by Eden Redd
Edric called up a screen and summoned two earth elementals. He typed in a few commands and then swiped the screen away. The elementals moved to the side of the road. Stone jutted upwards, shifting and twisting to the elemental’s touch. Claudia watched with wide eyes as the rock began to form a stone statue. The body of the statue took on a feminine shape and wore armor similar to what Claudia was wearing. Stone chipped and fell away as features morphed into a close approximation of the lancer by Edric’s side.
Claudia looked to the formed face in silence.
The name “Claudia” carved into the gray stone at the base. Sunlight lit up the statue as it stood, spear in hand. The lancer stared, unable to break her gaze.
Edric smiled. “You don’t have to keep it. I just thought it would be nice to show you what you can do in your district. Here you can build anything and maybe having something that inspires or warms your heart may be just what you need to decide what you want to see.”
Claudia’s mouth bloomed into a small smile and turned to the summoner. “This is a really sweet way of encouraging me. Thank you Edric.”
The summoner gave a light bow, “You’re welcome Lady Pearl.”
The lancer looked back to the statue and then turned to the empty district. “Lady Pearl. That will take a little getting used to.”
Claudia called the floating 2D screen to her. Tapping away, life fairies appeared alongside earth elementals. Tapping at the screen a few more times, the fairies and elementals rushed off. The land shifted, giving it some small hills. Alongside the cobbled street, a white stone structure rose up. Several stone homes emerged in patches. Several docks appeared at the edge of the lake. Paths and benches snaked through the area and patches of gardens bloomed.
Edric and Claudia watched as the district took on a heavenly glow in the bright sun. Patches of woods sprouted and the district seemed to fall into a countryside setting. The white stone building finished forming and a metal dragon sculpture formed at the top.
“I may add some more homes as the population grows,” Claudia smiled.
“It’s beautiful,” Edric said, looking on impressed.
Claudia looked up at the statue of herself, legs parted and standing in a warrior pose. Calling on the elementals, the statue began to move as if it was alive. Edric turned his head to see the statue kneel onto one knee with the head tilting forward. Claudia’s name on the base faded from view. New words carved into the surface saying “Treasure every day”.
“May those words inspire others, just like you inspired me,” the lancer said with warm eyes.
Edric smiled as they looked on to the warm and beautiful district.
***
The group gathered in the city core chamber. The large core turned silently as the companions looked to the map of Elora. Outside, the sun sunk lower, touching the horizon after the long day. Edric could feel he was mentally wiped out. Looking to the others, they all had some degree of weariness. Rayna yawned while Claudia leaned, holding onto her spear. Faye stood; a slight darkness under her almond shaped eyes.
The summoner moved closer to the city map, knowing the final touch needed to be added for the sake of the kingdom. Lifting a single finger, he started at the northern top of the city and traced a curved line to the left. Edric’s finger traced a glowing line around the whole city and brought it full circle to the top. Stepping back, the line glowed and solidified.
All four left the core chamber and took a spiral staircase up. On the third floor, they moved as one to one of the new balconies. Stepping out, all eyes looked to the city edge. A thick wall encircled the city. Arched gates opened to the north, south, east and west. The sun dipped lower against the horizon, golden light touching the western edge of the protective wall.
“It looks amazing for a day’s worth of work,” Edric said.
Faye noticed birds flocking to her high trees along the southern main street. “It’s starting to grow on me.”
Rayna looked to the west, red and white lanterns glowing along the district streets. “It might be fun to have a city to ourselves.”
Claudia silently looked to the lake glimmering in her district.
“It may take a few days, but people will begin to wander to Elora. The current citizens will try to entice them to stay. We should receive alerts as it happens,” Edric said.
“I could use a few in game days to relax,” Rayna said as she continued to eye her district.
Edric called up a 2D screen and eyed the information, “We have about twenty percent of our gold left. Until we have citizens we can tax, we will have to be frugal on costs. I would say we hold off on altering the city any further but we can use some of the gold to furnish the keep.”
The group nodded in agreement. One by one, they peeled away from the balcony and stepped into the keep. Edric looked out to the city one last time before he too turned and walked toward the heavy door.
The summoner stepped inside and his fellow companions were nowhere to be seen. Walking along, the player decided to head to his room and see if he could purchase some items to make it a little homier. The empty corridors stretched on as Edric made mental notes to have tapestries hung. As the population grew, some of the people would become servants to help keep the castle in order.
The summoner’s mind began to wander as he walked along the quiet castle. Reaching the private master’s quarters, Edric stepped toward the door to his designated room. Hand reaching up, an image of Claudia touched his thoughts. The image swirled and formed Faye and then swirled again to Rayna. A dark cloud formed as he remembered what the bard said to him the night before about being ready for experimentation. He could feel it in his heart that she meant it and wasn’t sure if he was excited or a little put off.
Taking hold of the door knob, the summoner twisted and pulled. A dim lantern glowed in a corner, casting long shadows in the room. Edric stepped in and closed the door behind him. A cold fireplace stood off to the side and the balcony doors were open, a small breeze flowing in. No curtains hung and Edric added it to the things he needed to purchase.
The evening air took on a crisp edge. Edric moved to the balcony doors, ready to close them to keep out the chill. A shape caught his eye and he looked out onto the stone balcony.
A figure cloaked in shadows stood at the railing, facing him.
Edric was startled, taking a step back as he tried to focus on the figure. It instantly began walking toward him, its body writhing and shifting before his eyes. The summoner reached into his satchel, fingers coiling around Leeta’s lock stone. His other hand grabbed at the whip at his belt. Before he could utter an incantation, the twisting shadow stopped. Body pulsating, the edges of it seemed to pixilate. Edric whispered Leeta’s summoning incantation but the figure crumbled before him.
The player watched as the figure seemed to fall in on its self and form a black puddle. A moment later, the shadows leaked away into the cracks in the floor and it was gone. The summoner stepped closer and stood over the spot. Tapping with his foot, he checked to see if whatever it was would come back but nothing happened.
“That’s weird,” Edric said as he turned his gaze upwards, the twin moons rising into the night sky.
Eight
Blinking, the summoner stirred from his sleep. Light spilled in from the balcony as a new day began. Sitting up, the player swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. Pressing a palm to his chest, a deep green robe appeared over his body, satchel at his side and whip at his belt.
Subdued excitement ran along the player’s limbs as he readied for the day. It had only been one night but he wondered how many new citizens would be arriving today. Walking to the bed chamber door, he glanced back to the balcony. The image of the black thing melting away filled his mind. It was something he was going to have to talk about with the others.
Opening the door, the summoner stepped out and began walking to the stairs. The hallway was empty as he wondered where the rest of his group was. When he reached
the edge of the stairs, an alert appeared in his vision.
New citizens are arriving at the western gate.
Edric smiled to himself as he made his way down. Leaping a few steps at a time, he reached the third floor and stepped out. Chest out, he walked to the main western balcony. Sunlight poured in and the shapes of Faye and Claudia filled the balcony just beyond the door. They leaned forward against the railing, their backs to him.
Edric walked into the bright sunshine, taking a deep breath. As he stepped along, his morning smile began to fade. Eyes locked on the western district. When he reached the edge of the balcony, hands touched the stone railing and he too leaned over for a better look. Faye and Claudia glanced over, eyes neutral before continuing to stare outwards.
The western gate was open and a thick line of people entered. Their bodies were haggard and bent. Even from the balcony, Edric could see the hollow gazes as they seemed to pour into the city. Clothes were tattered or dirty. The western main street was filled with people of all races but most of them were human. They splintered or peeled off from the main street, making their way into empty homes.
Faye looked out to the street again, “Rayna is down there, organizing the city guard but we don’t have enough guards to help all the people entering the city.”
“They look like they just marched out of a war zone,” Claudia said as she stared down.
The wood elf nodded, “We were just coming to get you. Elora says there are hundreds more coming from Northern Journey road.”
Edric tried to organize his thoughts. He never expected this. From the tutorials, at most there would be only a few dozen appearing daily, but Faye was right. He looked down and watched hundreds entering the city. The city was large enough to accommodate about half a million but if this is just the start, the city could be overwhelmed in the coming weeks.
Faye continued, “I was speaking with Elora and we need to place farmlands so we can feed the people. Now that we have an influx, we will need to organize or there could be a food shortage. I can begin gathering farmers but we need to decide on a location.”
Edric looked to the wood elf, “North of the city would be best. The forests to the east are too thick. The west and south lead to the Journey roads.”
“There is plenty of grassy land to the north but there are still the ogre tribes in the forests beyond it,” Claudia added.
“Right now, we need to take care of the people. We can handle the ogres once we settle everyone in,” Edric said with a concerned edge.
Faye and Claudia turned to the summoner. Edric looked to them, trying to keep his thoughts in order. Building a city was the simple part. Now, they needed to be there, leading the people.
The three stepped toward the balcony entrance and headed toward the stairs. The summoner led the way as they descended. Stepping through the keep, they reached the western entrance and stepped out into the city.
A living crowd stretched out before them. Some families sat, resting with blank gazes. Others talked in monotone voices as if they were in shock. The murmur of the crowd seemed to fill the air. Edric, Faye and Claudia made their way into the crowd, walking along and drinking in the sight of devastated people. Some bowed as if knowing already they were the ruling class. Others looked on, never making eye contact.
A man rushed out and knelt on the cobble street, hands reaching out and grabbing Edric’s hand.
“Thank you my lord for taking us in. We nearly perished. So many died fleeing the northern kingdoms,” the man whimpered.
Edric looked down and knelt to him, hands on the man’s shoulders, “What happened?”
The man’s eyes watered, “The Dread Lords, they have begun their conquest. Their armies moved south from the dragon kingdoms. They have asked all to bend their knee. Some tried to fight back only to have the kingdoms burned to the ground. Many here began the migration south to escape their unholy power but monsters took advantage on so many. We lost people every day. Your kingdom was the beacon we needed for shelter from the dead and untamed wilds.”
A woman walked over, barefoot and kneeling down, “Many of us were going to plead with the troll masters in the middle kingdoms for sanctuary until we saw your shining city. Please, do not turn us away.”
Edric stood up, helping the man and woman to their feet, “There is plenty of room for everyone. Please, settle in. We will find accommodations for all.”
The man and woman bowed their heads. Many more moved in closer, desperation filling their eyes and voices carrying on the morning breeze. Edric could barely keep his shock at bay. The smells and sobbing radiated around him. He had to remind himself it was a game but the thought held no weight. It didn’t work that night when Elora died and it didn’t relieve his sense of duty shouting from his heart.
Faye broke away and moved through the crowd until she reached a lamp post, hand up; she pulled herself up above the crowd, boots against the side and leaning outwards.
“We are here to help you!” the wood elf boomed and eyes turned to her.
Faye continued, projecting her voice, “Any who know farming, please come to me. We will set up farms north of the city. Please spread the word.”
Some raised their hands, eyes filling with hope. Many shouted out that they are farmers or worked on farms. Others passed the word down the street. Eyes looked to the wood elf as she waved her arm to the crowd. Soon many gathered at her feet, ready to follow.
“I’ll help Faye set up farm houses and land,” Claudia said to Edric.
The summoner nodded, “I’ll help Rayna with getting the people settled in the city.”
Eyes met for a second before the pair parted. Faye jumped down from the post and ordered the gathering farmers to follow. Claudia moved ahead of the group, pulling out a city scroll and calling up a 2D screen.
Edric watched them disappear through the streets before turning and making his way along the western street. The player looked around as people asked if they had seen missing loved ones. It all reminded him of things he had seen on the news. The sorrow and mental devastation was rampart until the sound of a lute filled the air.
Edric made his way, the music growing and the crowd calming down. The sound of strings coaxed frayed nerves. People parted and Edric gazed on Rayna as she played. The bard in leather let her voice join the music, blending together into a divine serenity. Some of the people smiled while others let out a relaxed sigh. The tune bounced off stone homes and rippled along the crowds.
Edric reached Rayna’s side. The bard continued to play, ignoring the summoner. Fingers played their strings, and the incoming hordes seemed better for it. Edric pulled out Leeta’s lock stone and whispered his summoning spell. Energy flared from the stone as an arcane circle appeared on the street. The ogre rose up until she reached her full height.
“Let’s help these people find new homes,” Edric said to the beautiful ogre.
Leeta nodded with a smile. The summoner and ogre moved into the crowds, directing the people as the bard in black played her song of peace.
***
Time flowed on like an endless river. Days and nights passed as the companions worked. Faye and Claudia directed their time, charting out farm land and having homes built for the farmers and workers. Supplies were bought and distributed to ease the adjustment. The people were resilient, quickly falling to their duties and taking to the land almost instantly. A separate group of master farmers were designated for the winery crops. It turned out Leeta was quite the viticulturist, with a plethora of vineyard knowledge. Not that big of a surprise, given her relationship with the elixir.
Rayna organized a city guard to help keep the peace as some fighting began to take place between certain racial groups. Edric often checked on her for the bard was clearly out of her comfort zone, but she took to it anyway without a complaint. She used her lute and her voice to calm down several altercations before assigning guards to patrol the streets.
Edric spent his time moving people to places tha
t best fit their skills, knowledge and trades. The summoner had several smaller groups travel to Varikk to establish a trade route and bring back supplies. New citizens took to the task instantly and four days later, supplies began to trickle in. Edric could not contain his smile as the first wagons began to appear, filled with crates of food, seeds and other items for the people of Elora.
The summoner watched as the new citizens began to settle in. Some approached him as he walked the streets, former servants for lords and ladies who wished to serve at the keep. Edric brought them in, assigning tasks and duties. The main keep had proven too small and the player increased the size, adding floors and raising the five towers higher into the air. The main middle tower became the highest point in the city, able to see down to each district.
Edric watched the gold dwindle with each passing day. Speaking to the city core, he and his fellow companions decided on a monthly tax but with only a week into settling the new citizens, they had another three weeks before they could even begin collections. They all knew it would be a lean few weeks but they all agreed it would work out in time.
The stream of new citizens did trickle down by the third day. The population stayed steady and all the districts contained a sizeable headcount but there was still plenty of room for more. Relief washed over the summoner as it appeared everything was falling into place.
With all the organizing and directing of new citizens, Edric quickly forgot about the strange figure on his balcony. The memory spiraled away and he was consumed with helping those new to Elora. As time slowed down, Edric could feel himself relax with each passing day. The farmers planted their crops. Stores and shops opened in Faye’s district. Ale was flowing in Rayna’s district and some began to worship and thank the many gods for the miracle of finding the beautiful city of Elora.