Shadow darted to the front, strolling through grass that grew higher the closer it got to the river. Every few steps, he took a moment, looked around, his body tense.
Every time Shadow stood still, Albin felt a sense of cautiousness.
"Shadow, I have a question."
"Not just one, I presume?"
Albin looked around, seeing grass wiggle where he lost the trail of his familiar. "Can you share your emotions with me as well?"
Shadow walked silently.
"I was asking you something."
"Ah, you don't know."
Shadow appeared out of a clump of grass, walking towards his partner. "You'll find out either way. So, you know magic, right?" The familiar now walked around Albin like he was Shadow's prey.
Albin nodded. "Right. I guess."
"Good. Right now, you can call me. And I'll even hear your call. How convenient, hm? But if you grow stronger, you can learn new abilities."
Albin's eyes widened.
"I guess so. So, I can acquire more powerful spells from others? And somewhat train?"
"Doesn't work this way. But a spell's potency is increased if you really mean it."
"Uhm… That means if I work hard, you'll become stronger?"
"Not quite," the familiar shook his head, "your familiar abilities are the only ones not affected. Icelance. You are happy, content, and you'll throw a snowball at somebody. But if you really mean it, you'll be able to pierce somebody."
Albin looked at Shadow, slowly turning around with him.
"You really mean this, huh?"
"I do."
"So, the most powerful wizard in your world is a madman?"
"Probably. Mages is the word you are looking for. But they tend to focus on the variety of spells rather than going into only one."
Albin stopped following Shadow, looking at his hand, which he used to summon him, still seeing the impression of the fangs in his palm.
"So, in other words, I have to acquire new abilities. How?"
"Don't know about the abilities. Sometimes, they come. No rule here – you'll learn eventually. I hope."
"Okay… Last question: What about my Summon Familiar ability? Why does it not work there?"
"You see, we both can feel things. You love me, I hate you for example – I think, it just doesn't work out. But that's just my guess. Also, when we grow stronger, we'll be able to do more than just appear and disappear. But again, no rule here."
"There is a lot to learn… thanks, my loyal cat!"
Shadow hissed, showing his fangs, then turned around without another word and jumped back into the bushes.
Albin kept on walking until he got to the river. Its water was clear, running in the direction of Mistelbrunn. He looked at the water, thinking about whether he wanted to touch or even drink otherworldly water, but saw nothing besides the earthy ground and some small fish swimming through the flow.
It was just running. Nothing special, nothing exaggerating. Just water. Clean, clear und cold as he touched its surface with his little finger.
Absently looking into the water, he could see a vague picture of Celine and Ronny. It was summer. The happy barking, his wife laughing as water splashed all over her when Ronny came out of the water, shaking his soaking wet body until slightly less wet. He could almost smell wet fur. The scene vanished as quickly as it has formed.
He didn't believe in miracles anymore.
"Right, scent…"
Albin lifted his right arm, seeing a large stain consisting of dried sweat all over his armpit. Slowly he pulled his head, nose first, under his arm until a smell worse than wet dog reached his nostrils. He hasn't smelled that bad in a long time. He used to be careless as a teenager, but got the hang of personal hygiene in his early twenties. He wrinkled his nose and thought of a spot for more sensitive.
Despite of what all guys would deny in public, Albin slowly loosened his leather belt and took a look around. An intense, cautious look. And slowly pushed his hand under his belt, found a way through his underwear and found one of the more important parts of manhood. Having secured, everything is still there, he quickly pulled it out again. Fearing for the worst, he doubtfully brought the hand to his face, stopping halfway through.
"At least now I'm glad, I'm alone."
Albin looked around again, standing close to the flowing water now. On second look, the little fish looked like the animals, living in fish tanks for people to put their feet in.
He unbuttoned the lower half of his shirt, the upper part being torn already, took it off and carefully laid it on a spot of grass. Shortly after followed first his shoes, socks, pants and finally his underwear.
He tested the temperature with one toe and found that it was cold, but not freezing. He carefully put the whole foot onto the ground. He had not expected it to be slippery, but he found ground easily. The second foot followed, and he hesitantly walked toward the middle of the river where its depth was largest.
At this deepest point, the water reached halfway up his thigh, so he had to crouch to get all the spots. It took him a few minutes, but he managed to find a position that was suitable. Giving himself a good rub, he was surprised by how much actual dirt came off his skin, watching a whiff that came from his soles drift away. He continued from the bottom to the top as he always did. He had a lot of arguments regarding the proper order of washing body parts and never came out on top.
"I thought you might want some privacy, so I took a look. You can take your time. Think, you need it."
It was a shadow, sitting near his clothes to watch over them, but far enough away to not have to savor the mixture of sweat, dirt, vomit, and – this he wouldn't tell Albin – urine.
"Thanks, Shadow! I don't think you have the ability to magically make my clothes disappear and exchange them for new ones?"
Slowly feeling clean for the first time in what felt like ages, Albin almost felt human again.
"Pft, I am very much sorry to disappoint, my maiden abilities are not that high."
Albin left out a small, honest laugh. "Wait, what? Maiden abilities? For real?"
"Forgot, you have no knowledge. Yes, for real. It's a class like any other."
"Class?"
"Classes. When Humans or any race that I know of reach a certain age, they get assigned a class. Depends on your preferences."
Albin stopped, looking up, quickly crouching again when he noticed his waistline was above the surface. "Wait. Races?"
"Yes. You don't have them where you come from? Lots of different folks in this world. Mostly humans around here, though."
Somehow, the tiny bit of positivity grew into something else. A world to explore. New Memories to be made. An easier time, long before he a has finished his studies and started working.
Albin gulped, noticing Shadow staring at him. No words were said.
"That's a lot of races for one world… We don't have races. According to the majority, at least."
Shadow blinked. "A world full of humans? That must be exciting."
"If you never think about it, it's perfectly normal. Anyway, you mentioned classes?"
"Something you specialize in. Maid, Guard, Hunter, Blacksmith. You get it."
"Each with their own abilities?"
"Correct. Mind you, abilities come unannounced and differently. One blacksmith may have great abilities for making swords, another could have abilities for refining ore, and another might be the best for crafting nails. It all really depends on what abilities you get."
"So, I must have a class as well! How do I find out more?"
"Got yourself summoned here after you reached the age. Bad luck for you. And also, no class for you."
"Holy… But I can earn new abilities, right?"
Shadow walked towards the river, snapped a fish out of the water, and swallowed it whole.
"Right. They won't be specialized to a certain use for you. For example, you acquired me at your arrival – good choice by the way – and the next thing you get is enhanced baking, then the next could be the Icelance, and so on. At least, you already have one magical ability, so there's a chance you'll get more".
Albin had to think. He was not sure whether this would be the right place to ask. He didn't even know whether Shadow was completely honest with him. Basically, he could tell Albin anything, and he would have to believe it. Albin washed his upper body, thinking deeply when…
"You can just ask me."
Albin shrieked, turning around to Shadow, who just stared. "Reading thoughts, remember?"
Albin cleared his throat. "Well, here goes nothing…" he mumbled and then thought. "You know a lot for someone I have just summoned. Where are you from, how did you get here, and how do you know so much?"
"Long story. In simple words, I'm from Kosh. Another dimension. Don't worry, you won't go there. I do, when not summoned. Place is shabby. But we study there, learning about history, different races that might summon us. Basically, preparing ourselves for when called. Which you did. Happy?"
"Not quite. I don't think a lot of people get summoned into your world. How do you know about people like me?"
"I heard stories. Incomplete ones. People don't like to remember how those ended.
"You must be quite old then, my friend."
"I am"
"How old are you, Shadow?"
"That I cannot tell. But since preparing myself, I have spent 332 years, a month, and 12 days."
Albin gasped. That was awkwardly precise, as if someone had waited. It reminded Albin of prison inmates who count their days by scratching a checklist on a prison wall.
"Thank you. You are awfully helpful for a newcomer, you know that."
"I hope so. Before you ask, no, it does usually not take this long for a familiar to get summoned, but I'm with the appearance of a black cat. People of all races tend to prefer the lions, griffons, horses, or even mice. Can you believe that? So, I have waited a bit longer than usual. But in the end, here I am. And to speak in your – quite simple – words. Fuck Kosh."
"Yes, fuck Kosh! When I get home, I'll make sure I take you with me!" Albin had no idea what place he had just put his metaphorical middle finger up to, but he felt like, as a team, the two had to stick together.
It took him another minute, and Albin had finished washing his entire body. Even if it was just water, he felt like a new man. The chat with Shadow made him smile. Someone who can read your thoughts. Could there be a safer companion than the one who can see you? He couldn't just stand there, pretending to be happy, when in reality he wasn't. Couldn't be loud, make jokes with his friends while secretly wanting to go home, lie next to his wife, and enjoy emptiness.
He has always loved emptiness. When there was nothing. No one to bother him. The only exception was his wife he could completely open up to without the fear of being judged.
He brushed off as much water as he could with his hands from his body before gently putting a foot out of the water and onto the grass again.
The sun, now standing at its highest, sent a shimmer into Albin's eyes and covered his body with light and warmth. He closed his eyes, let the sun do its work, and smiled. Every dried drop on his skin was noticeable. No sound except for the light breeze wandering over his bare skin, dancing around his nose and into his nostrils as he stood there calmly, taking deep breaths. He turned around and let the sun do its work from the back.
A few minutes later and his skin was dry. He inspected his clothes, eyes focused as if he could summon a washing machine as well. After a while, he pulled off his shirt from the pile of clothes and started tying knots in different ends. What came out was a bag from the main part and a carrier from two the two sleeves tied together. He shoved his shoes and socks into his new bag. Out of fear for his shoes as well as the sensation of the sun hitting his skin.
He put on his pants. Dirty, still smelling, but now he was certain that in a world with blacksmiths, there would be a way to wash his clothes as well. Tightening his belt, he could observe Shadow catching fish again. He went fishing once, but Shadow made it look like something mundane. Fangs in. Fish out. Gulp. Fangs in. Fish out. Gulp.
"Hey, you, very hungry caterpillar!"
Shadow twitched and turned his head around, tail of a fish sticking out to the left of his mouth, blinking.
"It is rude to interrupt someone in the middle of the meal."
"I know. And I'm hungry as well. Let's go, we will have to walk for quite some time."
He must have jinxed it because it was exactly then, his belly started grumbling. Loudly.
"Hear that? That was your sign."
Shadow gulped, and the wiggling fish tail disappeared in his mouth. He jumped up and landed next to Albin's feet.
The sun felt good on his body.
He has read about people swearing, they'd be able to survive on nothing different but the energy of the light. He had also learned, a lot of people died from starvation. Light wasn't as nutritious after all.
Watching Shadow, the two walked for about an hour until Mistelbrunn was in sight. Now that they had gotten closer, the small village looked more like a real town. It seemed to have a proper palisade around it with gates leading in multiple directions. The roofs he saw from a distance got clearer now. Some roofs had some kind of red straw on top. Others were covered by a dark, brown wood. Smoke rose from the chimneys, vanishing in the air.
The town was now maybe half an hour away, and Albin's eyes widened when he saw – people!
There were actual people in front of one of the gates. One of them had to be some kind of guard. He wore blue pants, a yellow shirt and held a long weapon. It was a curved halberd, about twice the size of the guard. In front of the gate were more people. They talked with each other. One pulled a cart into the city. He saw another person with a child, holding its hand, but struggling with the child eventually running off, into the city. Leaving the parent behind, trying to run after.
He wondered how old this place might be. If Shadow counted over 300 years, there surely was enough time for urban development.
Something had found a place in Albin's body. A scent. It was a fresh scent. Something he definitely remembered. That was bread. Not out of the supermarket. This was freshly baked bread. He heard his stomach grumble once more. The scent was teasing him. His legs went faster, and his speed increased.
It was only a few steps until he could reach the gate.
By now, the people around the gate were gone. Only the guard remained.
"Just don't do anything dumb, okay?"
"Promise!"
He took a few steps and looked at the guard who stared, silently, at Albin. Then his eyes wandered over to Shadow, who let out an almost studied and appealing "Meow!"
The guard's eyes wandered back to Albin. He had short, receding hair, a bushy beard, and calm eyes that rested on Albin's.
"Name?"
"Hello, I'm Albin."
"Where from?"
"I'm from Meisen, but that's far away."
The guard smiled as he mustered him from head to toes.
"I see. You must have wandered quite far. There's not a lot of civilization around here. I am Rondris, guard of Mistelbrunn."
Albin eased. "Yes, I had to find out the hard way," pointing at his dirty self-made backpack.
"Good. Welcome to Mistelbrunn, Albin. Get yourself a bed in the badger", he pointed behind him, "and a meal as well. One piece of advice: We are a small town. Don't cause any trouble." The guard gave Albin a cold, calculating look. Not a dangerous one. Just the kind of look of a man who has learned to trust everyone. He pointed at his halberd. Now, Albin could see that it was curved, but also had some kind of hammer instead of the axe head he knew from history. "Haven't used this one in ages. We'd better keep it this way."
Albin brought up his best fake smile. He has studied this one for years. "Don't you worry, I won't cause any harm."
"Better for all of us."
Albin nodded and took a step forward into the city when the guard stopped him.
"Out of curiosity, what class does someone like you have?"
"Oh, I don't have one!"
"Why did I even tell you not to do anything stupid?"
Rondris' eyes widened.