“Herbalist. Like a doctor?”
“A physician, yes. He has a vast knowledge of plants and uses them for medicines and remedies in conjunction with spell work.”
“Ah, so this is a medieval-fantasy setting with magic? Cool. That gives you guys the freedom to make it how you want without getting hung up on the historical details.”
Callum’s brow arched. “The captain was right. You do speak strangely. The hit to your head may be more severe than it looks. We best get you to Briar as soon as possible.”
The nervous pit in my stomach worsened. He didn’t seem to be acting.
I took another look around, seeing it with a new set of eyes. Everything was too realistic. Even the most awesome Renaissance festivals lacked this level of accuracy. And if itwasa festival, where were the patrons? Every person wore full costume and performed tasks like hand-washing clothing and bedding, chopping firewood, and cleaning the barn with no one around to see it, as if they had fully immersed themselves in the role as opposed to putting on a performance.
“Hey, Callum? Be straight with me. You guys are role-players, right? You signed up to experience this type of setting and were given your positions?”
His confusion deepened. “I wasn’t given my position as a knight. I earned it through hard work and fortitude.”
“Yeah, but really. What do you do when you’re not here being a knight? Like in the real world?”
“The real world? This is the only world I know, Evan.”
As we entered a courtyard, passing colorful trees and small pools of water surrounded by smooth, white rocks, I pinched my arm hard enough to feel the sting. Definitely not a dream, then. Kidnapping seemed far-fetched, too, considering no one knew who I was.
So, where the hell was I? Andwhywas I there?
We neared a door within the courtyard, and Callum knocked once.
“Come in,” a man said from the other side.
Callum pushed open the door and nodded for me to go in first before following behind me. Just in case I made a dash for it and ran away? Probably. Which, with this confusing reality unfolding around me, I might’ve done it.
Natural light flooded the spacious room, shining through tall windows. Books lined the shelves along the walls, all organized instead of messily thrown in place. I fought the urge to go over and look at them. Potted plants hung from the ceiling, and others sat on shelves closest to the windows. Herbs hung upside down from another shelf, and a cabinet held a collection of glass vials ranging in size from super tiny to large. A small kitchen was on one side, with a double burner stovetop and an oven beside it.
Everything was so neat.
A man with light brown hair and round-framed glasses looked up from the large book he’d been writing in and set the quill aside. “Sir Callum. How may I be of assistance?”
“Sorry to intrude on your work without prior notice,” Callum said. “He hit his head.”
“Oh, it’s no intrusion at all.” The man stood from the desk and walked over, his gait smooth. When I thought of a “chief herbalist,” I imagined an older dude with wild gray hair and a crooked nose—don’t ask me why. He was the complete opposite of what I’d expected. Young, attractive in a scholarly sort of way, and with a gentle voice. A gentleness that showed through his hazel eyes as they shifted to me. “Ah. Quite the bump on your forehead. May I?”
“S-Sure.”
His fingers smoothed along my temple and over to where I’d hit my head. I winced at how tender it was. “Apologies.” His touch was slightly cool, but I didn’t mind. It felt good on my heated skin. “Can you tell me your name?”
“Evan.”
Another soft touch. “Nice to meet you, Evan. I’m Briar.” He lowered his hand. “Have you experienced any dizziness or confusion?”
Confusion about why I was there? Definitely. But that’s not what he meant. “Not really.”
“He had trouble getting on the horse,” Callum said. “Though, I believe he may just be clumsy.”
Briar softly smiled before checking my pupils. “Nausea?”
“No.”
He nodded. “Well, I have good news. You’ll live.”
Something about his gentle nature soothed some of my anxiety. “Thanks, Doc.”
