For the record, I’m not terribly thrilled with this sequel. Hopefully, someone can get us back on track.

I think you’re being too hard on yourself. It’s a very good sequel that gives a nice setting for the town. I think the sentence “[h]is village had no locks” is slightly jarring, but the rest of it gives a good description of the town and Roland’s feelings towards it. I think you took it in a completely different direction than Pens was going, but that’s what makes it fun.
Also, I love the idea of the castle surrounded by a floating moat.

I think it’s a great bit of description that sets up what’s next to come.