>>5893324You wake up to the gentle shimmering of morning light seeping through the curtains, accompanied by a subtle throb in your head. As you stir in the comfortable embrace of a proper bed, a sensation you haven't experienced in months, it feels almost heavenly. Despite the lingering headache from yesterday's drink, this morning is a welcome respite compared to the challenges you've faced recently.
It takes a few minutes for you to fully rouse yourself. You freshen up, washing your face and body with a bucket of water and a cloth, diligently attending to your teeth. Changing into the new clothes feels invigorating. Your old rags, though now cleaned, are beyond wearing and might serve a different purpose—perhaps repurposed or salvaged for repairs.
Today holds a more significant objective than honoring your promise to Drew. It's about meeting the mayor and securing that coveted parcel of land.
You step out of the alehouse, grabbing a piece of bread and sipping water before venturing into the quiet outdoors. Wondering about Avina and her boys inside the alehouse, you consider the mysterious morning activities they might be engaged in. The morning feels different; after a night of proper rest, your thoughts are clearer, and you can sense and feel more vividly. A good night's sleep, indeed, can work wonders.
Approaching the town hall, you find the door opening wide as if expecting your arrival. The mayor, bustling with energy, greets you enthusiastically. However, his words seem to be directed towards someone else—a tiefling woman named Sarah, engrossed in paperwork on the opposite side of the room. The mayor, not bothering to inquire about your name, invites you to follow him into his office.
"Now, dear Valerian," he says, taking a moment to remember your name. The mayor delves into a rehearsed speech about the recent liberation of the frontier lands and their de jure belonging to the empire. He dismisses the rumors of curses and witches, emphasizing the need for settlement to establish control. The baron, in his graciousness, is giving away parcels of land to those of good character.
The mayor's speech transitions smoothly, reminding you that nothing in life is free. To cultivate the land, to create something from nothing, requires hard work, and hard work entails the risk of failure. The mayor looks into your eyes and lays out the terms: work the land for five years, and all 50 acres will be yours. However, any breach of the agreement would result in dire consequences—imprisonment for a very long time.
With a sense of purpose and determination, you accept the terms. This is the reason you undertook the arduous journey—to embrace a new beginning on the frontier
