Settling

The border guard barely glanced at Leo's forged papers before waving him through. "Welcome to the Emerald Empire. Keep moving."

Leo led Steady past the checkpoint, breathing easier once they merged with the flow of travelers on the empire's side. The difference was immediate—orderly roads, merchants with full carts, fields untouched by war. People moved with purpose rather than desperation.

He purchased a map from a roadside vendor and studied it that evening at a modest inn. The Emerald Empire sprawled across the eastern continent, its major cities clustered along rivers and trade routes. The capital would offer opportunities but also scrutiny. Provincial cities meant local nobles with their politics and recruitment efforts for talented mages.

What Leo needed was somewhere unremarkable. His finger traced the map until it stopped on a settlement called Riverstone—small enough to be overlooked by imperial politics but large enough to provide necessities. Around fifty thousand inhabitants.

"Three days' ride," he muttered, calculating supplies.

In his room, Leo removed Old Stone's books from his dimensional ring.

Leo replaced the books and lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. For the first time in years, no immediate threat loomed. No one was hunting him. No war pressed at his borders. The sensation felt foreign, almost uncomfortable.

His thoughts drifted to more basic needs. How long had it been since he'd shared a bed with someone? Before the inheritance, certainly. Years of isolation training with Old Stone, then the desperate flight from the Usman Empire—there'd been no time for companionship.

"Riverstone it is," Leo decided. A quiet town where he could settle temporarily, strengthen his magic, study the advanced texts, and perhaps find someone to warm his bed without complications.

Three simple goals: peace, power, and pleasure. After everything, he'd earned at least that much.

The ride to Riverstone was uneventful. The war and the chaos he had left behind truly felt like they were in another world. His thoughts wandered to the spirit fragments he had left behind.

Old Stone, Old Water, and Old Wind had been a constant presence during his training, often a source of irritation with their ancient, unpredictable temperaments.

"Young man, you must focus! Your mind wanders like a child." Old Stone's gravelly voice would boom, interrupting Leo's daydreams. And when he'd been caught relieving his sexual tensions... Well, Leo's face heated at the memory.

The three ancient mages hadn't understood his youthful needs, chastising and mocking him for his healthy appetites.

"You waste your seed, boy! That vitality could be put to better use!" Old Water, the most cantankerous of the trio, had cackled.

Leo rolled his eyes at the memory, a wry smile crossing his face. They may have been ancient and powerful, but their humour was as immature as any youth's.

He urged Steady forward, eager to put miles between himself and his troubled past. Riverstone soon came into view, nestled alongside a tranquil river, just as its name suggested.

The town bustled with activity—farmers bringing produce to market, artisans hawking their wares, and merchants shouting deals. The air carried the aroma of freshly baked bread and the tang of the nearby river.

Leo secured a room at a comfortable inn and quickly set about his new agenda, but before getting a woman he needed to take care of his own accommodation.

Leo wasn't alone in seeking refuge in Riverstone. The streets teemed with newcomers—families with haunted eyes, craftsmen carrying tools of trades abandoned elsewhere, merchants who'd lost everything but their cunning. All searching for a fresh start.

After securing his lodgings, Leo visited the merchant association's hall, a modest building with a busy courtyard. He approached the notice board, watching people scan different announcements.

"Excuse me," Leo addressed the clerk. "I'd like to post an offer."

The man barely looked up. "Two copper for a week's posting."

Leo placed a silver coin on the counter. "I'll need something more prominent."

The clerk's eyebrows rose. "What sort of announcement?"

"Home construction. Quality stone dwellings at fair prices."

Within the hour, his notice occupied the center of the board: "Sturdy stone homes built quickly. Reasonable rates. Inquire with Leo at the River's Rest Inn."

His next stop was the town administration, a weathered building with officials managing the influx of refugees. Leo waited his turn, observing the bureaucrats' exhaustion.

"Land purchase?" The balding administrator seemed surprised. "We have several parcels available on the eastern edge. Not prime location, mind you."

"I'll take three acres."

The man named his price—thirty silver coins—and Leo paid without haggling. The administrator's eyes widened slightly at his easy compliance.

"Construction permits will be extra," he warned.

Leo smiled. "I'll handle everything properly."

The next morning, Leo stood on his newly acquired land. The location wasn't ideal, but perfect for his demonstration. He waited until mid-morning when the street filled with passersby before beginning.

He centered himself, feeling the earth beneath his feet. His magic flowed downward, connecting with the soil, stone, and clay. With practiced movements, Leo began shaping the land.

The ground trembled. Pedestrians stopped to stare. Stone rose from the earth like bread dough, forming walls that hardened instantly. Windows appeared, perfectly shaped. A doorway emerged, then a second floor with balconies.

"What in the emperor's name?" someone gasped.

Within thirty minutes, a complete two-story stone home stood where empty land had been—solid, elegant, with intricate details no normal mason could achieve in months.

A crowd had gathered, whispering in awe. Leo pretended not to notice as he added final touches to the entrance.

"Earth mage," the whispers spread. "Built it from nothing!"

The commotion grew as town officials hurried toward the scene, but Leo merely dusted his hands and stepped back to admire his work. The advertisement had begun.

Leo surveyed his handiwork with satisfaction. The stone structure stood complete—walls, floors, and roof perfectly formed—but lacked the finishing touches that would make it truly habitable.

He gestured to the solid earth panels currently blocking the window openings and doorway. With a casual flick of his wrist, he demonstrated how easily he could dissolve one, then reformed it.

"For those interested, I'm offering similar construction services." Leo's announcement sent a new wave of excitement through the onlookers. "Small family homes, larger residences like this one, or even simple shops—all built within a day at prices far below traditional construction."

The crowd pressed closer, dozens of voices calling out questions about costs and timelines.

"I'll be taking appointments at the River's Rest Inn through the week from tomorrow," Leo said. "Speak with the innkeeper to arrange a meeting time."

As the crowd dispersed, many still staring in wonder at the house that had risen from bare earth, Leo made his way to the merchant district. The craftsmen's quarter bustled with activity, and Leo found a reputable woodworker with a display of finely crafted doors.

"I need a front door for a new home," Leo explained. "Something sturdy but not ostentatious. And five window frames with glass."

The carpenter named his price—twenty silver coins for quality materials and installation.

"Fair enough," Leo agreed, counting out the coins. "The house is on the eastern edge of town. When can you begin installation?"

"Give me three days for the door. The windows might take a week."

Leo nodded. "I'll expect your apprentices to take measurements tomorrow."