Afterword - Book 1 - Chapter 41 (Patreon)

Chapter 41: Ranger II

(Original Chapter Title: Ranger I)

The round continues! The team is coming together, but they're plainly not gelling. Things are rough, there's distrust and disdain.

Ranthia's return to Aquiliea wasn't in the original draft, but the idea amused me so it was added during editing. A minor experience with the consequences of her own actions, but I didn't want to linger on it. There's more to come in the chapter that's more important.

I've mentioned this before, but bandits in fantasy settings bug me. It's not a lucrative profession, it's not comfortable (in any sense, their hideouts are usually barebones) or glamorous, and there's nothing that draws people to it unless they like sleeping in rotting furs and murdering the weak over a fraction of a day's pay. The only people that turn to it are going to be those that have no alternatives, like the escaped slaves, or those that are WILDLY misunderstanding what they're getting into, like the kids and their dad.

When people act out of believing they have no alternatives, it's bleak. And Ranthia finally has to properly confront that bleakness as someone with authority that acts with deadly force. And she doesn't like it. She doesn't quite get to follow her thoughts through—Leoios derailed her with his 'you don't like punching down' suggestion.

Also, yes, [Channel] is friggin' terrifying on combat Skills.

Ranthia might not explore where her thoughts were taking her here, but surely they'll lurk somewhere in her mind for when she's ready.