Chapter 2: Taking on the mantle.
Regarding his earlier worries, he didn't need to worry about anyone else because the son and mother duo were the only ones who lived in this little wooden abode, his face darkened when he recalled another memory, one where the mother or as he now chose to call her, his mother, had told him about his father. A man who had gotten her pregnant and abandoned her at an inn without ever coming back. Refusing to abort her child, she had shouldered the responsibility, taking care of him by working as a herb gatherer. Like his mother, The original owner of this body, who was coincidentally named Adrian as well, had learned to be a herb gatherer as well, helping lighten his dear mothers load but.
Due to her suddenly falling ill a day ago, Adrian ventured out in a chilling snow storm and although he had returned home late at night, he didn't escape the effects of frost bite.
The fact that he manger to hide it from his mother even till he passed away, shook Adrian's heart.
' To think someone like him actually existed... Hiding the symptoms of frost bite from a mother... I can't begin to imagine just how he managed to pull it off.' Adrian chuckled yet a hint of sadness was on his face. Adrian before being sent to this world, was an orphan so he felt even more emotional after discovering such a thing happened.
" Since you've done this much, I'll take on the remaining, don't worry, since I'm here, I promise to take care of mom for the both of us." His eyes burned with determination as he clenched his fists.
Adrian walked to a corner of the house and picked up a wicker, herb basket. The original owner had been a herb gatherer, that was useful since he now knew where to start from.
He just needed to gather enough valuable herbs to pay for the woman's treatment. Clutching the basket, he stepped outside.
Winter had gripped the land, covering everything in a blanket of thick, frigid snow. Adrian shivered involuntary the moment he stepped outside.
He blew out gently and was surprised he could even see his own breath.
" It's definitely too cold, I need to take some precautions at least." He said, heading back inside, putting on the warmest and thickest clothing they had before stepping back outside.
He passed a few bundled-up villagers on his way out of the village. They greeted him and he did so in kind but didn't waste time dawdling, instead he kept silent most of the way as he walked, his gaze fixed forward.
" Hey lad, you heading off again?" Just as Adrian was approaching the edge of the village, he stopped when he was called by someone.
He saw a brown haired man in leather clothing, with a masculine figure, approach him.
' He's one of the men tasked by the village head to patrol the outskirts of the village...' Adrian easily recognized the man from his memories, his name was Thomas and from what he could remember, he wasn't anyone bad or anything, just a friendly elder looking after the young.
" Yes Sir, I'm afraid so." Adrian smiled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.
" You've been heading out an awful lot lately. Is something the matter son?" Thomas asked, clearly curious.
" It's nothing Sir, I just have more strength than I know what to do with." Adrian said, he wasn't about to tell the man about his mother's illness when he believed he could handle it himself.
' Best not to burden anyone else with this.'
' I won't insult my former selfs sacrifice... If he could venture into a snowy blizzard and still find herbs, why can't I do the same?' Of course Adrian wasn't stupid, if he really couldn't find any herbs after this, he would obviously ask for help.
The last thing he wanted was for his dear mothers sickness to get any worse. Even if it meant laying down his dignity, he wasn't against the idea if it could help her.
After talking with Mister Thomas, some more, He soon left the small village behind.
Finally out, he began heading straight into the snow-covered wilds.
" Fortunately , I can remember which way is which." he said, feet sinking into deep snow as he continued to head deeper into the forest.
" Thanks to him, I know where to find the good stuff, even in this weather." He said.
While walking, he also used the time to take a look around. It was really like one would expect, a forest mostly devoid of life, covered in deep snow and filled with frigid trees who had no single leaves on them.
" I must say, this is quite tasking and boring. I wonder how my old self could pull this off every single day." Adrian joked but he suddenly stopped dead in his tracks.
The distinct, metallic scent of blood, though faint, still hit him. He glanced around but saw nothing but snow yet his nose told him the scent wasn't that far, startling him.
' What a sniffer, I bet this is how he was able to find so many herbs at record time." He chuckled, rubbing his nose bridge ever so gently.
" I wonder if it's a wild animal, or perhaps it's someone who's hurt?" he wondered, yet he also couldn't help but feel worried at the same time.
If it was a wild animal on the brink of death, that would be a boon since he could kill it with his sickle that was inside his wicket basket, but, if it was an injured person, that was definitely bad, Adrian thought to himself.
Before he knew it, a rush of anxiety soon made him brave the deepening thick snow, as he rushed to help.
The thick snow made it tiring to run but Adrian still tried his best to move as quickly as his body would let him.