To The Snowdrop Tavern

Kenny and Tessa trotted calmly on horseback down the stone-made road leading away from the castle that had replaced his normal home overnight. He now dawned a set of thin chainmail, a thick green tunic with a bear head symbol in the center, and a fur cloak over the top. Upon Tessa's insistence, he also had a hand axe looped on his left side and a short dagger on his right. He might have been more concerned with the need for weapons on his person if not for his sole attention resting on the two-handed great sword that was sheathed on Tessa's back.

Nothing was as it should be. Kenny’s town was gone, his cousin seemed to hate him, her best friend was terrified of him, and for whatever reason, he sensed that his own body was different. He had more muscle notably, but there were slight other changes, like his usual stubble was much fuller; he even dared to say it might be a beard. If he didn't know any better, he'd think he was older than eighteen. If I didn't know any better...what the hell do I even know right now?

"If you don't mind me saying, my lord, you seem in good spirits today," Tessa pointed out with a smile,

This simple comment threw Kenny off more than he could say. On the most confusing day of his life, he was in high spirits, "What are you talking about, Tessa?" The comment came out without a thought,

Tessa's swiftly turned her head forward, and her smile immediately vanished, "Apologies, my lord. I forgot myself. I won't speak out of turn again,"

Kenny's eyes widened, and he started to wildly look around as if he could somehow find the other person everyone was so scared or angry at. This **** act turned to frustration quickly, "For all six hells, why do people keep acting like that?!" He finally screamed.

Tessa pulled on the reigns of her horse, looking back as he roughly yanked his horse to a halt and climbed down. Kenny stumbled off a few steps; his mind was on fire again. Six hells? Why did I say that? What does that even mean? He squeezed his eyes shut, and then a memory that shouldn't be in his mind started to form, one in which he could remember scolding Tessa for how she spoke to him. The physical pain was nothing to him compared to seeing the sweet light in Tessa's eyes go out as she lowered her head and shame, nodding back to him. "That's not me....it's not me..." Kenny hissed through his teeth as he gave his head a shake and the memory, along with the pain, started to fade away.

"M-My lord? Are you alright? Do we need to ride back to the castle for the physician?" Tessa jogged over, but Kenny swiftly held up a hand,

"I'm...I'm fine, Tessa," He let out a few soft exhales as he stood back up straight, "I'm...I'm really not myself today. I...I don't know what's going on. Nothing is making sense. I feel like I'm someone else entirely," Tessa's eyes filled with concern,

"Let me take you back to the physician; they can give you something for the pain at least," She urged with a nervous whine in her tone,

"It's not that, Tessa, I'm not --" Kenny nearly admitted everything, that this was not the world he should be in. He wasn't sure if he was completely insane or if...if this was all real. Either way, it didn't help him; if he was crazy, then so be it. But if this was reality now, telling Tessa that he belonged in another world was sure to get him tossed in whatever hole they threw crazy lords. "I believe I've suffered from some level of..." Kenny hesitated again; the word amnesia might be a little too futuristic, "I've forgotten much. Nothing is making sense, and I need someone to help me remember. Can you do that, Tessa? Can you help me?"

"Of course, my lord!" Tessa wholeheartedly replied, "I'm your sworn shield maiden; I am to protect and serve you to the very best of my abilities. Whatever you need, Lord Kenneth,"

Kenny gave his head a shake, "Fine, first stop calling me Lord Kenneth," He muttered, and Tessa nearly recoiled, "Just called me, Kenny,"

"Uhhh," Tessa droned back, and Kenny looked back with pleading desperation in his eyes, "I...I don't believe I should do that. You never allowed anyone to speak to you without a proper title,"

"Oh six hells," Once again, that term came rolling off the tongue with ease, "I'm your lord, and I am directing you to now call me Kenny. Understood?" He retorted with complete exasperation, and though ****, Tessa nodded, "Thank you. Now please, Tessa, explain to me...where...we are?"

Tessa blinked a few quick times, "Um, you've forgotten that much," Kenny pursed his lips in silence, "O-Okay. Okay." Tessa nodded, "We'll start from the top. Right now, we're standing outside Kaster's Keep in the Kingdom of Viridian,"

"Kaster's Keep...as in...Simon Kaster?" Kenny cautiously asked back, wondering just how linked this current world was to his real one,

"Excellent, my lord, er, Kenny. You still remember Lord Kaster and all his greatness those hundreds of years ago. Now currently, King Lenoard of the House White is preparing to marry off his eldest daughter, Princess Rachel, to Prince Jace of House Holland in the Kingdom of Amaranthine."

"Not familiar with Jace...but Rachel, yes...and what about Brian?" Kenny swiftly pressed for more information on his friend,

Tessa arched her eyebrow, "My lord -- Hell -- Kenny, Prince Brian has been presumed dead for over six years now. He disappeared just after his eighteenth name day," Kenny's face turned ghostly white, "Are you alright?"

"W-What about Mindy Long?" Tessa tilted her head in confusion,

"I'm...not familiar with Mindy or the house Long," Tessa returned,

"Fuck..." Kenny nervously let out his breath,

"Fuck? Can't say I've heard of a name like that. Which house do they belong to?" Tessa nearly comically asked back, but considering the seriousness in her tone, Kenny was decently certain that it wasn't a joke to the brunette,

"Nevermind that. Please, tell me about James Jackson. Anna Ross. Nicole Moore, Avery West," Kenny listed off with urgency,

"Oh, well, that's a bit odd of a line-up," Tessa hummed to herself, "Lord Jackson is continuing to travel throughout the realm participating in tournaments, to my best knowledge. Lord Avery should be at Illos with his brother Lord Scott and your sister Lady Sydney," Kenny's eyes jumped at the comment, "I'm not certain of a Lady Nicole of House Moore, but since you asked of Anna, I'm assuming you are referring to the beautiful blood-haired dancer that she is currently protecting. You must remember Anna is among the shield maidens as well, correct?" Tessa asked in a hopeful tone while holding out her arm, showing Kenny her bracer where he noticed his sigil but also a set of white angel wings behind it.

"Shield Maidens...of course, yes, I remember," Kenny fully lied, and thankfully Tessa seemed to buy it,

"Good, I'm glad some things have remained," Tessa warmly giggled, "Now, as for today? Lady Juliet is meeting with Lady Ginny from Amaranthine. She's here to discuss a deal with your house for your crafted crossbows; as all know, House Clark craftsmen have been creating nothing but the finest for over a hundred years. Lady Juliet has been quite nervous over the whole ordeal," Tessa added while motioning Kenny to follow her as they returned to their horses and mounted back up, "And us? As I promised earlier, I am taking you to the Snowdrop Tavern until the woman is gone, and you don't have to be bothered with such minor things,"

"Oh...um, that doesn't sound particularly minor if it's gotten Juliet stressed," Kenny pointed out,

"You own words, Ken -- I'm sorry, I just can't do this. You own words, my lord," Tessa sighed, and Kenny couldn't help but let out a very minor laugh. Tessa seemed to be in awe at the very sound, "I say again, my lord, certainly high spirits today!"

"If you say so," Kenny shrugged at the comment,

"Shall I ride ahead and clear out the tavern before your arrival?" Tessa suddenly offered,

The man squinted back, "What? Kick everyone else out? Why would you do that?"

"You...never like to drink with the commoners," Tessa answered, and Kenny let out a scoff,

"Well, it sounds like I certainly needed a smack in the head as of recently. No, Tessa, I don't want you to clear the Tavern. In fact, let's have our drink, wait some time for Juliet to calm down, and then we'll head back and speak with this diplomat. Alright?"

"Y-Yes, my lord...um...if that's your command," Tessa almost warily accepted, and Kenny watched as she turned her head forward, looking more confused now than ever before. With that, the duo continued down the road for another ten minutes until reaching the edge of what appeared to be a small village. Kenny followed close, where they stopped at a tall, sturdy, two-story building. Hitching their horses, Kenny followed Tessa inside through the main door.