Chapter 16 - Aldmore Village

Jamaal looked around, his vision filled with the blur of trees and animals scurrying away from the speeding mount.

The wind blew around him, his hair flying as he enjoyed this moment of bliss and excitement.

Even though he was with an unknown person that could bring much danger upon Jamaal, something was telling him that he shouldn't worry currently. Instead, he should focus on gaining more knowledge about this world and where he was going.

"So, can I ask who you are?" He was hesitant, even after he asked the question. The boy was unsure what would give him away and what would not. After all, he might be part of some well-known group or a kingdom knight of some sorts. The fact that he did not know that could give him off.

However, luckily for him, the knight only chuckled and answered.

"I am part of the New Luckothern Empire, a knight part of the Scout Division 66.

My name is Arnold."

"What about you?" He asked after answering, his answer filling Jamaal with a little relief.

"I'm... Just a villager, I haven't got a home so I wander around the lands, and I'm not a good one at that. As you can see." He chuckled, glancing at the surroundings for a little bit.

"What about your family?" The man asked, glancing at the boy who sat with him.

Once again, Jamaal was hesitant to answer, these personal questions making him worry. Of course, he would have to lie, something he didn't like to do. After a couple of seconds of silence, that is.

"They're all dead. Well, I've never met my parents before so that's what I assume." He inwardly apologised to his mum and dad as he said this.

Once again, there was a slight pause before the burly man replied.

"I see, so you have no home, no family and you wander around the lands alone. It makes sense why you have such a high level. You have suffered so much."

"Though it also shows some talent. A little bit of talent. Tell you what, when we get to the village, I shall test you." The man thought about it, then glanced at the boy with a little pity.

"Test? Why is that?" Jamaal was slightly alarmed, did he give something away, did he do something wrong? Yet he still managed to keep his outward appearance of calmness and innocence.

"Oh don't worry, It's just to see your aptitude for future activities. That way, I can see if you are capable of surviving on your own, or you should go to a care home. And yes, I know you have managed to survive this long, that already shows something. But the more you'll be left alone, the stronger you will get. That may seem like a good thing, but, without the proper management and care, you could end up encountering beasts or even people that are stronger than originally thought. And because of your misjudgement, you can die." The man explained quickly, not wanting to give off the wrong impression.

Jamaal let out a breath of relief for the fifth time in the last ten minutes and smiled.

"Thanks for your concern, but I'll be alright. I'm smart enough to avoid those type of people." He said, glancing into the distance.

At last, the plains were in a visible distance, not just from the map but from the naked eyes as well. It was quite beautiful with how the sun bathed the fields with warm sunlight.

Flowers were growing and growing, none of them looking anything like how a flower would back at Earth. However, they were still incredibly beautiful, a shelter for the tiniest of life in this world. They were home for travellers and a resting place for insects and the like.

Among the skies, birds flew of many different sizes. Some perhaps predators, some prey. Some herbivores, some carnivores, even some omnivores. But the skies were filled with life too, beautiful life.

"How far till we reach the village?" Jamaal asked after a while of admiration, glancing at the armoured figure ahead of him.

"About 15 minutes, soon. I stay there anyways, well, temporarily anyway. Then we will have to move on." Arnold replied.

"Wait, we?" Jamaal thought, his mind pausing for a moment.

"Does he not intend for me to stay behind, why say 'we'. Must be a mistake, I hope."

Soon, a village came into sight, it was quite large and surrounded by towering wooden walls. The sounds of people bartering, cheering, screaming and much more came from behind the walls.

In the distance, there was a large gate, cobbled roads leading to it from multiple directions. There was a gradual stream of people entering and exiting through these open gates. Large animals and massive carts being used as cargo carriers for traders and merchants.

It was a beautiful sight to see. Something Jamaal had never seen before, even in books and movies. Not even games.

Probably the coolest thing about this was the fact that this was only a village. What about a town or a city? How would they look?

Jamaal didn't think much about it though as soon. The two were on the path towards the village, quickly joining up with the convoys that headed in the same direction as them.

So there it was, Aldmore Village, After weeks of struggle, Jamaal had finally arrived.