“Penny?” Ryker asks from where he’s sitting behind me on the horse.
“I can’t explain it, but somehow I know this will be our home.” He squeezes me as we trot down the hill, the others close behind.
“Ryker, how do you buy land here? In my old world, all land is owned by somebody, and you have to buy it off them if you want to own it and build a house on it.”
“The land here is owned by the royal families. We can claim any unused land we like, and we pay taxes to the royal family to use it.”
“And do we get anything in return for paying them?”
“Like what?”
“Do they maintain roads, provide protection, maintain law and order?”
“Oh, well, not so much the roads part, but there are knights that help maintain law and order. Generally, they live near the castle and are only sent out if someone asks the royal family for help. They send out the knights to do their bidding. Like if a group of trolls gets too close to a village, they will deploy a group of knights to deal with them.”
“I guess that makes sense. How do we know if land is ownedby anyone?”
“Well, in most cases, it’s obvious with houses or produce being farmed on it. Or you might see orange markers around the parameter.”
As we get closer to the main village, more homes come into view. The village before us is beautiful. Most of these houses are built of stone, unlike the wooden homes of the other villages. Small stone walls surround some of the gardens and it gives it a very English countryside impression.
“Ryker, where do your parents live now?”
“I’m not too sure. Last I heard, they moved further north, but if I’m being honest, that was years ago, so I have no idea.”
“You’re sure you’re okay being back here?”
“Yes, Pen, you know I had an apartment here? They probably cleared it out by now as I’ve been gone for so long though,” he says, kissing the top of my head. “But I’m positive I’m okay being here, this place is unlike anywhere else in Dyconia.” I nod in agreement. Even the backdrop of the village was gorgeous. Huge stone cliffs with a forest on top. “You know what that is, don’t you?” he asks, seeing where I’m looking. I shake my head. “That… is where we first met.”
My eyes widen as I look up. “That’s where the mating games were held?”
“Yep.”
“How did you get up there? Oh, the skyreacher, right? Is that how everyone travels there?”
“No, there’s a small path that leads from the village around Highcrest Castle, up to the top.”
“Wow, that’s quite the hike.”
We carry on through the outskirts until we reach a busier part of the village. This place is much larger than anywhere else we’ve been so far, but nothing like cities back in my old world.
“Do you think there is somewhere we can build a home thathas room for a stable and a place for you to train skyreachers?”
“Penny, you want… You… Fuck, Red, you’re too good for me,” he mumbles into my neck, squeezing me tightly.
“Nah, I’m perfect for you,” I tell him, tilting my head back for a kiss.
After a few minutes, Ryker finally answers my question. “I have some ideas for land. We can check it out later. First, let’s go check the horses into a stable and get us a room at one of the inns.”
“And food. I need food, I’m so tired of jerky.”
Ryker laughs. “Me too.”
We arrive at the stables and all take a few minutes to stretch our sore limbs as Ryker and Brax go across the street to see if there’s a room big enough for all of us. I guess rooms tend to be bigger in this world, as multiple mates are a common thing.
“How are you feeling, Angel?” Apollo asks, pulling me into a hug.
“I feel… like this could be a home for us. There is something about this place I like. How about you guys?”
