{"id":13507,"date":"2017-03-04T19:46:47","date_gmt":"2017-03-04T19:46:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/wandering-inn\/?p=13507"},"modified":"2025-12-24T01:04:26","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T01:04:26","slug":"rw1-32-r","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/","title":{"rendered":"1.32 R"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ow.<\/em><\/p>\n

Fuck.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ouch. Ow.<\/em><\/p>\n

It hurts worse than that. It hurts\u2026more than anything I\u2019ve ever felt. Like someone\u2019s tearing off my leg, like I want to remove it myself or scream. The cute words\u2014they\u2019re there so I don\u2019t scream. I didn\u2019t know it could hurt so much.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve broken bones\u2014this\u2014this is worse.<\/p>\n

This is why painkillers were invented.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Damn it. Stop moving. <\/em>Every time I shift, every time I breathe, it gets worse. I\u2014I try to raise the shaking book with my hands.<\/p>\n

Flip the page. <\/em>I fumble with it, but I\u2019m sweating, sweating and I can ask for a refill to my tankard.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t want to refill it. I don\u2019t want to contemplate using the bathroom. I can\u2019t\u2014can\u2019t bear to move. If I was in my room, I\u2019d pee in a container. Normally, I\u2019d rather die than\u2014<\/p>\n

The pain. Nothing else in this world matters, not dignity. It\u2019s gone. My leg is\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s hot. Why can\u2019t people invent air conditioning in this stupid world already? The common room of an inn is not<\/em> the best place to read in peace. But it beats sitting in my room and listening to drunk people banging down the hall or having sex.<\/p>\n

This<\/em> is why I hate people. That one thought lingers in my mind. Hate and hate\u2014and Persua\u2014and\u2014I\u2019ll kill her.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll never walk again.<\/em><\/p>\n

Okay. Focus. That\u2019s just\u2014you don\u2019t know that.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ignore them. What does it say? The letters are swimming, so I have to read each word out through the agony. Focus on that instead of anything else.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2026The incursion of the Antinium hives into the southern region of the continent led to the bloody year-long war known as the Antinium Wars, or more specifically, the <\/em>First Antinium War, in which hundreds of thousands of Antinium soldiers established huge colonies across the western coast where it bordered the High Passes, razing cities and forcing Gnoll tribes to retreat into the lower plains regions.<\/em><\/p>\n

Initially, the southern Drake cities and allied confederacies were slow to react to the Antinium sweeping through the plateaus and rugged mountainous regions of the continent, underestimating the dangers of an entrenched Antinium hive and the true numbers of the Antinium concealed beneath the earth. It was only after five cities were lost that\u2014\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! My foot! <\/em>Someone yanks a chair<\/em> into my foot, notices me, and walks off with a muttered apology. I nearly scream at them. If I had the ability, I would stab them to death.<\/p>\n

Why, why, why<\/em> did the stupid chair have to be right there?<\/em> The pain!<\/p>\n

Crap. Did I bust open the injury? Let me see.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to scoot back from my table to peer underneath it, but I can see the heavy white gauze. It\u2019s bloody, but no more than it was last time I checked. Wonderful.<\/p>\n

And it still hurts. I\u2019ve broken bones before, but it never felt anything<\/em> like this. But considering this injury\u2014<\/p>\n

Yeah.<\/p>\n

Fuck.<\/p>\n

One of the barmaids is looking at me. I stare right back at her, and she turns away. I\u2019m really not in the mood for attention. And thinking about the pain only makes me want to scream out loud. Half from the pain, half from searing rage. So. Back to the book.<\/p>\n

Okay. Ignore the pain. What was that about Antinium? Are they still around? I flip through the pages.<\/p>\n

Confederacy of states\u2026hasty alliance\u2026skip all that. Ah.<\/p>\n

\u2018The tide of the war only changed after the discovery of the Antinium\u2019s fatal weakness. Using their newfound tactics, the Southern Alliance used long-range mage spells to assault Antinium hives and deter attacking forces.<\/em><\/p>\n

One of the Hives was destroyed entirely before a temporary truce was formed between the Antinium Queens and the leaders of the city states. This peace was tenuous however and lasted for only ten years when the Antinium attacked again, leading to the Second Antinium War\u2026\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

Weakness. They had a weakness? Must have missed that bit.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s see. Where would that be? And why haven\u2019t I seen these ant-people around? Well, they\u2019re pariahs or outcasts to most societies, so I guess that\u2019s why. But do they have any useful features or are they just bug-people?<\/p>\n

Oh, here\u2019s the weakness.<\/p>\n

I pause with my finger on the passage as I hear a cheerful voice calling my name above the hubbub of the inn. Oh. Oh no. Not her again.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ryoka Griffin was sitting in the middle of an inn. It was not an extraordinary inn\u2014just one of the many inns located in the Human city of Celum.<\/p>\n

She was reading and scowling. Because she was talented, she could do both at the same time. She was also sitting by herself, occasionally eating from a cold plate left in front of her.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey there, Ryoka!\u201d<\/p>\n

A cheerful voice drowned out the ambient noise of conversation and drew every gaze. Ryoka looked up from her book and spotted the girl making her way towards her. Her expression didn\u2019t change, but her eye twitched once.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Ryoka, how are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, Garia.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garia Strongheart slid into an empty chair at the table and smiled cheerfully at Ryoka. Her cheerfulness was not reciprocated. Ryoka just glanced up at Garia and went back to reading.<\/p>\n

Undeterred, Garia flagged down a barmaid and requested one of the local drinks, a strong, semi-alcoholic beverage that was cool and flavorful at the same time. In Ryoka\u2019s opinion, it was a shame that the flavor in question was beer.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, how are you doing? Is your leg feeling any better?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka glanced up and glared.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garia\u2019s smile faltered.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you\u2014did you go to see the [Healer] I told you about? She\u2019s a good one. Works with us Runners all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCouldn\u2019t help. The bone\u2019s too badly broken.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot your<\/em> fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka had a talent for shutting down conversations. Garia stared at her and tried to surreptitiously glance at her bandaged leg. She winced and covered her wince by changing the subject.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that a book?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka glanced up from her book. She eyed Garia. Her tone was beyond brusque and was past unfriendly. More into the point where a single word was akin to someone slamming a door into your face.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Yes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet Garia persisted. She smiled hugely, and Ryoka Griffin didn\u2019t seem to notice how Garia peeked at the red bandages and the\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2026leg\u2026<\/p>\n

Under the table. Garia\u2019s smile blanched and grew wider. Determinedly. She tried to keep her voice upbeat, but Ryoka was close to snarling.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s it about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHistory.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean, world history like you were asking me about the other day? Sorry I didn\u2019t know more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka shook her head. She was sweating and clenching her teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe history of the cities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Is it, um, interesting?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot really.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was fascinating<\/em>. Ryoka was no history buff, but it was amazing what being transported to another world did for her interest in mundane things like economics and politics.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not a big reader. My dad and mother are, but I can only read when I go home. Books\u2019re too expensive otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can read?\u201d<\/p>\n

Garia blushed, but she nodded, a bit proudly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was taught, and I know more than basic words. Fals can read too, and he owns a few books.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka raised her eyebrows.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Again, Garia was forced to continue a mostly one-sided conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019d you get the book?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI bought it in the market. Didn\u2019t cost much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? I thought most books were several gold coins\u2014at least.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome sell for silver. Either way, it\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka scowled as she chomped on another slice of ham. The lack of any library in this city meant she had to buy any books she wanted to read, and some were annoyingly expensive. But she wasn\u2019t about to get into a discussion of economics with Garia and fuel the conversation.<\/p>\n

The problem was, Garia was more than capable of finding topics of interest by herself. The other girl stared at the pile of books on the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you going to read all of these, then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI already read \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, all<\/em> of them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot like I have anything else to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka deliberately turned a page.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

I really wish she\u2019d go away. Or do I? At least she\u2019s keeping drunk guys from hitting on me.<\/em><\/p>\n

I hate this. I hate her, I hate this inn, and I hate this entire world. If I could burn it down to the ground, I\u2019d\u2014<\/p>\n

Probably not. At least, she\u2019s not the one I hate. So maybe destroy all the world except for a few people.<\/p>\n

But the pain.<\/em> And boredom, let\u2019s not forget. It\u2019s a sad day when Garia\u2019s daily visit is the most interesting thing that happens to me.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been three days since my \u2018accident\u2019. Another few days and I might seriously snap. Like my leg\u2014<\/p>\n

Damn it all. If I could kill every damned Street Runner in the world, I would in an instant. Even if I had to stare into their eyes as I choked them to death. I will have vengeance, I swear it.<\/p>\n

But until then, how the hell do I heal my leg? How, how, how? <\/em>If it\u2019s really beyond most normal magics\u2014<\/p>\n

Ask Garia? She might know of a better way, even if her first idea failed. Worth a shot, and I hope I have enough money for whatever I need. Crap, she\u2019s been talking, and I have no idea what she said. Better wing it.<\/p>\n

Huh. That\u2019s a crowd coming in right now. Hope they don\u2019t want to share the table. They look familiar, though.<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s that? Another Runn\u2014<\/p>\n

Her.<\/em><\/p>\n

Kill her. Stab her. Break her bones. Don\u2019t do it. Do it.<\/em> Hurt her. Smash her stupid face in. Kill. Killkillkillkillkillkillkillkillkillkillkillkillkillkillkillkillkillkillkillkillkill\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Garia realized Ryoka hadn\u2019t heard her question the third time she repeated it. The other young woman had frozen in place, staring at something over Garia\u2019s shoulder. Garia turned, looked, and knew there was about to be trouble.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka shoved her chair back and swung up onto her good leg. Good being\u2014operative. Her face blanched, and Garia saw her skin go dead white, but Ryoka pressed past the pain.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Persua smirked at her. She was, as always, flanked by her friends. Toriska and Claudeil. Claudeil glanced at Ryoka\u2019s legs and then away, but Toriska just glared at Garia. Persua? She laughed at Ryoka in delight and then pretended to be surprised.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Ryoka? I didn\u2019t see you there. Fancy meeting you in this inn. How are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was hard getting her other leg out from under the table. But when she did, Ryoka stood up on her good leg and lunged for Persua faster than anyone would have guessed. She never made it, though.<\/p>\n

Garia grabbed Ryoka by the shoulder and gently pulled her back. Despite Ryoka\u2019s attempts to shake her off, she refused to let go and dragged Ryoka back from the smirking Persua and her gaggle of Street Runners. Toriska produced her knife, and Persua danced behind Claudeil.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh!<\/em> You\u2019re rabid, Ryoka! Did you see that? She attacked me for no reason!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRyoka, stop.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garia was pulling Ryoka back, and she was strong<\/em>, but Ryoka was straining with all her might to get at Persua, fists raised. The other Runners wanted it; Claudeil had his own fists raised, and he was eying Ryoka\u2019s immobilized leg. Persua whispered in his ear, and Garia pulled Ryoka back. The young woman snarled at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet go,<\/em> Garia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, calm down, Ryoka. If you start a fight, you\u2019ll<\/em> be the one in trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

The expression on Ryoka\u2019s face suggested she was fine with that, but Garia could count. There were at least eight Street Runners behind Persua plus her two friends, and they looked ready to cause trouble. One-handed, she pulled Ryoka back and made her sit back down.<\/p>\n

That should have been hard to do, even to an injured Ryoka, but Garia was stronger than she looked. And she looked<\/em> like a farm girl capable of lifting bales of hay with one hand.<\/p>\n

As she pinned Ryoka to her chair, Garia moved so she was between her friend and Persua. She sat down\u2014and gripped the underside of the table so hard her hands went white.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we all settle down? Persua, you and your friends can go have a drink somewhere else, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a surprise for Garia to say anything to Persua. Toriska\u2019s eyebrows rose.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t recall telling you to say anything, Garia. Look at her, Persua.\u201d<\/p>\n

Persua gave Garia a mocking glance. Then she spread her hands innocently and ratcheted up her pitch another octave in innocent protest.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand what you mean, Garia. I\u2019m just saying hi to Ryoka, who\u2019s had a little accident. Can\u2019t you understand that? Or are things going too fast for you to keep up with?\u201d<\/p>\n

Now it was Garia\u2019s turn to flush, but she didn\u2019t rise to the bait.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve had your fun, but I think you should leave, Persua.\u201d<\/p>\n

Persua gave Garia and Ryoka a sickly sweet fake smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut as a fellow City Runner, I want to let Ryoka know how terribly sorry<\/em> I am that she got in the way of that runaway cart. If only she\u2019d listened to her fellow runners. We were all trying to warn her, you know. But that\u2019s Ryoka for you. She just doesn\u2019t listen now, does she?\u201d<\/p>\n

Garia could feel Ryoka\u2019s shoulder trembling under her hand. It was getting harder to hold her down, and that was before<\/em> Persua \u2018accidentally\u2019 mentioned how horrible it had been that no one was able to help Ryoka until she dragged herself to the nearest guardhouse for help. Her other hand gripped the table as the [Innkeeper] glanced up\u2014Claudeil was eying Ryoka\u2019s legs.<\/p>\n

Ryoka was staring at a knife on her plate. It was quite sharp\u2014but Toriska was glancing at the other Street Runners sidling around the table, and her foot was dancing. Ready to give a little kick\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n

She started forwards, and a sound made her freeze and jump back.<\/p>\n

Crack.<\/em><\/p>\n

Everyone looked down. Garia blinked\u2014and a part of the stout wooden table she was holding came away in one hand. Even Ryoka blinked down. The wood was half a foot thick\u2026Claudeil hesitated, and Toriska skipped back a step.<\/p>\n

Garia\u2019s fist was clenched, and she was breathing hard. She was, in fact\u2014angry.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As angry as Fals had been. <\/em>But Fals wasn\u2019t here, and it was just slowpoke Garia, the [Farmer]\u2019s girl. The one who\u2026lifted huge packs of ore and ran for miles.<\/p>\n

The other Street Runners hesitated, but there were eleven, counting Persua, Toriska, and Claudeil. Ryoka\u2019s leg was broken.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Persua stared at the table, then her features twisted into a snarl, and she nudged Toriska. The other City Runner skipped forwards as Garia tensed, and Ryoka\u2019s hand closed around the knife\u2014<\/p>\n

But then the door opened again, and a hush fell over the room. Where the Street Runners had entered into the noise and chaos of the inn, the next group that entered brought silence with them.<\/p>\n

Casual inn-goers of the variety of merchants, farmers, shopkeepers, and so on scrambled out of the way as a huge figure strode into the room. [Tavern Toughs] looked up\u2014and sat back.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A seven-foot figure loomed over their tables. When he took a step, the liquid in a cheap cup moved. With his horns, he was even taller, and he was already larger than every other man in the room\u2014before his plate armor. And if that was not already enough, the Minotaur had a huge steel battleaxe strapped onto his back.<\/p>\n

He was followed by seven other figures, each one armed far beyond regular citizens. They carried swords, a longbow, a staff with a glittering crystal top\u2014the only thing that didn\u2019t make the [Innkeeper] scream for the Watch was the fact that they were clearly adventurers. Instead, he brought out a huge keg of ale with a big smile and told the [Cook] to put on a roast.<\/p>\n

Adventurers meant money.<\/p>\n

The Horns of Hammerad looked around and spotted Ryoka and Garia on the other side of the inn. Their leader immediately made a beeline for the two, walking in an open space of his own. No one wanted to get in the way of the Minotaur\u2019s path.<\/p>\n

His face was like a bull\u2019s, furred but humanoid enough to show his surprise, gratification\u2014then mounting displeasure. His horns, similarly, rose high above his head and had twin caps of gold, stylized with a hammer and two gates open over waves. If you could see the miniature engravings, they read \u2018Hammerad, Beriad, House of Minos.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

He was focused on Ryoka Griffin. Persua was still mocking Ryoka and Garia, oblivious to the newcomers in the inn. The Street Runners behind her were nervously eying the approaching adventurers, but they didn\u2019t move from their spot.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoing to take a swing, Ryoka? Go ahead. Toriska\u2014Toriska.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Persua hissed at her frozen friend, then she realized she was standing in shadow. She turned\u2014and screamed.<\/p>\n

\u201cMonster!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Calruz stared down at her as Claudeil and Toriska backed away from the giant. Minotaurs were a rare sight, and most of them had never seen one before. Calruz glanced at Persua, then jerked a thumb.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou. Runners. Your presence is clearly not wanted or needed. Leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Street Runners exchanged one glance and then shifted out of the way. Calruz snorted in contempt and brushed by them.<\/p>\n

Persua made a disgusted face and pinched at her nose as he passed by. But when one of the female mages glared at her, she shrank back as well. Garia saw a woman with strange, exotic features\u2014pointed ears<\/em>\u2014and realized she was staring at a half-Elf!\u00a0<\/p>\n

There was an unspoken difference in power between the Runners and the Adventurers. The Street Runners stared at Persua, but she took one look at the Horns of Hammerad and backed away.<\/p>\n

\u201cStrange friends you have, Ryoka.\u201d<\/p>\n

She called out as she backed away. Persua stepped back\u2014and tripped<\/em> as the half-Elf accidentally locked feet with hers. Claudeil caught her, and Persua turned white.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave it, Persua. They\u2019re Silver-ranks. <\/em>Come on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Without a word, Persua hurried away. One of the men right behind Calruz, with a mustache, gave the sniggering half-Elf an exasperated glare, but the others looked either approving or didn\u2019t care. And then?<\/p>\n

They sat down. Suddenly, half a dozen adventurers were at Ryoka\u2019s table, carefully avoiding her feet, gathering around. They were all wearing armor or robes of high-quality cloth. The warriors standing behind Calruz wore shining chainmail, and the mages carried glowing staves and a wand that gave off ethereal fiery sparks.<\/p>\n

That last bit was especially concerning to the innkeeper, who nervously eyed the wand, but he didn\u2019t make any vocal objections. The tall, mustached Human warrior standing next to Calruz nodded at Ryoka and gave her a friendly smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cRyoka Griffin? We\u2019re part of the adventuring party the Horns of Hammerad. You bailed us out of a tough situation last week. Do you mind if we sit?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka stared up at the adventuring party. She didn\u2019t appear overly impressed. But then, her face was still sweating with pain.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like you already are. Glad you made it. What\u2014what do you want? Sit down already; you\u2019re blocking my light.\u201d<\/p>\n

The vice-captain blinked. He looked uncertain, but the Minotaur laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHah! Spirited! It is good to see that in a Human at last!\u201d<\/p>\n

He stuck out a massive, gauntleted hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am Calruz of the Beriad. We have met before. I lead the Horns of Hammerad, an adventuring party in these parts. I am in your debt, Ryoka Griffin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka blinked in the face of this direct approach. She paused and then reluctantly nodded, shaking Calruz\u2019s hand. She tried to smile\u2014but her leg shifted, and her lips turned into a scowl of pain and suppressed agony.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine. Go ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Immediately, the Horns of Hammerad pulled up chairs and another table to sit next to Ryoka and Garia. Calruz had to sit perched in his chair, which creaked ominously beneath him, but seemed happy enough.<\/p>\n

Once all the adventurers were seated, a barmaid approached, and they ordered drinks and food. Ryoka wasn\u2019t hungry and she had leftovers of her last meal, and Garia, awestruck by the company, was too shy to eat.<\/p>\n

In between the barmaids bustling around and delivering drinks and food, the vice-captain leaned forwards and addressed Ryoka.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe owe you a debt of gratitude for that delivery you did for us a week ago. Without it, we\u2019d all have been killed by that damned Lich. Thanks to you, though, we managed to kill it and recover a lot of magical artifacts. Ceria\u2019s got a new set of mage robes she owes all to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the female mages nodded and gestured at her clothing. She was wearing a dark blue set of robes embroidered with glowing golden sigils around the hem and edges of the rich cloth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI bought this with a bunch of the gold we got. The Lich was mostly carrying magical reagents in a bag of holding, by the by. If it was artifacts, we\u2019d have fought over a staff. Unfortunately, it was just rare alchemical ingredients. Some [Alchemist] in Pallass snapped it up, so I got some fancy robes I\u2019d been eying. And they\u2019re pristine, so watch the drink, Calruz.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

It seemed foolish to bring such expensive clothing into an inn, but Ryoka noticed that when Calruz accidentally splattered the dress while reaching for a tankard, the liquid simply ran down the cloth and onto the ground. She was immediately impressed and wondered how much the magical cloth cost.<\/p>\n

Garia looked around the table, wide-eyed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just heard that Ryoka was doing a delivery to the Ruins. Was it that helpful?\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the warriors snorted.<\/p>\n

\u201cDelivery? Hah! She charged right past the Lich that had us pinned down and dropped the potions off right in the center of the battlefield! He was casting fireballs and lightning around her, but she even drew his fire as she left\u2014gave us a chance to regroup!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka shifted uncomfortably as Garia gaped at her. The problem with being in an inn was that other people were listening. Already, she could tell patrons at the other tables were listening in on their conversation. She shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust doing my job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour job? No other Runner would have pulled off a feat like that. You saved our lives. I thought we were responsible for you getting hurt at first\u2014but it took us a while to track you down.\u201d<\/p>\n

She was having a hard time meeting the earnest vice-captain\u2019s eyes. Ryoka shrugged and picked at her ham as he continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cWithout the potions, the best we could have hoped for would be a retreat where we didn\u2019t lose too many of our party. In the worst-case scenario, we\u2019d have lost over half of our group, and that\u2019s if<\/em> the Lich didn\u2019t follow us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Calruz nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cInstead, we managed to break that damn skeleton\u2019s head in. The treasure we recovered more than made up for the expedition. And while the rest of our group is still healing from the battle, we\u2019re here to repay the debt we owe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka raised her eyebrows. Minotaurs. Honor? They didn\u2019t seem to go together, but either Calruz was an exception or Minotaurs had quite a strong sense of right and wrong.<\/p>\n

The vice-captain cleared his throat awkwardly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe expected to meet you again since we heard you were a popular Runner around here. But when we heard about your injury, we decided to drop by.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garia looked surprised. It was a long way from the Ruins of Albez to Celum for someone who wasn\u2019t a Runner.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou came all the way here just to do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Calruz nodded impatiently.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. What does distance matter? But let us introduce ourselves properly. Ceria, introduce yourself.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

He poked the female mage at his side, and she jumped and glared at the Minotaur. The mage nodded to Ryoka and Garia. She was wearing a hood indoors, which was presumably bad manners, but as she removed it, they realized why and Ryoka got her first clear look at her.<\/p>\n

Her ears were slightly pointed, and although she appeared Human, this mage seemed subtly different from her companions. Ryoka noticed her skin was\u2014rather than being paler, appeared subtly more vibrant. It was as if her body were simply realer<\/em> and more vivid than the rest of the world. It was a slight thing but grew more noticeable the longer Ryoka stared.<\/p>\n

Her eyes tracked down to the young woman\u2019s face. Again, her features were beautiful, but not simply aesthetically. They possessed another dimension she couldn\u2019t explain that added to the exotic nature of the mage\u2019s face. Ryoka saw that her eyes were pale yellow but made no comment.<\/p>\n

The mage stuck out one hand, and Ryoka took it. She wasn\u2019t an Elf. But she wasn\u2019t Human either.<\/p>\n

Half-Elf. Her eyes lit up, and she smiled after elbowing Calruz hard.<\/p>\n

\u201cCeria Springwalker. Village of the Spring, from Terandria. A long way from home, and technically, a student of Wistram. Ice-magic specialist and the only common sense in this crazy group.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Ryoka Griffin. City Runner, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Garia Strongheart. From around Celum. Pleased to meet you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLikewise.\u201d<\/p>\n

The rest of the company introduced themselves, but Ryoka was still thinking about Ceria. She shook hands mechanically, impassively nodding as the vice-captain expressed his admiration of how she\u2019d saved them. She\u2019d already forgotten his name.<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough of this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Calruz snapped impatiently as soon as the introductions were done. He pointed down towards Ryoka\u2019s leg as it stuck out awkwardly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t come here to chat. We\u2019re honor-bound to repay our debt, which is why we\u2019re here. And you\u2019re injured. How\u2019d that happen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGot run over by a cart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

The adventurers looked at Ryoka in frank disbelief.<\/p>\n

\u201cGetting run over by a cart I\u2019d believe of normal people, but a Runner? I thought you lot were fast on your feet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka shrugged unhelpfully and stared at her plate. Uncertainly, Garia cleared her throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t\u2014exactly an accident.\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned red as the Horns of Hammerad focused their attention on her. Calruz tapped a finger on the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cExplain, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I don\u2019t know how to say it, but Ryoka sort of broke an unspoken rule in the Runner\u2019s Guild. She did this delivery and made a lot of folks mad\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2014And they decided to run her over with a cart?\u201d<\/p>\n

The vice-captain stared incredulously at Garia.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you serious?\u201d<\/p>\n

She felt their stares, like she was mad, and Garia desperately took a longer drink of water.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a wagon, not a cart. Lot heavier. And I didn\u2019t know anything about it! Fals would have stopped it\u2014most of us didn\u2019t know anything until it happened. I found Ryoka at the [Healer]\u2019s\u2026the rest of the Runner\u2019s Guild was horrified. This was the work of Persua\u2019s friends. Not that anyone can prove it. They say it was just an accident and Ryoka tripped.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garia jumped as the mug in Calruz\u2019s hand cracked<\/em> and shattered in his grip. He angrily shoved the glass pieces aside and gritted his teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a pathetic, cowardly lot. I\u2019d challenge them all to an honor duel in a moment if I had cause. Didn\u2019t you call for the Watch, at least? That\u2019s how you do it in Izril\u2014what about truth spells?\u201d<\/p>\n

Garia just shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cPersua says it was an accident. She says the Guildmaster investigated it and that\u2019s that.\u201d<\/p>\n

That had been part of why Fals and everyone else weren\u2019t doing anything. Ryoka was white with fury.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe lied.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut they were truth spells, Ryoka. We\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The half-Elf, Ceria, interrupted calmly. She leaned forwards and tapped on the table for Garia\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you see them administer the truth spells?\u201d<\/p>\n

Garia shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014could you fake them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI<\/em> could. With enough help. Sounds like this is politics. Bad politics and a shady Guildmaster.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s a scurrilous accusation, Ceria. Don\u2019t go throwing that around.\u201d<\/p>\n

The vice-captain looked nervous, and Calruz\u2019s face darkened, but Ceria just raised her hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just a theory. But who\u2019re you going to believe? The City Runner who saved our life with a mysterious broken leg or<\/em>\u2026well, don\u2019t pull out your axe, Calruz. We don\u2019t do honor duels here, and that lot would run to First Landing if you looked at them sideways. It sounds like there\u2019s quite a lot of politics in the Runner\u2019s Guild\u2014and dangerous politics at that if this is what happens to people who disobey.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other adventurers murmured and grunted in disgust.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cRunners.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMoney grubbing backstabbers.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBarely worth the coin we spend to hire them. And for the rates they charge, I could buy a new sword!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The vice-captain just sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Adventurer\u2019s Guild has bad ones too, like former [Bandits]. Hunt, stop spitting on the floor. This Runner\u2019s Guild must be riddled with bad Runners, though. We\u2019ll remember that if we need help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garia looked like she wanted to object to the insults, but she didn\u2019t dare. Ryoka was interested.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t like Runners?\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the warriors shook his head. That one, Hunt, had a scar on his forehead and pursed his lips to spit again\u2014but Calruz glowered at him, and he swallowed before speaking.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou, we like. And your friend here doesn\u2019t seem bad. But the rest of your lot are worthless pieces of waste as far as we\u2019re concerned.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not all<\/em> bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garia protested weakly. The vice-captain and the mages shook their heads.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t understand, uh, Miss Garia was it? I\u2019m sure you City Runners do a good job for civilians. But adventurers? Most Runners don\u2019t do deliveries to battlefields, and some of the ones that do only deliver after the battle ends. We could be in serious trouble, but your people won\u2019t approach until all the monsters are gone. And even then, we have to pay triple\u2014sometimes five times as much just for deliveries to areas we\u2019ve already cleared.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another woman nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides, Runners are only concerned about their pay, not anything else. They won\u2019t stop to help even in emergencies unless we pay them. Even adventurers have more integrity than that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Horns of Hammerad grumbled, but at least their ire wasn\u2019t directed directly towards Garia and Ryoka. Ceria eyed the dispirited Garia and cleared her throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not to say all Runners are bad. I know a lot of you deliver goods quickly and for reasonable rates. It\u2019s just that there are quite a few bad Runners in your Guilds, especially the ones that we have to deal with.\u201d<\/p>\n

She nodded at Ryoka.<\/p>\n

\u201cCase in point, your leg.\u201d<\/p>\n

Calruz snorted angrily as he grabbed another mug from a scared barmaid.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is intolerable. A good Runner shouldn\u2019t be crippled. Ceria, Sostrom. Can\u2019t you do something?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ceria eyed Ryoka\u2019s leg as the other [Mage] with a long wisp of black hair he kept brushing out of his hair\u2014it ran down to his chin\u2014shook his head. She rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we, Level 50?<\/em> Calruz, healing magic is the stuff of [Archmages]. No chance a [Mage] can\u2026hm. Well, it\u2019s not anything ice-magic has anything to do with, so I\u2019m useless, and so is Sostrom.\u201d<\/p>\n

The wispy-haired [Mage] raised a hand and looked embarrassed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Ceria says so, I agree. I\u2019m self-taught, and she\u2019s Wistram.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

He said it like it mattered, and the half-Elf blushed slightly and raised a hand as if to demure. Then she frowned, thinking, but Calruz turned away and grunted at the rest of the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo? What about a healing potion? How good was that [Healer]? We have [Bone Healers] in the House of Minos well above the grade of local ones. Although even I can set a broken bone.\u201d<\/p>\n

The vice-captain rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything\u2019s better in your home. Go swim to the House of Minos and bring one back, Calruz.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, Ryoka was regretting not remembering his name, because the Minotaur turned red and glared back at his vice-captain. And the Minotaur, who was the size of the largest Humans to ever exist\u2014got a steady glare in return, which had to take some backbone. Two faintly purple eyes glowered at him before everyone turned back to Ryoka. Garia had a question.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs<\/em> it just a broken bone?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka shook her head and grimaced.<\/p>\n

\u201cBone\u2019s shattered. Splinters are in the flesh.\u201d<\/p>\n

All the people sitting at the table\u2014and in earshot of the conversation\u2014winced. Ceria, however, just nodded to herself and put a finger to her lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought so. If they were trying to hurt you, they had to injure you badly enough that you wouldn\u2019t be able to recover so easily.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t<\/em> healing potions work? They fix people with stab wounds up in seconds. Why not bones?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ceria shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cHealing potions just accelerate the body\u2019s natural healing. But this is far too complicated for a potion to fix. Maybe a high-grade one\u2026worth a few hundred or thousand gold pieces. But that\u2019s out of anyone\u2019s pay unless we were Gold-ranks or Miss Ryoka were a Courier. In situations like this, time or magic is the only solution. Either that or a high-level [Healer], and the cost is hundreds of gold too. Let alone getting to one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Deathly silence fell over the table. Calruz was grimacing darkly, and the vice-captain reluctantly shook his head at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cToo bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka pushed her chair back and stood up. She paused and winced as her bad foot touched the ground, but then began limping towards the stairwell. Garia, distressed, called out.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are you going, Ryoka?\u201d<\/p>\n

The other girl didn\u2019t look around.<\/p>\n

\u201cSleep. I\u2019m tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instantly, the vice-captain stood up.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn that case, allow me to help you up the stairs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka eyed the stairwell and looked back at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI insist. Please, let me\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

The vice-captain hesitated. He was looking from the steep stairwell to Ryoka\u2019s splinted and bandaged leg. She set her jaw stubbornly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPiss. Off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka brushed off his hands and began dragging herself up the stairs. She had a method for it; she walked backwards up the stairs so she didn\u2019t have to move her bad leg more than necessary. It was awkward and cumbersome, but the look in her eyes dared anyone to give her a hand.<\/p>\n

Crestfallen, the vice-captain returned to the table and sat down. The other warrior patted him on the back. Garia awkwardly apologized.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry. She\u2019s just\u2014unfriendly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd in a lot of pain. It\u2019s already forgiven.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man nodded understandingly, and both he and Garia smiled\u2014until Calruz spoke up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone looked at Calruz. The Minotaur was watching Ryoka with approval as she swung herself up the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe reminds me of females of my kind. Fiery. The ones who would stab any male that offends. Much better than the simpering Human ones I keep meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n

He stood up. The vice-captain eyed him worriedly. Ceria leaned forwards and poked Calruz hard in the back.<\/p>\n

\u201cSimpering Human\u2026? You mean our few fans? People who flirt with you? Name me one simpering adventurer. Don\u2019t bother her, Calruz. What are you going to do, seduce her into bed and re-break that leg? She\u2019s not a Minotauress either, and you have all the charm of a rock covered with moss.\u201d<\/p>\n

He snorted dismissively.<\/p>\n

\u201cBah. All that\u2019s needed is courage and spirit to win her over.\u201d<\/p>\n

He knocked his chair back and walked over to the stairwell. The vice-captain looked like he wanted to say something, but lost the initiative. Calruz called over his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t wait for me. I\u2019ll find you at the Guild later.\u201d<\/p>\n

The remaining adventurers watched Calruz ascending the stairs and muttered amongst themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cShould we stop him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we do, it\u2019ll be a fight. You know what happens when he loses his temper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother destroyed inn? We\u2019ll lose all the money we just earned!\u201d<\/p>\n

The vice-captain\u2019s eyes narrowed. He drained his mug and stood up.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is unacceptable. I\u2019m going up there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ceria grabbed him by the shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cCalm down, Gerial. He\u2019s all about honor. He\u2019ll just annoy her.\u201d<\/p>\n

He glared at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re letting him go? Are you mad?\u201d<\/p>\n

She shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cCalruz isn\u2019t an idiot. He knows the law. He\u2019ll go if he isn\u2019t wanted, but that\u2019s not what I meant. Ryoka Griffin can take care of herself. Or don\u2019t you remember why we\u2019re here?\u201d<\/p>\n

He hesitated, but then everyone downstairs heard Calruz\u2019s unmistakable bass rumble. From downstairs, Garia could hear Ryoka\u2019s annoyed voice. She hadn\u2019t known Ryoka long, but Garia knew her well enough to guess what she was saying.<\/p>\n

Garia started biting at her nails as Calruz\u2019s voice rose and he made what sounded like an attempted joke. Ryoka snapped something, but he kept talking.<\/p>\n

Uncertainly, Garia stood up. None of the adventurers stopped her as she walked to the stairs and looked up. Both Human and Minotaur were standing outside her room, arguing. Well, Ryoka was arguing while Calruz was\u2026flirting.<\/p>\n

Which was a mistake, Garia knew. She heard Ryoka\u2019s voice as she snapped at Calruz.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet out.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

He said something in reply, and she pushed at him. Since he was wearing armor and outweighed her by at least two hundred pounds, he didn\u2019t move. Calruz captured Ryoka\u2019s hand in his own. Garia saw Ryoka\u2019s eyes narrow.<\/p>\n

The patrons of the inn downstairs clearly heard the crack<\/em> and the bellow of pain from Calruz. From her position by the stairs, Garia saw and heard Ryoka punch<\/em> the Minotaur in the face and then saw the Calruz\u2019s form overbalance on the top of the stairs. She watched in slow motion as the massive figure of the Minotaur reeled back from the blow. He grabbed at the wall, but the wood splintered as it broke under his weight.<\/p>\n

If. If Calruz hadn\u2019t insisted on wearing plate armor. If Ryoka hadn\u2019t hit him quite as hard. If the inn was newer and wasn\u2019t so old. But there were no ifs. Calruz toppled down the stairs in a terrific crash<\/em> of metal on wood, splintering the stairwell and smashing the floorboards on the ground where he landed.<\/p>\n

Everyone stared at the fallen Minotaur as he stared up at the ceiling. Half of the inn\u2019s patrons were already making for the doors, while the other half waited for the ensuing bloodbath.<\/p>\n

At the top of the stairs, Ryoka raised her middle finger, flipped the prone Minotaur off, and then limped into her room. The door slammed<\/em> behind her.<\/p>\n

Calruz blinked up as the remaining pieces of the stairwell fell down around him and the innkeeper screamed in horror. He stared bemusedly up at Garia and the rest of his adventuring party. Then he grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cStrong. I like her quite a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ow. Fuck. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ouch. Ow. It hurts worse than that. It hurts\u2026more than anything I\u2019ve ever felt. Like someone\u2019s tearing off my leg, like I want to remove it myself or scream. The cute words\u2014they\u2019re there so I don\u2019t scream. I didn\u2019t know it could hurt so much. I\u2019ve broken bones\u2014this\u2014this is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52856846,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"patreon-level":0,"patreon_level":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11693081,349],"tags":[],"twi_volume":[11693130],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-13507","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-1","category-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n1.32 R - The Wandering Inn<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"1.32 R\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Ow. Fuck. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ouch. Ow. It hurts worse than that. It hurts\u2026more than anything I\u2019ve ever felt. Like someone\u2019s tearing off my leg, like I want to remove it myself or scream. The cute words\u2014they\u2019re there so I don\u2019t scream. I didn\u2019t know it could hurt so much. I\u2019ve broken bones\u2014this\u2014this is […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Wandering Inn\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thewanderinginn\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2017-03-04T19:46:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-24T01:04:26+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/LogoOnly_NoShadow.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"881\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"pirateaba\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@WanderingInn\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@WanderingInn\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"pirateaba\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"34 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"pirateaba\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/person\/bc89b3c76fb60f3fe9e390c2aeee3aa4\"},\"headline\":\"1.32 R\",\"datePublished\":\"2017-03-04T19:46:47+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-24T01:04:26+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/\"},\"wordCount\":6779,\"commentCount\":18,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#organization\"},\"articleSection\":[\"Volume 1\",\"Writing\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/\",\"name\":\"1.32 R - The Wandering Inn\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2017-03-04T19:46:47+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-24T01:04:26+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"1.32 R\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/\",\"name\":\"The Wandering Inn\",\"description\":\"The Wandering Inn is an ongoing Fantasy-LitRPG web serial by pirateaba with millions of readers worldwide.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#organization\"},\"alternateName\":\"TWI\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"The Wandering Inn\",\"alternateName\":\"Wandering Inn\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/LogoOnly_NoShadow.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/LogoOnly_NoShadow.png\",\"width\":1600,\"height\":881,\"caption\":\"The Wandering Inn\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thewanderinginn\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/WanderingInn\",\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@thewanderinginnverse\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@TheWanderingInn\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thewanderinginnverse\/\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/the-wandering-inn\"],\"description\":\"The Wandering Inn is a popular, ongoing Fantasy-LitRPG web serial authored by pirateaba, captivating millions of readers worldwide. Known for its unique blend of epic fantasy, immersive worldbuilding, and character-driven storytelling, The Wandering Inn follows the journey of a young woman navigating a world shaped by magic and levels. With a dedicated fanbase and consistent updates, The Wandering Inn offers readers an engaging experience through its website, Kindle, and audiobook formats, and provides exclusive content through Patreon for fans eager to delve deeper into its world\",\"email\":\"media@wanderinginn.com\",\"legalName\":\"pirateaba llc\",\"taxID\":\"88-1575608\",\"duns\":\"078154126\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"1\",\"maxValue\":\"10\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/person\/bc89b3c76fb60f3fe9e390c2aeee3aa4\",\"name\":\"pirateaba\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/afdb1894e6e158ee450190b7741aae04fd90b89346326012cb6d645642337d89?s=96&d=identicon&r=pg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/afdb1894e6e158ee450190b7741aae04fd90b89346326012cb6d645642337d89?s=96&d=identicon&r=pg\",\"caption\":\"pirateaba\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/author\/pirateaba\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"1.32 R - The Wandering Inn","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"1.32 R","og_description":"Ow. Fuck. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ouch. Ow. It hurts worse than that. It hurts\u2026more than anything I\u2019ve ever felt. Like someone\u2019s tearing off my leg, like I want to remove it myself or scream. The cute words\u2014they\u2019re there so I don\u2019t scream. I didn\u2019t know it could hurt so much. I\u2019ve broken bones\u2014this\u2014this is […]","og_url":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/","og_site_name":"The Wandering Inn","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thewanderinginn","article_published_time":"2017-03-04T19:46:47+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-12-24T01:04:26+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1600,"height":881,"url":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/LogoOnly_NoShadow.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"pirateaba","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@WanderingInn","twitter_site":"@WanderingInn","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"pirateaba","Est. reading time":"34 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/"},"author":{"name":"pirateaba","@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/person\/bc89b3c76fb60f3fe9e390c2aeee3aa4"},"headline":"1.32 R","datePublished":"2017-03-04T19:46:47+00:00","dateModified":"2025-12-24T01:04:26+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/"},"wordCount":6779,"commentCount":18,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#organization"},"articleSection":["Volume 1","Writing"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/","url":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/","name":"1.32 R - The Wandering Inn","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#website"},"datePublished":"2017-03-04T19:46:47+00:00","dateModified":"2025-12-24T01:04:26+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/03\/04\/rw1-32-r\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"1.32 R"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/","name":"The Wandering Inn","description":"The Wandering Inn is an ongoing Fantasy-LitRPG web serial by pirateaba with millions of readers worldwide.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#organization"},"alternateName":"TWI","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#organization","name":"The Wandering Inn","alternateName":"Wandering Inn","url":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/LogoOnly_NoShadow.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/LogoOnly_NoShadow.png","width":1600,"height":881,"caption":"The Wandering Inn"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thewanderinginn","https:\/\/x.com\/WanderingInn","https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@thewanderinginnverse","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@TheWanderingInn","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thewanderinginnverse\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/the-wandering-inn"],"description":"The Wandering Inn is a popular, ongoing Fantasy-LitRPG web serial authored by pirateaba, captivating millions of readers worldwide. Known for its unique blend of epic fantasy, immersive worldbuilding, and character-driven storytelling, The Wandering Inn follows the journey of a young woman navigating a world shaped by magic and levels. With a dedicated fanbase and consistent updates, The Wandering Inn offers readers an engaging experience through its website, Kindle, and audiobook formats, and provides exclusive content through Patreon for fans eager to delve deeper into its world","email":"media@wanderinginn.com","legalName":"pirateaba llc","taxID":"88-1575608","duns":"078154126","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"1","maxValue":"10"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/person\/bc89b3c76fb60f3fe9e390c2aeee3aa4","name":"pirateaba","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/afdb1894e6e158ee450190b7741aae04fd90b89346326012cb6d645642337d89?s=96&d=identicon&r=pg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/afdb1894e6e158ee450190b7741aae04fd90b89346326012cb6d645642337d89?s=96&d=identicon&r=pg","caption":"pirateaba"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/"],"url":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/author\/pirateaba\/"}]}},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfPPse-3vR","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13507","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/52856846"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13507"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13507\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13507"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13507"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13507"},{"taxonomy":"twi_volume","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/twi_volume?post=13507"},{"taxonomy":"twi_collection","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/twi_collection?post=13507"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}