Why did it have to be so damn hot today?

  I have been aimlessly wandering through the land for the past few hours and slowly got very tired. If I continued at this pace without a goal in mind I would need to rest soon.

  But I didn’t know anything about this place! I didn’t know if there were any wild animals that could potentially end my lucky streak in a not so recommendable way or even where to find food and water!

  Perhaps I should have stuck by the village and tried to negotiate with the villagers for supplies and perhaps a map of this land?

  But then I would have to explain the giant crater I left in their field, and I didn’t even know how I landed there myself!

  Or how I ended up falling from the sky for that matter…

  Deep in thought I kicked a rock across the path and wanted to continue my journey but then…

  “Ho easy there my young fellow!”

  Surprised I jerked my head around to where I was called from.

  He wore a simple leather coat and pants, and his shoes were barely held together by a piece of rope he tied around them. Against the burning sun he had a large hat on top of his grey and greasy hair.

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  All together he looked like some mix between a beggar and a fugitive from some kind of asylum.

  His friendly shining eyes did not ease my mind but seemed deeply unsettling in this weathered old face. They seemed to be too bright and mischievous for such an odd person. They would have been better off by a child or adolescent.

  Nervously I backed away from this strange man, my thoughts racing.

  Was he a villager who’s come to punish me for destroying his field? Was he a bandit? But I didn’t even have anything of value apart from the clothes on my back!

  “Don’t be scared! I’m not here to hurt you!”, he laughed and whistled.

  Behind him a huge cart appeared, pulled by two large horses.

  “I’m a merchant on my way to the capital and you seemed kinda lost.”, he explained. “Do you need help with something? Perhaps you could travel with me to the next village?”

  I stared aghast.

  Why was he so upbeat? I was a complete stranger! For all he knew I could try to rob him!

  But I had to agree… I did need help to get to somewhere safe before it became dark and any number of wild animals could appear.

  Right now, it would be the best course of action to accept his offer and just be cautious.

  “Thanks for your offer! I do indeed need help and would like to travel with you if that’s no problem.”

  “Well, the more the merrier!”, he cried in delight. He seemed to get more excited by the minute. It seemed he had been alone for quite some time now.

  He beckoned me with his head and climbed onto his wagon. After a moment I reluctantly followed.

  I really did need his help…