Three days had passed since the battle for River’s End. Besides the monument near the lake, there were no visible remnants of what had occurred. The village had moved quickly to restore the area, not to erase the memory of those who had been lost or the heroics of others, but so that they could move on themselves, so they could heal.

Movement outside the village proper was still limited, but there were no new sightings of Ogres. 31 refugees had arrived the day before, and they too said they saw nothing but animals on the way to the village. Good news indeed.

After the fight with the Ogres, John and Drew had decided to rethink the layout of the village. They dismantled the wall they had been building to the east. Instead, they began to build a concentric, larger ring around the whole village. It would encompass everything. They knew it would take quite a while, but they also knew in the long run, it would be more feasible than just adding little areas. In addition, the inner village could be used for a fallback point if they were ever attacked again.

Drew worked on the wall with other villagers. With the help of Saul, he’d made great headway using the spell Harden and was now able to be more hands-on with the defenses.

He was currently doing just that. The new wall was going to be 15 feet tall, four feet thick and have a parapet at the top. The overabundance of stone in the area made work simple. So did Virgil and Saul, who, in tandem with Drew, had begun to work in earnest on the defenses.

“This is so exhausting,” cried Drew to no one in particular. He heard Virgil laugh a short distance away.

“Keep working young man. It’s the only way to get better. Did you ever finish those books I gave you? You’ve had ample time to have completed them,” replied Virgil. He was about ten feet away working on what would be the gatehouse.

Drew puffed out some air. “No, with all the excitement, I just haven’t had the time. I”ll read them tonight though. Or start on them at least. I promise.”

The old man nodded but said nothing as he concentrated on the arch The main gate was going to be quite large; it would house a look-out on top like what the towers had done previously. They had scrapped the previous barracks site. The new building would be built here and be attached to the gatehouse.

“I get it. I get it. Always practice. Always read. I need a break though. I’ll be back. I, um, need to see someone.” Drew stumbled with his words.

Virgil turned to him and smiled. “Sure Drew. I’ve seen Katelyn walking around keeping an eye on you. She worries you know. Just about you being outside the walls after what happened. I think it’s quite endearing.”

Drew blushed and puffed out his cheeks and walked up to Virgil out of earshot of the others. He leaned in to whisper. “Honestly, if I don’t check in with her, I get quite the verbal lashing. Not that I mind, but don’t tell the others. I’ll never hear the end of it.”

Virgil chuckled. “Not a word. Now get going or she may not let you come back.” He shooed him away and continued his work.

As Drew walked into town, he pulled up his status sheet. He noted that he had made level five, so he added another point into his wisdom, increasing his mana regeneration. He also noticed something that surprised him; his class had changed

“I guess learning some spells made me a Nature Mage and already level three at that from making all those stupid shapes and helping with the wall.” He swiped the screen away and headed to the commonhall where Katelyn spent most of her day tending to the wounded.

He was about to enter when the door opened and Katelyn stepped out. Seeing Drew surprised her.

“Oh, hi. I was just heading to get some, um, more herbs. Yea, more herbs,” she said, tripping over her words.

Drew smiled, stepped forward, and kissed her on the cheek. “Yea right Kate. You do realize that I see you always checking up on me right? It hasn’t gone unnoticed by the others either.”

Her cheeks turned bright red. “Sorry, sorry. I just worry about you, ya know? It’s dangerous out here. I’d probably lose my mind if you got hurt out there.”

He hugged her tightly. “I know, and I don’t mind. Seeing you makes my day better. But you know I’m okay out there. There’s guards watching us, and we have Virgil too. He’s a beast. He single-handedly killed dozens of Ogres with his spells.” He let go of her. “How about I spend the rest of the day with you, helping you in there. We can talk. Maybe that’ll help, hm?”

Katelyn perked up and smiled. “I’d love that,” she replied. She took his hand. “I really do need more herbs though, so let’s go find some.”

Drew beamed. “Absolutely, lead the way.” They headed toward the eastern gate and eventually the woods.

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

John currently sat with Bethany in her office. They were looking over the resident list in the city status.

There were currently 86 villagers listed, three less than what there had been days before. It brought John back to reality that life was fleeting, and he needed to make the most of it.

Bethany tapped on the table to draw John’s attention.

“Ahem, as I was saying, with the influx of refugees, we’re going to need to increase our stockpiles of food and supplies. If you look here,” she pointed at her paper, “with current numbers, and I’m estimating mind you, we will have plenty of food for six months. That is, if the harvest is as good as Marek says it will be.”

John looked at the numbers. “That’s good news. But yea, you’re right. When the next trade caravan comes, which I think is in a couple weeks, I’m going to request as many livestock animals as I can get. Some of the new people, most really, are farmers. They’ve requested to start farming in the north. I think instead I’m going to have them farm to the south. I’d like to keep the north open for expansion if needed.”

She tapped her pencil again. “A good plan. Clearing the fields will give us more stones for the wall, so a bonus there.” John nodded in agreement. “The last thing. I’ve talked to all the new arrivals. Most are interested in staying, if with what happened recently. I think we continue to do what we’ve been doing, give them a week, then invite those who wish to stay.”

“Yea I’ve been thinking about that. Even those who don’t want to will be allowed to. We can’t send them back to their deaths. I won’t have it. That’s not who we are. But perhaps they won’t be privy to the free things, like housing and whatnot, once our economy is going. What do you think?”

She nodded. “Yea, there has to be perks to joining. Housing and food, clothing. People appreciate it. Even if it is a little odd to them. I think the others will come around once they see what we’re doing. A free home and food on the table is always a good motivator,” she chuckled.

John closed his book. “Okay then. Same time tomorrow. Thanks for doing this, making sure people are getting housing, organizing things. How’s Melissa doing? Has she been helpful?”

“Oh yes, quite. She’s very organized. She’s actually the one who has been showing people around after I interview them. She’s a natural with people; they seem to just melt around her words.”

John nodded. “Good. I was worried she’d be a problem, not a problem really, but hard to handle? If you know what I mean.”

She laughed. “I do. But she’s been fine.” With that, she handed John a piece of paper, closed her notepad, and stood. “On a related note, someone expressed interest in being an aide to me. I think I’m going to take the young man up on it. More help is always better, especially as more people come.”

“Whatever you need Bethany, it’s yours.” John stood to leave as well. “Thanks again. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

They left the commonhall and parted ways. John looked at the paper in his hands. It was a list of all the refugees and newest villagers. He would learn their names.

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

John was out on his daily walkabout. It was early morning, yet it seemed the village was more lively than ever. How quickly people go about their days, he thought to himself. I just hope they don’t forget what’s been sacrificed out here. I think it’ll make them appreciate it more, what we’ve created. He wandered out the eastern gate. He looked north.

For days, he’d been trying to get in contact with Vrichik; he’d instructed the guards stationed in the north to notify him immediately if a Goblin was sighted; but they hadn’t been. He’d even gone so far as to sit for hours at the entrance to the cave. Still, nothing.

He knew they watched from the shadows. He wanted to invite them to a meal, a thank you for what the Goblins had done. He also wanted to invite them for open trade. And while John knew inviting the Goblins into the village directly would be met with criticism, he thought at least they could set up an area by the woods where the two groups could trade daily.

In the mayhem, he’d also forgotten that Vrichik had agreed to show Stanley and the other miners where they could mine. Surprisingly, Stanley hadn’t mentioned it either.

John chuckled to himself. “For all the bravado that man had, he’s probably scared shitless. They were unrelenting on the battlefield. Hell, I wouldn’t want to cross ‘em.”

He rounded the flour mill and headed north to the woods. He was going to try one more time to make contact. The actual trade deadline wasn’t for quite a while, but the demand for iron was increasing.

He waved at Lenz and the other lumberjacks as he passed the sawmill and continued north.

In the distance, he saw the large boulder that hid the entrance to the cave. However, this time, a Goblin stood in front of it. Seeing John, it ran into the hidden cave.

John increased his pace. He stopped about a dozen meters away from the entrance and waited, hopeful, that Vrichik would arrive soon.

He wasn’t disappointed as soon the big Goblin exited with several others in tow.

John smiled wide at the sight of him. He walked up to Vrichik, hand extended. “Friend Vrichik. How are you?”

He grunted. “Good. What want?” he grumbled out.

John shuffled, unsure how to ask, so he spoke normal and hoped the Goblin understood. “I would like to invite you and several others to a meal, in appreciation for what you did. And I’d like to talk to you about setting up a spot closer to my village where we can trade more often. What do you think?”

Vrichik turned and grumbled to the others with him. They had an animated discussion for a few minutes. He turned back around, stuck his finger in his nose, and replied, “Yes.”

John wrinkled his nose at the answer. “To which? The meal? Or the trade? Both?”

Vrichik smiled. “Not trade. This many moons.” He held up seven fingers. “Food. Yes. One moon.” He turned to leave not letting John reply.

John quickly spoke up. “Wait! What about showing Stanley where he can mine? We forgot after the attack happened.”

Vrichik turned back to him and spoke. “One moon. After food. We show.” With that, he went back into the cave.

John smiled, relieved. “Well, not trading stinks, but at least he agreed to the meal. Maybe after some food and ale he’ll change his mind.” He turned and jogged back to the village but then stopped. “Shit! I should have specified how many Goblins to bring. I hope he knows what several means. Oh well.” He continued back to the village with a smile on his face.

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

Drew woke up early. He kissed Katelyn bye for the day. After spending time with her the day before, she'd agreed not to check on him so often, not that he minded. But he had to agree to have lunch with her, not that he minded that either.

He was on top of the world as he made his way to the commonhall to dole out the daily assignments. He also wanted to talk to Vin about the progress on all the apartments.

After 30 minutes of giving out directions, he found Vin sitting having a conversation with his wife, Gert. Drew doubted they’d really seen each other much recently, Vin constantly building and Gert helping heal the wounded, so he decided to leave it for another time.

He found a table and sat to go over the plans John and he had drawn up since the attack.

The barracks was being moved along with the market. It would be near the entrance and would be much larger than they’d planned. Workshops and crafting areas would be separate from living areas.

The biggest issue they’d come up against was sewer and water. Wells were plentiful and easy to make. There was no plumbing in this world, but they thought maybe they could try. If hundreds began to arrive, sewage would be a problem. He had talked to Virgil about it, and he informed Drew that only the biggest and wealthiest areas in cities had it. It wasn’t all that common. But still, they thought it would be nice to have. No one wanted to be knee-high in shit.

He saw Vin exit the building, so he folded up his paper and chased after him. He’d planned to talk another time, but Gert didn’t follow him out.

Drew ran up to him, “Hey Vin! Good morning. Got a minute?”

Vin turned to answer but didn’t stop walking. “Sure Drew, just headed to start the day. I have Dragi finishing up the crafting halls, hopefully in a day or two. We kinda got side-tracked.”

“Oh it’s no problem. You guys are doing wonderful. We truly appreciate all the hard work you’re doing. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about, to give you a heads-up about our plans once the outer wall is closer to finished,” replied Drew. He handed him the hand-written plans.

Vin studied it for several minutes before replying. “It’s not bad. I would perhaps not put buildings quite so close to the outer walls, for visibility, but other than that, it’s a good start.” He handed the paper back.

“Awesome. Just what I wanted to hear. I was wondering if you were able to build buildings that were two stories? Or higher? If we could stack some homes up, it’d save a lot of room,” asked Drew.

Vin thought about it. “It wouldn’t be too difficult I guess. We’d essentially just put one on top of the other.” He nodded his head. “Yea should be doable. I’ll work on some plans, see what I can come up with.”

Drew nodded his thanks. “Have a good one. I’ll catch you later.”

Vin had a questioning look, but waved and went to the unfinished apartments.

“I gotta be more careful with what I say,” he chuckled to himself as he headed to the wall. “Time to get my day started too. Maybe I’ll get to level seven today!” He jogged south and immediately got to work.

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

John had just finished informing Karmen about the meal that would take place tomorrow night. And while she was surprised John had invited them into the village, she didn’t disagree. He hoped it would bring a higher level of trust between the two parties.

He was now sitting in the northern part of town working on a bed frame when he heard a single horn blast from the south.

He dropped his tools and immediately ran to the southern entrance. One horn meant whoever approached was friendly or at least not hostile.

He quickly climbed the tower and joined Vee who was standing watch.

“We need a better way to communicate over long distances. We don’t know if it’s one person or one hundred people coming. If it’s a trade caravan or refugees.” She squinted in the distance looking for the arrivals.

“I know. Definitely one thing I miss from home. Phones. They’d make this quite a bit easier, but we have to make do with what we have,” he responded. He pointed. “There. I see a few people.”

They watched as people continued to crest a small hill south of town. “Oh crap,” whispered John. Vee grunted in agreement.

Dozens of people and several wagons approached. It was by far the biggest group that had arrived yet.

As they got closer, he saw that quite a few were armed. Guards, he thought to himself. Maybe the Baron was worried about such a large group coming so he sent a few along. Or they hired them. Either way, gotta find out the situation.

“I’m heading out. Keep the gate closed ‘til I give the all clear.” Vee nodded. John jumped over the wall to greet the arrivals.

He put up his hand to stop them when they were within twenty or so meters from the new wall south of the village. All the workers had noticed them approaching and were watching the exchange.

A man and a woman walked up to John. “Good evening sir. Might you be in charge?” asked the man. “I am Wallace and this is my wife Linda.” He put out his hand; John shook it.

“I am. I’m John Mitchell, the mayor. Quite the large group you have here. Can I ask what your intentions are? Obviously you’re fleeing, that’s not what I mean. There has to be a reason such a large group of you came.”

The woman smiled. “You’re right. We only recently arrived in Innsbruck, and when we saw the state of the town, we decided to leave. For greener pastures as it were. There was talk of a small village farther west accepting people who were willing to work and contribute. So we decided to roll the dice and come this way.”

She waved behind her. “Others wanted to join us, since we had guards, but the majority of the people are what is left of the town we came from. We pooled our resources, hired said guards, and made our way here. We only want a chance to live in peace. We have no ulterior motives.”

John sighed, thankful for her words. “Then you’re welcome within the walls. But know this, as you may or may not have heard, we all work together here. Unless you’re physically unable, everyone has to help, if even in a small way. You’ll be given homes that will be yours should you decide to stay. Food is also provided, and clothing if needed. No one wants here.” People in the back began to murmur, some relief washing over their faces.

He continued, “Should you decide to stay, you’ll be given the opportunity to join us and grow. I won’t make you leave if you don’t accept my invitation, but eventually you’ll have to pay for what you use, including a home. If you can agree to that, then follow me.”

The old man nodded his head. “We agree.” He turned to the large group. “Let’s go folks. It’s time to start over. Let’s make a home!”

The large group began to move as one towards the village. When they got to the walls, John gave Vee a thumbs-up and the gate was lowered.

He approached the woman who seemed to lead them. “Can I ask a question?” She nodded. “What did you mean about the state of Innsbruck? Has something happened?”

She frowned. “It’s just been completely overrun with refugees. Hundreds if not thousands surround the town making it near impossible to enter. I’m sure the man in charge is doing his best; if I was him, I’d be overwhelmed.” They continued to walk together. “So we decided to try once more here. Thank you for giving us, complete strangers, a chance.” She smiled at John.

“Everyone deserves one, a chance that is. No one deserves what’s happening to the east, so we’ll do our best to help. If that means tightening our belts for a while, so be it,” he replied. “Let’s get everyone into the commonhall for some food. I have some things I need to tell all of you. We haven’t been without hardships here, and I think it’s best to be honest about them,” he added, causing her to grimace slightly.

He put his hand on her shoulder and guided her along. All of the wagons and belongings were left near the stable. John had been preparing for a feast; he just wasn’t expecting one tonight.