The Road Goes Ever On

Chapter 2

Over the next few weeks, Jason settled into life in Rockhaven and began controlling his powers. 

Each morning he practiced sword fighting with some mercenaries who were staying at The Gold Fox. At first, Jason could barely swing his sword without losing his balance. But after drilling blocking and footwork, he soon could hold his own in sparring matches. His reflexes improved drastically, allowing him to anticipate his opponent's strikes.

In the afternoons, Jason visited Elena's cottage in the woods to develop his healing skills. She taught him to focus energy into his hands and let it flow into the injured or sick. Under Elena's instruction, Jason mended flesh wounds on animals with a simple touch. He even cured a young girl's terrible fever. Each day his abilities grew stronger.

During his free time, Jason explored Rockhaven and got to know the villagers. He checked on the traders in the marketplace each morning, often running into a friendly young woman named Daphne who sold baked goods. At night, he listened to tales and songs in The Gold Fox. Though he missed his old life back on Earth, the people of this world made him feel at home.

One night, Ralph came rushing over to the table where Jason was eating dinner. "Bandits on the south road! They're pillaging a merchant's wagon. The guards need help fending them off."

Jason jumped up, grabbed his new sword, and raced out the door with Ralph. They hurried down the dark streets to the town's southern gate. Sure enough, they could hear the shouts of fighting and the whinnies of frightened horses just down the road. The town guards struggled to battle a dozen brutish bandits wielding axes and maces.

Ralph and Jason drew their swords and joined the fray. Jason launched into the movements he had practiced again and again on the training grounds. He parried blows from the bandit leader, a mountain of a man with tattoos covering his face. When the leader left himself open for a split second, Jason slashed his sword across the man's chest then disarmed him completely. The bandit fell to the ground, seriously wounded. 

"Retreat!" yelled one of the remaining bandits. The others disengaged and disappeared into the night, leaving their loot from the merchant's wagon behind.

The guards finished off the few stragglers. Ralph hurried to inspect the merchant who was tied up beside his wagon, bleeding from his head. 

"Just a flesh wound," said Jason as he pressed his hands over the injury, allowing his healing energy to close and seal it. 

The merchant was shocked. "That's amazing! Thank you so much for saving me."

"Don't go celebrating yet." Ralph turned Jason around to reveal a gash across his back. Jason had been so focused on fighting that he hadn't even felt it. But the pain suddenly flared.

Ralph ordered Jason to take off his shirt so he could examine the wound. It was deep and bleeding heavily. "Can you heal yourself like you did for him?" Ralph asked with concern.

Jason gritted his teeth. He hoped he could. After taking a deep breath, he channeled the now-familiar energy flow into his hands and reached around to touch his back. He could immediately feel his skin knitting back together under his fingers. When he brought his hand back around, it was covered in blood, but the pain had eased. 

"Incredible," muttered Ralph as he inspected the area. "It's completely closed up. You'll have a new scar to boast of, but you're okay."

Jason sighed and gave a weary smile. Just another day in his new life as a healer and fighter of Phantasma.