“Achoo!” Nathaniel woke up with a sudden sneeze.
He was lying on a straw bed in an unknown place.
Sunlight gleamed through a lone window and touched upon his body wrapped in blood-stained bandages. The walls and the ceiling were assembled with logs of wood. A wooden hut? He focused his ears and heard metal striking against metal at a distance. A battle? No...the sound was constant, and with a rhythm, it felt familiar, but he could not recall what it entailed.
Winching in pain, he rose up as he heard light footsteps approaching.
“You are awake!” a charming voice tinkled in his ears.
He turned towards the door and saw a young woman. Striking crimson hair was bundled up in a bun behind her; an upturned nose and thin cherry lips graced her heart-shaped face. A white gown was draped over her ivory skin.
Carrying a bucket of water and a piece of cloth, she hurried next to him.
“Don’t move! Your wound still needs treatment!” she said; her brown eyes were filled with concern.