{"id":4327,"date":"2018-05-15T09:06:55","date_gmt":"2018-05-15T09:06:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/wandering-inn\/?p=4327"},"modified":"2025-12-24T00:57:39","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T00:57:39","slug":"4-35-e","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/05\/15\/4-35-e\/","title":{"rendered":"4.35 E"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 72<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

In this world, the main method of transportation between settlements is with wagons. True, you could argue that Runners and magic play their own roles, but the price for such deliveries is usually out of reach for the common villager. They might be able to afford a letter in a bulk delivery or a trinket to send to a loved one or relative, but as regular, reliable transportation? Never.<\/p>\n

Indeed, you could say that Runners are, by and large, more useful for their discretion and ability to deliver messages and items without fear of interception. The best Runners in the world deliver for [Lords] and [Kings], after all. Whereas magic trivializes the issue of sending letters between two [Mages]\u2014but at a higher cost. Accordingly, sending a small package instantly from one spot to a point across the world is possible, but the cost is beyond prohibitive.<\/p>\n

So wagons rule, at least for bulk deliveries. Or, at least, they would if bags of holding hadn\u2019t been invented. Give a Runner one of those and they can deliver goods faster and more reliably than a caravan. So extremely rich cities with powerful Runner\u2019s Guilds like Invrisil can actually out-muscle the local Merchant\u2019s Guild. But bags of holding are very expensive, so wagons rule in low-income areas with less substantial urban development.<\/p>\n

The point I\u2019m making with all of this is that wagons are important, so roads are important. Keeping a road maintained and free of monsters or bandits is crucial to a small town or village\u2019s survival. The problem is that the said bandits and monsters know it.<\/p>\n

The Goblin raiding force hit the caravan of [Traders] just past dawn. They streamed out of a cave where they had been lurking for the last few hours or so and charged down the hill towards the wagons and armed guards. The Humans, lone Gnoll, and two half-Elves screamed and tried to form a circle with the wagons, but the Goblins were too quick.<\/p>\n

The raiding force met the few caravan guards hard, killing two of the armed warriors in the first clash. Three Hobs led the lesser Goblins, smashing aside warriors. The [Traders] fought back with their guards, but they were outmatched. They hadn\u2019t brought enough guards for a long trip; they\u2019d trusted to speed to get them from one town to another. They could make the journey in an hour or two. Less, with Skills.<\/p>\n

But that window was all the time the Goblins needed. They only needed ten minutes, in fact. Away from any kind of large militia or the walls of a city, they could raid and be gone too quickly for pursuit. And the [Traders] could hardly afford Silver-rank teams to protect them, could they? And if they could\u2026three Hobs were more than a match for a single team.<\/p>\n

A flawless strategy. Or rather, it had been flawless until now. Because despite all their preparations, the way the Goblins had carefully snuck into the cave through a back entrance and their [Stalkers] had crept along the road, out of view, they had still been seen. And preparation was everything.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre we too late to save the caravan?\u201d<\/p>\n

I\u2019m miles away from the stretch of road, too far away to see the desperate fighting among the wagons or the way the blood mixes with the mud and snow on the ground. Too far to see with my eyes, that is. But my [Emperor] senses can see the Goblins\u2014thirty or so\u2014pushing forwards, shouting wordlessly. And I can also sense the second force, not [Traders] or Goblins, approaching at speed out of the woods.<\/p>\n

In the silence of my mind, I can see a figure racing ahead of the group, see him put a horn to his lips and blow. There is no sound in the vision in my head, but I can see the Goblins turning, reacting to the horn call. I smile. Hello, Goblins. Allow me to introduce myself.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m Laken. An [Emperor], ruler of Riverfarm, Protector of Durene\u2019s Cottage, and now sovereign lord of Windrest, Tunslaven, Kiquel, and the surrounding areas. Some call my territory the Unseen Empire, but I think that\u2019s a bit too arrogant. Anyways, I may be blind, but I saw you coming. And this is my army.<\/p>\n

The Goblins brought thirty, so I sent sixty. Simple math and it\u2019s pretty much our entire force, so I don\u2019t feel worried about leaving people behind. Not that there\u2019s much danger; I can sense any threat coming and react accordingly. Like this. And my army has fought Goblins before.<\/p>\n

This is how it goes down. The Goblins are still reacting, still turning to see the force of armed warriors on foot racing out of the woods, when Beniar\u2019s [Cavalry], [Riders], and lone [Cataphract] crash into them from the side. They actually take down one of the Hobs in the first clash; a lance straight through the armpit. I wince as I sit in Prost\u2019s house. Nasty.<\/p>\n

The riders fight for a second and the Goblins, used to battle, turn on them, trying to swarm the riders off the mounts. But Beniar\u2019s already pulling back, circling for another charge. He\u2019s timed it well or Wiskeria has; the infantry crash into the other side of the Goblins in tight formation. Leading the charge is a tall half-Troll I watch with anxiety and pride alike.<\/p>\n

Durene. She\u2019s still not wearing armor because none fits her, and her club\u2019s still made of wood, but her shield is better than the old door she used to use. She shouts a word as she leads the assault on the Goblins\u2019 rear. I sense her body begin to glow and Goblins shrinking back, shouting wordlessly.<\/p>\n

Now, what would she be shouting? Probably the Skill. [Radiant Courage]! Durene\u2019s body is shining with light, but the glow doesn\u2019t bother the soldiers around her. They charge, shields raised, into the Goblins and reap the benefits of their enemy\u2019s sudden blindness. Durene smashes two Goblins with her club like a hammer. Her Skill is devastating in group fights like this, where she can blind her enemies while keeping her allies safe. Now Durene charges forwards at the closest Hob.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s dangerous. This Hob has a battleaxe and he turns, the sharp blade dripping with blood, towards Durene. And he seems less affected by the light she emits. He lashes out with his axe and she raises her shield. I see Durene shouting again. Now her shield glows. The Goblins and Hob around Durene stumble back as a wall blocks them from swarming my beloved [Paladin]. Durene grits her teeth. I see her plant her feet in the mud, raise her shield and shove.<\/em> Goblins go flying through the air and the Hob stumbles back.<\/p>\n

[Shield of Valor]. It\u2019s a Skill that [Knights] and other classes learn; a powerful tool for holding back the enemy or, it seems, creating an opening. The Hob loses his footing and Durene capitalizes on it. She swings her club up and down\u2014<\/p>\n

I shift my vision away, although part of me sees the splatter. The battle\u2019s over. The remaining Hob is smart enough to try to run, but he and the Goblins are boxed in now by their greed. Beniar runs down stragglers and the soldiers finish off the remaining Goblins, fighting defensively, wearing out their opponents rather than taking a risk. That\u2019s thanks to their leader, who calmly sits atop a horse from the back and blasts the Hob with small jolts of lightning until she\u2014the Hob is female\u2014drops with two swords in her belly.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s over. I see Durene turning, wiping sweat with one hand as she rests her club against a wagon and the frightened [Traders] rushing towards my little army, waving their hands, shouting their relief no doubt. There\u2019s no need to watch the rest; Wiskeria knows what to do.<\/p>\n

I probably didn\u2019t need to watch after the second Hob went down, in point of fact. But I do worry. Whenever Durene fights I can\u2019t help but watch over her. That and make sure each battle is one stacked as heavily in her favor as possible.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s all I can do. I sigh, and get up from the table I\u2019m sitting at. It takes me a moment to center myself. Suddenly I\u2019m not on the muddy road, but many, many miles east of there. I\u2019m standing in Prost\u2019s house in a village known as Riverfarm, and I can hear the shouts and voices of countless people in the distance around me.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat went well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, I make my way towards the door and pause with my hand on the doorknob. I wait, and then open it slowly. Outside, I sense a man turn towards me and nod.<\/p>\n

\u201cMister Prost? The battle is over.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOver? That\u2019s quick, Your Majesty!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, well, the Goblins attacked a bit sooner than Wiskeria thought. We were almost too late getting into position so there were a few casualties among the caravan. However, no one else died.\u201d<\/p>\n

Prost\u2019s sigh of relief is huge. I nod towards him as I step out into the street. My feet slip a bit and Prost catches me before I can slip onto the ground. I steady myself and thank him as he lets go quickly. It wouldn\u2019t do for an [Emperor] to fall on his face now, would it?<\/p>\n

Even though I can sense mud and other debris underfoot, I can\u2019t always predict what will happen. Plus, I\u2019m bad about watching where I step when I use my [Emperor] senses. For a blind man, there\u2019s probably nothing more ironic.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Prost. Please let everyone know what\u2019s happened. I\u2019m sure Tessia will be relieved to know Gamel\u2019s alright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will let her know directly, Your Majesty. Do you believe the caravan will continue onwards?\u201d<\/p>\n

I pause for a moment and cast my senses east again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe so. Yes, the wagons are already moving. Sensible of Wiskeria. They\u2019ll get to Trottvisk within the hour, I think. Which will help immensely when we begin our negotiations with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI should imagine so, sire.\u201d<\/p>\n

Prost steps with me out of the muddy street, and I frown as I notice how much snow\u2019s already melted. Not that we get as much snow as some places on the continent, but it certainly makes for bad footing. There\u2019s mud everywhere, but ahead of me the ground feels\u2026firmer for some reason. I frown as I try to make out what I\u2019m sensing. Not dirt, but something else. Wood? What is it?<\/p>\n

\u201cI know we agreed that you should be the one to talk with them, Prost, but perhaps we should leave that to Wiskeria? I could alert her with a [Message] spell and I really can\u2019t afford for you to go, even for a day. We have so much to do\u2014and I\u2019m adding a paved street to our lists. This mud is too dangerous, and the last thing we need is for someone to slip and break something.\u201d<\/p>\n

I can sense the man nodding. My [Steward] leads me onto a dryer patch of ground. Oh! Sawdust! That\u2019s what I was sensing. How sensible, and so much easier than digging up the entire street. Prost\u2019s ahead of me as usual.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sire. I will make plans directly\u2014we have a good deal of stone from the quarry we\u2019ve set up, and I\u2019m sure one of our [Diggers] has a stone-related skill. If not, there\u2019s always mallets\u2026but on the topic of sending someone to Trottvisk, Your Majesty, wouldn\u2019t it be more appropriate for them to come to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

I pause and rub my chin.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps. But I\u2019d like to talk with them sooner rather than later. We could use a steady supply of goods, and if we wait for them to make the first move\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Prost coughs gently and I break off. It\u2019s interesting how we\u2019ve developed a system already. He would never interrupt his own [Emperor], and yet, he does just that by coughing or making some other sound when I\u2019m being an idiot. So I wait and let him speak.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think, sire, that it would be simplest to send a messenger requesting them to come here. You are<\/em> an [Emperor], Your Majesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014do you think they\u2019d really come?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly. [Lords] and [Ladies] do the same, and it would spare us having to send a party ourselves\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026And we get to negotiate on our own ground. Excellent idea, Prost.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see to it at once, Your Majesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. Now, we\u2019ve expanded the totems to the roads between Trottvisk and Acran, but I\u2019m still not sure about our northern borders. Obviously we don\u2019t want to annex other villages, but can you have someone replant the markers down the\u2026oh, the forked road just past Kiquel?\u201d<\/p>\n

I scratch my head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t tell what\u2019s at the crossroads there and it\u2019s making me uneasy. And I know Jelov\u2019s overworked, but I could really<\/em> use another marker around that pond we found north of here. It gets fuzzy if they\u2019re too far apart, and I could swear something is living down there\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Prost follows along as I walk and talk. Around me, people call out, waving, speaking my name. Houses are going up, men and women are carrying wood and stone to new foundations, and in the distance, a group of [Farmers] is breaking new ground for fields. They want to plant now, and spring is only a month or so away by their reckoning.<\/p>\n

I take it all in, part of me still amazed everything is happening. This is my empire. And it\u2019s growing. Three villages are already pledged to me, including Riverfarm, and we\u2019re building new houses as fast as we can to keep everyone under a roof. And if a town<\/em> decides to join, well\u2014<\/p>\n

I\u2019m lucky I like to stay busy.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Day 73<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

There is a dignity to being an [Emperor], but naturally that dignity is compromised according to each situation. I\u2019m aware of the sins of hubris, and so I try to tell people that I\u2019m as much of a man as I am a leader. With that said, I know the people of my village cherish my reputation, so I try to be dignified as well.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s debatable how well I do. For instance, I still live in Durene\u2019s cottage because I love it there, and Durene and I need\u2026special time now and then. The village is not<\/em> a good place for privacy. Everyone wants to live near me, and though Kiquel and Tunslaven are still standing, people keep coming here<\/em>. Because they feel safe.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m going to have to do something about that. I\u2019ve already made plans with Prost to expand both villages when we have time. There are good pastures in Kiquel, and Tunslaven is too nice to abandon. However, it might be that Riverfarm eventually gets so big that both of the other villages become districts that are only a stone\u2019s throw away from the main empire. Now that\u2019s<\/em> an intimidating thought.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, where was I? Intimacy. Right. Prost goes over every architectural decision with me and since I have a view of my entire kingdom in my head, I can organize the upcoming houses, fields, barns, and so on in a very efficient manner. I can also make it so that no new expansions are being built in the direction of Durene\u2019s cottage. That can stay as it is, thanks.<\/p>\n

And yet, in public it\u2019s still on me to preserve my image as an [Emperor]. I can\u2019t walk around inspecting spots forever; I need a throne. Everyone says so, from Durene to Wiskeria to Gamel. Beniar doesn\u2019t, but he thinks I should have a chariot. I was against a throne since I want to be active, but we all found an\u2026unusual compromise.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Emperor Laken!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood day, sire!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Cinney. Good morning Siccy. Why is there an egg in your pocket?\u201d<\/p>\n

The young boy turns guiltily to me as I move through the village on my throne. He shuffles and clears his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a snack, sire! My ma boiled it and I was going to eat it, but I forgot\u2014I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

I smile at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. I see. Never mind then, I was just curious. Your mother\u2019s quite smart\u2014boiled eggs are a favorite snack of mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell her you said so!\u201d<\/p>\n

Siccy\u2019s bright voice makes me smile as I ride on. I can sense him watching me as I continue sitting on my throne. Yes, it\u2019s certainly impressive. Eye-catching? Most definitely. Comfortable\u2026not exactly.<\/p>\n

I shift, and my \u2018throne\u2019 grunts a bit. It plods down the street and the villagers give it a respectful distance, but they\u2019re used to the Mossbear enough by now to call out greetings to me as I pass by. One daring girl even offers my mobile throne a piece of dried jerky, giggling as it snuffs and licks her fingers. Her father scolds her for getting in my way, and I smile and wave.<\/p>\n

Yeah. I ride the Mossbear around from time to time. It\u2019s\u2026regal? I\u2019d grant that it\u2019s impressive, but I personally feel like I\u2019m in some kind of satire of a certain world leader each time I sit on the Mossbear. At least my bear is docile; I\u2019d hate to try and ride him when he\u2019s running about.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s thanks to my [Beast Tamer] class that I can have a bear as a throne, anyways. Or maybe my [Emperor] class and<\/em> my [Beast Tamer] class? I can\u2019t help but feel like a Level 9 [Beast Tamer] is a bit too low-level to have forged a bond with a bear already. But hey, what do I know? And speaking of animals with bonds\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cFrostwing!\u201d<\/p>\n

I raise my arm and call out. I sense a shape diving towards my arm and I\u2019m glad Frostwing decides to land on the leather armguard rather than my shoulder this time. The large and, apparently, blue bird preens herself as I stroke her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re learning to fly really well, aren\u2019t you? Good job! Maybe now you\u2019ll be able to feed yourself, rather than gobble meat all day. Would you like that? I can tell you\u2019re going to poop now. Don\u2019t do it on me, please, or the bear.\u201d<\/p>\n

A beak pecks at my fingers and I sigh. A tiny little tongue licks my fingers\u2014Frostwing must have noticed the honey biscuit snack I had for lunch. A real treat I had to share with the bear as well. He\u2019s a surprisingly docile fellow for someone so big. I\u2019m told Mossbears camouflage themselves and attack deer when they get hungry. Or people. I\u2019m just glad it\u2019s possible to tame him with hot, buttery mashed potatoes.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, okay. You\u2019re hungry and you\u2019re a terrible hunter. Ow! Don\u2019t peck. We\u2019ll get you something to eat. Let\u2019s all just go see Prost, okay? Prost.<\/em> That way.\u201d<\/p>\n

I nudge the bear mentally and with my legs and he ambles left. Frostwing flutters down to land on his back and sits with me as we proceed down the street. The bear. I haven\u2019t come up with a good name for him yet. I\u2019m thinking something German would be nice, but I\u2019m really not inspired. And he\u2019s not exactly fussed\u2014it\u2019s just that having [Lesser Bond: Unnamed Mossbear] in my head is a bit\u2026well, I feel bad for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmperor Laken, good morning, sire!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProst. What have we here? Hello Durene, we meet again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLaken!\u201d<\/p>\n

Durene turns as I approach a cleared space with a lot of wood, nails, and busy people hammering and cutting wood. My half-Troll lover reaches up and strokes the Mossbear\u2019s head. He whuffs at her as Frostwing caws impatiently. Prost edges around both bear and bird as I slide off and coughs nervously. I think he\u2019s afraid of both animals, which is perfectly understandable. I step to one side and investigate the scene with my senses.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a lot of wood. A lot of nails and screws, too. Do you think you have all the materials you need?\u201d<\/p>\n

Prost hesitates. He glances around.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Mister Helm\u2019d be the better man to speak to that, sire, but I see he\u2019s busy. I\u2019m not an expert, but from what he and the other [Carpenters] and [Blacksmiths] say, building this\u2026thing should be easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrebuchet, Mister Prost. It\u2019s called a trebuchet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir. I\u2019ve never heard of it, as I said, and the other folk say they haven\u2019t either. Then again, you hear about odd weapons being used in Chandrar and Baleros\u2014do you think we can truly make it, sire?\u201d<\/p>\n

I have to hesitate.<\/p>\n

\u201cPossibly, Mister Prost. It\u2019s worth a shot at any rate. I uh, can\u2019t read the designs Ryoka gave me, but you told me they look good?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes sir. It\u2019s a very simple design. It\u2019s just the size of it that\u2019s stumping us, sir. You say these things are meant to hurl blocks of stone hundreds of feet away? I\u2019ve heard of magical catapults that couldn\u2019t do the same!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, these are<\/em> siege weapons, Prost. In fact, I\u2019d prefer a catapult, but Ryoka couldn\u2019t remember how uh, torsion siege weapons were made. Trebuchets are a lot easier, according to her. Someone apparently made one out of duct tape once.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDuck tape?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind. If you think you can make one, I\u2019d love to use it on any attackers. Put it on wheels, maybe make them smaller since we\u2019re not exactly firing at castles here and\u2026well, why not? Just think about it, Prost. Six of these aimed at a group of Goblins and we wouldn\u2019t have to fight a battle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t argue with that, sire. And it\u2019s such a simple thing too. One arm goes up, a heavy block goes on the other end, and it all rests on this uh\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFulcrum.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, that. I\u2019m most worried about whether the wood will stand up to all the weight, sire. Our first trial broke the fulcrum thing as you know. However, the lads\u2014and the three ladies\u2014are very excited about it. Miss Tessia\u2019s almost as keen as the boys are to see this thing throw something. And on that note, I learned yesterday that three<\/em> of our folk have a new class, sir!\u201d<\/p>\n

Prost leans over and whispers to me confidentially.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re [Tinkerers], sir. Not [Engineers] like you\u2019d hoped, but I\u2019m told that\u2019s the first step. To have three in one village, well, it\u2019s extraordinary. Begging your pardon, of course, I know you\u2019d hoped for more.\u201d<\/p>\n

I shake my head, smiling broadly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s great news, Prost. I didn\u2019t think [Engineers] were that likely, but I\u2019d hoped, that\u2019s all. You see, to gain the [Engineer] class I think the people would need the right tools, more knowledge about how to build things, and perhaps the right mindset. As it is, the [Tinkerer] class will probably become [Engineer] about, oh, I\u2019d say Level 15 or so. So there\u2019s nothing to worry about.\u201d<\/p>\n

I can tell Prost is giving me an admiring look. It\u2019s completely undeserved.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know so much, Emperor. How did you learn about so many classes?\u201d<\/p>\n

I cough. I might have said too much. I hesitate over my reply.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone\u2026told me, Prost. Anyways, these [Tinkerers] have useful Skills?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sire. Tessia learned [Detect Flaw], which is a great help in itself. It\u2019s a Skill that lets her know if we\u2019ve cut something wrong or there\u2019s rot in the wood and so on\u2026I wouldn\u2019t mind her going to all of our houses later on to check on them as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s a fine idea. At your discretion, Prost. Now, I know Durene\u2019s helping you lift things, but could you spare her later on? I haven\u2019t had much time to see her after she got back.\u201d<\/p>\n

I can sense Prost\u2019s posture shift, and I studiously ignore the small smile on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sire. I could let her go right now\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no. I wouldn\u2019t want to get in the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

I cough again, and turn away. An [Emperor]\u2019s dignity. I try not to blush. I turn back to the Mossbear as Prost returns to the construction and sigh. When everyone and their dog knows about your relationship\u2014and worse, now approves of it and actively tries to give you space\u2014it\u2019s nearly as bad as the prejudice.<\/p>\n

Seid doch nicht so pervers<\/em>. At least today I got to see the trebuchet fire. True, the rock went nearly straight up and crushed half of our experimental model. Prost and I concluded that the testing had better be done from far away using a long rope\u2014and everyone should wear helmets just in case. But it\u2019s a start. Hell, more than one. I\u2019m building trebuchets now. Where does it stop?<\/p>\n

I guess this kind of technology will help level the field against [Mages]. Our best mage is Wiskeria, and she\u2019s a [Witch]. That\u2019s a concern for later, though. Our new empire is still stronger than it has any right to be. Hopefully all these little tricks\u2014the palisades we keep rebuilding further and further out, the network of totems, my \u2018eyes\u2019, and things like the trebuchets\u2014will keep us safe, keep my people safe from now on.<\/p>\n

And maybe if no one else dies, the nightmares I\u2019ve been having will someday stop.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Day 74<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Today I had my first audience. It was spontaneous\u2014I didn\u2019t realize the messenger had arrived until he was riding in on horseback\u2014largely informal, and took place while I was sitting on my throne. The Mossbear. Given those circumstances, I can\u2019t see how it couldn\u2019t<\/em> have been a success.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m deeply grateful for the gifts, from Trottvisk, Mister Rencil. And I understand the trading caravan gave my people several tokens of their appreciation as well. However, it was our pleasure to help fight the Goblins. They are a common enemy that transcends alliances and feuds.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust as you say, Your Majesty. But we are deeply grateful for your protection. I, ah, am instructed to tell you these are only the smallest representations of our esteem. Our town did not know there was such an\u2014an esteemed personage so close by, or we would have sent a delegation earlier, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Messenger] stammers as he tries to control his nervous horse around my bear. I smile and dismount. I think my closed eyes bother the young man on horseback as much as the bear.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, allow me to offer you some refreshments and food. It\u2019s the least I can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are too kind si\u2014I mean, Your Majesty. However, I couldn\u2019t intrude. I\u2019m\u2014I was only instructed to deliver the gifts and report b\u2014I mean, return at full speed.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019s stumbling over himself and almost falls over himself as he hands Prost the gifts\u2014some wax candles, a bundle of fine cloth, and a bottle of some kind of drink. Probably alcohol. He clearly doesn\u2019t think it\u2019s a fitting gift, but I don\u2019t really care. Mainly, I\u2019m a bit concerned that my reputation as an [Emperor] has spread so far already. Rumor and gossip are one thing, but how\u2014<\/p>\n

Ah. Wiskeria and my soldiers must have talked. Drat. Regardless, I smile up at the man and offer him my hand. He fumbles with his glove and his hand is sweaty as it grasps mine.<\/p>\n

\u201cI shall await the delegation eagerly. I feel that mutual ties between my empire and Trottvisk would be beneficial for us both. You may know that my army keeps the area around my empire safe from monsters and bandits\u2014I would like to do the same for your towns with their permission.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will tell them that at once, Your Majesty. I\u2019m sure we could provide you with anything needful\u2014we have lots of goods\u2014for your protection.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, that wasn\u2019t what I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Too late. The messenger is already promising me whatever Trottvisk can offer if we\u2019ll keep the Goblins from sacking their town. I sigh over it later when he\u2019s gone, but Prost and the others are approving. Protection for tributes. It feels wrong, but Wiskeria puts it into plainer terms for me.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have a finite force at your disposal, Your Majesty. Fighting battles\u2014even ones where you know the enemy is coming\u2014will cost you time and lives. Why shouldn\u2019t other towns offer you some sort of support for your protection? Going out of your way to keep the roads patrolled is enough of a boon as it is. Normally adventurers have to be paid vast sums to do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose you\u2019re right, Wiskeria. And on that note, I hope you can find more recruits soon. We have half a dozen adventurers, around fifty warriors and archers, you, Durene, and\u2026a Mossbear as our standing forces. That\u2019s not exactly reassuring if a larger group of Goblins comes calling.\u201d<\/p>\n

My [General] nods calmly. She\u2019s rarely in the village, often dealing with a threat or talking to other villages, but I trust her perhaps most of all my close advisors because she is so competent. She\u2019s taken to her role as well as Prost has.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeniar knows some adventurers and I have my own contacts, but I believe we\u2019ll find the most success recruiting old veterans and training new warriors from the villagers. The army might be small now, but it is substantially more powerful than most towns\u2019 militias, in my opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue. But we need more gear. If all we have is weapons taken from Goblins\u2026well, let me know if there are any more [Knights] you would like me to dub. I think I could make about ten more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wiskeria shifts as she laces her fingers together and frowns slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it might be best to wait, Your Majesty. I understand Gamel and the others are leveling quickly and that [Knights] are far superior to [Warriors], but if they are limited\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2014I should wait for truly promising recruits. I understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

I grimace. Making [Knights]. Of course, it\u2019s not without their consent and each person I\u2019ve dubbed has told me how honored they are\u2014Gamel still seems stunned and his girlfriend, Tessia, is over the moon about it\u2014but it still feels wrong. Like I\u2019m forcing them to become something they\u2019re not.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmperor Laken?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHm? I\u2019m sorry, Wiskeria. I drifted off there. What were you saying?\u201d<\/p>\n

Silently, the [Witch] offers me a cup of the tea she brews and keeps in canteens at her saddlebags. I accept it gratefully\u2014she brews very<\/em> strong tea which has more caffeine in it than coffee. It also has a very refreshing minty taste.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was saying that appointing [Lords] and [Ladies] might lure in even Gold-rank teams, if you so choose. Their loyalty might be bought, but if you\u2019re concerned, I could ask about trustworthy groups\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Her tone is cautious. I frown, but not because I\u2019m disagreeing with her. Appointing\u2026? Oh, right. That\u2019s a good idea. But\u2026alas. I sigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately, Wiskeria, I don\u2019t have any more such titles to give out, at least not now. I could probably name one or two more [Lords] and [Ladies], but nothing more. I, uh, gave the other titles away to save my village a while ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see.\u201d<\/p>\n

She\u2019s looking at me with that piercing, inquisitive gaze. And adjusting her spectacles. I keep my face smooth. I trust Wiskeria a lot after it was revealed Odveig was the spy and she was loyal all along, but telling someone about making a bunch of Frost Faeries [Baronesses] and so on is a bit\u2026well, let\u2019s just say that it\u2019s not exactly a ringing endorsement of mental health.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m willing to offer other groups land, or some kind of title, but I\u2019d rather have people who are loyal rather than here for personal gain, Wiskeria.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand. In that regard I think we\u2019ll be fine either way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh? Why\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Wiskeria counters my raised eyebrow with one of her own. She nods towards the door. I gave Wiskeria one of the first new houses we constructed, but she\u2019s already hinting she\u2019d like a personal home when we finish building the essentials. That\u2019s fair. Her neighbors are already complaining of the smells her witch brews create.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou just received a messenger from Trottvisk, Your Majesty. I imagine the other nearby villages and towns will have heard about that and your army, and will be sending their own envoys shortly. I expect at least one village will pledge themselves to you, and there will certainly be at least a handful of older warriors among their number. And that\u2019s besides the gifts you\u2019ll receive.\u201d<\/p>\n

I cough on the tea.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think so? But we already got tributes\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

She shrugs dismissively.<\/p>\n

\u201cTokens of esteem. Tributes for an [Emperor] <\/em>would be far more substantial, I imagine. Which is why spreading word of your name and class is important.\u201d<\/p>\n

I stare at her. Well, turn my head towards her while keeping my eyes closed. It\u2019s practically the same thing.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you plan all this ahead of time, Wiskeria? Is that why rumors about me keep spreading?\u201d<\/p>\n

She only smiles and sips at her tea. Witches. They\u2019re so\u2026mysterious.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Day 76<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Goblins attacked a distant village and burnt it to the ground. The people were slaughtered or taken prisoner. I heard about this through a [Message] spell sent to Wiskeria. There was no word on how many Goblins attacked or if there were Hobs, but I told Jelov I needed more markers done now<\/em>.<\/p>\n

There is a limit to how much \u2018space\u2019 each marker can cover. We need more to extend our vision past the few towns and villages around my empire. Winning a battle is all about knowing where the enemy is coming from, with as much advanced notice as possible. If a large force does come here\u2026we have to be able to set traps, lay in ambush. We don\u2019t have the soldiers yet\u2014<\/p>\n

But I am leveling up. And if I need to I will fight. Order my villagers to fight, even when their bodies are spent. Even if that means seeing more of the dead faces in my dreams.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Day 77<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The delegation arrived on horseback around midmorning, as I was about to visit Jelov the [Carver]. I would have seen them right away, but Prost insisted there was a formality to everything. He had their horses stabled and the visitors given a meal in the newly-built townhouse that also doubles as the main storehouse and kitchen, and I went to visit Jelov in the meantime.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Majesty, I\u2019m so happy to see you! Can I offer you a seat? Whoops, there\u2019s a chisel there\u2026and that\u2019s no good\u2014let me just brush off some wood shavings here. Please, please, have a seat!\u201d<\/p>\n

I smile and sit as the [Carver] sidles around me, fussing over me. I get him to sit only after a lot of coaxing. But then, it\u2019s probably only natural that Jelov is glad to see me. My usage of the marker totems that define my territory\u2014and thus the limits of my [Emperor]\u2019s sight\u2014have made him an important man in the village, where before he was something of a hermit.<\/p>\n

Now he has his own house, respect, and two apprentices. Jelov practically gushes all this out as he sits a bit too close to me, and I recall why I don\u2019t visit him all the time. Spit is good for the skin. I keep telling Durene that.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m working on more markers as we speak, sire, but my hands ache so. I carve all day, which isn\u2019t to say it\u2019s not worth doing! But I\u2019m afraid you can\u2019t rush art.\u201d<\/p>\n

I smile. Art. Each totem Jelov comes out with is subtly different. The symbol at the top is always the same, of course\u2014it\u2019s the illuminati eye, known as the Eye of Providence. But Jelov takes liberties carving the rest of the eight-foot totems, sometimes illustrating battles, sometimes carving names or other weird symbols into the wood\u2014I don\u2019t mind, and he clearly feels like uniform totems would be a crime.<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand you\u2019re working your hardest, Master Jelov. And I\u2019m not here to demand more of you\u2014rather, I wanted to know about a little rumor I\u2019ve been hearing. Something about miniature carved totems popping up around the village with my symbol on it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jelov gulps audibly. I put my cup to one side and turn my head towards him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s this about, Jelov?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014it\u2019s nothing sire. Just a little sideshow, a distraction. A hobby more like. It\u2019s just these\u2014why don\u2019t I show you one? Here?\u201d<\/p>\n

He rushes about his workshop and comes back with several objects that are all about the size of my hand. I study them in my mind\u2019s eye. They\u2019re\u2026well, they\u2019re scaled down models of the markers, carved in the same way, polished and rounded down at the edges.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiniature markers?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTotems, sir. Just like you said. Trinkets, really. It\u2019s just a little thing I\u2019ve been doing for the other folk who live here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

He sounds surprised.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, because they ask for them sire! Everyone wants one of these in their homes. They think it gives good luck. Or protection! If I wasn\u2019t carving these large markers I\u2019d be making these little ones all day. The demand\u2019s through the roof! Err\u2014not that I take time off to make them, not at all! These are just a bedtime occupation. A bit of carving between the sheets, before I sleep, sire. Honest!\u201d<\/p>\n

I have to shake my head. I know the markers are essential and people take pride in this empire and me, but this? I pick up one of the little totems Jelov\u2019s carved and frown as I trace the etchings on the wood.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou say people want this, Jelov, but how do they pay for it? No one has any money to spare\u2014unless they\u2019re giving you something else?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a hesitant request, but the villagers gladly gave me what little they had. I in turn traded with the various towns for more food, more supplies on their behalf. What was left over Prost insisted was mine, as I ruled everyone. Jelov crabs sideways, and his voice is\u2026shifty.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, y\u2019see Your Majesty, there\u2019s coin and then there\u2019s a bite of food, some fresher pillows, maybe a scented candle\u2026small things to exchange, you know? There\u2019s no harm in it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBartering. Of course. But if people need money\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s time enough for that when we\u2019re all eating rich, milord. Us simple folk just like having something to give and take with our spare time, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jelov\u2019s voice is surprisingly firm. I hesitate, and then relent and put the half-finished totem down.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust don\u2019t let it take too much time, Jelov. And tell people the totems don\u2019t work like they\u2019ll hope. I can\u2019t see everywhere at once and I wouldn\u2019t even if I could.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, you say that sire, but didn\u2019t you rescue little Evvy when that old wall collapsed onto her? You were shouting for people to dig her out before we\u2019d even noticed she was missing!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was luck, Jelov. I can\u2019t do it every time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce or twice is better than none, Your Majesty. And a bit of hope\u2019s what folk like. Not to mention my carvings look good on the mantelpiece or by the bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish<\/em> they wouldn\u2019t put them there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

I bite my lip on my reply. People are people, and I can\u2019t help what I sense. But having an image of a couple\u2026or trio\u2026having sex in vivid details is not<\/em> one of my interests, thank you. Villagers they might be, but the people of my empire have surprisingly kinky tastes. I could have lived without knowing that.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind. Why don\u2019t they put them by the windows? That\u2019s a very proper place for it. Far from the bedrooms. Maybe over the mantel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d know best, wouldn\u2019t you, sire?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jelov twinkles at me and I glumly resign myself. At least there\u2019s no real harm in it, and if people like it\u2014I turn as Jelov lifts up a tiny carved illuminati eye on a round wood ball with a flat base.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow this is a little trinket I came up with yesterday. Very small and convenient it is. Perfect for a pocket or as a gift. I\u2019m told some folks are making their own\u2014not as good as mine, of course\u2014and sending them to relatives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWonderful.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think so? I think it could use a bit of color, myself. Do you want one, milord? I could get one painted and all special like. Maybe as a gift for Miss Durene?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll think about it, Jelov. Just don\u2019t let your hobby overtake your work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, I leave the [Carver]\u2019s shop behind. Little illuminati totems. And people want<\/em> them staring at them. What next? Well, next is arguably less fun. I wipe the spit off the side of my face, and then begin the negotiations.<\/p>\n

They go well. Riverfarm, or rather, the Unseen Empire might not produce any agricultural goods, or trade goods, or any goods of any kind at the moment, but we\u2019re currently the most powerful force in the area. And because I can see everything in my territory, I can promise safety without it being a lie. It\u2019s funny how much people are willing to offer for that.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Day 78<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Word spreads quickly about the Goblin attacks. Two more delegations arrived and another village, Batte, asked for my protection. I couldn\u2019t give it. They were too far away. So the villages decided to come here<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Now the three closest towns and almost all of the villages accessible in a day\u2019s journey are under my protection. Under the protection of eighty-some warriors and Wiskeria, a [General], but a low-level one. My champion is Durene, a Level 14 [Paladin]. I\u2019m worried. But Wiskeria comes by with a proposal, and it\u2019s such a good plan that we send out messengers that night to each town and village. We have a plan in case the Goblins come in force. I hope we never have to use it.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Day 79<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cDelivery for\u2026Emperor Laken Godart? Yes, sir. My name is Thasius Griff. I am a City Runner from Invrisil. I have a delivery\u2014several deliveries for you, Your Majesty. Do you have a seal?\u201d<\/p>\n

I stare at the City Runner in front of me. My eyes drift sideways to Prost. The man shakes his head and grimaces. I look back at Thasius.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Should I?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt isn\u2019t required, Your Majesty, but a specialized and unique seal for our uh, wealthier clientele speeds up our deliveries. May I ask you to place your hand on this truth stone and declare your name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly. I am Laken Godart.\u201d<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a delicate pause. Thasius coughs. I wait a beat. So, that\u2019s what they want, is it?<\/p>\n

\u201cI am an [Emperor].\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, your\u2026Your Majesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

After a brief moment of hesitation, the smooth stone is taken back. Thasius steps backwards and fumbles with his bag of holding, a bit more hesitant than before. I tilt my head. I can\u2019t see inside the bag of holding with my [Emperor] senses, so I\u2019m as curious as my advisors around me.<\/p>\n

My advisors. That means Beniar, Wiskeria, Durene, Prost, and Gamel. In truth, Beniar\u2019s more my cavalry leader, but he\u2019s a solid adventurer and he sometimes has good advice. Durene\u2019s here because I love her. Prost and Wiskeria are both intelligent and run my empire. And Gamel\u2019s here because I want him to be here.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have\u2014excuse me\u2014I have several gifts from various clients, Your Majesty. If you will allow me, I will present them one at a time so you may confirm delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMay I ask who sent each gift?\u201d<\/p>\n

Thasius nods. He\u2019s holding the first parcel in his hands, some wrapped, bulky set of objects.<\/p>\n

\u201cEach client specifically requested their name be mentioned with their gifts, Your Majesty. There is no request for a return message, but I will deliver any verbal or physical replies free of charge as part of the service.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see. Very well then.\u201d<\/p>\n

The City Runner nods and clears his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first gift I have is from the Merchant\u2019s Guild in Invrisil. They offer you their profound thanks for rescuing two of their caravans from Goblin and monster attack respectively, and offer you a small gift as their thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

He unwraps the cloth parcel to reveal\u2026bottles. I frown at them, sensing the liquid inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cForgive me. I cannot see what these, ah, gifts are. Prost? Will you tell me what they contain?\u201d<\/p>\n

Prost steps forwards and the City Runner offers him the bottles. There\u2019s a moment of fumbling, and Prost\u2019s voice catches.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are\u2014healing potions, Your Majesty. High-quality ones. And this is a\u2014a perfume?\u201d<\/p>\n

Thasius coughed delicately.<\/p>\n

\u201cScented oils, I believe. And this one is a potion of Armorskin, a powerful one. I believe they\u2019re the same quality as the ones used by Gold-rank adventurers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can certainly use them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wiskeria murmurs in my ear. I nod, but keep my face straight. I know my reactions are being watched by Thasius, so I nod while showing little emotion.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn expensive gift. Please return my thanks to the Merchant\u2019s Guild and assure them that I hope for continued prosperity between my people and theirs. What else do you bring?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA gift from a [Merchant], Your Majesty. Specially scented soaps.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSoaps?\u201d<\/p>\n

Yes, soaps. Some are clear red, others are light purple, one\u2019s pink\u2026Durene and Wiskeria touch them, exclaiming over them softly so I let them take the bundle. Soaps. Apparently they\u2019re very<\/em> expensive. And this merchant\u2019s sending them to me as a gift.<\/p>\n

Hmm. This time I just nod towards Thasius.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease thank your client for the expensive gifts.\u201d<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t mention the [Merchant]\u2019s name or go on. And Thasius notices. And I notice that he notices. Now I think I\u2019ve got the tune of this game, so I go on.<\/p>\n

Eight gifts were sent my way, from eight people who live in the general area of Invrisil or nearby. And, coincidentally, each one was delivered at once. Was it the Runner\u2019s Guild who arranged that? Or were the roads not safe until now?<\/p>\n

Curious. I recognize two of the gifts as being from the same senders as the letters I\u2019d received over a week ago. I remember thinking hard over what to do with each letter, but I eventually did exactly what I\u2019d been advised to do.<\/p>\n

My reply to the various letters I\u2019d received had been uniform, polite denials to their requests to meet. I\u2019d told each person, from the [Merchants] to the nobles, that I was busy, invited them to pay me a visit at their convenience and so on and so forth, and expressed my best wishes for the future. I\u2019d signed it simply as \u2018Laken Godart\u2019 and not added any titles.<\/p>\n

It seemed like the thing to do. Pique interest, keep them occupied wondering what my game was, and move on with the important business while they schemed. And so, after a week of waiting, the next move these powerful figures did was to offer me gifts. And while some were useless, like the soaps and received my scant thanks in return, others were intriguing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis comes from Lady Rie, Your Majesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thasius has to struggle with his next delivery and for good reason. I blink as he pulls out a long, long package and small wrapped parcels of powder, tiny vials, and most curious of all\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cMilk?\u201d<\/p>\n

Yes, several large jugs of goat\u2019s milk. I stare at the odd collection of items that sits on the table in front of me, and Thasius explains.<\/p>\n

\u201cLady Rie delivered a short message with the gifts. She understands Your Majesty is uh\u2014uh\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBlind?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUm. Yes. So she ordered me to deliver the message verbally. It is as follows.\u201d<\/p>\n

I sense Thasius closing his eyes and he speaks slowly and carefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo [Emperor] Laken, I am Lady Rie Valerund of Invrisil. I offer you my greetings and hope that the people you have chosen to protect fare well in these troubled times. I understand you have taken several villages under your aegis, and offer these medicines, ointments, and powders that have been created to ease children into this world. The young are our future, and the taxing requirements of raising them should be lessened if at all possible. I hope and trust we shall meet in the future as circumstances allow. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors, Lady Rie.\u201d<\/p>\n

The young man is panting when he finishes. I stare at the gift Lady Rie has sent me. Piles of\u2014of\u2014baby powder? And milk? I can\u2019t help it.<\/p>\n

I laugh. The sound makes Thasius start, but then I stand up. For a second I debate making him memorize a reply of my own, but then I relent.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease tell Lady Rie that I am most grateful for her thoughtful\u2014and insightful gift. I would welcome a meeting between us and hope I can return her gift in time. I am most humbly in her debt as Emperor Laken of the Unseen Empire.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chuckling, I sit down. Thasius stares at me before scrambling to break the next gift out. That night I share around soaps, candied treats, and other goodies. I don\u2019t really want any of the things myself, and Wiskeria can use the potions. The only thing I keep is three of the soaps. They\u2019re useful and Durene wants to use them. We try the first soap that night and conclude that the soaps are good, but we need a bigger bathtub. A hot tub would be very<\/em> nice.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Day 80<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The trebuchet arm broke, but at least we knocked down a tree. Now, if only we could aim the damned thing. Ryoka said the arm had to be\u2026what was it? A ratio of 1:3.75? That\u2019s really hard to put into practice.<\/p>\n

And yet, a trebuchet\u2026I see Tessia\u2019s eyes shining as she fires a tiny prototype, and it sends a rock flying across the village. It\u2019s a good idea. I just have to make sure none of the kids make models of the trebuchet themselves. The stone brained Mister Helm and nearly cracked his skull.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Day 81<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Another town attacked. This one fought the Goblins off, but at a heavy cost. The attacks are all coming from around a mountain far to the east, and there\u2019s a rumor going around that some kind of Great Chieftain of the Goblins lives there. All the better\u2014or worse, I suppose. A Great Chieftain sounds bad, but if they\u2019re further away, it means raiding parties won\u2019t bother to travel this far. We\u2019d have to have something they really wanted for them to attack, and the Unseen Empire\u2019s greatest asset is that we\u2019re poor.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re poor. Hold on, what\u2019s moving down the north road? It\u2019s just at the limits of my senses, but it feels like it\u2019s headed north. And isn\u2019t that where\u2026?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Day 82<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The attack was sudden, fierce, and came at dawn. Over two hundred and twenty Goblins poured out of the snowy landscape, and twenty six <\/em>Hobs were leading them. It was a force that might take a town, or raze a village in less than an hour. But it was not a village nor a town that was attacked.<\/p>\n

It was a mansion. Nestled comfortably adjacent to a small town, the home of Lady Rie and the Valerund family\u2019s estate was, in theory, safe from bandits. The magical wards on the walls and the lady\u2019s own private guard were more than a match for any monster or bandit attack.<\/p>\n

But not Goblins. A [Shaman] blasted the wards off as the other Goblins swarmed through the town, setting it alight. Hobs cut down the shocked defenders as people fled towards the mansion.<\/p>\n

No one made it.<\/p>\n

The Goblins encircled the mansion, pounding on walls, trying to break the magically-reinforced glass. One Hob managed to bash through a window, but magefire and a hail of arrows dissuaded other Goblins from entering that way. Too dangerous. Instead, the [Shaman] began dancing in front of the door and the remaining Hobs brought out the battering rams. They began pounding on the doors as the lesser Goblins around them shouted, whipped into a frenzy by the [Shaman]\u2019s dancing and spells.<\/p>\n

Inside the mansion, Lady Rie Valerund and what remained of her guard sat and counted weapons. They had few bows, although there was a surplus of arrows for each one. Her servants and protectors were all gripping weapons, but they were only good steel, not enchanted. The Valerund family was not heir to the Reinhart legacy, and their bloodline had been whittled down over the years to one sole member.<\/p>\n

The scion of the Valerund blood sat in one of her upholstered chairs and looked towards the captain of her guard. He, a brawny man who\u2019d been an accomplished [Street Brawler] before she\u2019d met him, was injured. Blood ran thickly down one arm before he poured a splash of healing potion on the wound. Lady Rie eyed the bloodstains on her carpet and said not a word about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you sent a [Message] spell to Invrisil, to Lady Reinhart?\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned to her [Mage], a young man who had attended Wistram but failed to receive his mage certification. The pale-faced man nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did\u2014but they said that help won\u2019t arrive for hours yet!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn which time we shall be dead. And Lady Reinhart?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lady Rie\u2019s face was calm. Only one shaking leg betrayed her, but she kept the motion hidden by one of her gowns. Her captain of the guard, the man who\u2019d been known as Geram Redfist, looked at his mistress and then away. The young [Mage] gulped.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2014was unavailable, my lady. I tried and tried, but the [Mage] who answered said\u2014said there was nothing she could do anyways.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rie tapped at one lip thoughtfully. A loud thump<\/em> echoed down the corridors and her face paled, but she went on as if she hadn\u2019t heard.<\/p>\n

\u201cEither her magical carriages have broken down again or her staff are\u2026indisposed. No aid from her then. It seems the Goblins will break in within the hour. Unless I am wrong, Geram?\u201d<\/p>\n

The big man lowered his head. He carried no weapons, but he had two gauntlets on each hand and he had beaten the Hob who\u2019d entered to death with his bare fists.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll be in sooner than that, Miss Rie. That damn [Shaman]\u2019s creating something big out there and the Hobs are breaking the doors bit by bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lady Rie bit her lip.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought those enchantments were meant to hold a Troll off. They were Wistram-certified. Nesor, you told me they were powerful<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nesor, the young [Mage], gulped.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are, Lady Rie. But\u2014but no enchantment lasts forever! If you could shoot the Goblins or\u2014or chase them away, the magic might replenish. I could cast a spell\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Geram shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cOpen a window and you\u2019ll be filled with arrows before you can raise your hands, boy. There are Goblins climbing the roof. They\u2019re banging on the windows upstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey won\u2019t get in, surely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rie looked at Geram. He shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore the Hobs bust down the doors? No.\u201d<\/p>\n

She understood what he was saying. And what he wasn\u2019t saying. Rie looked around, at the frightened faces around her and stood up slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell then. It appears we all have an engagement with destiny. My loyal staff, Geram, Nesor, it has been a pleasure, truly.\u201d<\/p>\n

The gathered servants, [Maids], lone [Gardener], and [Cook] stared at their mistress in horror. She looked around and sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor all my scheming and plans, I didn\u2019t expect it to end like this. Not\u2026not so inelegantly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll hold them off as long as we can. I\u2019ve already barricaded the main corridor and we\u2019ve got every bow at each end. We\u2019ll make them bleed before they get to us, I swear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Geram clenched one fist as the thundering blows on the door intensified. Outside the Goblins screamed and the [Shaman] roared a word that made the silverware on the tables flash for a second. Rie flinched. Geram looked towards Nesor and the [Mage] hesitated before hurrying towards the makeshift barricades. The captain of the guard drew closer to Rie and lowered his voice. He took something off of his belt and handed it to her.<\/p>\n

Rie stared at the object. It was a dagger. She looked up at Geram\u2019s face. The man\u2019s expression was grim.<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t lie, Lady Rie, there\u2019s no way out for us. I could try opening a window and making a break for it, but the Goblins would catch us before we went half a yard. As for holding here\u2014we don\u2019t have the manpower for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She nodded and tried to laugh lightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose I should have hired that Silver-rank team like you\u2019d always advised me, shouldn\u2019t I, Geram?\u201d<\/p>\n

He smiled back. Someone screamed and his head turned. It was only a servant, seeing a Goblin\u2019s face pressed against one of the windows. He shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cThree Silver-rank teams wouldn\u2019t have made a difference, milady. But here.\u201d<\/p>\n

He offered her the dagger again. Rie stared at it.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me? I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll fight my best Geram, but I\u2019m no warrior. If there\u2019s someone who can use it better\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re all armed, milady. No. This is for the last.\u201d<\/p>\n

Geram\u2019s bald head was sweating. He looked into Rie\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll die fighting, with a Goblin\u2019s throat in my hands. But milady, the Goblins are known to capture\u2014that is, take women prisoner and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Lady Rie\u2019s face paled further. Geram hastily raised a hand in case she fainted, but she caught herself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see. I understand Geram, but that won\u2019t be necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

She drew something out of her pocket with trembling hands. Geram stared at the viscous orange liquid within. Rie smiled bitterly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all have plans for the end, Geram. In this case, this poison will kill me quicker than any dagger. And better, it will poison my body. If I am to die, I will make sure any\u2026indignities\u2026are repaid in kind.\u201d<\/p>\n

The bald man looked at Rie and smiled. He offered her a hand and Rie took it as if she were being led onto the dance floor at a ball. The two proceeded towards the barricade. Heads turned to follow them as they walked. Geram lowered his head towards her as he walked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has been an honor to serve you, my lady. I was nothing until I met you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rie whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNonsense. You were always worthy. Now. It is time.\u201d<\/p>\n

The doors were splintering. The Hobs roared as they smashed the battering ram into it again and again. The magic wards were failing. Rie turned and raised her voice. It could hardly be heard above the shrieking of the Goblins just outside, or the pounding at the doors, but still her words reached each one of her servants.<\/p>\n

\u201cLadies, gentlemen, this is it. The end. I am afraid we will die here. Perhaps horribly. And that is our fate.\u201d<\/p>\n

They stared at her. Lady Rie\u2019s chin lifted. The shaking in her knees stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you expect otherwise? No. I did not. No matter how much we beg or plead, there is no mercy here. This is Izril.<\/em> Here we fight and live and die without respite, all of us. Life is a battle. We use words like knives and fight with politics and swords. None of us are ever safe, and it is an illusion to say otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n

She paused. A thundering roar came from outside. Rie closed her eyes, and then opened them. She looked each of her servants in the face.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut remember this. We will be avenged<\/em>. Because that<\/em> is Izril as well. We repay death with death. These Goblins may win today, but they will not celebrate long. We will be avenged. Remember that, and sell your lives wisely\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMilady!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Nesor\u2019s voice, desperate and shrill. Rie closed her eyes. He had lost his grip, the poor child. She opened her mouth, tried to speak over him.<\/p>\n

\u201cRemember that! Do not give the Goblins any quarter\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMilady Rie!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSilence!\u201d<\/p>\n

Geram roared at the young [Mage]. He strode over to Nesor, and froze as the [Mage] pointed out the window. He stared. Rie turned, aware that something was happening.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on? Nesor? Geram?\u201d<\/p>\n

No one answered her. Rie strode over to one of the windows. Her first impression was a heaving sea of green bodies, but then her eyes focused on something in the distance. They widened.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat on earth\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was another sound. Rie turned left and saw Nesor falling backwards. His eyes were flickering and she saw the telltale signs of an incoming [Message] spell. He gasped and she rushed over to him.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cIt\u2019s\u2014a [Message]. To you. Lady Rie. It says\u2014says\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Nesor was a poor [Mage], unable to process [Message] spells like an experienced spellcaster. Normally Rie didn\u2019t care, but at the moment she couldn\u2019t bear to wait. She shook him impatiently.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell? Out with it!\u201d<\/p>\n

The young man choked. Geram pulled Rie back, and then Nesor\u2019s head rose. He spoke slowly, each word ringing in the sudden silence outside.<\/p>\n

\u201cLady Rie. I thank you for your gift. Though it is humble, I seek to return the favor. In this dire hour, I offer you the gift of swords.\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, Rie\u2019s head rose. She looked back towards the window and all the pieces fell into place. She walked towards the windows and saw the army, shining as it marched towards the Goblins. She breathed the words slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmperor Laken.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

An army halts within range of the mansion. I have to pause when I see the numbers. Over a hundred\u2014two hundred Goblins. And so many Hobs! And one of them is a powerful spellcaster.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a force that could swallow Riverfarm whole. Far greater than the last one we faced or any since. And normally I wouldn\u2019t dare risk my army fighting them. But it\u2019s not just my army here.<\/p>\n

Wiskeria gallops her horse forwards. Her voice is a shout that echoes as Goblins break away from pounding on the mansion\u2019s doors and stream towards us.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Archers], aim! Hold, hold<\/em> I said! Wait for them to draw nearer. Cavalry, on my signal! Infantry, brace!\u201d<\/p>\n

A hundred bows rise at her order. A hundred. Or more. I didn\u2019t count. They\u2019re not our bowmen, not just ours, at any rate. No, they\u2019re [Guardsmen], retired [Hunters], warriors, even a few adventurers. From each town and village we could reach. And not just them. Rows of armored [Warriors] brace themselves in a line while mounted warriors line up. They\u2019re carrying banners, and Beniar\u2019s voice rises with Wiskeria\u2019s. He trots them left as the Goblins approach.<\/p>\n

\u201cLoose!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

A shower of arrows shoots upwards. Goblins scream and race towards us, some returning fire. Bodies jerk and tumble downwards. The Hobs are charging from the front. I see Durene standing tall, her shield and club in hand.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m at the back. I raise my hand as I hear a rumbling growl next to me. The Mossbear roars as the Goblins stream at us.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait. Not yet. Wait\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Wiskeria is shouting.<\/p>\n

\u201cLoose!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Another flight. Now Beniar\u2019s cavalry circles the Goblins, searching for their flanks. I see the Goblin [Shaman] dancing, casting huge jets of fire at the riders, burning them. From our midst, several robed figures with wands loose spells at the [Shaman].<\/p>\n

And then they\u2019re here. The Goblins charge into our ranks. Wiskeria turns and points. The soldiers surge forwards. My hand tightens on the Mossbear\u2019s fur for a second.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

He roars and charges forwards. Durene is trading blows with a Hob, and I stand, watching the battle in my mind\u2019s eye. It\u2019s all hazy. The markers are barely working. But I\u2019m waiting. Wiskeria shouts my name.<\/p>\n

\u201cLaken! Now!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKneel.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

My words break across the Goblins as Beniar charges into their midst. Some fall to their knees. Others just hesitate. The soldiers cut down the hesitating Goblins and charge forwards. I stand where I am.<\/p>\n

An army. Over four hundred soldiers all told, including our forces. A levy. I stare towards the mansion where Lady Rie lives, a hazy shape in my mind\u2019s eye. Is it worth the cost? Is it worth the dying men and women around me? I don\u2019t know. But the Goblins are a threat. And so I raise my finger.<\/p>\n

The [Shaman] is laughing, blocking spells with one hand and shooting globs of acid that melt the soldiers fighting around me. Wiskeria is blasting Hobs with lightning, and the archers\u2019 arrows swerve before they reach the [Shaman]. I point at the laughing Goblin and speak into his ears.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

He does. His head turns towards me and his attention wavers. I see him frown, then turn his head, eyes widening. Too late. Beniar rushes towards him and leaps from his horse. My [Cataphract], my [Captain], impales the [Shaman] with his sword and falls to the ground, hacking at the Goblin. I stand as the bloodbath continues. I am Laken, and this is my war.<\/p>\n

I can sense each soldier that falls. I hear them screaming. Some beg for life, others curse the Goblins as they die. Others die silent, surprised. But never alone.<\/p>\n

I hear them all. And I do not ask them for more. Not today. The battle is won. The Goblins, outnumbered, fight to the last. The Hobs do terrible damage to my forces, but they do die. I watch them fall.<\/p>\n

And when it\u2019s over, I meet Lady Rie. She says not a word, but walks out of her mansion, blood soaking the hem of her dress. Near the end I saw the doors open and her servants and personal guard rush out. They fought well, especially the bald man in armor.<\/p>\n

She says not a word as she approaches me. I stand as the Mossbear whuffs and licks at an open cut on its side. Durene sits next to me, covered in blood, injured and alive. I walk over to Lady Rie, wondering what I should say.<\/p>\n

She says nothing. As I approach, she drops to her knees in the muck and blood. I stare at her, and see the bald man and the young man in robes drop to their knees beside her. Lady Rie lowers her head. I watch her kneel, and sense the other soldiers around me doing the same. I look around.<\/p>\n

The other soldiers kneel. A disparate group, soldiers and retired warriors, fathers and mothers and retired veterans from different homes. People who know this land, who rose up at a chance to defend it. It was nothing special, what I did. I proposed an alliance, I offered them a chance to fight as one. Anyone could have done it.<\/p>\n

But I did it. And now they kneel to me. And some shout my name.<\/p>\n

\u201cLaken! Emperor Laken!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Unseen Emperor!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Emperor of Beasts!\u201d<\/p>\n

That last one is new. I glance backwards and sense the Mossbear licking Durene\u2019s arm. I have to smile. It\u2019s a story, and I\u2019m a bad actor in it. But I\u2019m slowly learning my lines. Because this is what I have to do. The road\u2019s been set and I have to walk down it.<\/p>\n

I am Laken, and it\u2019s begun.<\/p>\n

My empire.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

[Emperor Level 19!]<\/p>\n

[Skill \u2013 Imperial Levy obtained!]<\/p>\n

[Skill \u2013 Empire: Darksky Riders obtained!]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

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

Day 72 \u00a0 In this world, the main method of transportation between settlements is with wagons. True, you could argue that Runners and magic play their own roles, but the price for such deliveries is usually out of reach for the common villager. They might be able to afford a letter in a bulk delivery […]<\/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":[11693084,349],"tags":[7224,250708,4330244,4472517,11693079],"twi_volume":[11693133],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-4327","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-4","category-writing","tag-fantasy","tag-inn","tag-web-novel","tag-web-serial","tag-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n4.35 E - 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\/2018\/05\/15\/4-35-e\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"4.35 E\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Day 72 \u00a0 In this world, the main method of transportation between settlements is with wagons. 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They might be able to afford a letter in a bulk delivery […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/05\/15\/4-35-e\/\" \/>\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=\"2018-05-15T09:06:55+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-24T00:57:39+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=\"59 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/05\/15\/4-35-e\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/05\/15\/4-35-e\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"pirateaba\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/person\/bc89b3c76fb60f3fe9e390c2aeee3aa4\"},\"headline\":\"4.35 E\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-05-15T09:06:55+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-24T00:57:39+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/05\/15\/4-35-e\/\"},\"wordCount\":11715,\"commentCount\":124,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#organization\"},\"keywords\":[\"fantasy\",\"inn\",\"web novel\",\"web serial\",\"Writing\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Volume 4\",\"Writing\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/05\/15\/4-35-e\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/05\/15\/4-35-e\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/05\/15\/4-35-e\/\",\"name\":\"4.35 E - The Wandering Inn\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2018-05-15T09:06:55+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-24T00:57:39+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/05\/15\/4-35-e\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/05\/15\/4-35-e\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/05\/15\/4-35-e\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"4.35 E\"}]},{\"@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. 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