One month had passed since the battle at the western border.
The dead had remained silent.
No additional undead had crossed into the Unclaimed Lands.
The report of the undead had reached the Kingdom.
Geldanos responded by reinforcing the isolated fort.
New soldiers arrived over the following weeks. Most were younger and less experienced than Markum. Their orders were straightforward: reinforce the garrison, maintain the frontier, and remain prepared for another incursion.
Markum took responsibility for integrating them into the fort’s defenses.
The fort had returned to something resembling normal operations.
K-10 had not.
For months, he had watched, listened, and learned. He had studied the language, the geography, the political divisions, the military organization, and the capabilities of the people around him. He had learned enough to understand how little he actually knew.
The conclusion was unavoidable.
It was time to leave.
K-10 sat alone in the training yard with a map across his knees. He studied the terrain surrounding the fort, then traced the roads leading north.
This was not Earth.
Whatever had happened during the explosion in New Mexico had transported him somewhere else. He still had no explanation for the mechanism, and nothing he had learned suggested that a return journey was possible.
There was also no evidence that anyone from Earth knew where he was.
If he wanted answers, he would have to find them himself.
K-10 had established four objectives.
First, leave the fort and gather information about Tarmynia firsthand.
Second, determine whether anyone else from Earth had been transported into this world.
Third, investigate whether magic—or anything comparable—could transport him back.
Fourth, establish a sustainable means of supporting himself if returning to Earth proved impossible.
The fourth objective was the most immediate.
He needed money.
His body had demonstrated that it did not function according to the rules he knew. He did not require sleep. He did not appear to require food. Injuries that should have been disabling did not leave permanent damage. His stamina appeared effectively unlimited.
None of that changed the requirements of civilization.
He needed clothing, shelter, transportation, equipment, and information.
All of them required resources.
K-10 folded the map.
The decision was made.
He found Markum near the armory. The commander was inspecting equipment and checking the condition of weapons issued to the newly arrived soldiers.
K-10 waited until Markum finished before approaching.
“Markum.”
The older man looked up.
“Kaiten.”
“I’ve decided to leave.”
Markum studied him for several seconds.
“I wondered when you would.”
K-10 remained expressionless.
“You expected it?”
“You’ve been watching the northern road for months.”
“I need to learn more about this world.”
“You’ve learned everything you can here.”
“Probably.”
Markum nodded toward the map tucked beneath K-10’s arm.
“Where will you go?”
“Linden.”
Markum pointed north.
“It’s the nearest major settlement and inside Geldanos, beyond the forest. Traders pass through regularly. You’ll find people from several regions there.”
“That’s what I need.”
“Wait here.”
Markum disappeared into the armory.
Several minutes later, he returned carrying a folded map, a leather cuirass, and two sheathed short swords.
He handed K-10 the map first.
“The roads are marked. The forest trails are less reliable.”
K-10 unfolded it.
The geography was becoming familiar. The fort occupied a remote position near the southern border of Geldanos and Sariyaz, close to the Black Forest and the Unclaimed Lands.
Linden was north.
“How long?”
“To Linden?”
K-10 nodded.
“A few days if you know the roads. Longer if you don’t.”
K-10 folded the map and secured it.
Markum held out the leather cuirass.
“You’ll need something better than those clothes.”
K-10 accepted it.
The armor was simple and functional. Hardened leather covered the chest and shoulders, with additional protection for the forearms and upper legs. It was lighter than the equipment K-10 had used on Earth but offered considerably more protection than ordinary clothing.
Then Markum handed him the two short swords.
K-10 recognized their design immediately.
“Sariyazene?”
“Old issue,” Markum said. “Still serviceable.”
K-10 drew one of the blades.
He checked the balance first, then the weight and grip. The sword was shorter than the weapons he normally preferred, but it was well made and suited to close combat.
“These will work.”
“I thought they would.”
K-10 returned the blade to its sheath.
Markum reached into his belt pouch and removed a smaller leather purse.
“Take this.”
K-10 looked at it.
“What is it?”
“Money.”
He opened the pouch. Several coins rested inside.
“How much?”
“Enough to get you started.”
K-10 closed the pouch.
“I can repay you.”
Markum shook his head.
“If you find your way home, you won’t need to.”
K-10 looked directly at him.
“And if I don’t?”
“Then you’ll have plenty of opportunities to repay me.”
K-10 secured the purse with his equipment.
“Thank you.”
Markum nodded.
“Don’t waste it.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
K-10 extended his hand.
“Thank you.”
Markum looked at the offered hand before taking it. Their grip was firm.
“You owe me nothing.”
“You kept me alive.”
Markum gave a brief shake of his head.
“I found you alive.”
“You gave me a place to stay.”
“You helped keep the fort standing.”
“You taught me the language.”
“You learned quickly.”
K-10 held Markum’s gaze.
“You gave me a chance.”
Markum was silent for several seconds.
“Then don’t waste it.”
K-10 released his hand and began securing the armor.
Markum watched him for several seconds.
“There’s one last thing.”
K-10 turned.
“What?”
“Don’t trust people easily.”
K-10 waited.
“This world is larger than this fort. You’ll meet merchants, soldiers, nobles, priests, travelers, thieves, and people who will tell you whatever they think you want to hear.”
Markum paused.
“Some will be good people. Some won’t.”
“Understood.”
“Don’t assume someone is harmless because they smile.”
K-10 checked the position of one of the swords.
“I don’t.”
“I know.”
Markum looked at the weapons.
“Those will help.”
“Probably.”
They stood together in silence for another moment.
Then K-10 turned toward the northern gate.
The newly arrived soldiers continued their duties around the fort as he walked toward the exit. No formal departure ceremony was necessary. The garrison had a mission to perform, and K-10 had one of his own.
He stopped at the gate and looked back at the fort.
For months, it had been the closest thing he had to a home.
It was not Earth. It was not the life he had lost. But it had given him something he had needed after arriving in this world: time.
Time to recover.
Time to learn.
Time to understand that what had happened to him was real.
K-10 adjusted the straps of his armor and checked the position of the two swords.
Then he walked through the gate.
The road north disappeared into the forest.
He had no destination beyond Linden. No established allies beyond Markum. He still had no explanation for how he had arrived in Tarmynia, and no guarantee that a way back to Earth existed.
But uncertainty was not unfamiliar territory.
K-10 had spent his career operating without complete information.
The mission had changed.
The objective had not.
Gather intelligence.
Adapt.
Survive.
And, if possible, find a way home.