Although to Geff it seemed that his life had been one of toil on the farm, things were not so simple. While in a standard fantasy world, most of the population was the common, ordinary type, it was a conceit of the fantasy literature genre that the story was never really about *those* people. Oh sure, a peasant might rise up, have fantastic adventures and all the rest, but there was never a fantasy novel that was solely concerned with the feeding of livestock and planting of crops.
And so it came to pass that about a month after being dumped into this strange world by the Chronivac, Geff's life changed dramatically. He had become accustomed to the daily routine. Up with the rooster's crow, out in the fields by dawn, toiling to grow enough for the family to survive, and enough extra to sell for a pittance when a merchant came around. His family no longer had an ox, as the poor beast had been killed by the gnolls, and so fields had to be plowed by hand.
When the morning's work was done, Geff was off to town, to do what work he could there. His parents hated to lose his labor in the afternoon, but agreed that the money he brought in was worth the sacrifice. It was beneficial for Geff also, as there was more food in town, and he was often fed there, as part of his employment. His clothes were still tight, of course, but at least his cheeks weren't as hollow.
On a particularly agreeable afternoon, Geff was hauling cords of wood for the innkeeper, when he was approached by a large man in fine clothing. The man was accompanied by the inkeeper and mayor, who were talking with each other mostly, occasionally trying to speak to the man as well. He mostly ignored them, simply staring at Geff.
"Hello boy!" the man said at last, stepping forward.
Geff looked at him, confused. "Hello, sir," he said at last. "Beg your pardon, sir, but I've got this wood to carry..."
The innkeeper stepped forward, a round man with a mostly-clean apron. "Pshaw!" he muttered, "Pay that no mind, Geff! This here is Sir Anthrock, a valiant knight of the realm! He's in need of a squire, boy!"
At this point, the mayor stepped forward, shooing the innkeeper.
"Everyone in town agrees you've got the strongest arm, boy! You'd make a fine knight yourself, some day!"
Geff just looked at everyone. While hardly stupid, it was an unusual situation. "Um, thank you, mayor, sir. But my family... they need me..." his broad shoulders slumped somewhat, thinking of what leaving would do to his family. They'd starve for sure!
Finally, Sir Anthrock himself stepped forward. "It is good that you recognize responsibility, Geff. A knight's life is duty, after all. But I am not some lowly wretch who calls himself a knight, begging for scraps, demanding payment for taking on a squire! Come with me, Geff. I see the way you shoulder your burdens - both that cord of wood, and your family. I will pay your family in compensation. Double what you bring them now!"
Geff's eyes widened, wondering how one man could have so much coin! He began to nod, but then sighed. "My parents might not agree..." he said slowly. But the knight simply chuckled. "We will see them directly!" the big man pronounced, as he turned to head toward Geff's family's farm. The mayor and innkeeper followed close behind, and Geff brought up the rear. He had long dreamed of something like this, a knight looking for a squire, picking him! Yet now that it was happening, it was all so strange.
His parents were reticent, at first. But in the end, the promise of triple his town wages, and a promise to take good care of him won the day. There was some weeping from his mother (and some "I won't miss him a bit!" from his little sister, but eventually Geff was off, following behind the knight, walking beside the man as he rode his fine horse. Geff looked back at his village, having never known any civilization but that. Although there were memories - of fantastic cities with horseless carriages and great glass towers, it seemed like a fantasy to him now. His reality, for all his life, had been the farm.
"Fret not," Sir Anthrock said soothingly. "You won't worry about them much, once your training starts. You have a good body, boy, and a good mind, I'm told. But you will find that training to be a knight is a greater challenge than any you've ever faced!"