Red Empress' Reach, Ch. 1

Jacob Van Ruisdael, A Road Through an Oak Wood As blood flows through arteries, so power and wealth flow along the road. Delsephine, The Red Empress, understood this. She could not benefit from what she could not control, she could not control what laid beyond her grasp. So she lengthened her reach. A road of blood-red stone, laid by slaves promised freedom, carving through the lands of allies and enemies until only subjects remained, bringing all the world within her grasp. The empress is gone. The reach remains. "Blood or gold!" Asher called, the old words rolling off his tongue with practiced clarity. A Reachman lives by his words, or dies by his sword. Twelve arrowheads peeked from the woods, bowstrings ready behind them. Patience. Patience. Asher stepped forward, longsword balanced on his shoulder. "No need for blood, goodman. We know you've coin enough to pass. Twenty percent, that's the tithe." The driver fiddled with his reins, glancing at the wagon. "Let us pass, friend. Our…