The elf would forever haunt him but Jay knew he couldn't afford to waste time. For all he knew another contingent of something could be coming. But ... he would deal with his regret later and like usual he shoved his emotions into a box to set aside.
From what he heard from the elf, it sounded like otherworlders like him were greatly feared so he needed look as close to a local as possible. Taking inventory of everything was almost back-breaking, literally. One of the maces had to have weighed more than a ton but Jay noticed so almost too late. About a hundred corpses give or take laid scattered about the complex with almost 15 grotesque dead animals each, and every one of them had a pouch of money and rations along with a change of clothes.
Jay struggled to not look too long at the corpses. One of them had their heads cracked open with the grey matter spilling out while another had his entrails strewn about him from what seemed to be large bite taken out of him. The smell indicated that the rotting and decay had already started. Jay coughed up everything in his stomach at this sight. Scowling at the wasted food he replenished himself on appropriated rations, much better than the excuse of a breakfast he had. Kind of like the meal biscuits back home strangely enough.
Jay pulled on the clothes and leather armor of a man who was closest to his size probably a woodsman, and strapped on a pack he found after he ripped off an insignia he found embroidered in it. Hopefully these guys were Spartan or Jay was in trouble; he would find out soon when he met the nearest local. He strapped on his swords with new sheathes, the only memento he could keep, and was set. The original sheaths were no where to be found.
Getting out was simply enough because there was a gigantic hole leading outside. Must have been the way his inadvertent rescuers had forced entry. When Jay climbed outside he found himself in a wilderness. He thought if the person who kidnapped him was living underground so maybe this world wasn't the worst if they had to live in hiding. Jay couldn't help but feel lucky that the worse he experienced was a beating. Jay decided not to get his hopes up. He did have the good fortune to find a well-worn trail in front of him though and it was early in the morning.
Following the trail was a surprisingly pleasant experience. All the vicious creatures must have been called on to defend the lair, because the walk in the woods was peaceful and refreshing. A deer rushed off with speed that seemed to break the sound barrier but otherwise everything was pleasant. What to do though? He was pretty sure he botched his chance at magically learning the language. He would stand out as a sore thumb if he didn't do anything.
Lost in thought Jay almost didn't notice the screaming. Now Jay was a self-proclaimed selfish bastard privately. He came to admit this after some introspection. He couldn't understand why so many people had bleeding hearts but simply did as was the norm back in America. But this instance might be a chance to put a local in his debt, so he rushed forward towards the cries.
What he found was a young boy with a stick swiping at a pair of growling wolves. The boy was a sniveling mess but did his best to keep the beasts away. Hmm he wasn't good enough to handle two swords at the same time so a slash to the first wolf and then a blow with his fist to the second one then a second strike with his sword.
Jay pulled one his blades out, only the wolf must have noticed this because it suddenly locked on to him the next split second and charged. Jay barely had the time to point the tip down towards the wolf, but barely was enough. The mangy animal found itself skewered on Jay's sword. The second wolf got a knuckle sandwich then a sword stuck in the neck as planned ... but a third wolf sneaked up on him. A small part of him mused on the unusual intelligence of these animals but the rest of him was astonished to see time seem to slow down. Jay took a step to steady himself from the attack he took from his back, drew his other sword and buried it in the third wolf.
The boy happily exclaimed his gratitude in what sounded like plain English.
"Is something wrong?"
Jay shook himself out of his reverie at the two surprises and simply decided to chalk it up to luck of the draw for now at least. Those three wolves were probably the last of threats, no at least immediate in the forest.
"Nothing kid. Do you live close here?"
"I am not a kid! I am Jax and 15 uouso old you know! Besides you don't look much older yourself! Why do you want to know about where I live?"
Great so the calendar is also different Jay thought. And WHAT! He should look at least in his 20s. Meh spreading his real name might be dangerous.
"Just a wanderer named Jack looking for the nearest settlement."
"Ok. I'll help you get there! Live there anyways."
Jay quickly realized he didn't need a guide since they were following the trail he found from before but still followed the kid anyway. Jax kept on sneaking glances behind at him making Jay a little annoyed.
"What is with all the staring?"
"I just never saw someone so pale!"
Oh shit! Now that he looked closely Jax was indeed a couple shades darker than him, looks like his clothing is not out of the norm.
"I am from the north; came down here for the warmth."
"Well ok. Here is the village!"
There was a wooden palisade stretched around the settlement. It was so large it must have also included the fields. Jay mused that the village should be able grow a whole lot more now that the external threats were rotting in a hole a couple miles away.
"Well come on! Washing ouoso down the river!"
Well how would he introduce himself? Damn he should have thought about this instead pondering about senseless things! His name should be fine, so maybe just proclaim himself a wanderer? Hopefully that didn't have too terrible of a connotation. Sounds of commotion came from behind the gate.
"Who is with you Jax?"
"A wanderer from up north named Jack. He saved me from a wolf attack so I think we should at least repay him by considering whatever he has to say."
"Fine. Step aside then. How many times have you gone in and out of here? You should know how this gate opens."
The wooden gate groaned as it opened revealing a crowd of people holding farm tools at the ready. The sight instilled in me a sharp fear of being lynched by a mob. Luckily an aged man pushed through to gestured for them to follow. Jax rushed to follow so Jay followed suit.
"I hear you saved Jax from a wolf so first I must thank you. I hear you have something to say?"
"How should I refer to you sir?"
"Just call me Elder"
"Well Elder to tell the truth Jax simply made that assumption but I do indeed have a suggestion to make along with a request to stay with your village a while to get my bearings before moving on. I have been wandering ever since I left the north and am not sure where to go."
"Well go on make your suggestion."
"I recently found the aftermath of a fight that must have destroyed the source of the threats you kept out with this wall around your village. I think it was a magic user who twisted the animals into ferocious watch dogs but now they are all dead with no survivors. I think its a massive chance at expansion and I hope to help with this in exchange for a place to stay for a while."
"Well we don't usually accept outsiders, but if what you say is indeed true then this is good fortune. What about the opponents of the magic user? I plan to have a hunter go confirm what you say. For now you may stay at Jax's place with his family; I am sure they will be more than will to pay you back."
"Oh Elder I almost forgot. All the combatants of the opponents of the magic user were loaded with money."
"I take it you are referring to gold in a strange way but I will make sure to send more than one hunter. Now go with Jax."
Jay could tell he had been dismissed and followed Jax.