Teutoburg 9

The Hospitaller [1]

 ̶A̶ ̶B̶e̶a̶c̶h̶ ̶N̶e̶a̶r̶ ̶S̶a̶i̶n̶c̶t̶-̶J̶e̶h̶a̶n̶-̶d̶'̶A̶c̶r̶e̶
̶T̶h̶e̶ ̶O̶c̶c̶u̶p̶i̶e̶d̶ ̶K̶i̶n̶g̶d̶o̶m̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶J̶e̶r̶u̶s̶a̶l̶e̶m̶
̶A̶u̶t̶u̶m̶n̶,̶ ̶1̶1̶9̶1̶ ̶β̶A̶D̶ ̶



One moment - The pristine and bright shores of the Holy Land.

The next - Some damp and dreary forest unknown.

Where am I? What happened?

Was I slain? There was no battle near me in those last moments on that beach though.
I do not feel particularly different at all, and if this were... what comes after, I am not sure this is what I had hoped and fought for my whole life. Unless I had done something wrong.

I look around at the strange new location trying to get my bearings. No. Surely I'm not dead.
How much time could have passed... Strangely I don't feel as if I had been unconscious for a long period.

I still seem to be wearing my armour and holding my shield, even my sword is still sheathed on my person. So it's not like I was seized or robbed, at least not obviously.

In fact, there were no forests like this anywhere near the Holy Land. It is weeks by boat to the nearest wooded areas of Europa - at the very least. For all I know, this could be anywhere from Eastern Hungariae to Northern Svealand.

I will not get any answers standing here. The fog within the forest is quite dense, yet I must pick a direction and start walking. Hopefully I can find a waterway of some sort, I will see if I can find any elevation too, or better yet - a village or encampment. Though I have a feeling it will be quite empty for a ways.

I stow my shield on my back, and begin making my way through the most dry section of the woods that I can find. There seem to be no paths anywhere, only a lot of mud due to the dampness.

Must have rained last night. 

*** 

I have been walking for quite some time now. There has not been much change in scenery, only a gradual thinning of the fog. Just to reveal even more deep forest.

My legs ache. I am quite worn as it was already the late afternoon of a rather arduous day of organizing when I had... relocated? For lack of a better word. We were to be marching South soon on our quest to retake more of the occupied lands of Christendom.

I pray I can somehow return to assist my brethren in the likely to be many coming battles. However I have a looming feeling that this will not be the case.
I fear I may not see my people again.

This thought causes me to stop a brief moment to think, as I had been focused on simply finding someplace safe to rest and then re-evaluate my situation.

I shrug off my shield, pull my sheathed sword from my belt, and set them against a tree in front of me. While doing so, I kneel on a dry patch of grass next to the tree and pull the thin Rosary dangling from my neck. I grip it tightly. I then begin to pray quietly.

"Oh Lord God in Heaven, in the name of your Beloved Son Jesus Christ - Forgive me a lowly sinner.I do not have the right to, as simply a man who fights in your name - but why have I been brought to this mysterious place? Is this a test of my faith? Is it some sort of punishment? I tried my best to lead a good life and fight for you, but if I've erred in some fashion, please allow me to do penance and cleanse me of my guilt. If not the case... please show me a sign of some sort for what I am to do here.It had been very troubling times for us all as your followers, the Crusades have so been long and grueling... so full of misery and death.I ask of you to please keep my family and my warrior brethren safe in their endeavours. I just hope they will all prevail in my now-absence. Forgive me again for selfish requests... Amen"