Whenever I read one of my old collection of adventure-themed novels, one thing the authors tended to either leave out or only pay lip-service to was the sheer...monotony...that accompanies a long journey on foot with no means of entertainment.

Cresting what feels like the hundredth small hill, I gaze out upon a seemingly endless sea of greens and yellows. Grass and whatever else growing for as far as the eye can see up to my waistline. The western portion of the country is a sparsely populated region, sure, but the lack of the large amount of company I had when I last left home puts the whole thing in perspective, I guess.

Oh, the view is great, if you're a nature or hiking enthusiast - something I'm decidedly not - but I'm starting to feel technology withdrawal. Gods above, it's going decades before I touch a computer again - assuming I don't die along the way. Didn't really give it much thought at the time, but wow. A lifetime without video games and...other...things...

That's going to be rough. I need to think about picking up some new hobbies.

I take a swig from the large waterskin generously donated by Adri after a lot more half-hearted passive-aggressive bullshit. The water is a little on the tepid side and tastes faintly of shoe leather. Hopefully, that doesn't mean they gave me a rotten waterskin, because dying to poison because I rejected the juvenile lust of a teenage girl would be just the worst. I can stomach fighting a demonic dragon trying to destroy all existence and dying from my wounds after ripping its head off with my bare hands, but dying because of teenage relationship drama?

Just, no.

But paranoia isn't going to keep me hydrated, so fuck it. Take another swig, cap it and carry on.

After a while, I start passing the time by pondering why all this space is just...I don't know, space. There's villages, trading camps and hamlets here and there, of course. Except, I can't help but find it odd how little effort has been put into fully utilising all this land. How many acres of unsettled earth is out here? Gotta be hundreds, easy.

There is, of course, the ever-present risk of monster and beast attacks, even out here, but nothing normally found out here is capable of posing a threat to the nation's army, I wouldn't think.

Actually, there's an interesting point. There's very little in the way of an official government presence out here. Occasionally a tax collection party will ride out to the settlements, but as far as I know, the smaller settlements west of Mhin are just left to their own devices.

The answer to these two riddles is more than likely the same, but I haven't the slightest clue what it could be. Nealan was and to a fair extent still is a simple country boy. The only reason I'm thinking about all this is that Cyril naturally more inquisitive and sceptical than Nealan is himself.

Another mystery for the growing pile, I guess...

Hours later, as the afternoon sun hangs overhead, I still don't find myself any closer to understanding the troubling lack of oversight from our supposed King, but in happier news, I do find myself a kilometer or so away from a small village.

Gilmy Village is a village of horse breeders you can almost smell before you see it. Much closer to the Klennock Village I remember from before the Monster Flood, if a lot smaller. The fields surrounding the village are populated by dozens of horses and several larger buildings to serve as stables.

After this, there won't be another village in the direct path to Mhin, so this is to be my jumping off point, where I can enjoy a night with a roof over my head one last time before I reach my destination. Unless the price of a bed and a meal turns out to be too expensive at the very least.

As with Klennock Village being the largest consistent supplier of Klennockwood in the kingdom, Gilmy is the same for well-bred horses. Whether you're a merchant looking for something to pull your cart or a knight looking for a warhorse to ride into battle, chances are the beast has passed through Gilmy at some point, or else can trace its lineage to one of the village's studs.

I don't know how it compares to other pedigrees, but the merchants that pass through here to change their horses on the way to Klennock Village love to lavish praise on the horses from here.

Sufficed to say, I won't be riding one. Even if I had the money - easily over a Quartz Nonne if I was to estimate - I wouldn't know how to actually ride the thing with any skill. I'll keep my money in my boot, and my feet on the ground, thank you very much.

At least, for now. Depending on how things work out, I may end up coming back here later on for a horse of my own. Because no way in hell am I going to just walk across the continent on grand adventures when there are better options. I'll run out of patience before I run out of boot leather.

Joining and walking along a beaten dirt path leading out from the village centre, I spot a young woman sitting atop a fence, looking out across the field of horses and workers with a sort of dazed expression. I suppose I could call out to her, but that whole mess with Lizzle is still fresh in my mind, so I decide against it.

I'm not interested in getting involved with anyone right now. I just want to take a load off my feet.

I pass her by in relative silence, eliciting nary a peep from her. Looking back I note that she hasn't actually...moved. I half expect her to start drooling, actually. Whatever, none of my business.

"Hey!" A voice yells out, drawing my attention to a lean young man with tanned skin running across the field in our direction. I don't get the impression he's talking to me, though, so I ignore it and keep walking.

"What are you doing, just spacin' out over here, Iffmy? C'mon we've got work to do..."

The village itself is quiet, with most of the residents out in the fields and stables. The breeze is soft and chill, to accompany the comforting silence. It's a nice place, not unlike Klennock, but without the fear of further tragedy hanging over it like a vague pall.

Lowering my bag to the ground, I roll my stiff shoulder and look around the place for a sign that denotes the local Inn. Back in Klennock that would be a simple matter, as The Woodsman is close to the main gate and is one of the few buildings with more than a single story. In Gilmy, it seems as though they all have at least two floors above ground.

Although several buildings have signs hanging from poles, thankfully only one gives the impression of what I'm looking for, as it depicts a knight holding a mug of ale high in place of a sword. There are words burned into the wood beneath it but, unfortunately, Nealan can't actually read very well. I recognise the word 'Knight' but not the other.

If i'm to become an Adventurer, learning to read the local language is going to be a must. Add that to the growing to-do list.

Quest Accepted! When In Eden... Personal Quest Difficulty: Simple

The ability to read and write in fluent Hommish is usually not considered an important skill for the commonfolk outside of certain professions.

But the life an Adventurer is anything but common, and requires a wide array of skills.

Objective/s:

Learn to read fluent Hommish 0/1

Learn to write fluent Hommish 0/1

Rewards:

N/A

The skills required to complete this quest are their own reward and may lead to further opportunities.

I guess setting goals like that for myself can be considered accepting a quest. Honestly, I'm kind of questioning why it's even classed as a quest when I don't get any rewards from it but I guess the 'further opportunities' it mentions are a given.

I suppose I should look for someone who can teach me in Mhin. I doubt I'm going to find what I need for that in Gilmy, after all.

Hefting my belongings back over my shoulder, I stroll over to what I presume to be the Inn and walk through the off-centre open archway into a narrow hallway with a wide set of stairs leading up and doors to my immediate left and right. The left door opens out into a modest common area with about a dozen patrons in varying styles of dress chatting amongst their fellows. Though most are of a higher cut, with colourful tunics and fancy caps, a couple of men and women look to be local workers, with dusty leather aprons, worn boots and filth-stained, undyed linen shirts.

The fancy ones are likely merchants or servants of the nobility; either stopping by on their way to other locations or here to make a purchase for one of the village's thoroughbreds.

Behind the bar counter, a rack of barrels with polished brass spigots sits embedded into the wall, fussed over by a middle-aged man with a chubby face and a shiny bald head. Hearing me enter, he looks over at me with a jovial smile, beckoning me with a strangely clean hand.

Seeing no reason not to oblige the invitation, I weave through the tables to the bar, setting the sack down once again, and giving him a nod, "Greetings."

The Innkeep places his hands on the counter, smiling wider, "Greetings! M'names Jomsy, welcome to The Knight's Solace!" So that's what the other word was... "What can I get ya, young man? Pint? A meal? Soups still hot, and we got a leg of roast beef due out in an hour if ya fancy."

I consider buying something hot to eat for my lunch. But with how upscale this place probably is, I'm not sure I can afford to splurge blindly.

Perhaps noting my hesitation, Jomsy laughs, "Don't worry lad, I don't overcharge too much! The Tenders'd have my balls on a spit. It's three Nonne for a bowl, and twelve for a couple cuts of beef with some extra veg and a puddle o' gravy. Ale'll cost you about four a pint, but that depends which of our brews you go for. We got a real smooth pale ale the workers like for three a pint. Though I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't use their nickname for it. I charge double if ya do."

I nod. His asking prices are more than generous, although my funds are still limited to about 400 Nonne, and I need most of that for when I get to Mhin.

"How much for a room and a meal?"

He rubs his chin, "Twenny a night. Ya get a bowl of soup and a bread roll at sundown, plus a bath if you pay five extra. You want breakfast makin' too, that'll be five again, but we'll accommodate you if you want something specific."

Twenty Nonne is a bit steep compared to the meal, but I don't mind paying a premium just for one night.

"I'll take a room for one then. Oatcake and a black pudding for breakfast if that's alright."

The Innkeep nods, "I'll tell the Chef. Think we have a nice sausage still left over from winter. Breakfast will be about a bell after dawn."

Reaching into my bag I take a handful of coin, count it off, then hand it over, taking a small cast iron key in exchange.

"Third door from the right upstairs, lad," The Innkeep says, "And if you've a mind to earn a bread roll you can come back down and do me a favour."

I tilt my head, "A favour? What kind?"

Again, Jomsy laughs, "Get your things squared away first."

Sighing, I thank him and turn to leave.

The room is a fairly simple affair. The bed is covered in a green quilt with a thick hay stuffed mattress, a small table and a shuttered window. Not too different from my room back home, really. Dumping my bag on the bed, I lock the door again and head back to the bar, where Jomsy stands waiting, with a large ceramic stewpot sat on the countertop.

"Thought you'd be interested," He smiles, "This pot here needs taking back to our neighbour. Borrowed it the other week after we broke one of ours. Replaced it courtesy of one of the patrons here, so it needs going back."

I consider the offer, then squint at the Innkeep, "Bread roll ain't stale is it?"

Jomsy lets out a hearty chuckle, "No, it's fresh this morning."

I nod, "Alright. Throw in a pint and you got yerself a deal."

"Don't be greedy, lad," the smiling innkeep scolds.

I shrug. Had to try.

Quest Accepted! Our Daily Bread Commissioned Quest Difficulty: Simple

The owner of The Knight's Solace has asked you for a small favour in exchange for a meager meal.

Objective/s:

Deliver the Stewpot to it's owner 0/1

Rewards:

1x Bread Roll

Marginally Increased Fame in Gilmy Village

Improved relationship with Jomsy, the Innkeeper

Don't you just love FedEx quests? Whatever, I'm hungry. I'll get over it when I've got a full stomach.