AN: This is more setting up the new faces and backstory. In case anybody asks the scroll is a parallel world to his own so he'll be able to leave it and return once he learns how to do so. How it got to him I have yet to figure out so I'm open to ideas on why a scroll such as this found it's way to him. However, time flows differently in this world so while he has been gone for about a day next to no time has passed in his world. So nobody knows he was ever gone.
AN2: The next chapter will cover Naruto's time inside Zodenhaim. The city looks like the big city in The Witcher 3. Just without the elves for obvious reasons. The other races make the city their home but elves are not allowed inside. As always feel free to give feedback.
Chapter 2: The Boy At The Well.
Naruto was awoken the next day by the sound of a rooster calling quite loudly the start of the day. The older of the two having already set himself to the tasks of feeding the many pigs, sheep, goats and whatever else called his tiny farmstead their home. Rubbing the sleep from his cerulean eyes he got up from :his: bed and exited the modest home to see the man hard at work. When the older man saw him he gave him a look not too dissimilar to the looks Sakura-chan would give him for asking her out on a date. But at least the man didn't seem ready to attack him, at least not yet.
"You normally sleep in this late boy? It's damn near midday!" The man yelled making Naruto rubbed the back of his head nervously.
"I'm sorry...". Naruto said leaving the last part unsaid in the hopes that the man would answer him. He had no such luck as the man only tossed a rusty old bucket into his hands.
"Go fetch me some water. I have orders to fill and little time to waste on making the trip myself. The well is down the path and up that hill.". The man said before returning to the task of tossing out bits of seed and dropping some gunk into the pigpen.
Naruto seeing no real point in standing around doing nothing useful soon turned around and started making his way down the dirt path that snaked its way through the woods surrounding the city of Zodenhaim. As he walked Naruto took a look around. The many small birds were quite colorful in their blue's and red's and yellow's and were busy singing their songs. The deer were running and jumping and playing their little deer games. The water in the rivers and lakes was clear and cool and lastly, the air was warm. He would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy the place. Being able to walk down the street without mothers and fathers pulling their children away or being eyed as if he would start attacking them for no reason at all. Here he was but a boy. An oddly looking boy armed with an old rust-covered bucket but a boy all the same. As he walked he could sometimes hear the townsfolk mutter under their breath. He paid them no mind, after all, he had a job to do and by sage, he was going to do it. He had just walked up the sizeable hill when he eyed a boy with brown-colored hair and green eyes. The boy seemed to be hiding or at least trying seeing as he was behind a tree two sizes too small. The boy reminded him of yet another. One who also seemed incapable of camouflage or hiding in general. But at least he wasn't trying to hide under a square looking stone so he had that going for him at least. As soon as he had made his way over to the well the boy jumped out from behind the tree and ordered him to pay a toll.
"To use this here well you must pay a toll". The boy said sticking his hand out. Naruto only eyed the boy. The boy seemed like a farmer's son seeing as his clothes smelled like manure and had clearly been worn for many years.
"Hey, you have to pay a toll for use of this here well". The boy yelled out again looking indignant at being seemingly ignored. Naruto deciding to play along for a bit asked the boy why he must pay a toll.
"Years back a girl came to this here well and fell in. On that night was a high wind and heavy rain and so nobody heard her cries for help. The next day after the wind and rain had passed she was found dead. From that day to this anybody must pay a toll". The boy said before once more putting his hand out awaiting payment.
"I'm sorry but I have no money on me". Naruto said before the boy retracted his hand.
"Then leave if you know what's good for you". The boy said before shooing him away. Forcing him to return to the tiny farmstead waterless. When the man saw this his face seemed to turn red with rage and for a second he feared he would attack him then and there. But he walked past him, down the dirt path, up the hill, and to the boy. Once there he picked the boy up and beat him till his backside was red.
"Now go home fore I tell your father what you been doing"! The man yelled before seeing the boy off. Once that was done he walked back to the farmstead.
"Now go get me my water". The man ordered. Naruto at once was off once more. When he had returned from the well he watched as the man entered a blacksmith hut and lit a fire.
"Good pour it into that trough over there". The man said as he moved a bit of iron and began working it into a sword. The sounds of his hammer sounded throughout the enclosed space.
"So you're a blacksmith"? Naruto asked as he watched as he placed the iron sword into the cool water and back out again.
"For many long years, I have, yes. My father was the blacksmith before me but that was fore he was killed by a wild boar. From that day to this I have run the place". The man said as he placed it aside and started work on another.
"I never asked for your name. What is it? Naruto asked.
"My name is Astrid Oakenshield. Son of Ptoic Oakenshield and Elsa Von Oakenshield. We Oakenshield's have been blacksmiths to the kings and queens of this land for close to an age now. Stories say our clan came from the blue mountains to the north near the sea but nobody's lived that far north in many generations". Astrid answered before plunging the sword into the cool liquid.
"Why"? Naruto asked as he continued to watch as the man hammered upon the blades. With each hit, he could see many tiny orange-colored sparks flying outward. The man seemed to consider the question being asked for a time but in the end, he decided to not answer.
"It's not a matter that concerns you. Best you see to matters that do". The man said before a younger man entered. He was lean and clearly had trained long and hard. When his eyes landed upon the form of Naruto he seemed almost perplexed at the unexpected guest.
"F...father who be this"? He asked pointing to Naruto.
"He's Naruto Uzumaki. He's our guest so stop pointing at him. It's rude to point". Astrid Oakenshield said as he set aside his fifth sword. Killing the fire he walked over and clasped his son's shoulder.
"See him around the city. He is new here and would likely get lost otherwise". Astrid Oakenshield told his son before walking into the much cooler air outside.
"Of course, father". The older boy said before he and Naruto were off to the city. What Naruto didn't know was his life would forever change upon his entering into the fortified capital city of Zodenhaim.