I still had a long walk to Danver, so I woke up just before sunrise to set off, hoping to make it by the afternoon.

Val had led me to a nice cubby among a boulder field that allowed me to build a small fire and stay relatively hidden. That fire completed my first tier in the Firestarter Competency, and any fire I created would now burn hotter and for longer. Someday, when I had the time, I’d need to test it to see how much of a difference it made. The next tier promised a more significant increase.

I had camped far enough away from civilization that bandits were a legitimate worry. Thankfully, the night went smoothly, and I had slept well, knowing Val was watching over me. Or at least watching over her asset.

As the sunrise brought the morning light, I realized I wasn’t the only one on the road today. A good distance ahead, I saw three wagons traveling down a road from the north that would soon connect to the main road to Danver.

The closer I got, the more traffic I noticed. Most were still a long distance off, but the road was coming to life. Like me, it seemed many travelers had found a safe place and were now beginning their day.

As I walked down the road to Danver, and I mean literally down, as I was losing elevation with each step, I couldn’t help but admire the world around me. This new earth was beautiful and ripe, yet it felt somehow ancient and primordial, even though I knew it was only four months old. I felt like I had been thrown into Lord of the Rings or a fantasy game filled with sweeping vistas and unique, fantastical landscapes. Rivers carved pathways across the land. A massive pine forest stretched for miles to the north of Danver. To the south, large fields full of crops ranged for miles.

I could see a few smaller towns I’d have to pass on my way to Danver. I had no intention of stopping in them other than to restock on necessities.

We’d cross that bridge when we got to it.

I walked the road to Danver for two hours before reaching the first small town. When I entered it, a notification popped up.

YOU HAVE DISCOVERED RIVERBEND

Population – 209

EXPERIENCE GAINED: 5 Points

Wow, so generous of the AI to reward me with five points. The damn thing was holding out on me. I had traveled days to get here but only received five measly points. It didn’t seem fair for the work I put in. I hoped to get a sizable increase when I discovered Danver.

When I entered the town, it was far more advanced than the small town of Brighton where my journey began. However, I recalled also receiving only five points for that. Maybe all location discoveries were the same reward. If so, it would be lame.

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This well-kept town had cobblestone streets and solid, wooden buildings. It was a mix of homes and shops that also served as the owners' homes. To the north side of Riverbend was a large field full of sheep, and I assumed from the number of animals that sheep were a significant contributor to Riverbend’s economy—that, and the river flowing through it.

I found a shop named Traveler’s Delight and decided to pop in to say hello and see if they had anything I could use. I never collected my gold payment from Tara, but I still had enough change left to buy some food.

Ultimately, I spent a third of my remaining coin to get two more bread loaves, two lamb sausages, and six apples. It was enough to get me through the short hike to Danver with a full belly.

The woman who sold it to me was young and blond and seemed to hate her job. But, I followed Val’s advice for once and didn’t engage her in idle conversation. I had a feeling a conversation with this individual could lead to a dynamic quest, and I’m fine with the one I already have, despite its daunting nature.

We negotiated a little, and I managed to save two silvers.

Once I had what I needed, I went through the town, intending to stick to the main road and pass through without further distractions.

I had almost made it out when my quiet exit was interrupted.

“Hold on,” a deep, raspy, and decidedly unhuman voice said from my back. “You. In the leather jerkin. Stop where you are.”

I stopped and turned around, knowing I would see one of the Kurs. And I was right. He was a Kurskin, and a bit on the older side from the other lizards I had seen.

“Come here a moment, I need to speak with you.”

“Do as he asks,” Val said.

I complied and walked forward, not needing to feign my nervousness. “What can I do for you, good sir?” I said, sounding like a nice subservient NPC.

He walked closer to me and clawed at the side of my leather jerkin, and I immediately knew what the problem was. He showed me a mark on the jerkin, indicating it was for use in the Kurskin Army Infantry.

“I will ask this once,” he hissed. “And if I find out you lied to me, I will cut you down where you stand. So tell me the truth. Are you a deserter?”

I did my best to look shocked, wide eyes and all. “Wha…what? Deserter? I. No. I’ve never been in an army.”

“Then why are you wearing this?” He tapped the leather vest.

“It’s just a leather jerkin,” I said with a shrug, building up the lie. “Some guy came through a while back and sold it to me for two silvers. The deal was too good to pass up.” I looked down at my feet. “Although, now I think I understand why.”

The Kurskin snarled but didn’t strike. “You are wearing the vest of one of our infantrymen. No doubt that man who sold it to you was a deserter. I’ll need a name and location.”

I held my hands up. “He didn’t tell me a name. All I know is he left Danver and was heading east.”

“Take it off,” the Kur snarled. “Or I will take it off for you.”

Within two seconds, I had that thing unhooked and off my body. I handed it over to him, praying this would be the end of the encounter. I thanked God that my sword was currently in my inventory and not visible, although it was a pretty basic sword and had no discerning marks as far as I knew.

He looked at me a moment longer, probably deciding if he wanted to kill me or not. Then, he snatched the jerkin out of my hands. “Leave. Now.”

I bowed my head like a good boy and turned beelined for the road out of Riverbend.

‘That was way too close,’ I said to Val.

“I must commend you for talking your way out of that situation. You can be a good liar when you need to be. I’m proud of you.”

‘Lying isn’t something to be proud of.’

“No, but lying in order to save your life, despite your moral objection to it, is, in fact, something to be proud of.”

‘Well, thanks, I guess.’

“You are welcome, Ethan. Now, let's hurry on to Danver. We need to make you stronger—a lot stronger.”

‘We’re on the same page, Val. Let’s put this shitshow of a journey behind us.’