Serialized Pulp Novel: The Rogue and the Merchants (Part 4)

Below is Serial #4 of my pulp novel, The Rogue and the Merchants. Here is a link to the full transcription thus far: The Rogue and the Merchants

I've transcribed exactly one page of the typed manuscript and my word count is at 999; and so I have to modify my original estimate. The manuscript is probably more around 30,000 words.

Also, today, during a visit to a coffee shop, I engaged in some scribbling. I drew a picture of the city-state of Tabun-Stoh, the homeland of our merchants and the place where this demented journey begins. I'm no artist. And yet--and yet, I'm happy to share a brief study or two.

The City-State of Tabun-Stoh

And here is serial #3:

First, they went two days without finding any settlement at all. And then the roads they were following ended abruptly. Additionally, there was a horrible deluge, and half of their stores were soaked. On the third straight day of misfortunes--they had only been on the road for two weeks--they came across a settlement nestled at the bottom of a deep and expansive canyon. From their high vantage point they could see nothing peculiar about it, and their dire circumstances made them eager to approach it. They wanted to refill their stores and perhaps enjoy food that was boiled and soft as opposed to cold, dry, and hard (such was the preference of the folk of Tabun-Stoh).

But the rogue was against it. He told Brol, "Let me scout ahead, for our own good! We are outside the law of Tabun-Stoh. Some of the villages might not have even heard of your city and its lords. I wouldn't be surprised if we've reached lands where they longer speak an understandable tongue."

The merchants, acknowledging the wisdom of the Rogue's words, agreed heartily. And their leader, Brol, loaned the rogue his horse, which was the fastest and most courageous one. The Rogue helped the merchants set up their tents and start a fire, and at sunset he set out, down into canyon, to find the settlement.

He carried with him his hilt-less short sword that, although appearing to be a humble skinner's blade--dull and black-bladed--was actually a sharp and deadly weapon bespelled with secret sorceries. Additionally, he wore a thick, leather jacket, which he was sure would protect him from blows if he came to any battles.