by Eden Redd
Kobolds rushed to the mine, making their way deeper into the ground. Stone, iron, and copper were mined, brought to the surface and laid out in large piles. The work was grueling, but not one of them complained. They saw the need and desire in Will’s eyes and they were ready to help achieve his dreams.
Panu marched beyond the front gate with axes in hands. Morgan, Sil, and Nova followed, providing direction and protection as the horned people raised their axes and brought them across the base of trees. A dozen trees fell shortly, shattering to pieces and turning into floating logs. Some panu gathered and returned with the new wood while many continued to cut away at the primeval forest. Each day, the emerald green forest retreated a little at a time as Will’s territory began to grow wider.
Sil often worked with the panu during the days, but during the evenings, she made time to gather the kobolds and speak with them. They knew she was their leader and followed her commands to the letter. The tall kobold lead her people and they worked harder because of it. Food plentiful, she had them fed until their bellies were bursting and that led them to work harder come the mornings.
Nova spent much of her time assisting with chopping down trees. Axe in each of her four hands, she was a slicing tornado, easing up some of the workload. When she spotted a rabbit, the stalker grinned as she chased after it. They were fast, but the new guardian used her abilities to close up rabbit holes before they reached them. Hands scooped up the frightened creatures, carrying them one by one back into town. The guardian designated a home where she could raise them. Cages filled the home and buckets of carrots lined a wall, the stalker feeding them every evening before she took them out of cages and hugged them to her face.
Morgan oversaw construction of a new wall. Will, Val, and Morgan discussed the strength of the wall they had and it was found lacking. The three came up with a new design, one that would provide better protection should they be attacked again. With the forest cut down near the small kingdom, the kobolds and panu came together to build a stronger one. Each stone block was three feet by three feet. Kobolds and panu placed the thick stone blocks into place, five blocks at a time to create a fifteen-foot-thick wall. Piling the stone upwards, the wall grew until it was thirty feet tall. It had a walkway on top and towers were built along the length of it. The entire wall was large enough to dwarf the small town behind it. The old wall was dismantled and used to reinforce the new one. An iron gate was built and installed, chains and levers designed so even two kobolds could open each side. When the final stone slid into place, a celebration filled the tiny village of Thorn Spire.
Will watched his people as smiles and cheers bloomed, food served and wine bottles passed around. It wasn’t long after the meal where bodies joined in jovial excitement. The mood shifted as the new wall brought greater protection from the wilds beyond the gate. The player watched as kobolds pawed at each other, pulling clothes off and partaking of sensual delights. The panu were no different, their moans and gasps filling the small village all night.
The next day, all the villagers worked harder, the bonds between them strong like iron chains.
Stella helped throughout the process. The Witch Angel used her considerable strength to move heavy items, but always managed to glance in Will’s direction with a sultry wink and a lick of her full, black lips.
Val spent much of her time working on her Alchemy table and patrolling the village. The few times Will made his way down to the village to inspect the new homes being built, he would catch the pale beauty kneeling before Draygon’s shrine. She would stay there for hours before getting up and going about her evening like nothing had happened.
Weeks rolled by and Will admired how the small village grew bigger. Female kobolds and panu began to show, bellies filled with new life. Will wasn’t sure how long it would take for such creatures to procreate, but he knew that young children would soon grace the village. The thought sent his mind in motion, trying to figure out how he could take care of his growing people.
Milly, with a few panu, handled the farms and livestock. Milly worked from sunup to sundown before making her way to the castle and falling asleep, sometimes in her bed and sometimes in Will’s bed.
The days were filled with work as Will joined the groups. Sometimes he mined stone and other times he cut down trees. He helped build the new wall and worked side by side with his new people as they built new homes. The speed at which they built moved so quickly, they had more homes than citizens. Will often reassured many of his citizens that the town would be filled soon enough so each family would be well taken care of.
When he wasn’t building, the player was in his workshop, crafting spells. The process took longer than expected beyond simple spells. He filled a few pages of new spells, but trying to design new ones grew harder. Analyzing the Spell Crafting Table, he saw that it was a basic item for creating basic spells. Filing it away, he knew he would have to search for Heroes or Idols if he was going to increase his power.
One night, the thought hit him harder than he expected. Standing up from the spell crafting table, he left his workshop and bedchamber. Walking along the great corridors, he made his way deeper and deeper into the bowels of the castle. Reaching a nondescript iron door beyond a secret wall, he inserted a key of his own design, the only one of its kind. The door swung open to a room with a lone lantern that never went out. Thirteen alcoves took up a long wall. Two small Idols sat in the middle, one of Draygon and one of Yir.
The player often found himself staring, making sure they were really there. At times, he doubted his own mind, a small paranoia taking root that one night he would enter and they would be gone. Upon seeing them, he would let out a relieved sigh before closing the iron door, locking it and exiting out the secret wall. The vault was strong and the location secret only to him. The player pondered that he should add traps and maybe some kind of guardian to protect them.
Thoughts floated on dark clouds. Will noticed with each passing night, an urge to leave the protection of his new home to go exploring. Seeing the new wall built only added to his desire to seek out the other Idols. Thorn Spire had grown, but faint whispers mocked him, speaking of monsters at the gate, ready to tear his little Eden to sunders.
Returning to his workshop, he practiced his spells. When he wasn’t practicing, he built a leather holster for his spell book and a small chain. Connecting the chain to the binder of his spell book, the player easily slid the medium thick tome into a holster on his left hip. While he practiced, he discovered that he only had to have the book up and name the spell. The pages would flip to the appropriate spell. The runic words would glow and when the spell was cast, they would dim until twenty-four hours had passed and they regained their power.
Will opened the spell book at times to go over the spells he created.
Spell Book
Fire Bolt (Apprentice)
Ice Bolt (Apprentice)
Earth Bolt (Apprentice)
Air Bolt (Apprentice)
Fire Weaving (Apprentice)
Water Weaving (Apprentice)
Will noticed each spell took a page in his spell book. He could fill the book with ninety-nine spells, but he slowed down his research. Seeing that the spells were apprentice level, he would need room to add higher level spells when he knew how to do that. There was nothing stopping him from creating several spell books, but since arcane magic was still in the fledgling stage, he needed to be concise before expanding his knowledge and power. Thoughts drifted to Draygon and sometimes to Val. The pale beauty seemed to be interested in the arcane, but didn’t bring it to his attention. It caused Will to wonder what she was working on, but not enough to ask.
Days after the wall and town were completed, Will, Val, and Morgan sat in a large room. A small, single window looked out, beams of afternoon sun painting the floor in golden light. The trio sat in the shadowy side of the chamber at a round table. Wine glasses were half filled and papers lay across the smooth table surface. One large piece of p
aper held a crude drawing of the castle, town and wall with scribbles for the forest beyond.
“We will need to expand our territory next,” Will said as he looked down at the crude map.
“We don’t have the people to do it. It may be a few more weeks before the pregnant kobolds and Panu give birth,” Morgan said with an even tone.
Val leaned back in her chair, boots up and resting on the table. “What’s the hurry? We still have plenty of room in town to build more homes and I thought we were going to build some shops and create a currency. If we want this kingdom to prosper, we have to add the values when it’s still young.”
Will nodded as a faint image of Draygon and Yir crossed his mind. “You are both right, but we still have to think of the future. Once Thorn Spire begins to populate, we should move out and create towns. We will need explorers and pilgrims to map out the lands. We will need soldiers to enforce our protection.”
Morgan gave a slow nod. “I see. This isn’t about just rapid expansion, but protection as well. If we are thinking about the future, fort towns might be what we need until the population is large enough to grow the towns. The forests are still untamed and night time will be disastrous for any pioneers we send out.”
“We can’t forget about the hydras,” Val said.
Will’s eyes took on a confident shine, “Valid points, but I think instead of waiting for the population to grow, we instead seek out races and gather their soul stones. With the Soul Caskets, we can grow the population faster than the birthrates of our current citizens.
“I propose an expedition. We seek out new races, liberate them of their soul stones and wake them from their savagery. We can also map out the lands, search for more Hero tombs and maybe recover any Idols hidden in the countryside.”
Val and Morgan gave the player a shrewd stare before small smiles bloomed.
Will continued, “We are going into this to build a society for those who are lost. I’m not of the mind of conquering, but the more we awaken from their primitive ways, the better Jova and our kingdom will become. I have thought this over for a long time and civilization will be the cornerstone to a better world.
“The faster we acquire new technologies, magic, and tools, the better everyone will be. We can build better weapons to defend not just this town, but all towns and cities for the future. However, we need to gather those resources and knowledge first. We will finish up what we started here, but I think in a week, we should explore our lands.”
“I’m with you,” Morgan stated simply.
Val gave Will a fanged smile, “Ambitious and exciting. Count me in so I can keep you boys out of trouble.”
“Do you have anyone in mind for this particular expedition?” Morgan asked.
Will leaned forward, fingers laced right at chin level, “The three of us, Stella, and Sil. The five of us should be strong enough to explore the countryside. Nova can stay behind to guard everyone. Milly can watch over the kingdom.”
Morgan nodded, but Val was the one who spoke up.
“Sil and Nova are Guardians, but shouldn’t we create more? They would be assets for growth and securing our power.”
Will nodded as a darkness touched the edges of his eyes. “I can make more, but I can only have seven. I don’t know why that rule is in place, but this world has all sorts of weird rules. I don’t want to chance just making anyone a Guardian. Sil and Nova have proved their worth. I think we need to watch others to consider if they are loyal enough to become Guardians. It will give our inner circle something to aspire to.”
Val nodded but kept her gaze on Will. “Can we become Guardians?”
Will gave a small shake of his head. “I remember being told that Heroes could not become Guardians. The rule is like a faint foggy memory. You both are immortal as in you will not age, but violence can end your existence.”
The pale woman nodded with a pointed smile. “You can’t blame me for trying,” she winked.
Will let out a small laugh. “You have been hanging around Stella.”
“She’s been haunting a few of us lately, bemoaning that you don’t show her any attention.”
“I have to tell her I’m busy and quickly run off,” Morgan smiled.
“I know I’ve been distant with her, but I’m trying to get over that. She has been nothing, but helpful but I’m not sure if she is ready to join our circle.”
Val lifted up her boots from the table, swung them down and leaned forward in her chair, eyes bright.
“I have had some faint memories of my past life. I used to have many who worshipped and followed me, but I had to test their loyalties. People show their true selves in their most desperate moments. Stella is strong and powerful, but the only way to know is to have her at her weakest. A test would be appropriate.
“Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe any of us want her to suffer any harm, but situations may present themselves. The three of us just need to be aware and ready for the moment, coming together as a united front.”
Will and Morgan nodded.
Val smirked, “And when she passes the test, we create another one just to be sure.”
Will eyed the pale beauty for a long moment. “You have played this kind of game before.”
Val leaned back and gave a wicked smile, “Lord Asher, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Will and Morgan let out small chuckles before the light in the chamber dimmed. All eyes turned to the single window, sunlight darkening into a gray shadow. Will was first to his feet, walking over and looking out. Dark clouds drifted over the small kingdom, blotting out the sun.
“I think we are done for today. We can talk about preparations tomorrow,” Will said before the wind picked up and caused the glass window to shudder.
“Should we be concerned,” Val asked, fully implying the incoming storm.
Will continued to look out, “I’m not sure.”
Morgan was to his feet, “I’m going back to town. I can check on the kobolds and panu, make sure they are okay if a storm is coming.”
A dark whisper touched Will’s mind, “I think we should all go, just to be sure.”
Val gazed on Will’s form as he stood before the window. “Your instincts are telling you something?”
“I’m not sure. Something does feel… odd.”
Val was standing up and checking her nails on one hand. “I could use a stroll with two strapping young men.”
The three of them turned and made their way to the door. Will led the way, with Morgan and Val close behind. The air changed as he made his way through the corridors and down the stairs. It had taken on an electric charge and deep down; it didn’t sit well with him. Following Yir’s path of the Hunter caused his senses to flare alive. He noticed things he never had before, sensing the world around him like a wild animal in a primeval world.
When Will exited the main gate and began walking toward Thorn Spire, something drifted on the air. The small breezes had turned into a harder wind and carried with it something he was not familiar with. There was a touch of death, life, and magic, and it sent his inner world spiraling in speculation. It could be the storm, signaling that it was stronger than he suspected, but the player wasn’t sure. The odd vibration moved along his senses and he found it difficult to ignore.
“This is going to be a bad storm. I can smell it,” Val stated simply.
“It could be a hurricane. I can feel its power, but I’m not sure of its strength,” Morgan added.
“Let’s get the people in their homes. We can cancel the work for today. If it seems like it will be a bad storm, we may have to evacuate everyone to the castle.”
The rest of the walk was made in silence, Will looking up at the dark clouds from time to time. When they reached the center of town, kobolds and panu continued to work, moving supplies to storage homes and some looking to Will.
“Tell everyone to prepare for the storm,” Will said over his shoulder to Morgan and Val before a rabbit hopped
past his boots.
Val and Morgan moved away while Will watched the rabbit hop away. From behind a small home, several rabbits hopped out into view. Glancing around, the young lord saw rabbits appearing from around corners, twitching their noses and staring blankly.
A shadow appeared from behind a home. Before Will could even react, Nova darted out and grabbed two rabbits by their furry necks. Lifting them up, she cradled the two she just caught and glared at the other rabbits hopping away.
“We need to get inside,” she shouted at the fleeing rabbits like they understood.
Will approached the stalker, concern in his brow. Nova turned and smiled, two arms cradling the bunnies and her upper hands stroking their fur.
“I let them out to get some exercise before seeing the storm clouds,” the green woman grinned. “They are just so precious; I don’t want them to get hurt or sick.”
Will’s concern slid into a small smile. “I can help you gather them.”
Nova’s grin grew broader and stars filled her eyes. “Thank you! I would love the help. I’ll return these two to my home.”
Will lifted a hand and scratched the back of his head. Nova adored her rabbits and Will didn’t feel right leaving the round up just to her. The stalker walked away and Will looked down at a rabbit twenty feet away.
“Don’t,” he said coolly before the rabbit darted away.
“Dammit,” Will growled before he ran after it.
Leggings pricked with magical energy as he flashed forward, hands scooping the fleeing bunny. Hoisting it up, it started blankly at him as if it quickly gave up, knowing it could not escape. Will smiled before seeing another rabbit and chasing it. The bunny hopped toward the mine entrance before turning its direction as Sil emerged with kobolds behind her. Will slid to a halt and pounced forward, one hand out. The bunny leapt into the air only to be snatched in another hand, legs kicking out.