Sherry-By-The-Bend.

Well, the day had arrived, Clive thought as he and Kilpa bought and bartered for a few things to take to Jeb's. Nothing too fancy, or expensive. Mainly fruits, vegetables, and berries. Some of which he asked the halflings cooks to prepare into a handful of pies along with some meat they had set aside that wasn't going to be thrown into their winter stocks.

Food, check, Clive thought as he and Kilpa carried their offerings to his, still dented, car. He sighed as he recalled that he still hadn't had time to get Dylan and Alban settled in the colony outside of a couple of tents for them to use.

Not like there was much he could do anyway, he thought. The halflings got priority when it came to housing and land and he doubt they'd change their minds for the artificers. He'd offer them something when the time came. But he was already struggling just to maintain his power and influence as is and was also taking a chance putting the constables in charge while they were away.

"Just hope they'll manage alright for now." Clive muttered as they loaded up their goods.

"Who?" Kilpa asked.

"The artificers, and the colony, and Sloth." Clive listed off as he started to realize that he really did have so many problems to deal with.

"E'erythin' will be fine fer a few 'ours. Ifin it doesn'y, then it wouldn'y matter ifin you were 'ere er not." Kilpa explained, semi-helpfully.

"That doesn't make me feel any better." Clive grumbled as they finished loading and he turned to Constable Bigsby and his men.

"Remember what I said?" He asked the halfling bobby.

"Aye! Keep order, keep thin's calm, make sure no-one causes a fuss while yer away." Constable Bigsby replied.

"Good. Good." Clive said with far less enthusiasm than he would've liked.

Clive looked around and patted and played with his pockets like he was forgetting something, or maybe wanting something to keep him here just a little longer just to make sure things wouldn't immediately fall apart or burst into flames upon his leave.

But try as he might to find an excuse to stay, he had few that were easily justifiable compared to seeing Jeb and having some time away from the frustrating Big Families. So with a little trepidation he said his goodbyes and got into his car. Kilpa followed, though just as uneased as he was, though for different reasons he was sure.

They were going to see the kobolds that she had a hand in almost wiping out. She also wasn't as used to traveling by motor vehicle and the thing rumbling to life still startled her and caused her to tense up and grip onto the passenger door.

Clive was tempted to make a snarky comment to lighten the mood a little. But he didn't really have it in him for a quip at the moment. He'll probably think of a good one hours from now when it no longer mattered though.

He glanced out the window at the colony one last time. At the bustling paths that were filled with a mixture of halflings going about their daily lives without a care, human workers coming and going as they transported building materials to the various construction projects, to the plastic wrapped tent that housed the Feds, and to the green fatigued grunts that went on their business.

Then he looked further and towards the woods and the lake. He really hoped nothing happened while they were gone. Not like he could do anything if it did. But still, wishful thinking and all that, Clive thought as he put the car into reverse. Careful to avoid hitting the elven laborers, which he was sure would flare up into another problem to deal with. Once they had the dirt road ahead of them, Clive put it into drive. The shift acting like a bell tolling as he pushed on the gas and started down the road, and away from the colony. The problems and responsibilities slowly physically shrinking away as they got further and further away until they were out of sight, but not out of mind.

He sighed and shook his head a little and turned on the radio. He half expected nothing but static but was pretty surprised when music came in loud and clear, as clear as it could get being this far from more modern civilization that is.

He took some mild comfort in Kilpa looking at the radio like she wasn't sure what the hell it was. He figured he should do the right thing and at least try and explain it to her, though he doubt she'd get it as much as Hamish got his explanation for electricity and power and all that.

"It's a device that channels music and people's voices from far away."

"'Ow?" She asked as she still eyed the radio.

"Radio waves. They're these invisible waves that fly through the air that transmit from one source to another. Sending stuff like music, people talking, and alerts or announcements to people far and wide." He said as he noted Kilpa taking a curious glance outside.

"Like mana?"

"I guess? It's kinda hard to explain, especially since physics wasn't what I majored in. But think of it like heat, or mana I guess, just because you can't see it with your own eyes doesn't mean it isn't there. What it's doing is flying from an antenna somewhere else to the antenna here on my car."

"So like magic then?" Kilpa asked.

Clive held back a laugh. He should really get used to this. Trying to explain most, if not all, modern science would probably just be simplified as being magic to the halflings. Even Kilpa and Dylan, who would be more in the know about some stuff, would still chalk alot of it up to just magic. How was he to explain it otherwise? Most of the knowledge of radio waves, radiation, and other stuff like that came from late elementary and up. He doubt they taught any of that in whatever medieval school they went to. If they went to one at all.

"Yeah. Like magic." He said after a minute. He wanted to explain it to her more. But it would be like trying to teach a child about rocket science. The complicated number and physics stuff and not the building a paper rocket and watching it fly, and fall, through the air.

Deciding that whatever country song was playing wasn't worth listening to, he twisted the knob and turned it to a local news station, which he was again surprised actually came in.

"-side the governor's office where a spokesman of Governor MacGuiness would be takin' questions about recent events."

Clive cocked a brow as they continued to drive to Sam's house where they agreed to meet. The news anchor continued as they drove.

"What does the governor have to say about the recent deployment of the National Guard to the town of Somewhere?"

"The governor understands that such a deployment is excitin' compared to other local news. But he would like to assure people that this is simply a military exercise and people shouldn't be concerned."

"But what about rumors and fears that they're bein' deployed in the same area that resulted in the Culling of Black Mountain that resulted in the deaths of dozens of local rural folk and the resignations of the governor at the time as well as the mayor of the town?"

"The governor understands that the event in question was a tragic occurrence, and wishes to reiterate that, though tragic, it was an act committed in the name of corruption and greed by his predecessor and does not in any way affect recent deployments to the area. It is a simple military exercise and any and all interactions with the rural folk within the mountains and hills will be minimal at best. They are there to perform some routine military exercises. Nothin' more."

"But what about rumors that a large number of undocumented people appeared within the town? Or the large amount of materials, most of which appear to be used for housing, includin' food and medicine that is bein' reported to bein' transported?"

"This is part of the military exercise. As you know, many National Guard units are deployed to provide humanitarian relief. This is an exercise by our own forces so that they may be better trained for future need."

"Does this have anythin' to do with a recent rise in reports of strange creatures sighted in the area as well?"

"You got us. We're deployin' the military to search for Bigfoot." The spokesman joked, earning some chuckles from those assembled.

"But what about other reports across the country of similar creatures?"

"Throw them in with the thousands of other reports police and government officials receive DAILY. Do you honestly believe that we're deployin' the military to find Bigfoot or the Mothman?"

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"But what about-"

"No more questions regardin' 'strange creatures' please. I have only so much time and I doubt you'd all want it taken up by tryin' to get me to explain the military's plan on trackin' the Jersey Devil."

"Then what about the cell outages in the state?"

"We're aware of some issues with our cell coverage. We are workin' with companies as well as the Federal Government in lookin' for solutions."

"What is the reported cause of the issues? Is it a cyber attack?"

"While not entirely ruled out, we aren't goin' quite that extreme. Officials on the matter report that it was merely damage caused by weather and wildlife. We should see repairs done soon, but this may be hampered by the approachin' winter storms we're lookin' to get. So don't expect much until spring. Now I'm sorry but that's all the time we have. Maybe next time try and keep things in the realm of reality and not fantasy." The spokesman stated as reporters continued to ask questions about anything and everything involving recent troop deployments, strange creature sightings, the governor's stance on the Pratchett Administration and who he endorsed in the elections, and even who he was rooting for in the Super Bowl this year.

Clive switched it when the voices of the reporters was replaced with generic waiting music while the news station tried to get it switched back to them. He thought he was dealing with a mess, Clive thought. He wasn't envious of the governor. He was pretty much dealing with the same things Clive was probably dealing with on top of reporters swarming you trying to get any little soundbite they could throw together. At least he didn't have to deal with journalists, yet.

"'Ow does yer country work?" Kilpa asked as she let go of her white knuckle grip on the door and seemed to pay attention to the news.

"Well, we're a union of states. Hence the name 'United States of America'. We also go by America, the USA or simply the US. We're called Americans. We're a republic headed by elected officials separated between the House of Representatives and the Senate, collectively called Congress, and the Office of the President. The former two are elected by direct ballot. The latter by an in-direct electoral ballot. We are within a state belonging to the union, that state being West Virginia. From there the state itself is split into various districts for voting purposes, and counties for general population. And we're headed by a governor. But we also have our own state congress which does alot of local legislation. Even local counties and even towns also have their own even more localized legislators."

"Sounds like a mess." Kilpa pointed out.

"It is. Alot of Americans don't care about the process like we used to and most will only really vote and participate during the General Election every four years. Other than that it's like pulling teeth to get people to vote any other time and only the most politically motivated will come out for Midterms or even local elections during the off years."

"My 'ead hurts."

"Tell me about it." Clive muttered.

They continued on while flicking through music station after music station. Nothing quite being to the liking of either of them until they just settled on some old folk station that Kilpa seemed to enjoy and that Clive was too tired to bother to change. They moved from the dirt road of Sherry and onto the more paved road of Somewhere. From here Clive and Kilpa could see the town starting to steadily expand as prefab tents and shelters were littered across most of the western side of town while some actual housing was being gradually built where it could.

"So how does, er did, your country work?" Clive asked when they came to the main intersection of town.

"Far more simply than yers does I'm sure." Kilpa said.

"Not a hard thing to do." Clive quipped back.

"We weren'y led by all these 'elected officials'. At least not 'officially'. Most positions were given/inherited ta family. Tha bigger 'nd more influential yer family was tha more seats o' power you got. Elections were more a measure o' popularity than anythin' else 'nd e'en then tha seats would still usually go ta a member o' tha family tha' held it previously. Tha only thin' elections really did was see 'ow much tha people liked tha halflin' tha' would occupy tha seat. Tha only exception would be ifin thin's got bad 'nd it looked like nothin' was bein' done. But e'en then tha' were rare as halflin's would usually circle tha wagons 'nd tighten our belts than turn our backs on family. Tha out-o'-favor halflin' would resign 'nd another would be put in their place."

"So you guys didn't really have any actual power when it came to governance?" Clive asked.

"I suppose so. Most o' it came down ta 'ow big is yer family 'nd 'ow much o' a harvest could you claim was yers. On top o' various popularity contests 'nd festivals where you'd go 'nd butter-up folk. Most o' it just kinda came naturally. Grow yer family 'nd tend tha fields. Simple."

"If you say so." Clive muttered as they continued on towards Sam's.

They came to the intersection nearest Sam's. To the left was Sam's, the trainyard, and the road that, formerly, led to Jeb's. To the right was the private road that led to Morty's. He was sure Sam didn't want Morty to come. He never did like the idea of the two being friends. But friends they were, and all the rough edges and road bumps that came with it.

So Clive turned right instead of left and made his way down the private road and towards Morty. He had to slow down almost to a complete stop however when they came across a barricade not far down the road. He stopped fully when one of Morty's hobgoblins shouted for him to halt. The hobgoblin dressed like he was fresh from a reenactment of Napoleon marched towards his side of the car and knocked on the window. Clive rolled it down and the hobgoblin peered inside towards him and Kilpa and spoke English with a tint of a French accent.

"What's your business?"

"We're here to see Morty. Or to deliver a message. Tell him it's Clive and that we're leaving for Jeb's. If he still wants to come he'll have to hurry to follow us." Clive explained.

The hobgoblin huffed and departed. He went over to the handful of goblins stationed around the barricade and barked at one of them, sending the grunt running further down the road while the rest remained behind and eyeball Clive.

Clive waited patiently. Kilpa was more nervous than he was though and fidgeted like she was ready to bolt at a moments notice. They didn't have to wait long though as the barricade parted and a black Cadillac rolled down the road, weighed down by the ever present ogres that shadowed Morty's every move it seemed. Clive was surprised the thing wasn't scraping against the pavement given how big the two of them were. The shocks and suspension in it must've cost a pretty penny for Morty.

Morty rolled up beside Clive and rolled down his window, revealing him in a fine tailored suit and dressed like he was on his way to a business meeting.

"About time! I was half tempted to leave without the rest of you!"

"Sure you were. What are you bringing?" Clive asked.

"Me, myself, and I?" Morty joked.

"Seriously?"

"No. I have some seafood pie."

"So it'll go along with our own fruit and vegetable pies."

"Everybody loves pie, pretty sure Jeb won't care." Morty replied as a green head poked up from the other side of his Cadi.

"Oh?! You said he lived near a river and woods?! We could go hunting!" The seemingly goblin female spoke up. She also spoke English with a slight flittering of French thrown in.

"Who's that?" Clive asked, even Kilpa tried to peer over the door to get a look at the new voice.

"This is..." Morty trailed off as he got a look of contemplation on his face.

"Really? You don't even know who's with you?"

"Hey! Most of the goblins don't have names! I can count on one hand the number that do!"

"Henrietta?" The goblin lady suggested.

"See? Henrietta. Easy." Morty replied as if it was his suggestion.

"Fine. What is Henrietta doing here?"

Morty sighed.

"My butler suggested she come along to see to anything I might need while we're out roughing it."

"Like what?"

"How should I know?!" Morty replied a might bit defensively.

"You're a horndog." Clive countered.

"Eat me then. We going or not?"

"Fine. Follow me to Sam's and we'll leave from there."

"Why don't we just leave and meet him there?"

"Funny, he suggested the same thing about you." Clive said as he rolled up his window and turned the car around.

He saw Morty mouthing something mockingly as he passed by, but he followed after Clive as the two cars made their way to Sam's. Clive wasn't at all surprised that Morty's two ogres riding in his Cadi was attracting attention. He was actually starting to regret telling him as he noticed shouts and looks of fear from the new comers. This would cause ALOT of attention. Attention they didn't need if they were trying to get to Jeb's without the Feds following after them.

Too late now, Clive thought as the two cars pulled up to Sam's house. He and Kilpa got out, she was a bit quicker in exiting the vehicle than he was. Even the goblin maid and the two ogres didn't seem so bothered by traveling in a car compared to her. He really had to keep reminding himself that he was dealing with people that went from medieval fantasy to modern contemporary in a short amount of time. Schooling. On his list of top priorities when he got back was to get the halflings up to speed with modern... everything.

"You alright?" Clive asked her.

"Fine. Just need a moment ta enjoy bein' on solid land again." She replied.

"Aren't you used to traveling? By horse or cart or whatever?"

"Aye. But tha' ain'y no horse er cart now is it?"

"Fair enough." Clive said as she calmed down a little bit and followed after him towards the door. Morty and his own entourage close behind.

Clive knocked on the door and waited. A minute later the door opened and revealed the scarred face of Sam.

"Clive. Good. Glad you coul-" He trailed off as he peered behind him and towards Morty.

"Mortimer." Sam said like he had something bad in his mouth.

"Sam. You look different. Change your hair?" Morty replied glibly.

Sam just grunted and cast an accusatory look Clive's way. He sighed and shrugged.

"He's still his friend."

"You sure?" Sam asked as he cocked a brow back at Morty, who smiled at Sam with a shit-eating grin.

"Not entirely."

"Hey?!" Morty shouted in mock offense.

"No. They still are. My luck isn't that good." Sam replied dejectedly and opened the door for them all to come in. The two ogres tried to enter but their bulkier frames prevented them from traversing the doorway. So they had to remain outside with the door opened so that they could hear the goings on inside.

Clive turned and looked at those already assembled. Sam, Sammy, Sam's halfling girlfriend whose name he wasn't sure he ever got, and Sammy's boyfriend Greg. Who stuttered something fierce when he saw the two ogres past the door way.

"Glad to know your still a joy to be around Greg." Morty mocked.

"Glad to know your still a prick Mortimer." Sammy replied.

"Sam Jr. Still dressed like you're twelve I see?" Morty continued as he pointed out her affinity for Pretty Princess Pink.

"And you're still dressed like anyone cares about you." She retorted back as she noted his overdressed state.

Sam groaned as the two continued to snipe at one another.

"I already have a headache."

"Now you know how I feel every time him and Jeb got into it." Clive replied sympathetically.

"You have the patience of a saint Clive." Sam replied and left with the halfling girl towards the kitchen where they retrieved a few things before returning to the living room.

"Where's Skeeter?" Clive asked, ignoring Sammy and Morty's insulting match.

"He's doin' work for those dwarves. Said to give Jeb his best though." Sam replied.

Damn, Clive thought. He wanted to see if he'd be willing to make a few things for him. Oh well. Maybe he can talk with the dwarves themselves about seeing Skeeter and getting some work done. Though he wasn't sure how much it'll cost him though. Skeeter's always been fair about stuff. But the dwarves seemed pretty hard-nosed about business matters.

"So how are we doing this?" Clive asked.

"Well, normally I woulda just told you and we would meet there. But with how the phones are that is kinda inconvenient. Also-"

"It isn'y safe ta travel alone!" The halfling woman replied firmly.

"Right. With how things have gotten around here I'm inclined to believe her. Oh, this is Millie. Not sure you two met or not?" Sam said as he introduced the halfling woman to Clive.

"Sorry if we did and I don't remember. I'm Clive, this is Kilpa." Clive apologized and introduced himself and Kilpa.

"And I'm Morty. That's Orga and Urga. This is Henrietta. Greg, Sam, Sam Jr. Great! We're all introduced! Can we go now?" Morty snapped.

Sam gave Morty a withering look that didn't seem to faze him in the slightest.

"We will. When we figure out how to get there without attractin' attention from the Feds."

"You really think they'd bother us?" Morty asked with a cocked brow.

"I don't know. But I've heard from some of the others that there are checkpoints in and out of town now. Guarded by men in black."

"So what do we do about them?"

"I... don't know. Cause some sort of distraction and hope they take the bait?" Sam suggested.

"We're American citizens. They can't keep us from leaving without a damn good cause." Morty replied.

"Can't keep us here doesn't mean they won't still tail us to where Jeb is Mortimer." Sam replied.

"All this is assuming they don't already know." Morty added.

"But we don't know if they do. So we're goin' under the assumption that they don't. Besides, Millie and Kilpa can easily pass for Americans with dwarfism. But how the hell could we explain the short green lady and your two bodyguards?"

"She has a skin condition and they're bodybuilders?" Morty suggested.

"Real clever." Sammy replied sarcastically.

"Well I don't see you coming up with anything better Junior." Morty quipped back.

"Enough!" Sam yelled to stop the insults from flying again.

"Could we take the trains?" Clive asked.

"No. From what I've heard from some of the folk inside is they're havin' problems gettin' them up and runnin'. So either they're broke down."

"Or someone doesn't want a repeat of what me and Jeb did." Clive finished.

"Exactly. Besides, hoppin' on a train right now would be even more attention than we need."

"So what then? Just sit around and twiddle our thumbs?" Morty said as he threw his hands up in the air.

"That or pray for a solution." Sam stated.

Don't suppose whatever god had control over his life would see fit to give them a break could he, Clive thought pleadingly. He doubt it'll work. But wishful thinking was about all he had at the moment. Their only other option would be to find some roundabout way past the checkpoints, or to give up entirely. He doubt anyone here would settle for the later, but they didn't really have time for the former. Most of the land around town was rugged at best past the fields. After that it got outright impassable aside from on foot and maybe the odd ATV trail.

Hope and prayer it was then, Clive thought as Sammy and Morty quickly resumed arguing over something while the rest of them sat and tried not to think about the headache they were causing.