It was two days of walking before I arrived at the nearest town. While I still had plenty of food and water, thanks to Pa, I hadn’t quite brought enough supplies to keep clean with. My clothes were starting to look pretty filthy, and I figured it was time to stop by a shop to pick up a couple additional things.

It didn’t take long to find the town’s shop. A brightly painted sign pointed the way, though not a lot of customers seemed to be coming and going at the moment. Heading inside to look around, I noticed that the shop was neat and tidy, with inventory displayed on well-crafted wooden tables and shelves. 

What was odd, however, was the abundance of goods for what looked to be a well-off shop. Most shops that were popular enough to have such nice displays and beautiful signs had trouble keeping the shelves stocked throughout the day, due to the abundance of customers.

And where were the customers? At this time of day, nearing noon, a shop like this should have been packed. I shouldn’t have been able to hear myself think for the noise of haggling. Yet, there wasn’t a soul here save myself and the shopkeep, who watched me hopefully.

I shook off the shock of the situation and went about grabbing supplies, heading to the counter with it. “Good day, sir.”

“Good day to you,” The shopkeep smiled. “It’s good to have a customer again.” He went through my items as I frowned.

“This looks like a popular shop, what would make custom fall so much you would say that?”

“The damned taxes, for one. People have less money to spend. Then, one of his fancy new ‘inspectors’ came to have a look at the shop, and we got hit with a large fine for a law no one’s ever even bothered with! We aren’t allowed to mark prices up for tourists. You know how the monarchy is, they didn’t really actually care as long as you paid the proper taxes on it. But then here comes this new fella, and he starts enforcing that old, foolish law! Says prices are meant to be equal to all, no matter where they’re from. But that’s the only way small shops can stay in business- My shop will survive, we’re the only one in town. But small shops in big towns? How will they fair, not being able to mark up prices to tourists? Where’ll they get that income?”

“He’s messing with the natural flow of everything, isn’t he? Higher taxes, messing with the practices of every shop in the land- And not everyone will be fined, I bet. He’s likely going to ‘make examples’ of certain shops, just to get a handle on it. Just wants to control people, I think,” I grumbled. “Well, don’t you worry. I’m on my way to try to help get the rightful queen back on the throne, and get rid of this imposter.”

“Good on ya, son. I just had a couple people pass through last week, talkin’ bout the same. That was the day before the fine hit.” The man sighed, accepting my payment and going back to his work. “Have a safe trip.” I gave a nod and a wave, collecting my goods and heading out.

—————–

“Sire, our latest reports,” A young woman said, coming into the study Marcus used and handing him a sheaf of papers. “While your changes are taking hold… There are dissenters…” She watched as Marcus scanned through the papers.

“Ah, I see… A small force gathering, eh?” He asked, sighing. “That’s what has you concerned, Olivia. Well… I guess we’ll just have to take emergency measures. Prepare the Guard, but do not have them march yet. Have this group watched for now, and report on them every two days for the time being. From there, we will decide what to do. Understood?”

“Yes, sire, of course.” With a small frown, Olivia bowed and went off to do as she had been ordered. Marcus sighed and turned to look out a window.

“Time to see which way this whole thing will fall…”