One Year of The Endless Empire

The sun hung low over the Endless Empire. The governor stood on the top of the tallest tower, looking down at the endless city below.

It was a time of celebration, but for him it was also a time of caution and danger.

His wife was due back from her shopping trip two thousand years earlier than usual.

On top of that, he still had to plan the great festival to mark the first year on NovelBin.

The wooden door behind him screeched as it opened.

“So — here you are. I’m not going to give out that much money just so you can have elder dragons flying over the city with banners.”

From the voice, the governor already knew he was speaking with the treasurer of the Endless Empire.

That the man wasn’t willing to hand out more money was expected. It was already a bit modest, and the governor hoped his wife wouldn't burn him alive for stinginess — but no flying dragons?

Unthinkable.

He turned to see the face of a proud, arrogant creature that was constantly chewing on something. It was the face of a camel. The governor’s eyes lifted to meet the treasurer’s. Had he really ridden up here?

The treasurer’s manner was as arrogant as the camel’s, and the governor immediately began to think of leverage he might use to get what he wanted.

Sadly, he had none. Still, good old threats should work.

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“You dare say no to me. Do you have any idea what I can do to you? I am the governor of the Endless Empire!” he shouted — mostly at the camel, since it was closer to his height. The camel ignored him; so did the treasurer.

“You can do absolutely nothing,” the treasurer said with a raised eyebrow. “Maybe you shouldn’t have bought so many of those choc-cookies. This grand celebration looks horrible and unworthy of the Endless Empire. Do you know her Holy Empress will take a look?”

Cold sweat ran down the governor’s back and across his forehead. This was terrible. Why would the Empress look now? To his dismay, the treasurer continued.

“By the way — has she already appeared in the story? I’ve heard whispers that she’s quite interested.”

The governor started to tremble. The Empress was not forgiving; she would slowly execute anyone she thought had wronged her.

He bent down and grabbed the empty yogurt cup, a line leading all the way down to the dungeon where the curator worked — a cheap but reliable line of communication.

“CURATOR! DID YOU ALREADY INTRODUCE HER HOLY EMPRESS IN THE STORY?” the governor yelled at the top of his lungs.

“Uh… yes. Also when you shout so loud we dont need the cups,” came the calm answer.

“WHAT I MEAN IS: DID YOU TELL HOW IT HAPPENED?” the governor shouted again.

“What? I did my job, and I won’t write it differently so someone looks better,” came the curt reply.

This was so ridiculous that even the camel rolled its eyes.

Now the governor panicked for real. He paced from side to side of the tower, ignoring his precious cookies. He had read everything freely available — if he was lucky, the Empress didn’t have Patreon access...

But then again, he’d just ordered a fifty-percent discount as part of the celebration, so she might take a look — and if she did, he’d be skinned alive for blasphemy.

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A crunching sound snapped him back from his thoughts. The camel was eating his chocolate cookies.

For a moment he froze with rage before releasing all his fury.

“YOU BETTER GET DOWN THERE AND BRING ME THE MONEY I NEED FOR THIS HIDEOUS TRANSGRESSION. IF I SEE YOU NEXT TIME WITHOUT THE MONEY, I WILL SEE IF YOUR DAMN CAMEL CAN FLY. GOOOOO!”

The governor sank back into his chair, trying to calm down. First, he thought, he’d read one chapter. Maybe the description of the Empress wasn’t that bad.