks Yaruka, whom raises an eyebrow in surprise. Saban also shown a surprise look. Then Max walks to the outside but in the meantime he could still hear the lady's comment.

"Not many behave like the old extinct knights these days, unlike the actors at the arena."

Max stands in front of the building and thinks

"Arena? Actors? So there are tournaments here, but staged? Chivalry, but extinct? Savoir-vivre no longer being a thing? On Earth, tournaments proved skill... Many knights died during them, it wasn't a theater. Even in times of Rome when it was more closer for a show, it was still a competition and rivalry."

He noticed Thomas nearby and approaches him.

"How can I join one of these arena fights?"

"You need the village or city council's approval. I can show you where. Although it is getting dusk so you should do that tomorrow. If you need a place to sleep, there's one next to the smithy. The owner offers it for free for any traveler."

"Without payment? For free?"

"Yes, the owner never takes benefit from those whom search a place to sleep in"

Max arrives to the place and goes into his room. That night, as he lies down, Max plans his next day in thougths before falling asleep:

"Tomorrow, I'll go to the council, maybe I'll get information about the arena. Maybe they'll allow me to enter one. Nonetheless I need some coins, buy civilian clothes later as I can't walk in armor all days and maybe more information about this world. If this is the world meant for the rest of my life... then I'll find a place in it. On my terms."