Chapter 79: Chapter 6.0 - The Long Sleep

Jasper awoke to relatively unfamiliar surroundings. He was in a large room with a large bed. A terrace to an unfamiliar town was in view with the background of a setting sun. As he got his bearings and directional acuity, Jasper realized the Sun was in the wrong place.

Jasper was one of the best Rangers in the world. He had snuck through more enemy territory than he could remember and had made his way throughout most of the known continent. He knew where the most dangerous monsters would be found, as well as every town would be found. His mapping skill was at grandmaster level, and he could recall and recreate with perfect clarity all of the information he knew from every map he had ever validated. Of all of the heroes in his guild, he was one who knew where to go, what to do, and where to find just about anything. That was why Jasper knew, with much certainty, that there was no town at this Latitude anywhere on the continent. As he looked he started to see things that made no sense. He could seen strange creatures on the streets, and everywhere walking through the town were various homunculi. As these rare constructs were barely seen outside of noble houses, it confused him.

Jasper then looked down and pulled up his sleeve. "Show me" and willed his body to show his death count. Jasper already knew the answer. He had learned the skill from a wandering necromancer many years ago, and when he looked it confirmed his suspicions. There were two scars next to his status where there was once only one. Each scar signified a time he had died. The first time was a rookie mistake he had made, and was thankful that his guild had pooled their resources together to bring him back. The second, well it was a bit fuzzy, but he knew that he had been killed by Marcus. He just could not remember why.

Jasper shook his head "Divines, how long was I dead for this time?"

"About 50 years, give or take a few." was a response.

Jasper dropped low, ready to fight. Then he stiffened, then laughed. "Divines you sound old, and your face matches it! I would recognize you anywhere Jericho the Wolf!"

Jericho laughed, "It's been a long time Jasper. I am glad to see that you are no worse for wear, other than being killed of course."

Jasper laughed, "So why so long on the resurrect this time? Did the guild have enough? Or did prices go up. I see by my surroundings you have yourself a pretty good benefactor. Maybe they have a cute daughter?"

Jericho laughed, "Some things never change. Come. I have a private room in my tavern. You will probably need a drink for the tale I have to tell. Hell, you will probably need one just to acclimate to the walk over."

Jasper laughed, "Sure let me grab my gear."

Jericho's smile faded. "I am sorry Jasper, but it's all gone. Forgotten by time."

Jasper looked disheartened, so Jericho continued, "I am sure we can get you a new set. Come. there are many things we must discuss. And our Lord was gracious enough with letting me personally help you get your bearings."

Jasper looked confused, "Our Lord?"

Jericho just shook his head, "We can discuss it here, sober, or we can discuss it over there with food and drink. Your choice.

Jasper laughed, "say no more."

Jasper took his first steps into an alien world that had left this old warrior far behind.

***

Jasper was glad he had the drink. As he listened, he became more disheartened, "So Marcus is now a King?"

"Grand General"

"What about the other guild members?"

"Other than the rest in the box, there are a few scattered. It is hard to reach them as they move around as to not be found."

"So I am the first brought back? Why is that."

Jericho smiled, "Because I like you." Jasper laughed, "Sure, and Dragons are just angry Vegans."

Jericho's smile faded. "It was decided to bring you back first for a few reasons. The first is that of all the rangers and wildscouts we have, they can learn from your experience. We are in a nation that is expanding and your skill is paramount in this endeavor. The second is a little unsettling."

Jericho looked disheartened, "I know you were able to fully recover from your first death, and you look no worse for wear having died again. We need your help, as we have had several people brought back, and they need support. They need someone who has recovered from the effects of it to show them back to a brighter life. There is an air of dismay and depression among the returned that doesn't seem to leave."

Jasper understood. "You know I don't usually mentor. Something tells me that leading a support group won't make me nearly as much as recon work. As much as I appreciate being brought back, I would prefer not to live out my days in a small government flophouse eating peasant food. We both know the ladies don't like a poor man."

Jericho looked him in the eyes, "What's your level again?"

Jasper smiled, "57."

Jericho then was straight with him. "In return for acting as Counselor and Mentor for the returned 3 days a week, Haven will Naturalize your citizenship, Give you the mansion you just woke up in, provide you with 300 credits per week, and your food and drink will be provided for through a government discretionary fund, so you can choose where and what you choose to eat for every meal."

Jasper blinked. The monetary value of what they were offering was outrageous. Jericho continued, "And if it is your wish to raise a family, I can introduce you to several young bachelorettes."

Jasper shook his head, "I don't want to buy some girl. You know I am against that." Jericho continued, "You misunderstand. Slavery here is illegal."

Jasper looked confused. Jericho continued, "The tavern is starting to pick up, how about I introduce you to the various people in our tavern."

***

Serin had watched from a corner of the tavern during the early hours as Jericho had led his old guildmate upstairs to explain what had happened. Serin had also made sure that tonight the tavern was full of guests from every Race present. What Serin called a "Welcome Lottery" each race randomly chose 6 plated adults to come eat and drink for free all evening. It was truly random, so no one complained. The only rule is that each table could only have 1 of each race sitting at it. Those that were left out of seating were seated at the bar.

So when Jericho led Jasper down to the bar, the crowd he saw caused his eyes to bulge. Dhamphir and changelings with plates of meat sitting next to the vegan forest elves. Humans, Demis, and Changelings playing drinking games while Gole sat and clapped. A pair of planetouched, Claire and her mate Hazim, sat having a lovely dinner, seemingly oblivious to the world, and especially oblivious to a Human and Changeling arguing over the best way to prepare wolly meat. Currently the onlookers to the debate were siding with 'steak and eggs' over the 'steak and cray', Cray being a large freshwater crustacean.

Jericho came over with Jasper and sat down with Serin and Olma.

"Serin! Mind if we share a table?" Jericho asked. Serin motioned for them to sit. Jasper sat but was still looking around. Jericho commented, "quite the sight isn't it?"

Jasper was awestruck. "At first I was surprised by all of the varieties of tamed monsters. Then I saw the varieties of food and I was even more stunned."

Olma shifted, Serin smiled, "Jasper, as a note, there are no monsters in this nation save the dragons in the Western Cliff Region. All of the people you see in this room are just that. People. They have plates, just as humans do. They are all equal under the nations laws."

Jasper unphased by the world view shattering information, looked at him, "Huh, I guess the world has changed. Thanks for the info kid! How are you friends with this old fool? He promised to teach you the sword? Or do you just work part time at the tavern?"

Olma smiled, but Serin could see it was not a happy smile, but more of a strain to keep from yelling at their new guest. Serin sent her a message, "He is from a different time. We should be grateful that he is understanding. It will make the process of explaining the new world easier."

Serin looked at Jasper, "Most of the time my work is administrative, but thankfully due to good investments a few years ago, my family is wealthy enough that I can work on small projects and follow my passions, as well as help others."

Jasper smiled, "Ah, so you are a Noble's son! Surprised you didn't end up content. Good for you! Broke the cycle you did!"

Serin was also starting to get tired of the condescending attitude. "Actually, My father and mother are both Crafters."

Jasper was confused, "Then how could they make such investments to make you independently wealthy?" Serin smiled, "They didn't, I did."

Jasper laughed, "Sure kid." Olma's eyes narrowed and her fingers turned into claws. She had had enough of his attitude. Jasper saw the claws and smiled, "Serin you better reign in your adorable girlfriend before she gets herself hurt."

Serin looked at Jericho, who was pleading with his eyes. Serin had enough of this conversation. "Olma dear, would you mind showing him your status plate."

Olma's status appeared. Level 87. Jasper realized he had grossly underestimated the power of the person in front of him. "My apologies, my lady. I didn't realize who was in charge at the table."

Serin was unaware how someone could blunder so elegantly from one social faux pas to another. Serin then smiled, "Let me re-introduce myself." He pulled his hood back and willed out power, "I am Lord Serin, Sovereign of Haven"

Everyone had gone quiet. Then as Serin calmed, his power pulled back into him. Jasper leaned back in his chair and spoke aloud. "This is probably how I got myself killed the second time isn't it?"

This caused the tension to break and Olma began laughing. Serin shook his head.

If the remainder of the heroes in Jericho's Box were like this, it was going to be a long road. But Jasper was the first, and would not be the last, or the Recalled Heroes.

***