And tomorrow came early. “Oh my god. My head.” John sat at a table with his head being propped up with his hands. “Why do we always think drinking so much is a good idea.”

“Aye boy. It’s always fun at the time, and it’ll be fun tonight when we do it again.” Ivan handed John a cup. “Drink this. Gert mixed up some herbs to help with all the headaches this morning.”

“Ugh. Thanks.” John quickly swallowed it. “That’s awful.” He rubbed his temples. “Got anymore?” Ivan laughed, patted him on the back, and went to get Samuel to begin on the blacksmith.

“I don’t envy Samuel today. I’ve never seen the big guy so excited. He’s not going to let him go ‘til it’s finished.” John finally opened his eyes and groaned. “I need to get moving. That’ll help, maybe.” He stood and stretched his muscles. “I’ll spend the morning training with Willis. I won’t give my mind a chance to be hungover.” He laughed and headed to the training area.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Drew sat at another table giving out the daily goals for the villagers. He told some of the new farmers that he would like some flax planted so they could start producing their own linen. Wool was fine for winter, but for now, it was just too hot, and it wasn’t even summer yet. He spoke to the farmer that had husbandry and asked if he would begin to breed some of the pigs and cows. Drew didn’t have to feign stupidity when it came to this subject, because he had no idea what type of animal, sow, bull, and so on, were needed. The farmer said he’d take care of it.

I might actually have to start a list. With each new addition we need more things. 20 more chickens. Going to need another coop. 11 more horses. We may have to send some back with the caravan. We don’t need, um. We had 19. Two left with the guards, but we got three from the bandits. 11 more now. Yea. We don’t need 31 horses!

Drew decided to start writing things down. While the town menu was helpful in some aspects, it didn’t keep track of future needs.

“Ok finish commonhall. A mill for flour. Another stable. Oh how about a barn? Yea. Another chicken coop. More homes. All but two are full. Blacksmith, but Ivan’s got that. Increase cellar or make a storehouse. What else?” Drew tapped his pencil on his chin. “That’s enough for right now. That’ll take some time anyway.”

He closed his book as the last group of villagers left having been given their daily job. He first made his way to Yara and Mani’s apartment. He knocked and opened the door when he heard enter from inside.

“Good morning you two. How’s the patient?” Drew walked over and sat on the end of the bed.

“I’ll be fine. I’ve had worse cuts than this little thing.” Yara sat in the bed. “Give me a couple days and I’ll be rarin’ to go. They won’t get the jump on me next time.” She turned and smiled at Mani who had a scowl. Her smile slowly faded.

“I don’t know what you’ve been told, but John and some of the others are leaving tomorrow to go find out who these people are.” She tried to sit up straighter as Drew talked. “With the guards we have now, he feels a little better about leaving. He wanted some training today, and to get the new guards used to things here.” Drew turned to Mani. “We kind of assume that you’ll be staying here?”

“Yes, until she’s better I’ll not be leaving the village. I hope you understand.” Mani sat in a chair next to the bed, still scowling. He opened his bag and handed Drew the paper he’d been given to map out the area.

Drew accepted the map with a nod of thanks. “Absolutely. We didn’t expect you to go.” Drew stood. “We really are glad you’re safe. I wish you hadn’t been hurt, but if you hadn’t found those people, we wouldn’t have known they were even there. They could have been watching us this whole time. Either way, now we know we need to deal with them. And soon. Take care you two.” Yara smiled. He waved and left.

“Rough crowd,” he mumbled to himself as he walked out. He dropped off the map in John’s apartment. “On to the gate! I’d really like us to finish them before everyone leaves tomorrow. Peace of mind ya know?” He whistled as he made his way south.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Are you sure you watched those couple days? That or your memory is bad. Watch and repeat.” Willis held a stick he was using as a sword. He pivoted and changed the angle of his strike. “Now you.” Willis walked around John all the while tapping his chin. “No no. Even Drew mastered this quite quickly. And with no levels in combat!”

“I’m sorry. Geeze. I learned the skills from a trainer in the capital, but I didn’t really pay much attention to the footwork or movements. We’re basically starting from scratch here.” John wiped sweat off his forehead.

“Hmm. Yes. Then perhaps we start over. Like you have no skills. Show me your stance.” John held the makeshift sword with two hands in front of him and angled his body to where his left foot was forward. Willis continued to circle him. “Not bad. Too rigid. Loosen up. Bend your knees some. You must be flexible or you will break.” He hit the back of John’s knees with his stick.

He circled around John until he was in front of him. “Attack me.” John rushed at Willis, swinging his sword from left to right. He easily dodged and cracked John on the back with his stick. “Too slow. Even Monty moves better than you.”

John glared at him. He positioned himself in front. “Again.” John made a slash from near the ground upwards then came from the left across. Willis easily dodged again and popped him on the head. “You think too much. You don’t watch me at all. You think your only goal is to kill me, and that mine is to live. You will always fail if that is your thinking. You must outsmart me, outmaneuver me. And you do that by watching me. An opponent's body gives away much more than you think. Defend.”

Willis came at John with a fury of blows. John was able to deflect most but never able to strike back. Willis kept John on the backfoot for several minutes and then stopped. “See? I hit you 14 times. No major hit, but they will add up. A small cut to the leg here, a small gash here.” He hit John in the arm. “Wear your opponent down. If you try to outright kill him, you will fail. Like you did the other day.” He stood, eyes boring into John.

John frowned. His frustration had turned into humiliation. “You’re right. I try to over-power as quickly as I can. And that works with animals and beasts usually. But fighting people is different. I think I get it now. I must study them as they study me.” Willis cracked a small smile.

“Now you are understanding. Sara. Come spar with him. We must start over and teach him from the beginning.” Sara grabbed a sword and shield and faced John. “Now your real training begins.” Willis’ smile stretched across his face. John barely got his sword up as Sara came in swinging.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vee watched John practice. As people came and went, she would spar with them to try to teach them some general skills that would be useful. But John stayed. He sparred for hours with anyone who was willing. He must truly feel bad for what happened before to be willing to work so hard now. He’s definitely learning too. His footwork is better. He’s getting hit less. She leaned against the wall of the village taking a break. I doubt he’s fought many people. It’s not even close to killing an animal. She poured some water over her head. “Shit it’s hot out here already. Who’s next? You little one? Grab that sword and let’s begin.”

She continued to train any villager that came for several more hours, only calling it quits when she grew bored. She walked over to where John was training. “You’ve really progressed today John. I’m impressed. You need to take a break though. Let what you’ve learned take hold. Practice a little every day and it will become second nature to you.” She smiled.

John was leaning over resting on the wooden sword. “Thanks. You’re right.” He breathed hard. “I didn’t realize how much I was really lacking in skill. I understand so much more now. The trainer I had in the capital must have been shit. Or I didn’t care. It was long ago.” She handed him her canteen of water. He drank it dry.

Willis walked up to them. “Yes John. Very good today. When you return from the Forest, we will continue your training. One must never stop learning.” He bowed to the two and walked away.

“You’re incredibly lucky to have found him, ya know? He’s one of the best I’ve seen, and I’ve been here a long time.” They started walking over to the kitchen area for food.

“Don’t I know it. And believe it or not, I owe it to Drew. He trained with Willis and impressed him, so he decided to come along. You won’t find me complaining.” John plopped into a chair and melted into it. He closed his eyes. “I’ll get food in a minute. I just need to rest.” Vee laughed as she went to get a couple plates. She set one in front of him.

“Eat up. Don’t lose your strength.” She had made them some quick sandwiches.

John opened one eye. “Thanks, I guess.” He slowly ate it.

“What’s on the agenda for the rest of the day? Still lots of daylight!” Vee was cheerful as she ate.

“I’m going to check on the defenses, help out where needed. I want to make sure this place is prepared for when we leave. We will be gone for at least a few days.”

“A sound plan. I’ll do the same. Check where help is needed.” She looked at John. “You really did do good today. I can tell a difference from when you stepped foot in the training area ‘til now. You should be pleased. I don’t know the specifics of what happened before, but don’t let it hinder you. Instead, let it make you stronger.” She hit him on the knee. “See ya buddy. Lots to do!”

“Thanks. Indeed there is. Right after I close my eyes for a bit.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They had finished making the southern gate. Rope was attached to the top end; it could be released to be lowered and tightened to be brought back up. Not perfect, but it was something. Eventually they would use a chain and reinforce the wood with iron. It was several feet taller than the wall and quite heavy, so a horse would be stationed nearby to pull the gate up at night.

Drew saw John passed out in one of the chairs as he made his way to eastern gate to begin construction of it. Some of the smaller kids were stacking sticks around him building a fort of sorts. Drew shook his head and chuckled. Seems kids are kids no matter what world I'm in. He continued on. This one should go smoother now that we know what we’re doing. Dragi had gone to the sawmill to retrieve more planks to build the gate. Drew arrived and sat on the ground waiting, chewing on some jerky and chugging some water. He didn’t have to wait long, as Dragi soon came with a cartload. Ugh. He’s too fast. Need to have a talk and tell him to take his time. He smiled and together they began building the second gate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

John was startled awake by a stick hitting him in the head causing the whole stick fort to collapse onto him. The children laughed wildly and scattered. “Damn kids! I’m going to make you take more lessons with teachers!” The kids just laughed harder and ran.

John stretched. He saw several people looking at him and chuckling. At least they got a good laugh out of it. It’s been so tense lately; I’m sure they could use a good one. John stood up. Time to gather Monty, Ivan, and Vee and talk about our trip tomorrow. He knew where they were, but he dreaded the conversation. Although he felt better having more guards, he was still weary about leaving the village. “Let’s just get it over with,” he groaned to himself.

He quickly gathered the trio of adventurers. They all sat in his apartment looking at the map Mani had drawn, and Drew had left for him earlier.

“I think we follow the river until it splits. Then follow the northern branch until this mark.” John pointed to the map. “Mani said it’s a particularly big drop with a waterfall. We go north from there. He said the clearing was about a half day’s journey from the waterfall, where they had camped for the night. Neither were sure exactly how far north or west they had traveled. They couldn’t see the mountains through the canopy until they actually got to the clearing, so it’ll be a potshot. We may even come into contact far before then. Thoughts?”

“I think our goal is the waterfall on the first day. If we encounter these beings, we need to have our full strength. If we push too hard, we’ll be too tired to fight.” Vee moved the map closer. “I don’t think we go north though from here. I say we leave the horses at the top of the cliff, repel down, and follow the river farther. We travel for a few hours then change our trajectory north. I think they’ll be watching the clearing. I know I would be.” She stood.

“Hmmp. I agree with the lass. We won’t get the drop on ‘em going directly for the clearing.” He tapped the map. “They may have even moved. We follow the river staying in the tree line. Then turn north like she said.”

“Monty? What about you?” asked John.

“I don’t like leaving the horses,” replied Monty. “But they are noisy. I say follow the river.”

“Then that’s what we do. We leave at first light. Pack light and move quickly. I don’t want to leave the village for too long. We’ll go north until we meet the mountains once we are at this point. From there, we’ll decide our best course of action. Agreed?”

They all nodded.

“Do your packing tonight. Hell, sleep in your clothes. I want to leave as soon as we can.”

Ivan chuckled and John’s statement. “Aye. We’ll be fine. We know they’re there now. I’m interested in who they are. We need answers not more questions.” Ivan smacked John on the back. “And we will get them in the next couple days.” One by one they left his apartment. John’s next stop was to talk to Drew.

John found him at the eastern gate working. “Hey Drew you have a minute? Just want to talk about tomorrow.”

Drew put down his hammer and met John. “Sure. What’s up?”

“I think it would be best that no one leave the village unless they absolutely must, like the farmers and the lumberjacks. And even then with a few guards. I don’t know how long we’ll be gone. I just worry ya know?” John looked worried.

“I know John. We’ll be ok here. We’re going to keep busy building and training. Keep their bodies busy so their minds don’t wander.” Drew patted him on the shoulder. “You just worry about you and the others. Willis is already working out a guard rotation. Saul and Virgil have made a lot of progress and half of the western wall is already filled with abatis and spears stuck in the ground. Dragi and I will be done with this gate by nightfall.” He put on a confident grin.

“Thanks Drew. I leave the place in your capable hands.” John bowed as he walked away causing Drew to laugh.

“Get out of here and get prepared for tomorrow. I have work to do!” Drew waved and went back to helping Dragi.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The night was somber. Fires were kept low again within the walls. Not much was spoken and no music was played. A lot had been completed throughout the day including both gates and most of the western wall. As the night concluded, people made their way to John and the others giving well-wishes and luck for the coming days. John graciously accepted with a polite smile. Drew had done his best to quell his fears, but he still worried for the coming days.