Chapter 045:

(Changed the position of Marshall to Sheriff and Deputies. Seems like an obvious oversight now :) )

Lunch was the standard affair, the air filled with shouts and cheers from the villagers and a hushed conversation from the council members. Except that this time Kal had joined them, for her first communal lunch. Almost a full thousand of the people of Atros had stopped to eat. This did lead to some problems, mainly overcrowding, that was dealt with by the surprisingly authoritative and efficient elderly villagers. Now they were having to draft up some sort of rotation plan for lunch so that the village did not grind to a halt. Not to mention there wouldn't be many keeping watch into the wilderness. That lead to some other arguments but the elderly villagers had been able to calm the situation with some stern words.

The normal food, a healthy selection of cooked meat, breads and lots of vegetables, had been served up. He was sure it tasted better than the equivalent meal from Earth. Perhaps it was the completely natural and organic way it was grown? Or perhaps the Earth Mana flowing through the ground, that allowed the plants and monsters of this world to grow at unexpected levels, that made it taste so good. Perhaps it was just in his mind. Not that it really mattered. It tasted very good. He barely missed the processed foods of Earth.

Everyone ate with their fingers. They did not have anything in the way of cutlery, apart from rough spoons for soups. Anton did wish for a knife and fork. He could have used his prayer magic to make himself one but to create a wooden spoon for Kal had taken almost half of his mana. He did not feel ready yet to use his mana so frivolously on something that he could manage without. And if he did make something like that, and used it all the time when he ate, he was certain that he would be incessantly nagged by passers-by for one. The other council members, merrily eating away, might be flooded with requests for his creations. Though that might just be an unhealthy dose of paranoia.

Kal sat beside Verona this time, who sat next to him. Again nobody said anything about Kal's presence on the council table. Anton had a sneaking suspicion that Avery was the least fond of Beast-kin of those present. He did not know if he should put it down to a cautious attitude to outsiders or if he was genuinely hateful of Beast-kin. Either way he kept such thoughts to himself. He had not heard from anyone with a protest about Kal's presence, though his presence was definitely suppressing any such attitude.

Kal ate with her normal caution and nervousness, always making sure not to show off her teeth and keeping an eye of everything moving around her. It had caused her enough discomfort the first time he had seen it and she had no intention of showing them again to relative strangers. Now there were over a thousand rowdy villagers were in close proximity, shouting and jeering. Thankfully nobody was looking in her direction as she ate. It was slowly calming her, like she was blending in.

There was a conversation ongoing but Anton had zoned out. Thinking over what happened to Verona in his mind took away some of his concentration, and his enjoyment of the meal. There was little he could do but trust in her judgement and support her however he could. He hoped that she would get better in time. Verona picked up on his concern and gave his leg a squeeze. He returned it with a smile and focused his attention back onto the conversation.

“I could really use some more help.” Zac grumbled. “I'm struggling a little.”

The large bear-man folded his arms, putting down what remained of the Razor-pig meat. He seemed to be a fast eater. Either that or Anton was especially slow today.

“We're stretched as far as we can be.” Bertram replied.

He looked quite apologetic for whatever problem was unravelling infront of him.

“I understand that.” Zac looked quite sorry himself. “It would just be easier on the people that work for me if the load was lightened. So I can focus on getting to the building.”

“What's wrong Zac?” Anton asked. It would be rude to ask what they had just been talking about, and effectively admit that he had not been paying any attention, but he had no other way of finding out what he was talking about.

Zac scratched his head. “Listen...Lad, I am thankful that you've put so much trust in me to organise all of the building and construction of Atros and the places outside.” Zac emphasised 'and' quite a bit, sounding quite tired as he did so, “But, I'm struggling with this many things at once. ”

Zac lent back in his chair and took a deep breath before continuing. “Before...Well, before this, I was only building a house or two at the same time. It didn't matter where they went, there was always more room. I did alright in fixing up the houses that were damaged over the winters. That was simple enough, but now I'm having to plan and build dozens of houses at once. I'm guessing that you're going to want something none of us have ever seen before. Nothing like in the old Kingdom.”

He looked towards Jonathan, who was making sure that his children ate everything on their plates.

“What you got Jonathan to build is proof of that.”

Jonathan glanced around but returned to his children when it was clear that he was being spoken about rather than to.

“Anyway, I'm just saying that I need some more help to get things done right. Planning things out is becoming a big problem for me. I've got the new people from Maxill asking me questions every few heartbeats. It's...I don't think I'm right for my position.”

Zac seemed rather hurt by what he felt he had to say. However, Anton appreciated that he was being honest about having issues rather than covering them up. Anton had been ignoring that aspect of Atros in favour of bringing the weapons of Earth to this world. Now that seemed to be under-way, and still needing some time before it would as effective as he hoped, he needed to direct his attention to the very important task of industry and infrastructure.

Would Zac feel any different about what he had just said if he knew that Anton was going to talk to him after lunch? Possibly, but what had been said had been said.

“I...Appreciate your concerns.” Anton began, Zac keeping his arms folded. “But, I don't think that you should give in just yet. I was going to visit you and find out things were going. I have been neglecting your side of Atros for some time.”

“What am I hearing between you two?” Sam asked with a mouth full of food. Nobody acknowledged what she had said, her face turning into a pout in response. Jeff had to calm her down before she resumed her normal attitude.

“That's...nice to hear.” Zac replied to Anton. “But, I'm still struggling, regardless.”

“After we're done here I'll see what I can do. It sounds to be just the administration side of things that's getting to you, rather than the actual construction?”

Zac nodded.

“Then I might have a few ideas. It was not my profession, but it might be enough to help. Or at least make it a little easier or steer you in the right direction.”

“I'll take your word for it.” Zac smiled and began eating again.

Anton hoped that he would be of help and not just throw the administrative equivalent of his hand cannon designs on Zac. Verona coughed and poked Anton in the leg to get his attention.

“Well, while you two are doing that, I was thinking that I would continue to train and practice my blood power.” A bitter smile came to her face. “I think I'm going to need every moment if I'm going to have any chance of controlling it in a battle.”

“That reminds me,” Jeff began, “One of the soldiers on the eastern side of Atros said that they heard a loud crack coming from far away. Just like the lightning powers you use. About where you two were meant to be practising....Did something happen?”

Anton and Verona looked at one another. Above her head, he could see Kal tensing slightly. She stopped picking at her food.

“Something did,” Anton said with a shrug, “Suffice it to say that nothing bad happened.”

Verona gave him a rather annoyed look, a look to tell him that her trance and attacking him was no minor thing. He did not want to tell them that she could loose control if she mishandled her power. She turned to the others and shrugged.

“My power is...difficult to control. Not like Anton's.”

“You seemed fine when the Kobolds attacked.” Sam said. “Well, mostly.”

Verona shrugged again. "I suppose so. But I was really using it badly, like a child would wield a spear. Learning how to control every part of it is not going to be an easy or quick thing.”

“So, the lightning was not to defend yourselves?” Bertram asked.

He had hit the nail on the head. Verona audibly winced, and the others looked at her. He was not going to oust her for something she did in a magical trance. However, there was a way to shift it without drawing Verona deeper into questions.

“Not exactly,” he replied, “But there is a reason for concern. Kal said she found something. Kal?”

He looked at Kal. She shrunk away at everyone's stare, but her glare at him told him that she did not understand what she was being asked.

“Could you tell everyone what you found?” Anton said softly. He did not want to put her in an uncomfortable or difficult position, but she would need to be exposed to speaking infront of others. It was enough to start Kal in the right direction. She put down the remains of a piece of bread and took a deep breath.

“I...I had several things that I had collected over my lifetime that I did not bring with me to Atros when I first arrived. I did not know if you could be trusted then. I stored them in a nearby cave.” There was no sound of opposition, so Kal continued. “In that cave, I found...six Green Goblins.”

That caused some concern. Even if Kal did not say how far away the cave was, the fact that she came back with Anton and Verona in time for lunch told them it was not far away. Nobody wanted another repeat of the Yellow Goblins.

“They're dead now.” Kal said, throwing up both hands. Everyone's expression began to soften. “But, they were male and likely out-casts from a larger group. Outcasts looking to make their own group. A new nest.”

Dana groaned loudly, gripping tightly onto the hilt of a blade at her waist.

“But,” Kal looked a little worryingly at Dana, “They were Green Goblins. They don't live in the same sort of large groups that the Yellow Goblins do. They won't attack here, with walls this high and so many people. They would be rather go after a small hamlet without walls than here.”

Everyone visibly relaxed.

“But,” Anton continued, “It don't think it's a good idea just to leave it alone.”

He looked to Jeff, the man in charge of what constituted their military. Jeff shuffled, realising that he was on the spot.

“We...um...we don't know how many of these Green Goblins there are, or where they live.”

He glanced to Anton, who nodded as inscrutably as he could. Jeff took it that he was on the right track with this.

“And, with the people that we have, we can't just send them all out to hunt for them....Dana?”

Dana perked up. She was a bit distracted with remembering what the Yellow Goblins had done to her and those other women in the cave. It was unsettling for Anton as well, he had put them down himself with a lightning bolt to the head. Thinking about that made his stomach churn.

“Yeah?”

“I want you to organise a scouting....um, expedition, north east.”

Dana nodded, while Jeff looked towards Kal.

“Kal, anything we should know about the Green Goblins?” Jeff asked her, “Since you've been out there for so long.”

She seemed a little surprised by Jeff asked her a question. “They're the weakest and smallest of the Goblin varieties.” she began. “They hunt in groups of up to twenty, but the main camp will have up to about five hundred or so.”

Dana spluttered in surprise.

“Five Hundred?” she asked incredulously. “That doesn't sound like a small number of those things.”

Kal nodded. “But they aren't a threat to Atros, as they are now. You beat back nearly eight thousand Yellow Goblins.”

Dana opened her mouth to object but kept quiet. There was nothing to object about Kal's statement.

“Just,” Kal began again. “Be careful. They aren't very smart or have good eyesight but they should not be underestimated.”

“I did that.” Dana folded her arms and looked down at her empty plate. She began tapping impatiently on the table. “Okay...How far away do you think they'll be?” she asked Kal.

Something flashed over Kal's face, apprehension and a hint of fear, and it was gone again. He was not sure if the others saw.

“If...If these Green Goblins are the same as the others, it shouldn't be any more than a days walk.” A strange smile came onto Kal's face. “I think they are pretty lazy creatures.”

Well, if what I managed to find when I did that impromptu dissection, they seemed to survive on grass. They only go after humans because they can. Guess that would make them pretty lazy and sedentary, and the only reason they would need to spread out is from their social structure. Apparently these don't need humans to breed to large numbers. Doesn't really explain why the world isn't covered by these things, apart from possibly them killing each-other. A question to ask an expert on the matter.

Thinking that gave Anton another thought. “Dana?” he began. “Could you tell whoever goes on the trip, so long as they are careful, to try and capture one of them?”

Dana stopped, as if her body had just frozen solid. Everyone else looked slightly less shocked.

“Jeff, you remember that I dissected one of those things early on?”

Jeff nodded in agreement. “Yes. That was a little odd of you.”

“Well, we should try and investigate them as much as we can.” He received some very angry stares, especially from the women.

“So that we can figure out how to kill them better.” he added. “We shouldn't have to fight the Kobolds for some time, but the Goblins will be a constant threat. It would be a good idea to find out a little bit more about them.”

“You want those things running around in some sort of animal pen?” Dana asked, her shock and anger having levelled off. "In Atros? Those things here?"

“Not exactly. But I do want to see what else we can learn from them. See if anything further can be learnt from them. See if there's anything that can be used to kill them more easily. Though, I understand that an arrow to the chest or club to the head is just as effective without me doing this impromptu research session.”

Dana took a moment. “I'll see what I can do, but I'm not going to risk my riders or myself so we can capture one of those things.” She glanced around. “I don't see what you could possibly learn from them.”

“Things like where they're weakest, and how long they can survive without food, and whether they can live on just grass.”

“Why?” Verona asked. Everyone mirrored her thoughts.

“I'm thinking about the longer term.” Anton explained. “Do we even know how many Goblins are infesting the capital?”

“Lots.” Jeff replied.

“Lots indeed. Well, when we finally move against them we'll need to know if we can just surround them for a couple weeks while they starve and become weak. That'll save lives and effort. If we didn't know that we could have just charged in a lost many more people than we needed to.”

“Surdon was a very big city.” Bertram began. “We would need many thousands of soldiers to surround it, and many more to stop them from just fighting their way through."

Anton rubbed his bearded chin.

“I suppose I could move around and set fire to the grass around the city to cut them off from their food source, leaving one patch which we set up most of our forces. Force them to come to us.”

“That...could be something.” Jeff said, looking down in thought.

“But that would involve a dangerous amount of guess-work if we don't do these tests before. Besides, I only want one. We'll keep it chained and pinned down so it can't move. That'll also let us know what the maximum length of time they can go without food, as they can't move to burn it off.”

Dana nodded slowly and reluctantly. “Fine. I'll see about getting one. Just so we can figure out how to kill more of them. But I don't want it getting out.”

“Do we have somewhere we could put it?”

Everyone looked towards Bertram and Sybil. They were in charge of resources and supplies, if there was something that could be used they would know.

“All the barns are full,” Sybil said, looking towards Zac, “I suppose that Zac could get a builder to make something small, like a wooden cage. Wrap rope around it and then pin it to the ground.”

“That could work.” Anton said. “However, as I said, I just want one.”

For now, at least. There might need to be more experiments later, but finding out their 'hunger span' would be a good start.

“I think we may have to add that to the list of things you've got to do.” Anton said to Zac. He seemed not entirely thrilled with Anton's decision but was going to follow it.

“It's just a small thing for now.” Zac grumbled, starting to pick at his food again.

Verona clapped her hands, brining all the attention to her. “Since we didn't get to it this morning, but did anyone think of something that we could sell for money? I...really didn't think of anything.”

“I had a look through what we have and make here,” Bertram began, “But there's really not a lot that we make here that other villages make that they would want to buy.”

“Damn.” Verona grumbled, folding her arms in a huff.

“There is....” Jonathan trailed off while he looked at Zac.

“What?”

“That alcohol that you have, we could sell some of that.”

“I don't have that much left.” Zac answered with another shrug.

“How do you even make it?” Anton asked. “I haven't seen anything like a brewery in this place.”

A smile formed on Zac's bearded face. “You haven't looked hard enough then. But, I could get a barrel or two to sell for each trip to Maxill. See how it goes.”

“I think it could do well.” Anton said. “I had some stuff there that was a little stronger than that stuff and it was quite expensive. It could become a sort of exclusive drink for the area. All depends on how we sell it. Make it something exotic from a dead kingdom. That alone would make people interested.”

Zac filled with a strange sense of pride, several of the others chuckled as they watched.

“Just make sure that nobody drinks it along the way.” Anton told Raston.

Raston nodded but did not say anything more. Most of his attention was on the potential problems of returning to Maxill through the forest. The wolves evidently still played on his mind. Anton smiled as warmly as he could towards them all. Thankully the rest of the meal was filled with conversation that did not make stomach's crawl.

---[]---

After everyone had finished Anton helped bring the dirty plates into the Main Hall. He was not exactly sure where they were cleaned, they could get fresh water from a well, but they were always ready for the next meal. Verona, Kal and Jeff had decided to help out as well. As he placed them down, Sybil turned towards him, making sure they were all inside.

“Anton, you'll be happy to know that Dennis had taken to the position of Sheriff with great enthusiasm.”

“You know, I still haven't seen him yet. Even during lunch.”

“He came to me just after those cannon tests.” Jeff explained. “He seemed pretty happy to have been given the position. I gave him a list of people that would be good for deputies.”

“Did you take them from the current soldiers?” Anton asked.

Jeff shrugged. “Sort of. I didn't take the best soldiers away, but the ones that I thought would be the best at keeping law and order. I'm sure that was the best idea.”

“Good decision.” Anton said. “Where are they now?”

“They'll be over the northern side with the rest of the soldiers. I've got a section to the side reserved for them to practice...For their job.”

“Do you have somewhere where they are based? Like a central building that they can operate from?”

Sybil and Jeff glanced at one another. “Not yet. It's all still very new to us.”

“Well, wherever you decide to put it, it should probably be near the center of the village. That way they can get to anywhere in the village quickly.”

Jeff looked at Sybil.

“I don't think there's anything facing the central plaza that's free...But there might be a decent sized house just back from there. I'll talk with Bertram to find a free place.”

“What about the punishments?” Verona asked. “Like for theft, or assault?” She glanced at Anton. “Are we going to keep to the old style of punishment? Or....something else?”

“What's the old punishment for theft?” Anton asked.

“Loosing a finger for the first offence,” Sybil answered, “More for every theft after that.”

“Harsh, but the message will get out. I think everyone should be made aware of the consequences now.” Anton folded his arms. “At least they won't be able to say they don't know what would happen to them if they're are a crook.”

“I think it'll be a good idea to go there once you've we've got the thing with Zac sorted.” Verona said, looking at Kal. “I think that you should come along as well.”

“Me?” Kal had been very quiet the whole time, she seemed a little uncomfortable inside this building. Perhaps it reminded her of her past, or she did not like being surrounded by so many people.

Verona nodded. “We may have checked with Dennis that he's not against Beast-kin, but we can't be sure about the others. So we'll do what we did before, but Anton will be with us as well.” A wicked smile formed on her face. “Then the definitely won't think of doing anything stupid.”

“Right.”

“I'll handle this here.” Sybil said. “You guys get going and do what you need to do.”

“Thanks Sybil.” Anton said, followed by nods from Verona and Kal.

“I'll help mum and then head over to the training field in the north. Come and see me when you're done with Zac.”

Anton gave another nod and exited the building. Most of the villagers had already dispersed from lunch and only a few wandered about in the central plaza.

“So....do you want to come with me for this thing?” he asked.

Verona shrugged. “I don't think I'll be a lot of help. Besides...” she scratched at her visible markings on her hands, “I still have my magic to keep practising with.”

“You sure you want to be alone when you do that?” A flash of pain flickered over her face as she thought back to their previous session. “I don't think you should just yet. Just in case. I don't want something happen to you.”

“I'm not going to be doing that, what I did before, I know what not to do now. I'll just be practising with the crystal shards.”

“Verona....” it sounded like he was talking to a rebellious child. Verona finally cracked and smiled.

“Okay. I'll wait. I'll practice with my spear instead. If something happens where I can't use my magic, I'll need to know how use that better than I do now.”

“Okay.” Anton gave her head a rub, Verona bursting out into a giggle. “What about you, Kal?”

“I have some things that I can do to help everyone.” she began, opening one side of her cloak. There were quite a few small pouches attached to her hips. “These are the things that I've taken from the Kobold camps, as well as a few things that I recovered from the cave. I have a few things that I can make with these, things that will be useful to Atros.”

She scratched at the torn off ear. “It's...something I learnt in Seocuria.”

“That's...” Anton did not know to respond to that, or even if he should. He let it drop, to a thankfull Kal.

“I'll be heading behind our house to practice.” Verona said. “We have a garden there that we can use.”

“We do?” Anton asked, astonished. It amazed him that he had not completely explored around his gifted house, but Verona had taken the time to check. Embarrassment flushed over his face, receiving an odd look from Verona.

“Anyway, while I do that, Kal can do whatever she wants to do there as well.”

Anton raised an eyebrow at her.

“I'll be fine. It'll just be swinging a spear about.” she said, full of confidence. A look of need, a need for assurance from him.

“....Okay. I'll be as quick as I can. Kal, you can work inside if you want.”

Verona smiled warmly, and gave him a quick kiss before heading to the east. Kal's eyes lingered on his face for a moment, his glance at her eyes snapped her back to reality, and gave a quick nod.

“See you soon, Anton.” she said as she ran after Verona. She gave another glance back as she caught up with Verona. They started talking amongst themselves, he could hear Verona laughing laughing as they continued to walk away.

Anton took a deep breath, hoping that she would be alright. He spied Zac waiting in the center of the central Plaza. Anton gave him a wave, which he returned, and headed towards him.

---[]---

Zac led Anton to his workshop located on the south eastern side of Atros. It was one of the large barns that was scattered throughout Atros, though this one looked far more busy and active than the others. Many people entered and exited with iron and stone tools in their hands before heading off to work. Twenty wooden logs were stationed outside, supported by two sets of two bound crossed pieces of wood. The workers were stripping the bark off the wood and then stacking them in a pile next to the barn. It was quite an industrious and productive work site.

Is it that he's extremely good at organizing at this level, and fixing up the place, but he's struggling at designing the new city?

Anton shook his head to focus his thoughts.

I should not be judgmental about this. Everyone here can do things that I can't do. I couldn't start a fire without my magic. I can't just throw things at people at expect it to work. I should not just leave something important like this alone. And working together is not about me having these sort of thoughts, so I should do everything I can to help.

With a little mental resolution finalized, Anton directed his attention to the working villagers. Each of them wore thick gloves that seemed to be made from the same hide as the Razor-Pig's. Anton had to ask, if only to break the silence between the two.

"I didn't know that you had gotten such thick gloves." Anton said. “Is that Razor-pig hide?”

Zac glanced at him and then at one of the workers. “Yeah. We always have it left over after our meals, so some of the others dig up some way of making it into leather. Not the best, but it's pretty good, quick to make and strong stuff.”

He stopped and looked at Anton. “Do you think we could use it for the soldiers?”

Anton nodded. “Could do. If it's stronger than the cloth that they wear, make a full set of armour. It'll help them survive until we can get full metal armour.”

Zac chuckled and smiled, heading towards the barn. “That's good to know. I didn't like seeing so many people die.”

“I don't think many people do.” Anton added. “...Not good ones at least.”

Zac remained silent. The builders and workers, upon seeing Zac and Anton approaching, stopped and waved. Zac returned the wave and motioned for them to come forward.

“Everyone,” Zac spoke in his normal loud voice, catching the attention of the few workers that had not stopped, “This is Anton. Our extremely powerful mage and our strangest person.”

“Thanks.” Anton spoke softly enough so that Zac could just hear.

None of the builders spoke, they did not know what they could possibly say.

“Are you stripping the bark off the wood?” Anton asked. “I thought we didn't get any of those woodworkers from Duchess Belinda.”

Zac shook his head.

“The men are just doing their best with what we've got.” he gestured to the workers, straightening their backs. “They saw what some of the woodworkers did and we've done the best to do what they did. We're about to put something on them so they don't rot as quickly.”

“That's very good.” Anton said, walking up and gently running his hand over the straight pieces of wood. There were far less splinters than he thought. “I take it the stone is being prepared somewhere else.”

“Yes. To the south.” one of the workers said, gaining the attention of everyone around him. Many looked in fear and surprise that he had just spoken aloud. “Just near the southern gate, so we don't have to move them any further than we need to.”

“Are you one of the stonemasons from Maxill?”

They all shook their heads.

“We...We are just bondsmen.” he answered. “The stonemasons are still working at the south on the stone chunks.”

“Do you know if they have everything they need? Like hammers and chisels?” Anton asked.

The man took a deep breath. “I know they brought those with them here. The leader of the smithy, I believe his name is Jonathan, is helping to make more of them for us.”

Anton looked back to Zac, who had moved closer.

What about adding something simple from my world relating to construction and building. There's more than just guns and cannons there. It can't be that hard to think of something.

He glanced at the work being carried out around him.

Everything is moved by hand, the only thing that's not is when it's being loaded onto the cart. From what I've seen of the building going on it's all done by hand too, even the wood right up the top.

“How about things like pulleys and cranes?” Anton asked again. “To raise these logs and stone up high without breaking yourselves. Everything looks like it's done by hand, even right up to the top.”

The man relaxed a little bit more. He knew that he was not being interrogated, but merely being asked how they were doing.

“Some of the bondsmen used something like that to expand Duchess Belinda's mansion.”

“She wanted that thing bigger?” Anton chuckled.

Compared to the rest of the city, even to the richer inner circle, was small compared to that giant mansion. Although, compared to some places he remembered of earth, it was very modest in size.

The man tried to hold back a smile.

“Yes. Quite a few winters ago. They used these stacks and built up...steps...layers, of wood, that allowed them to carry the stone up to the highest level of the mansion.”

“Ah, some sort of wooden scaffolding then.”

“I'm not sure what they called it, but yes.” the man continued. “The also used ropes that ran over small wooden wheels to pull the stone blocks up, so they wouldn't have to try and carry it up by hand.”

Anton turned to Zac. "I don't mean to be rude or presumptuous, but are you using these technologies?”

Zac nodded. “Once the people from Maxill found that they would be having a lot more freedom than they did before, they came up with many ideas that they had been stopped from using. Those were some of them.”

He chuckled, folding his arms and looking about. “It took almost a day to get through just some of the ideas. I had to tell them to focus on the best ideas, otherwise I would still be listening to them now.”

Anton chuckled as well. “Good to know that our new citizens are contributing so well.”

The man, and the other former bondsmen, relaxed greatly.

“Well, I've taken up enough of your time.” Anton said, turning to Zac. “And I don't want to take up any more of your time than I need to.”

“Thank you, everyone.” Zac said, waving them back to their work.

Inside, and away from the other builders and workers, Zac's demeanour changed. He relaxed and started to slump his shoulders down. It was quite odd to see.

“So, what seems to be the problem?” Anton asked.

Zac snapped his fingers and pointed to a table near the back, illuminated by a converted open window. On the table lay a giant sheet of paper. It was bigger than anything he had seen in the village. As he got closer it became apparent that it was six pieces of paper put close together and held together by small stones on the corner of each piece.

The papers were a rough map of Atros. There seemed to be many attempts at drawing, erasing and then drawing those parts again.

“So, this is the map of Atros that I've been working on.” Zac looked very proud of his work. “It's taken a bit of time but I'm pretty proud of it.”

“It looks pretty good.” Anton said. “A pretty faithful recreation.”

Zac let out a smile. “I may have been a bit...dramatic, over lunch.” Zac said, looking back to the map. “But I don't know what I'm supposed to be actually doing. I'm...I'm a bit lost.”

Anton threw him a quizzical look. Zac moved to the other side of the table and brought out several more pieces of paper. These had many drawings of Atros on them as well, of what it could look like in the future. He lay them on top of the current plans.

“These are some of the ideas that I have. I had an idea that would make things a lot easier for us.”

“Okay...”

Zac shuffled them around until he found the one he was looking for. It showed the two current ring walls of Atros, as well as many others drawn in a lighter shade. Each was much larger than the previous.

“My plan was to keep building Atros like this. Each time we need to build a new wall for more people, I was thinking of dividing it into sections.” He brought out a thin piece of charcoal, and began to draw on the piece of paper. He filled in the next ring and divided it into three. “This way, I can just have the same things built each time. Lots of houses, a few storage barns, and leave some space for open areas or anything else that might need to be built.”

“Basically, a repeatable template for each new part of Atros.”

“Umm...Yes?.” Zac said, Anton realised that he might not know what a template is.

“You have a layout, a design, that you can repeat each time.” Anton began. “That'll save you time in planning and allow your builders to get better at building, as it'll be the same thing over and over again. Though there's going to have to be a few alterations as the city gets bigger.”

A frown formed on Zac's face as he looked deeper at the paper.

“What's wrong?” Anton asked. “It's a good idea.”

“It...It seems...Now that I heard someone else say it, it doesn't seem like that much of a problem, does it?”

Anton knew the look that Zac had on his face. It was of embarrassment, embarrassment that his problem seemed to not actually a big problem once he talked it through with someone else. Anton wanted to raised his spirits.

“That doesn't matter.” Anton said, getting an odd look from Zac, “The point is that you've got it sorted. Sometimes, it's a simple as talking it through with someone.”

“I suppose.” Zac said quietly. Anton did not miss that he seemed a little happier, though he did not want to leave it there.

“I wasn't a designer or a city planner before I arrived here, but is there anything else you are having issues with? Like resources?”

Zac shook his head. “The stonemasons from Maxill have got that side of things handled and we're doing alright with mining, also thanks to those people you got from Maxill the time before. I've got the boys working as best they can with the wood as well. They do have to go pretty far, to the western forest, but we've got loads more of those carts, so that's not a problem.”

“Sounds like you've got everything else well under control.”

“Well, since you're here, could you help me plan out how these expansions are going to work.” Zac looked a little sheepish. “Since...Since you're here.”

“Sure.” Anton said, moving closer to the table.

It took them quite a few minutes but they ended up with a plan for Atros. Anton stood back and let Zac do most of the work, only speaking up if he saw something that might be a problem.

The new plan followed the idea of the repeating template, at the very least making each expansion ring essentially the same. Instead of dividing the next area into three sections, they divided it into four, using the roads coming from the four gates as dividers. A road ran through the middle of the expansion section, wide enough for two carts to travel past each-other, with space for many houses and barns. A few spaces had been left open for trees and other types of greenery.

Anton did not know much about city planning, but it looked very good. Zac was of a similar mind.

“I'm liking this a lot.” he said. “This will really help with constructing Atros to be a great city.”

“It looks pretty good.” Anton added.

A twitch of a thought cropped up at the back of his mind.

“What about the crops and plantations?” Anton asked. “I don't see them on any of the maps.”

Zac groaned.

“No, they're not.” he grumbled.

Zac looked deeper before shrugging. “I'll just have to talk with Sybil and find out exactly where they currently are and where they plan to put more. Work them together.”

Anton nodded. “I think that the plantations and crops could be moved further away so we have more room for buildings. We've got carts to bring the harvest in.” Anton chuckled. “Don't tell her like that, but try and work that in when you talk to her. Mention something like it'll save them having to replant and keep moving.”

“I'll give it a go.”

“We've got enough carts spare for moving the harvest about....It shouldn't be a problem.”

“Well, thank you for your help, Anton.” Zac said with a tiny bow of his head.

Anton smiled, waving his hands. “I didn't do anything really.”

Zac started to collect the pieces of paper into a pile, he stopped and glanced towards Anton before continuing.

“The other day, after the Kobolds had been finished off, you said that you wanted one of the stonemasons for something. But you didn't say what for.”

“Ah. Yes. I need to get some way to better repay my gods that have given me these powers.” Anton held up his hand with the three glyph markings. “One of the ways that people without access to magic, which is everyone except for Verona and myself, to help the gods is to pray to them. I wanted to make a few stone shrines to them so I can start doing that.”

Zac stopped and looked at the marks. “I don't see a problem with that.” he finished collecting the papers and put them back underneath the table. “Those gods of yours are probably the only reason this village is still alive. But, how does anyone actually pray to the gods?”

“I...I don't know.” Anton answered, a little regretfully. It was the truth. “They really were a bit vague about it, they're vague about a lot of things, but I would guess that it would be offering up something like a prayer or a thanks at it.”

Zac looked rather dubious.

“I know. But, I promised my gods that I would and I mean to follow through with it. Oh, we'll also need one for Verona's god.”

“It sounds like she doesn't like her god very much.”

“She doesn't, after what happened to her. The relationship is quite bad at the moment. But we've agreed that we would do our best to work with her rather than against.”

Zac hummed in agreement.

“I don't have a problem with taking one of the better stonemasons away from the quarry to make some of those. There should be a delivery of raw stone soon so they'll be swarming around it...What does Verona's mark look like?”

“It's like a tear-drop with some swirls coming off. Unlike mine it's on her lower back. I'll see about getting a drawing of it. She's not to confident in showing off any of the marks that cover her body, bar a few on her hands. I also don't want to show her off.”

“Well, I'm sure that a drawing will do fine for them to work from.” A smile formed on Zac's face. “Those drawings that you gave Jonathan looked pretty interesting. He got something going from that.”

“Thanks.” Anton felt a rush of pride at being told his rough sketches were good.

Zac picked up a spare piece of paper and handed it to Anton. “I'll see you in a bit. It'll be good for me to check in all my workers and find out how they're going.”

“Right. I'll see about getting the drawing then meet you back here.”

---[]---

Anton walked back to his house. Many of the people that he passed gave him a small nod and made sure that they were not in his way. It felt quite strange to see the people behave like that, like he was a moving rock in a stream, but it did mean that his way was not impeded by anyone.

I shouldn't try to get used to this, or try and enforce it. It could start to warp the way I perceive myself. Might even make me start to behave like Duchess Belinda did...Let's hope it doesn't ever get that bad.

He entered the house and travelled through to the back corridor of their house. Light came through one of the rooms at the far end. In that room at the back, there was a slightly ajar door that looked almost similar to the wooden wall. As he opened the door, leading to what would soon be their garden, he saw Verona sitting in the middle of the overgrown weedy grass. Her whole body glowed bright red. She stared at the large blood crystal infront of her. The crystal folded and continued changing shape while she took slow and steady steps. She was taking the training to control her powers very seriously, even though she said she was not going to. She did not even realise that he was there until he coughed loudly.

The crystal shuddered as she let out a gasp of surprise. She quickly regained control and forced it back into its normal sphere shape.

“Anton!” she said with a squeak of delight, standing up and putting the blood into the clay pots on her hips, “I didn't even hear you open that door. I guess I was really concentrating hard to have missed that.”

The power faded from her eyes and skin and she turned towards him. She smiled, wildly like she used to.

“Where did you get that blood?” he asked, his voice lightly grumbling in annoyance.

She had told him that she was not going to practice with her power. Verona bowed her head, and took a deep breath. “I need to keep going. To keep practising, no matter what. I'm not going to loose to this power. And....”

She looked up at him, her eyes having hardened like steel.

“I am going to master this.”

He pulled her into a hug, which she returned.

“Please....Please don't do that again. At not least while I'm not...” He did not want to have to explain what he meant, she seemed to understand.

“Okay.” she said flatly, nodding furiously. “It was just a little bit though....”

“So was what happened before.” Anton added, looking incredulous at her.

She winced again, looking like a child that had just been caught stealing.

“I'm sorry.”

He sighed, releasing her from the hug. Bringing his hand up to her forehead, he brought his middle finger up, and flicked her hard in the head.

“Ow.” she said, frowning while desperately trying to hold in a smile.

“Please don't do something so dangerous again.” he said, rubbing the area.

She nodded and gave him another hug. When she parted, a smirk started to form on her face.

“So...are you done already?” she had a wicked smile as she pulled down on his shirt for a kiss, frenzied but brief.

Anton gave her another kiss on the forehead after they parted. “Not yet. But, I've got the thing with Zac sorted.”

“That was quick.”

Anton shrugged. “It wasn't much. He just needed someone to talk his ideas through, it was nothing serious.”

Verona smiled as she gave him a hug. “I thought it would be. He's a tough man.” she smiled as she looked up at the sky. “He fought quite hard during the Kobold siege.”

“I thought he wouldn't have fought.” Anton said. “With the Yellow Goblins he said he wouldn't fight. He only really did at the end.”

Verona shrugged. “Perhaps he changed his mind. He didn't look very happy when he did have to fight.”

“It's his right to not like having to fight.” Anton coughed to focus himself.

“Since you were doing it when you weren't meant to...” Verona groaned in embarrassment, “...how are you going with your magical practice.”

Verona smiled and hummed happily. “Very well. I'm not having many of those shivers any more and it's becoming easier to control the feeling.” She scratched her cheek, looking very sheepish. “Though I don't know how I'll do in an actual battle. I hope the next one I get into is just a little one, so if something goes wrong it'll be easier to get get myself out of it.”

“But,” Anton raised his hand, Verona's smiled turning to a frown. “I don't want you to go too hard with something like this. I don't want you falling into one one those trances again.”

Verona looked very apologetic. He had already told her that it was fine, though he knew that it was not that easier for her to just accept that it happened and it was not her fault. Her face quickly changed back into the smile. She moved back to where she was sitting and picked up something, moving back to him. It was the stalk of a fruit, the Karak fruit.

“I had to have one so I could keep going. We don't have many of these left on that strange looking tree.”

“Another thing that we need to sort out. We'll have to see Sybil about getting a few more of those plants growing.”

Verona nodded. She turned to the far right side of the garden against the surrounding wall, towards Kal. She was not paying them much attention, though he was sure that someone like her would have made sure it was someone friendly before continuing on with her work.

Both of her hands were rolling the herb leaves into tightly bound rolls on top of a flat slab of stone. When she was done with one roll she sprinkled a orange powder over the roll, quickly disolving into the slightly damp roll. Judging by the number of rolls to the side of her, she had been doing it since he left the plaza. It had not been that long too. She was quite industrious.

“How are you going Kal?” he asked as they both walked over.

She looked up, a stern face engrossed in work softened to a warm smile.

“Very good.” she replied, a slight weariness to her voice. “I've almost used up everything that I've been able to take from the Kobold camps.”

Anton squatted down while Verona sat down and lent against him. He picked up one of the rolls, Kal's hand twitched as she reached out to stop him, but held herself back. She brought her hand back into her lap. Quickly she moved to continue with the few pieces of herbs she had left.

The roll looked to be a mixture of many of the different types of healing herbs that he had seen over the time he had been on this world.

“I'm a little bit confused about this.” He said.

Kal stopped and looked up at him, raising a deep aqua eyebrow in question. She said nothing, waiting for him to further clarify his query.

“I mean, I understand that these are all healing herbs, and whatnot, but I don't understand why you don't just do it the way we do it.”

Kal frowned deeply. A strange mixture of confusion and annoyance came over her face. She took a few moments, took a deep breath, and picked up one of the herb rolls. As she held it in her fingers a look of wistfulness and longing. Again, it was gone immediately after it emerged.

“In Seocuria, slaves are not given much in the way of care. We were expected to look after ourselves. If we don't...” she sighed lightly. “Well, they were allowed to die. Mainly through beatings as they can't keep up with the work.”

“That place just seems to be getting worse, the more I hear about it.” Anton moved to sit properly. “I'm glad that you managed to get away from there.”

Kal smiled painfully. He immediately realised that it might have been the wrong thing to have said. As he raised his hand to apologise, she stopped him.

“I am glad to be away from there, one of the very few to have survived such a thing.” she said. “I won't say it was easy....or good what I had to do. But...”

She looked back down at the roll of herbs. Even Verona squeaked in empathy. That seemed to be the end of line of that conversation.

“Anyway, these are what the slaves managed to come up with.” She held it in between two of her fingers. “These herbs were planted near our....pens, huts, and we were allowed to keep them.”

She chuckled as she looked at it more closely.

“Though, I only think that it was so that they didn't have to spend money, time or effort on keeping us healthy.”

“What do you do with it?” Verona asked.

Kal smiled and pulled out a knife, cutting it into three parts. Without warning she put one into her mouth and began to chew.

“If it was something on the skin,” she began to explain, still chewing, “some of the others would chew it and then put it over the spot and bind it with whatever we had spare. If it was something a bit more serious, like blood poisoning, they would keep chewing on these until they got better, or they died.”

Anton picked up one of the cut pieces. “Did they work on someone that was really sick?”

Kal shrugged, continuing to chew. She was making great effort not to show her canine teeth.

“Depends on what they had. If it was something really bad....sometimes they would refuse it, and just walk up to a slave guard and try to strike them. They were beaten to death there and then.” She took another sigh. “They knew they wanted to die but..."

Kal groaned, shook her head, and refused to talk further about it.

“But,” she began again, “It does allow us to carry them more easily when we move and work.”

She stood up and put several of the rolls into a cloth fold around her hip. Each seemed to remain in there while she stretched and moved, to demonstrate that it would not fall out.

Anton looked back to his piece.

“Why haven't we done something like this?” he asked.

Kal shrugged as she took her seat. “You probably don't need to. This doesn't work as well as the stuff you use, the way that humans use them. We used it because it was quicker and more easy to use while we worked, we didn't have to stop while we healed. Not that it's any better.”

Verona picked up a roll herself. “I think we could use these.” she looked towards Anton, “You know, for people like Dana's riders. They could carry a few of these with them and they could use them when they're out and about. I'm sure that it would be better for them to get some sort of treatment on a wound right away rather than them waiting to get back to Atros. Especially if you aren't there.”

“That's a good idea. Though I don't think that's what Kal meant when she said she wanted to be of use.”

“I'm just glad that I have something that I can do that's useful.” Kal said with a smile.

Anton frowned. “I think that you have much more to offer Atros than just this, though I'm not saying that this isn't useful. Thanks Kal.”

Kal opened her mouth to speak but no noise came out. She held a smile though.

“Right.” she said. “But I am glad that something I've done could be of use.”

Anton and Verona smiled.

“Actually, Verona, I need something from you.”

“What's that?”

“I've got Zac to get the stonemasons to start making the shrines.” Verona started to tense with his words. She knew what he was getting at. “So I'm going to need to make a copy of the glyph mark at the small of your back.”

Verona scratched awkwardly at her hands.

“I wanted to get a charcoal drawing of it, along with mine, and then give it to Zac's stonemason. That way we won't need to show off your back to anyone. They can do that while we move onto the next thing.”

Verona and Kal frowned.

“What's that?” Kal asked. “Oh...heading to Graterious.”

There was something beneath her face before it vanished. She was very good at doing that.

“My plan is to start heading that way in a few more days, but before that there is one thing that I want to check out.” he looked at Kal. “Thinking about those Green Goblins that you ran into gave me a few thoughts.”

He looked north, towards the mountain in the distance.

"What's there?" Verona asked, turning back to him. “That's just where....”

"It's been about thirty or so days since anyone's been near the mountain."

"Okay." Verona mumbled, looking towards Kal who looked a little stumped herself.

"And the closest we are there now, bar the new lookouts on the mountain that are being built, is the iron and coal mine."

"And you don't know if something else has moved into the mountain." Kal said, getting a cautious nod from Verona, "So you want to go there and just make sure."

"Exactly." Anton nodded. "There are many entrances into the mountain. I'm thinking of using my magic to close them up. Should have done that the straight after beating the Yellow Goblins. Stop any sort of Goblin, Rock-Rat, or whatever else exists from building a home."

Something flickered at the back of his mind, but it was gone as quickly as it came.

Verona nodded happily. "The last thing that we need is another attack from the north before winter has even arrived."

A slight frown formed on her face. "Do... Do you want me to come along? I think I've got a decent hold on my power. If there is something there it'll be a good chance to try it out a bit."

"Yeah." He gave her head a rub, making sure not to dislodge the red and silver barrette, "It'll be a good chance for all of us to get more experience in prowling through the wilderness."

That phrase caused Kal's ears to twitch in surprise. She caught his eye, her face flushing lightly as she stared into his own.

"So Kal, is it possible that you could guide us through that area safely? Our guide?"

Kal was completely stunned. Someone had just asked her for something, something that she could do. The herb mixture was still in her mouth, she did her best to remove it surreptitiously, not that she could do that with both of them waiting for her to answer.

"Y... Yes! I'll be honored to." she exclaimed, her voice broke slightly at the end.

"That's the attitude." Verona's smirk widened.

Some of the enthusiasm dropped from Kal's face, as if she felt she had overreached her position. However it returned when she saw his smile, and saw Verona's. She was gaining confidence.

Kal smiled. "I don't know the area well-"

"Neither do we." Anton said. "But I'm sure that you've been through places like this before."

Kal smiled warmly. "I will make sure that I guide you both safely."

It was so nice to see her so happy. Her smile was almost as wild as Verona's.

"But, before we get to that we need to get the stonemason thing done."

"Right." both girls said in unison. They both gave each other a warm smile.

Verona stood up, motioning for him to do the same. She raised her arm so he could get at the clasps to free her chest armour. Kal returned to making the last few rolls of healing herbs while Verona wriggled her way out of the armour.

Anton gathered the paper and charcoal from near the door and brought it over. Verona rolled up the back of her shirt, enough that he could see the glyph mark. He laid down the piece of paper and did his best to copy the mark. It was quite difficult to get a good copy on the grass and weeds.

Kal saw him struggling and handed him the flat rock she had been using. She made a concious effort not to look at the marks that now covered most of Verona's body, but she still managed a peek.

I suppose I would want to see it for myself.

Anton mouthed a silent thank you before returning to the drawing. It did not take him long. He gave Verona a tap on the back to let him know that he was done. While not an artist, he felt that he had done a good job of recreating the tear drop shaped glyph, along with the immediate swirling marks that were still present in the gods dream. The spear, running through the middle of the glyph, remained. It was Verona's main weapon of choice. Jira, if people would actually pray to her, would hopefully understand.

"Okay." He began, showing them both what he had done. "Just my three now."

---[]---

With the marks copied they headed towards the south of Atros. He hoped that Zac was waiting. Anton saw him first, standing happily outside of the workshop with one of the Maxill stonemason bondsmen.

"Anton," Zac said happily as he waved them over, “I've got the best stonemason with me.”

The stonemason, an strong man with wisps of grey coming through his black hair. When he saw Anton he bowed his head.

“Grand Mage!” he bowed his head again as Anton approached.

“That title again. Have you talked to the people working in the smithy?” Anton asked.

The man shook his head, averting his eyes.

“No, Grand Mage. It is the highest rank of magician in the Qaiviel Kingdom. It does not do you justice.”

“Please raise your head.” Anton said, the man snapping his head upright. “I don't really want to be called a Grand Mage like that. Just Anton will be fine.”

“Very well sir.” the man said. “Master Builder Zac said that you had something that you needed from me.”

“Can we go inside?” Anton asked.

Zac nodded and led them all inside. Verona and Kal peeled off and started to look at the tools and other items while Anton, Zac and the stonemason moved to the table at the back. Zac had kept it clean from the other papers.

“I need you to make a small stone statue just like this.” Anton unrolled the paper with the glyphs drawn on them, pointing to Verona's mark.

Zac and the stonemason looked at it, Zac took a glance back at Verona, who was looking at one of the balance looking devices that the bondsmen had brought with them from Maxill.

“How big do you want this?” he asked.

Anton had not given in much thought.

“Um...About the size of a head?”

The stonemason looked between him and the paper, before nodding.

“We only have the granite from the mine to the south to build it from. There doesn't seem to be any marble or anything else nearby. Will that be fine?”

“Granite will do fine.” Anton said, “How long will it take you to make one of these?”

“I...I don't know. To make sure it's done well it could take a day or two.” he looked back at the drawing. “It might take me a while to get it done right. I've never had to do something like this.”

“There's more than just that one though.” Anton added.

The stonemason looked at him confusingly.

“The other three drawings, one of each of those too.”

He grumbled as he scratched the back of his head. “I can do it but it'll take a while. I can't say when it'll be done.”

His face frowned slightly.

“Are these related to your gods?” he asked, his face otherwise blank. “The old gods? As we were taught in Qaiviel?”

“Yes.” Anton replied. “These are their marks. I and want to repay them for what they have done to help us.”

A smile formed on his face. “Did they give you power to use the lightning and fire magic that you used the other day?”

Anton chuckled. “That, and other things.”

“And we can get that if we worship at these shrines?”

Here goes nothing.

“I can't promise you that it'll happen, but you'll be right next to a place where the god's power comes through. So if there is a chance to gain their power and their blessing, that'll be the best bet.”

“Wow.” the man looked back in awe at the drawings. “I'll get on this as soon as I can.”

He turned to Zac. “I'll need my apprentice to help me, and I'll need to borrow a few people to get the stone somewhere where I can start to work.”

“Get on it.” Zac ordered, the stonemason bowing his head and running out. Anton heard him yelling at someone the moment he was outside.

“That's one thing sorted.” Anton mumbled.

“What will you be doing now?” Zac asked. “I don't think you can help us much more...unless you are willing to use your magic so the workers can work even harder?”

“That could be a good test for my mana reserves, but right now we're going to be heading north, to the mountain.”

Zac said nothing and waited for Anton to continue.

“It's been too long since we've been to the mountain. And it's about time that we sealed up the entrances. We don't want more Goblins to make a nest there again.”

Zac grunted and nodded.

“That we don't.” He looked out the window of the barn at the sky. “You might want to think about explaining what you're doing. Otherwise they might all coming running to you if they hear any more of those lightning powers of yours rumbling down from the mountain. It hasn't been too long since those damn Kobolds attacked.”

“Thanks, that's a good point.”

Anton held out his hand, who Zac shook roughly.

“Come on, you two.” Anton said, catching Verona and Kal's attentions. “We're going on a trip.”

----------------

Hello Everyone.

Sorry for the delay. Got bogged down in Real Life, and things sort of got away. However, I have complete a lot more chapters. Should be one out tomorrow.

This chapter. Admin, planning the future for the city. Planning for the old medieval cities were a bit hapazard, so stopping that from becoming a thing. A few other things like that, with the former bondsmen bringing some basic technology. Not going to have it that they haven't though of these things before Anton arrived.

Getting the shrine...tablets?...ready. Those won't be ready for some time, but got them going.

Also Verona pushing herself and Kal bringing a thing from her past. Also her deciding whether or not to share what happened in the cave. She will eventually.

The thing with the Goblin is pretty self explanitory, though not everyone is clearly onboard with it.

Right, that's that. Hope you enjoyed and sorry for the delay.