War is no longer a distant threat. It has arrived at The Lodge.
In The Innkeeper's Duty, the fourth book of NPCs: The Innkeeper's Journey, Gerard faces his greatest challenge yet. Refugees arrive with chilling tales of demons unleashed by the Inquisition, battalions swallowed by shadows, and cities razed to ash. For those seeking safety, The Lodge at Uln Esril has become a final sanctuary—but how long can its walls hold?
With old friends returning, new alliances forming, and the Inquisition's darkness creeping ever closer, Gerard and his loyal staff must decide how far they'll go to protect what they've built. Duty calls, and the cost of compassion may be steeper than ever before.
In these 500-word flash fiction tales, moments of quiet hope shine through the gathering storm. This is the story of ordinary people fighting for survival, for love, and for the belief that even in a world unraveling, kindness matters.