《Escaping the Box》Chapter 3: Part 3
Advertisement
Emily's POV After finishing her explanation, Emily went back to the bar. She leaned on her elbows and sighed. Business for her inn had not been good since the war started against the orcs. People struggled as taxes increased, so they could only afford the basics. Some of the townspeople would visit during holidays, but that was not sustainable. Emily saw Leylin as an opportunity. Although it was suspicious for a traveller to visit during a war, she was willing to risk helping him. After he found work, Leylin would have to pay for a room at her inn, allowing her to stay open. It was a win-win situation, and it helped that she felt good doing it. The only risk was that the war had become more dire over time. If Leylin was conscripted, there was nothing she could do to stop him from leaving. She held onto the hope that the Queen's Army wouldn't need to visit a remote place like this. Thinking ahead, Emily began to consider how she could help Leylin find a job. She considered introducing him to the Bounty Board, but a lot of those jobs were dangerous. Many involved finding murderers, making it very risky, but the reward for completing a bounty was high. Others called for the subjugation of deadly monsters, which ironically was safer. This reward also attracted a lot of competition, and many of the people drawn were distasteful. A lot of the bounty hunters were worse than the monsters and people they hunted. They would turn against their partners, so the reward would be all theirs. Considering these things, Emily decided that it would be best to think of something else. Sadly, she couldn't think of any available jobs, and she did not have enough funds to hire him herself. Reaching this predicament, she gave up. Introducing him to bounties wouldn't hurt if he understood the risks. She still worried that he might be harmed. That would devastate her because she would believe it was her fault. Emily stood up, decisive. She checked on Leylin before leaving. As she opened the door to the storage room, she saw him butchering a sheep. He let out muffled curses as blood spilled on him, but he continued working diligently. Seeing this odd side of him, Emily found it slightly endearing. After observing him for a bit, she left. Walking down the road, she waved and smiled to the other townspeople. They called out to her "Good afternoon, Miss Emily," and so on as she moved. The villagers' attitudes toward Emily were a stark contrast compared to their suspicion of Leylin. Arriving at the Bounty Board, Emily saw one warrant that dominated the space. Issued by Her Royal Highness on the 12th of February, The murderer known as The Tailor is suspected to be involved in the murder of 22 people in the Town of Dry Springs and surrounding establishments. It is suspected that The Tailor is a lich masquerading as a human, specifically its victims. The Tailor is wanted dead, and any citizen who completes this task will receive a reward of 10 Gold Pieces from the Royal Treasurer. Please note, the expected danger level of this bounty is severe. 'Nope, that one is way too dangerous,' thought Emily. She looked at the other, less notable bounties. A few ordered for the subjugation of some minor monsters, one that Emily assumed was a joke said, "Looking for a wife! Reward: ME!" After giggling for a bit, she turned her attention back to the serious requests. The rewards for these were pitiful, only a few Bronze Pieces each. Regardless, there was no other choice. Emily headed back to the inn after handpicking a few of the easier ones.
Advertisement
Advertisement
- In Serial85 Chapters
The Acts of Androkles
Elevator pitch: '300' meets 'Lone Wolf and Cub'. A retired veteran has to keep some orphans from being eaten by horrible monsters. This fiction contains the professionally-published novel Obstacles as well as the ongoing sequels. Back Cover Copy:Androkles, son of Paramonos, spent twenty-five years in the world’s greatest army trying to earn enough money to buy back his good name. He’s battle-scarred, weary, and heartbroken after decades of watching dear friends die, but he survived. He’s ready to retire and be welcomed as a hero, finally able to see the reward he sacrificed so much to achieve. There’s only one problem: his wife just fled civilization with all his hard-won savings. Now he must pursue her north, through desperate bandits, ravening beasts, and worse. But after he rescues a pair of orphans from starvation, he is faced with his most difficult challenge yet: a question that goes to the very heart of honor. The consequences might be deeper than he realizes, and it’s not just his life on the line… Updates: Irregular but Ongoing Book title in the chapter heading. If you like what you're reading, please consider purchasing a copy of the published novel Obstacles: books2read.com/u/mleazq
8 197 - In Serial43 Chapters
Dear Human
Nial of Grennport needs to get out of town because he just killed someone. In his own words, it was "a self defense thing." So he embarks on a pilgrimage to a mysterious magical shrine across the desert with ten other pilgrims. When the murders begin to happen, everyone suspects everyone else, and it becomes immediately clear that no one is who they claim to be. Who's the killer? Is it the pompous wizard? Is it the strange creature who's always invisible? Is it the girl Nial has a crush on? And who's next? NOTE: This work of high fantasy is complete at 120,000 words, and I'll be releasing a chapter every day or so, including weekends, unless something prevents me.
8 214 - In Serial28 Chapters
Ascendant: Online | Book One | Witness the Beginning
Antonious King has been selected to beta-test what promises to be the best VR MMO of 2038. As one of three hundred in the “Ascendant Program” he’ll take part in a bloody civil war between the King of the Gods, Ignacious and the God-Hero Auren, granted powerful relics and artifacts, and a near-immortal body. What’s the catch? There’s no Logging out. There is no game. The planet Earth has been destroyed on a whim and the “Cadre of Justice” hunts Auren and his Ascendants across space with brutal efficiency. Tony learns quickly that there is much more at stake than gaining early access to the game everyone’s been waiting for. Forced into combat sports as a child by a father obsessed with victory, Tony finds himself again, forced into conflict. With his back against the wall and the most powerful beings in the universe out for his head, Tony unlocks the Dread Knight class; the perfect specialization for survival in the harsh biome of Arach and avenging mankind. The hard part? He won’t be able to do it alone. Vasna, the Totemic World-Shaping Shaman, Auren, the Lord of Auras, Jorogu of the Yokai cluster, and a friend thought long gone are just a few of the allies Tony will need to rally against Ignacious the Maddened God-King. Welcome, to Ascendant: Online
8 893 - In Serial18 Chapters
The Wheel of Samsara
When Amon finds a sword by chance, he is dragged into a conflict that has been happening for ages. He has no wish to be part of and has no relations to it, yet he can't seem to escape from it. But is that really true? Fate will always have us face the consequences of our choices, even if we made them in our past lives.
8 297 - In Serial60 Chapters
The Alpha's Beta (BOOK 1)
"My daughter, will never be in charge of this pack, so get that idea out of your head"I'm absolutely gob smacked, I decide to put the earlier idea from my head into words to see what reaction I would get. With a slight raise in my voice, I put my point across."And whys that? If Tim wasn't born, I would be next in line for the Alpha's place""I would give the title over to my brother, our Beta. I would not give the title and the pack over to my little girl!"Oh, I see where this is going, he doesn't think id be able to manage it. Right now I'm seething with rage. My voice again, going louder, with a growl added to it "So you don't think I'd be able to run this pack, because I'm a girl!"I look back at my dad, he's panting while holding back growls, his eyes go black, he's physically shaking trying to hold his wolf form back, he's claws come out, crushing the side of his desk.I carry on looking at him, head held high, I will make my point that I wont back down on this issue. My dad lifts his head and practically shouts so the whole pack can hear him."The reason why you wont be Alpha is because of what happened the last time another Alpha stepped foot into my territory!"
8 130 - In Serial15 Chapters
The Skeleton God
On the continent of Alurgaia, in the ruins of the capital city of a fallen empire a lone figure claws itself free of a stone tomb. Standing in the rubble the figure is left with countless questions, but only a stone slab with four words carved on it to answer them. Follow this lost soul as he attempts to find some answer to his existence, and purpose in a fallen kingdom over run by the undead.Note: Mature tag added for scenes containing gore, violence, and occasional swear words.
8 201

