The last thing I remembered was lying on my bed, feeling sorry for myself. Now I was hearing the rustling of leaves and I was sitting up for some reason. Due to the nature of my work I had rarely been able to enjoy the outdoors. Hearing wind blowing through branches was therefore very odd. I opened my eyes.

Trees surrounded me, in fact I was leaning against a thick tree trunk. There were grass and other plants on the ground. How did I end up here? Slowly I got to my feet. After looking around a little I found a shallow river. Or maybe stream was more accurate? Either way, I sank down and cupped my hands to get some water to drink. That’s when I saw my reflection. Out of reflex I recoiled before I caught myself. Looking into the water once more, I realised I had not been mistaken. I really was at least twenty years younger. Gone were wrinkles and grey hair. Instead I was once more a young man.

Brown hair cut in a short but simple style, what I had thought suitable for a doctor. Dark brown eyes and pale skin. I had never been anything but average looking and this was no exception. But it was weird. The whole situation was weird. Where was I? Why did I look to be in my early twenties instead of my forties? What had happened?

Calming down I accepted that I wouldn’t be able to find an answer by wallowing. People tended to settle close to water, didn’t they, and it was possible that this stream would join a bigger river further down. Meaning I might find a village or something. Anything that could explain my predicament.

That decided I started walking, following the stream. After a little while I remembered I was thirsty and bent down to drink. The water was cold and refreshing. I would have preferred to boil it but there was no helping it. It was a fairly warm day with the sun high up in the sky. I took of my jacket and carried it over my arm. Too absorbed in my own thoughts I did see him until I had almost gotten too close. A soft growl broke me out of my pondering.

Lying in the shade of some trees were a large wolf. If it had been standing it would have been at least as big as I. And it was hurt. A deep wound in its flank that was oozing blood and something else. My urge to help others took over and I started try to get closer. First the wolf growled even more at me but then it stopped and let me approached. Sitting down on my knees I touched the dark fur lightly.

Information started to flood into my mind. Somehow I knew exactly what the problem was and what had to be done.

Desperately I started looking around my surroundings. There were flowers and weeds growing under the trees. Maybe I could use one of them? I touched the closest to me and again something odd happened.

Kacelli, a flower whose roots can be used to treat stomachache. The petals are poisonous to digest, boiling them and using the water to clean surfaces will keep disease away.

Blinking I wondered how I suddenly knew these things. It was weird. Still, if it allowed me to find a way to help the wolf, I wasn’t going to complain. Using my jacket I started picking what I found. Every time I touched a flower, weed, or even a tree information would flow into my mind. Almost like a memory resurfacing.

At last I came across two herbs that would do what I needed. Heading back the wolf I put down my jacket and went to the stream. All while the beast watched me with eyes far too intelligent for an animal. In the stream I found a vaguely bowl-shaped stone that could hold some water. Carrying it carefully I set it down on the ground and pulled the petals from the two herbs. Placing them in the water.

To my amazement the petals melted, colouring the liquid a dark purple. With outmost care I poured the mixture into the wound. Almost immediately thick fluid burst out. It smelled awful and reminded me of rancid milk. The mixture I made had turned what seemed to be a sickly yellow into the same shade of purple. Lacking anything to clean the fluid away I picked some large leaves and tried to scrape away the worst. If any got on my hands I would immediately go to the stream and vigorously clean them. Wishing dearly for soap.

I have no idea how long it took to get the pus, or whatever it was, out of the wound. Once nothing more came out I did my best to wash it and the surrounding fur. Then, using my weird knowledge, I made a poultice that I placed on a leaf and used it to cover the wound. By the time I was finished the sun was setting and I was feeling exhausted.

I had no idea where I was, I was no closer to an answer, and I had just treated the wound of an impossibly big wolf. Lying down on the other side of the great animal I curled up on myself. Using my jacket as a blanket. To my surprise I heard some movement and then there was warm fur against my back. The wolf had decided to curl around me, despite what had to be a painful injury.

Since it didn’t seem like it was going to eat me, I decided I could give into my exhaustion and just sleep.

Over the next few days I dutifully stayed by the wolf while also search for food. Every time I touched a plant, information would flow into my mind. Thanks to that I found eatable roots and berries. I stopped questioning how after one particular encounter. Placing my hand on a tree trunk I got back up on my feet and discovered the tree had eyes. Not just swirls in the bark that looked like a face. Actual eyes.

Letting out a shout I stumbled backwards, causing me to lose my balance. All while the tree was watching me. For the first time I realised I might not be in my own world anymore. A branch reached out to me, looking almost like a hand, holding a fruit resembling an apple. I took it, afraid of what might happen if I didn’t.

According to the strange information flowing into my mind the fruit was safe to eat. I assumed I know at least knew why that information came to me. It had to be a quirk of humans in this world, it also explained why I hadn’t seen any signs of human activity.

The great wolf managed to get on its feet eventually. Making its way to the stream for some water.

“Thank goodness”, I said. “I was starting to worry that you might not recover.” I received a look from the animal that seemed amused.

“You don’t happen to know the way to a human settlement? Not that you would be able to tell me... actually, you probably have no reason to help me.”

Dejected I sat down on the ground. I was in a different world, in the middle of the forest, and had no idea how to get out of it.

Something pushed gently against my back. First I ignored it but then the gentle push came again. The wolf was trying to make me stand up. Using its head to push against my back.

“Are you going to show me the way?” In response the animal wagged its tail a few times. I had know it was an intelligent beast, maybe it wished to repay me for my help. Anything was better than here.

Standing once more I followed the great wolf. We travelled for three days and three nights. Then, the trees began to thin and soon I was standing on top of a hill.

And at the bottom were a village.

I thanked the wolf and let it run back the way it had come from. After which I started to make my way down the hill. Like I had initially thought, the stream had grown into a small river that ran just outside of the village. A palisade surrounded the settlement and a pair of guards stood at the gates.

In my arms I carried my jacket that I had filled with different herbs and plants. A village like this would have questions, wouldn’t it? Especially to a stranger. How could I best avoid suspicion... maybe using that?

“Halt!” one of the guards said. I felt immense relief when I realised that I could understand them. That had definitely worried me. “Who are you and what are you doing here?”

“My name is Remi", I said. “As for what I’m doing here... I don’t remember. I woke up in the forest and can’t remember anything but my name.” Yep, I was using the classic amnesia card. By pretending I had lost my memories any odd behaviour of mine would be written off. It would also allow me to ask questions about things that most people would view as normal.

“He did come from the Great Nadem Forest", the other guard said, making the first nod thoughtfully. Apparently the forest was considered dangerous and losing my memories wasn’t outside of the possibilities. I, of course, kept up the act. Which wasn’t hard since I knew nothing about this world. They mentioned a few names I had never heard before and my dumbfounded expression convinced them.

Once they had confirmed, kind of, my claims I was handed over to the village chief. When I heard ‘village chief' I pictured an old man. Instead I was met by a man in his early thirties.

“Lost your memories, huh?” he said. “That’s rough. My name is Vid. You can stay here for the night.”

“Only for tonight?” I asked.

“If you want your memory back you need to see a priest or something. We have none of that here. And as luck would have it, old Brumby is going to Khazalie on his wagon tomorrow morning. You can go with him.”

Well, I would probably have better opportunities in a bigger city than here in a small village. Besides, I wanted to see this world that I had arrived in.