Hello everyone, this story had a bit of a break after some personal events came up. But chapter 3 is here finally.
Nicole was a historian from Cambridge, well one in training of course. She was 21, and still attending classes. It was a hot summer day, and she no longer wanted to be stuck in the library. She spent her days in the library, nose in any books that she could touch. She adjusted the straps on her backpack as she headed for the local park, wanting to spend some time outside while it was still nice out.
She walked through the town until she found her favorite park, sitting underneath a tree in it's shade and taking out the book she was reading. Along with it came her notes of course, which she kept in notebooks. Her room was full of them, notes from various books she has read. This one about the economic trade and movement of ceramics during the late 900s and early 1000s.
She sat under the tree for about 2 hours, reading and jotting down notes in her note book, enjoying the fresh air and sunlight. However she soon felt sleepy, and set her head against the trunk of the tree. Her eyelids became heavy, she fell asleep. Suddenly in front of her was a woman, who wore a white gown. Her face was clear yet blurry a the same time.
"Go, they will have need of your brains and wit. Bring stability and calm to them." The strange woman told her. Nicole had never heard someone's voice so sweet and soft in her life, all her being wanted to do as the woman said. Nicole's eyes suddenly opened, and she could tell something was different.
The trees and grass around her appeared the same, however there was something different about the air. It felt cleaner, untouched, and had a strong sense of the Wild about it. She looked around, and before where she would see buildings through the trees she only spotted more forest. She quickly stood and gathered her things, placing them in her bag. She slung the leather bag on her back before rushing to inspect where the city had gone. She wandered for about minutes, not finding a single building. She began to panic, not knowing what might have happened.
"What the fuck." She muttered, still utterly confused as to what just happened. At first when she woke up she assumed the woman was a dream, something her mind made up. Now she wasn't sure, because this was no longer the University. A million thoughts raced through her head, unclear on what she should do.
After taking a few deep breaths to calm herself, those thoughts slowed down and focused on on. "I need to find people, and figure out what is going on." She told herself, looking at the sun and figuring she should go west. She started walking, placing one foot in front of the other. She soon picked up a walking stick and used that. She hummed to herself softly, making her way through the woods.
While she had no idea where she was, the walk was pleasant enough. The scenery was nice, and the terrain was easy. Nicole continue on for around 2 hours, luckily she still had her watch on her to keep time. It was about that time she entered a clearing, and at the edge she spotted a cabin with smoke rising from the chimney.
Nicole took a breath eying up the house, remembering every horror movie she has seen. Pushing back the vivid images of what happened to those unlucky characters she started across the field, knowing she would need help from someone. From afar she could tell the house was built like simple cabins were back around the 1200s and 1300s, but she wasn't sure why. Walking to the front door she noticed that everything was rough cut and hewn. Not the fake stuff they use in most reproductions, but the real deal. She took a moment to study it before knocking on the door.
"Hello?" She called out unsure of who might be living here. "I'm lost and I could use a bit of help." She added not wanting to alarm the people who might be living here. It was in the middle of the forest, so they might not be used to having people come to their door. She heard footsteps coming to the door and prepared for the worst.
The door opened, and in front of Nicole stood a woman. She was tall and slender, with long golden blonde hair. "Hello, who are you?" She asks flashing a smile at her. "You are lost?" She asks confirming if she heard correctly.
Nicole smiled at the woman, her presence made Nicole feel calm. "Hello, my name is Nicole." She told the woman, introducing herself. "I was just wondering where I am." She tells the woman.
"Well I'm sorry you lost your way." The woman tells her with a look of concern on her face. "My name is Alyss." The woman told Nicole. "I can take you to the local town, is that where you lived?" She asked stepping out onto the porch. The woman in front of Alyss was normal looking enough. She stood a few inches shorter than herself, which not many women did. She had shoulder length slightly curly red hair, which again was not out of the ordinary. Her face was pleasant and well shaped, with a slightly larger nose.
Nicole nodded, although not sure what town Alyss was mentioning. "What town would that be?" She asked. "I'm not exactly sure where I am." She adds with a soft chuckle.
Alyss gave Nicole a strange look, not sure how a woman could be so lost. She was speaking the same language as Alyss. "Well you are right by Castle Redmont. Where Baron Arald rules." She says slowly.
Nicole's eyes go wide and she nods. Barons haven't actually done anything in hundreds of years. They were ceremonial titles given out to people, and they really didn't matter. "A Baron? Baron Arald?" Nicole asks not sure how else to ask what was going on. "He has a title? And rules over the land? With total power?" She asks wanting to be sure everything was understood here.
Alyss gave the woman a strange look, not sure why this needed to be cleared up. "Yes, of course he rules over the Fief. He answers to the King." She tells Nicole. Alyss was just overall confused why that was so important.
Nicole nods and looks at the woma. "I'm going to be upfront about this." She says with a nervous chuckle. "I think I'm lost or something." She explains taking a deep breath. "I'm not from around here, or at least not this time or something." Nicole continues closing her eyes. "I've never heard of the village or the Baron or anything." She continues. "So I have no idea where I am." She finishes.
Alyss wasn't sure what to even do with all of this information. This woman just told her that she wasn't from here. "Alright." She says taking a deep breath. "We will take you to someone who might be able to answer more of your questions." Alyss tells Nicole.
I know its a little short, but I'm back to write more of this story! Thank you!
