The morning sun filtered in through the wooden shutters, casting thin stripes of gold across the stone floor. I blinked, slowly waking, only to find a shadow leaning over me. Lisa, my ever-doting mother, stood by the bedside with that same soft smile and a wooden comb in her hand.
"Time to rise, little lady," she cooed, gently brushing my tangled golden hair.
I yawned, stretched my arms like a queen on her throne, and squinted up at her. "Today, I'm not just any lady. Today, I'm the official inspector of the wall."
Lisa raised an eyebrow, amused. "Oh? Inspector now, are we?"
"Indeed," I said with as much dignity as I could muster through a voice still heavy with sleep. "The village's safety depends on me."
She chuckled, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "Then the wall is in excellent hands."
After getting dressed—myself, thank you very much—I marched out the door like I was heading to war. Turnips tucked into my tiny satchel for bribes—I mean, rewards—I was ready.
The play area was a dusty patch of earth surrounded by the shouts and stomps of children already mid-game. I stepped onto the field, the youngest by far, but the only one walking like she owned the ground beneath her.
"Gather round!" I shouted, raising one hand dramatically. "The time has come to select my assistants!"
Children blinked at me. One boy whispered to another, "Why's the baby yelling again?"
I cleared my throat and gave them the kind of withering look that could peel bark from a tree. "I may be small, but I've got the biggest brain in this village. Now form a line. I need two brave souls to assist me today. This is your chance to serve greatness."
They hesitated, but curiosity won out. They lined up, some adjusting their tunics and pretending they didn't want it badly.
"The test is simple," I declared. "Recite the Village Creed."
One by one, they mumbled their way through the lines. Most forgot it halfway or mixed it up with some song about goats.
Then Tomlin stepped forward. He took a deep breath and said, "Wall of Strength, Heart of Stone, keep us safe and guard our home."
I clapped once. "Acceptable. You're in."
He grinned, though confusion flickered in his eyes. "Wait—what do I win?"
I handed him a turnip. "Loyalty is its own reward. But also, here. Bribery—it's an old village tradition."
Next was Freya. I tossed her a stick like it was a sword. "Battle cry. Go."
She shrieked so loud a chicken fled the coop nearby. I nodded solemnly. "Powerful. Raw. You're hired."
She opened her mouth to ask something, but I silenced her with another turnip. "That's your salary. Spend it wisely."
Both looked at me, turnips in hand, half unsure, half amused.
"Congratulations," I said, placing a hand on my hip. "You now serve the smallest, loudest, and most brilliant inspector this village has ever known."
The village wall stood like a quiet sentinel around the Valley of Joy. Made of old stone and moss, it surrounded our home like a protective hug from a giant who hadn't trimmed his nails in years.
As we approached the base of the wall, Royal Guards stood in lines, sharp and stiff like spoons at a noble's table. I led the march, with Tomlin and Freya trailing behind, clutching their turnips like they were holy relics.
The commander of the guard—tall, armor-clad, with a mustache that could probably deflect arrows—approached with a puzzled expression.
"Miss Mayor," he said, bowing slightly.
I held up a hand. "Just Inspector today."
I stepped aside, gesturing to my assistants.
"Strategist and scout. They don't talk much, but they eat well."
The commander stifled a chuckle and nodded solemnly.
I turned to the wall and rubbed my hands together. "Let's begin."
I poked the stone. I knocked on wooden beams. I tapped weak spots with my foot and scribbled imaginary notes in the air.
"This stone's wobbly," I declared. "That one smells suspicious. And this one's just lazy."
One guard opened his mouth. I raised a hand. "I don't want excuses. I want excellence."
Tomlin giggled. Freya tried to cover her mouth.
I found a loose stone at the base and crouched down. "This is where the bandits sneak in their cheese smuggling operations. I can smell it."
A nearby soldier looked concerned. I winked.
Then I climbed halfway up a ladder leaning against the inner ramparts. A guard rushed to stop me.
"Careful, little miss—"
"Inspector!" I corrected, pointing sternly. "I must assess the elevation, the wind resistance, and the boredom levels."
I peered down. "Also, if anyone naps behind that tower again, I'm installing bells on their armor."
The guards tried to stay still, but a few smirked. One whispered, "She's got more bite than the mayor."
From atop the ladder, I declared: "Soldiers! This wall is your lover, your friend, your shield! If I see even one of you slouching again, I will personally host a lecture series. Daily. With chalk."
Tomlin and Freya trailed behind me as I strutted the entire length of the wall, barking jokes, poking stones, giving fake citations:
"Crack here? Shameful. I've seen cleaner work from a sleepy goat."
"This gate hinge squeaks. You know what else squeaks? Weak morale."
By the time the sun began to droop toward the horizon, even the commander looked worn.
He stepped forward. "Miss Mayor, your inspection is... beyond thorough."
I gave a regal nod. "It's called passion."
He handed me a wooden token. "Here. A mark of honor."
I took it proudly. "I'll hang it in my museum."
Tomlin leaned close. "Do you even have a museum?"
"Not yet. But one day, when historians weep from joy reading about me, they'll need something to visit."
With the inspection complete, I turned to my team.
"You've both survived. Barely. Report to the mud pile for rest."
Freya curtsied. Tomlin saluted. I waved them off and marched home alone, humming.
Back home, I barely managed to pull off my boots before collapsing into bed.
Morning came again, and as light poured in, I rolled over and yawned.
But something was different.
Through the open window, I saw Harold standing outside with one of the village elders. Their voices were low, hushed. Serious.
Their faces were tight. Harold nodded slowly. The elder frowned.
My stomach tightened.
Something was coming.
And I wasn't sure if even I was ready for it.
To be continued...