{"id":17339,"date":"2023-09-21T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.onelowerlight.com\/writing\/?p=17339"},"modified":"2023-07-11T15:02:29","modified_gmt":"2023-07-11T21:02:29","slug":"the-riches-of-xulthar-epilogue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onelowerlight.com\/writing\/the-riches-of-xulthar-epilogue\/","title":{"rendered":"The Riches of Xulthar: Epilogue"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Roderick<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Roderick paused from turning his field and wiped the sweat from his brow. The sun was hot, but not unbearably so, and the clouds blowing in from the south promised rain. He smiled at them with hope that the harvest would be plentiful this year, and peered at the traveler approaching from down the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was young, probably no more than twenty five years of age, with broad shoulders and a muscular build. His armor was of boiled leather, and he carried his broadsword on his back. His steed was a massive stallion, obviously bred for war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roderick drew a deep breath of the fresh spring air and leaned on his mattock as he waited for the young man to draw near.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHo there!\u201d he called, waving his hand in greeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The young man pulled his horse up short, making it whinny in protest as it anxiously pawed the ground. Clearly, the rider was an impatient and impetuous man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGreetings, old man. Is this farm and its hovel your home, or do you work the land for your lord?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have no lord,\u201d Roderick answered. \u201cWe are free homesteaders, with our own claim on the land.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The young man frowned skeptically, as if this yeoman farmer were beneath him. There was a time when Roderick would have bristled at his arrogance, but instead, he inwardly smiled, knowing that his attitude would change quite quickly if he knew that Roderick was of noble blood. But such things mattered little on the frontier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow do you protect yourself from brigands and thieves?\u201d the young man asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roderick shrugged. \u201cThere is a fort near the town, where the militia trains. If our land is ever raided, we will rally there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd you belong to this militia?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAye,\u201d Roderick answered, smiling inwardly again. \u201cThe people of this settlement have elected me to be their sheriff. But we are all equals here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The young man drew a sharp breath and spat on the dusty ground. \u201cI\u2019m looking for food and lodging for the night. Can you direct me to a tavern?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is no tavern in this place,\u201d Roderick told him. \u201cNot yet, at least. But you are welcome to stay with me and my family for the night.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVery well,\u201d said the young man. \u201cHow much shall I pay you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo payment is necessary. Honest travelers are always welcome in our house.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The young man blinked in surprise. \u201cI thank you for your hospitality, good sir.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d said Roderick, taking the horse\u2019s reins. The young man dismounted and shook his hand warmly. Perhaps he was not so haughty as Roderick had first thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat is your name?\u201d he asked as the young man walked beside him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPetyr the young, of House Hukvald,\u201d the young man answered. \u201cMy father was a knight, and won his wealth by valor and the sword. But as the youngest son, the inheritance falls to my brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI see,\u201d said Roderick. \u201cSo you seek to win your fortune on the road?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot exactly.\u201d Petyr glanced over his shoulder, then leaned in close. \u201cI seek the lost and fabled city of Xulthar. Perhaps you have heard of it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAye,\u201d said Roderick, nodding. \u201cI have heard a few stories about such a place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cXulthar is no mere myth,\u201d Petyr said excitedly. \u201cIt was once the center of culture and civilization, the crown jewel of a magnificent empire. Its riches were incomparable!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat became of this lost city?\u201d asked Roderick, feigning ignorance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Petyr shrugged. \u201cSome claim that it fell in a single day, its inhabitants consumed by a dark and evil power. Others claim that its citizens delved too deep, and some great evil rose up from the earthy depths. But whatever the case, it lies in ruin somewhere in the desert that borders these lands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHave any returned to tell of it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNone that I have heard. But they say that after the plague years, its coin began to circulate anew.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI remember,\u201d said Roderick, rubbing the horse\u2019s nose as he led it toward the house. \u201cThe coin of Xulthar used to be quite common in these parts. But it seems to have fallen out of fashion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEven so,\u201d Petyr said excitedly, \u201cthe fact that it circulated at all can only mean one thing!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat is that?\u201d Roderick asked, feigning ignorance again. But Petyr was too impassioned to notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt means that the riches of Xulthar are real! Though the city lies in ruins, the fabled treasure must still remain!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roderick raised an eyebrow. \u201cAye, that may be true, young lad. But you are not the first adventurer to seek the riches of Xulthar. What if someone else has already found the treasure, and kept it secret all these years?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Petyr\u2019s expression turned sullen, almost enough for Roderick to pity the young man. \u201cI cannot believe that is true,\u201d he said at length, \u201cfor if it were, would we not hear of it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roderick shrugged. \u201cPerhaps, or perhaps not. It is difficult to say.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They reached the fence that ringed the farmhouse. Roderick\u2019s ten year-old son Francis came running out to meet them, his little sister Elsa following in tow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPapa! Papa! Who have you brought home with you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is Petyr, a traveler who is passing through these parts. Petyr, my son Francis and daughter Eva.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPleased to meet you both,\u201d the Petyr said, politely nodding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eva went wide-eyed and turned to run back to the house. Francis, meanwhile, stared at the traveling adventurer in awe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFrancis, can you take this man\u2019s horse to our barn and rub him down? Our friend has journeyed long today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, Father,\u201d Francis said obediently. He took the reins and led the horse to the barn, glancing back over his shoulder and nearly tripping over a stone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re done, feed him a bucket of oats and be sure to leave him plenty of water.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, Father!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou are too kind, sir,\u201d Petyr said gratefully. \u201cIs he your oldest?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSecond oldest,\u201d said Roderick. \u201cHis elder sister is fixing our supper with my wife. Shall we go in and see them?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBy all means,\u201d said Petyr, following Roderick to the farmhouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMama, Mama!\u201d Eva shouted as she burst into the house. \u201cPapa is coming\u2014and he has a stranger with him!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShh!\u201d Laria chided her, putting a finger to her mouth. \u201cNot so loud\u2014you\u2019ll wake the baby!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Little Eva suddenly became self-conscious as she glanced through the bedroom door at the cradle in the corner. Thankfully, the one year-old infant inside still slept soundly. To reassure her, Laria leaned down and put an arm around Eva\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you for telling me, dear. I\u2019m glad that you were watching out for us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat sort of stranger is Papa bringing home?\u201d Anya asked from beside the fireplace, where she tended a pot of stew. They had just made some dumplings together, which sat on the cutting board on the table, ready to be put in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA warrior!\u201d Elsa said, her eyes widening in awe and wonder. \u201cHe has a scary horse, and an even scarier sword!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSounds like a passing adventurer,\u201d Laria said. She glanced at Anya, whose eyes lit up with anticipation, just like her little sister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs he young?\u201d Anya asked. \u201cIs he handsome?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot young enough for you,\u201d Laria answered, patting her on the head. At twelve years old, Anya was too young to yet take an interest in boys\u2014though all too soon, that would start to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMama!\u201d Anya said petulantly. \u201cI\u2019m not just a child. Don\u2019t I help you around the house?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, you do, dear, and I\u2019m very grateful for that. Will you put the dumplings in while I go see what Papa is about? I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll get a chance to see the stranger soon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anya nodded, and Eva went off to play with her younger brother Tomas, who was playing on the rug on the floor. Roderick and Laria had five children now, which made for a very crowded homestead, especially since Tomas now slept in the loft with his three older siblings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The house had only two rooms: a living room and kitchen, with the loft overhead, and the bedroom for Mama and Papa\u2014and of course, the baby. Soon, they would have to build an addition, as there wasn\u2019t enough room in the loft for five children. Laria didn\u2019t mind how cozy it felt, though, and neither did the kids, since they spent most of their time outside playing when they weren\u2019t helping her around the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some ways, life as a free woman was harder than life as a slave. But the fruits of her labor were all hers now, and her family was more than she could have ever asked for. As Laria watched Eva and Tomas play, she remembered how she used to think that her only hope for happiness was to find a good master and give him all she had. Now, she knew that was only partially true, for it was not to a master that she gave herself now, but freely to her husband and children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outside, Roderick and the stranger were talking beside the well, just out of earshot from the house. Laria stood in the doorway and shook out her apron, waiting for Roderick to notice. When he did, he handed the bucket and dipper to the stranger, who washed his hands while his host walked over to talk to his wife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood evening, dear,\u201d said Roderick, greeting her with a kiss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd to you as well, though I hope you\u2019ll follow our guest\u2019s example and wash yourself before stepping inside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roderick grinned at her. His brawny arms and calloused hands were encrusted with dirt from laboring in the fields. He genuinely enjoyed the work, though, and it made her happy to see it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course, my love,\u201d he told her. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t dream of tracking dirt into your home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur home,\u201d she corrected him, leaning in for another kiss. \u201cWho is our guest? Eva said he was some sort of warrior.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAye,\u201d he told her, becoming suddenly serious. \u201cHis name is Petyr, and he\u2019s a young scion of a noble house, seeking the city of Xulthar.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf Xulthar?\u201d she asked, folding her arms. \u201cHave you told him of our\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo,\u201d he said quickly. \u201cI haven\u2019t told him anything, and I don\u2019t plan to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy not? I assume you want to dissuade him from such a futile quest. After all, there wasn\u2019t much left of the place after we left.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAye,\u201d he said absently, glancing over his shoulder as he folded his arms. \u201cBut a man has to carve his own path through the world, and I doubt he\u2019ll take the right message from our tale. At best, he won\u2019t believe it, and at worst, it will harden his resolve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re probably right,\u201d Laria admitted. The young adventurer did bear a certain resemblance to Roderick before he\u2019d settled down. Her memories of that time brought a smile to her lips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you going to introduce us?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roderick nodded and took her hand. Together, they walked up to the well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPetyr,\u201d he said, addressing the stranger. \u201cAllow me to introduce my wife, Laria.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMilady,\u201d he said, bowing in the fashion of more civilized lands. \u201cIt is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe pleasure is mine,\u201d she said, wondering what he would think of her if he\u2019d known she\u2019d spent most of her life as a common slave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour husband was telling me that I\u2019m not the first adventurer to come through these parts,\u201d Petyr said eagerly, \u201cnor the first you\u2019ve met who seeks the fabled city of Xulthar. Is that true?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She cast a sideways glance at her husband, though subtly enough that their guest did not take notice. \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d she said cryptically, \u201cthough you\u2019d probably find their reasons for seeking the city to be quite strange.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs that so?\u201d he asked, suddenly quite interested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIndeed. Most people seek Xulthar for its legendary riches, but another traveler who passed through here sought the lost city not for treasure, but the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe truth?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d said Roderick. \u201cHe wanted to know the truth behind the curse of the coin of Xulthar. Have you heard of it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, yes,\u201d said Petyr dismissively. \u201cI\u2019ve heard all the rumors and tales. Frankly, it seems that was just an excuse to blame all the hardship from the plague years on some external force. I doubt the coin was ever actually cursed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roderick and Laria glanced at each other with subtly laughing eyes. Petyr, of course, was too taken by his own opinions to notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStill,\u201d said Roderick, \u201cthere may have been some truth to the rumors. Else why would the coin appear so suddenly, and disappear almost as swiftly?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Petyr shook his head. \u201cWhatever force of magic caused the city\u2019s infamous fall, I doubt that it still infests the place, after so many centuries of ruin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAye,\u201d said Roderick, surprising him with a slap on the shoulder. \u201cI like the way you think, lad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEnough about Xulthar,\u201d Laria changed the subject. \u201cYou must be exhausted. Will you join us for dinner? We have duck stew and dumplings cooking in the pot, and there\u2019s more than enough for all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd if you don\u2019t mind sleeping in the barn,\u201d Roderick added, \u201cyou\u2019re welcome to spend the night here as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Petyr bowed deeply. \u201cThank you for your hospitality. I hope I\u2019m not too much of a burden on\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNonsense!\u201d said Laria, turning to face their humble homestead. She cupped her hands over her mouth and shouted: \u201cAnya! Francis! Eva! Tomas! Time to wash up for supper!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moments later, three children spilled out of the house, while Francis came running from the barn. The sight of the four of them never ceased to bring a smile to Laria\u2019s lips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou have quite a lovely family,\u201d Petyr remarked as they washed up. It was a chaotic but happy affair, as were most of their family activities. Anya and the younger children watched Petyr shyly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d said Laria. \u201cThere\u2019s one more you haven\u2019t met, but he\u2019s sleeping in his crib. We\u2019ll introduce you to them all over dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI look forward to it, Milady.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlease\u2014just call me Laria. We have no noble houses in these parts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roderick glanced sideways at her and winked. That, too, was only half a truth, but it was gratifying to see that he had no qualm about it. She returned the wink and began to walk back to the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEva! Tomas!\u201d she called out over her shoulder. \u201cCome help me set the table. Anya, get the food ready, and Francis, see to the comfort of our guest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The children scurried about, showing only a vague inclination to follow her instructions. She let out an exasperated sigh, but inwardly smiled at the happy chaos of her home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roderick<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The dawn\u2019s soft rays warmed the dew-kissed plains. Hand in hand, Roderick and Laria walked with Petyr to the fence at the edge of their homestead, his horse plodding beside them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlease,\u201d he said, reaching for his money pouch. \u201cI must repay you for your generosity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNay,\u201d said Roderick. \u201cThe pleasure was ours. Besides, you\u2019ll have more need for that coin than we.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you sure you don\u2019t want to settle down here?\u201d Laria asked him. \u201cOur settlement is still harassed by bandits from time to time. We could use a good knight like you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Petyr shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Milady. My destiny lies in the desert.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where have I heard that before?<\/em> Roderick couldn\u2019t help but reflect. He fingered the silver locket beneath his shirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf that\u2019s the case,\u201d he said aloud, \u201cyou should probably trade your horse for a camel at the next town. And be careful in the oases\u2014the fey undines watch those waters carefully.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Petyr scoffed. \u201cUndine nymphs? Next you\u2019ll tell me that the treasures of Xulthar are guarded by walking skeletons.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roderick and Laria glanced meaningfully at each other. Should we tell him?<\/em> she mouthed silently as Petyr mounted his steed. Roderick shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got a long journey ahead of you, lad,\u201d he said, helping Petyr into his saddle. \u201cLong enough that you may not yet know where it leads.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course I know where it leads,\u201d Petyr retorted. \u201cIt leads to the legendary city!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAye,\u201d said Roderick. \u201cThat\u2019s certainly the dream. And what is life without something impossible to dream for?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust don\u2019t be surprised if the fates have something better for you,\u201d Laria added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Petyr gave them both a quizzical look, then turned his horse about and trotted through the gate. \u201cFarewell!\u201d he called out behind him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFarewell!\u201d Roderick and Laria called in return, waving until he passed out of view over the next hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo you think he\u2019ll be alright?\u201d Laria asked as they returned to the house, her voice filled with motherly concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAye,\u201d laughed Roderick. \u201cIn another year or two, he\u2019ll probably find a girl somewhere and settle down like us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not afraid that he\u2019ll die out there, alone in the desert wastes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roderick thought about it for a moment, then shook his head. \u201cNay, Laria. \u2018Tis good to dream the impossible dream, and tread the untrodden road for a season. Else how can a man look back on his life and be satisfied with what he has become?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The younger children came running out of the farmhouse, yelling as they played their imaginative little games. Francis stepped out of the barn with two buckets full of fresh milk, while Anya scattered corn for the chickens in the yard. Soon, it would be time for breakfast, and another day\u2019s labor in the fields. It was a hard life, but a rewarding one, and there was nowhere else Roderick would rather be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As if in answer to his thoughts, Laria smiled and squeezed his hand. \u201cAnd are you satisfied, my dear husband?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He answered her nary a word, but with a long and lingering kiss instead. It was enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<< Chapter 9 <<<\/a> The Riches of Xulthar<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Roderick Roderick paused from turning his field and wiped the sweat from his brow. The sun was hot, but not unbearably so, and the clouds blowing in from the south promised rain. He smiled at them with hope that the harvest would be plentiful this year, and peered at the traveler approaching from down the… Continue reading The Riches of Xulthar: Epilogue<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1688],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17339","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-riches-of-xulthar","entry"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7iXK-4vF","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onelowerlight.com\/writing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17339","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onelowerlight.com\/writing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onelowerlight.com\/writing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onelowerlight.com\/writing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onelowerlight.com\/writing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17339"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.onelowerlight.com\/writing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17339\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17366,"href":"https:\/\/www.onelowerlight.com\/writing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17339\/revisions\/17366"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onelowerlight.com\/writing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17339"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onelowerlight.com\/writing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17339"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onelowerlight.com\/writing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}