章 2: Which one should I be?
The arrow flew, aimed at Rafael's torso, but it didn't land as expected. When the arrow was still halfway to its target, Rafael sidestepped and turned his body ninety degrees, just in case. I knew it was possible, but dodging an arrow like that is actually pretty cool. Thanks, ELSpan. Now, I better not push my luck.
After dodging the arrow, Rafael sprinted towards the man, who was clearly stunned, his mouth agape. Panic set in as he saw the 'noble' rushing at him.
"Wait, wait! Please, I'm sorry, sir! I beg you, spare my family! You can kill me, but spare my wife and kids!" The man pleaded, dropping his bow and arrows before kneeling on the ground.
"For the love of the Great One above, I accept any punishment, but my family has nothing to do with this—" His words were cut short as Rafael shoved him to the ground, not holding back, and kept his foot pressed against the man's back.
"Why did you attack me?! I told you I wasn't a threat! Are you deaf?!" Rafael couldn't understand why this man had attacked him out of nowhere.
"Pardon me, my lord! Please spare me and my family, I... I thought you were a pillager or someone with bad intentions. I was just gathering some fruits with my kids and teaching them how to use a bow," the man stammered, his voice trembling.
Is this the medieval period? It sure looks like it. These simple clothes, the bow and arrows, and the way he calls me 'noble.' Please, let it be past the 16th century, please, please... Rafael thought.
"What year is this? And where are we?" he demanded.
"P-Pardon me, sir, but I don't know the exact year. I'm just a farm worker. As for where we are, all I know is that this is Floutt's territory. Our village is in that direction. It's true, it's true!" The man pointed in a certain direction, and Rafael believed him, as he had seen the children running that way.
"Were those kids yours?" Rafael asked, recalling the boy and girl he had seen fleeing.
"Yes, yes, sir, they are my children. Please don't hurt them," the man begged, his face streaked with sweat and dirt as he pleaded. He doesn't look like someone of higher status, so maybe he's telling the truth. But... Rafael pondered.
"Why did you first call me a noble and then a pillager? And why do you keep begging me not to harm your family?" This didn't make sense to Rafael, unfamiliar with the customs and nuances of the Middle Ages.
A person of higher status could easily order someone's death for even the slightest reason, often stemming from misunderstandings or, at times, fabricated to satisfy a lord's whims.
"I... Sir, I—I thought you were a noble because of your clothes, yes. But then, when I didn't see any helpers or guards with you, I assumed you were someone with bad intentions. Please, pardon my actions, my lord!" the man implored.
"Okay, okay. Enough already. I forgive you," Rafael said.
Hmm. It's true that nobles live better than commoners. I think I'll pretend to be one. Yeah, it might make things easier for me, and maybe it won't be so bad living here after all. Rafael's subconscious was desperately trying to find ways to calm his panic and accept that he was stranded in this time period.
"Oh, thank you, sir! Thank you! May God bless you!" the villager said gratefully from the ground.
While Rafael was still grappling with the idea of pretending to be a noble, the villager, still pinned beneath him, asked hesitantly, "Pardon my rudeness, my lord, but where are your guards? There's no road in this part of the forest, at least none that I know of. You should be careful—there are dangerous people everywhere." The man's tone had become more stable and curious.
Damn, he's right. He found me alone in the middle of a forest. The fact that he thinks I'm a noble but doesn't recognize me means I must be from another city or even another territory. Maybe he doesn't even believe I'm someone of high status and thinks I'm an enemy or something!
So my idea of pretending to be a noble won't work because no noble would be wandering alone in a forest outside his own domain. Damn... Little did he know, the man wasn't scheming; he was simply curious and concerned.
"My lord? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that. It's none of my concern what my esteemed lord is doing. Please, forgive me!" After a few seconds of silence, the man feared the 'noble' was displeased with a lowly farm worker questioning him and grew more anxious.
"I'm actually a merchant from the east. My crew and I were passing through a shortcut near here, but I got separated from them and lost my way. I think I'll stay at your village for a while before searching for them. Now, get up." Rafael stepped back, giving the man space as he released him.
"I'm not going to apologize because you started all this by trying to kill me."
"No problem, sir. I ask again for your forgiveness. You said you'll stay at our village, right? Please, as an act of repentance, I invite you to stay at my house for as long as you need," the man said, standing up and retrieving his bow and arrows from the ground.
Even if he's a merchant, these clothes and that book mean he's not a small one. I need to leave before he changes his mind. I can come back for those arrows I shot another day.
"With your permission, I'll return to the village now. Again, I'm deeply sorry for what I did. God knows I am ashamed and seek forgiveness," the man said, raising his hands as he mentioned God.
"Yeah, I forgive you. I'll head to your village in a few minutes. You can go ahead."
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