As much as Derrick thought he should be upset or frightened by this turn of events, it was hard to resist the feeling that everything in this primitive Scottish farm was normal. The days lasted from sun-up to sun-down - there were candles and oil lamps, but no electricity. Or indoor plumbing. He remained filthy, his feet caked with mud and animal excrement, but despite the lack of hygiene, the family stayed healthy. He quickly fell into the routine - even as a 6 year-old he had chores. As time passed, he learned more and did more, while his older brother matured into a strapping young man. The farm did well, he and his brother taking on more of the work. However, there came a point where his older brother was now in charge, a grown man of 20 years. The family gathered and decided that Derrick should try finding employment on another farm, as his brother was the eldest. It was the way of things, and Derrick packed his few belongings in a small bag and set off to find his fortune. He was a lean, coarse-featured 16 year-old, with a cascade of matted copper hair and bright blue eyes. While not handsome, he was often called the 'Roan Stallion' only partly in jest for his oversized sexual equipment, which had already been tried out by a number of local maidens. He had also experimented with a few of the local mares, more than a few times on a dare from friends. So far, no girl or mare had ever gone away disappointed.
Derrick trudged down the rutted dirt road, wondering where he should start searching or work. He was surprised to see a much smoother section that headed off to some hills on the right. The surface was hard and dark, and completely smooth. Not quite like rock, but still hard under his calloused feet. Something nagged at the back of his mind. 'Pavement?' Derrick followed the new path, his mind whirling. Old memories were starting to resurface - he had almost completely forgotten his previous life, but now things were coming back to him. He had been a very different boy then, weak and pampered. But a lot more learning.
The paved path wound around a hillside, and Derrick stopped to stare. For a moment, it looked like he might have stumbled onto some fairytale castle, but then he remembered - this was the resort! He remembered it now. Guests looked at him curiously as he headed for the main building. Compared to them, he must look like a savage. Not that he cared - he was perfectly comfortable. The main thing he was curious about was when this was? He had spent ten years growing up on the farm, but that was in a distant past. Had ten years passed here?
Derrick