Akira stood inside the large empty candlelit tavern and watched as several freshly made tables, chairs, and benches were carried into the tavern.

The general shop and the tavern had both been quickly built. The builders put in far more effort than he expected when they learned that the building was to be a tavern. Both buildings were placed next to the central plaza in the center of the city.

“Put those there and there,” said Glola as she guided the furniture carriers on where to place the tables and chairs.

The wooden furniture was one of the first things built using the freshly cut logs that had come out of the new sawmill.

“This is quite the upgrade from the small tavern you used to run,” said Akira as he looked around seeing two fire pits near the center of the tavern which helped heat the tavern and gave off a soft yellow light. There were also sturdy poles next to the fire to allow roasting of large game over the fire.

“It can hold a few hundred people,” Delgar nodded as he watched Glola position the tables and chairs.

“This won't be enough room to serve everyone in the village so I bet you both will be swamped,” said Akira as he looked at the tables.

“We can always expand the tavern later. You are mistaken on one thing, I won't be working here since I have some plans of my own. Glola will be hiring several people to help serve the customers,” said Delgar.

“I'm sure this place will be a great help with employing people who are unable to log, mine, hunt, or build things,” said Akira.

“How is the general store?” asked Delgar.

“I need to head over there right now. I was just stopping by to check out the tavern now that it is finished. Kofac will probably be waiting for me at the shop so I shouldn't keep him waiting.”

“With these two buildings, it's starting to really feel like a proper village. Ah! Before you leave can I get permission to add on a side room to the tavern?” asked Delgar.

“You already want to expand the tavern after it was just built?” asked Akira.

“No, it has nothing to do with the tavern. It has to do with my own project. I just want to add a small room to the side of the tavern with enough room to sell some of my armor and weapons and other odds and bits.”

“You can add it, but don't go overboard with expanding the tavern too far since we have limited space around the central plaza where everything is a premium price to build. Do you need any help with planning the extension?”

“No, I have the help of the other dwarves who also want to use it as a place to sell their own stuff,” said Delgar.

“Don't forget that tonight is the grand opening!” Glola reminded Akira.

Akira waved goodbye to the two dwarves before leaving the tavern. The General store was a short walk away just on the opposite side of the Plaza.

Kofac was waiting outside for Akira. He was the son of Burkin's sister and had been pushed off onto Burkin. His sister wanted him to teach Kofac the ways of a merchant due to her son's lack of skill in both mining and smithing.

Kofac had a similar look and build to Burkin but was tens of years younger and his short beard had only started to grow a few years before on his chubby babyface.

His skin was far softer looking and really showed off his young age compared to Delgar and Burkin who were far older or more rugged looking. He even looked younger than Akira.

Delgar did not want to take the young dwarf into the unexplored wilderness so he had given Kofac the task of setting up and watching over the shop when it was completely built.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting, Kofac. Have you had a chance to looked over the shop?” asked Akira.

“I have and it is built sturdy enough for now,” said the young dwarf.

“If you like we can go gather the items your uncle bought,” said Akira pointing to the guards that were behind him.

“It would be best if we could do that. I don't want to disappoint my uncle so I need to get the store up and running. Has he already paid for all of the items and the rent for this month?” asked Kofac.

“He made sure to take care of that before leaving. All you have to worry about is the taxes from the sales you make,” said Akira.

“With uncle traveling to the wandering tribes, there may be some of those tribes that travel to Kodria to trade in person. It really was a good idea to set up a shop here.”

For the rest of the morning, Akira along with his guards helped Kofac move the items from the warehouse and place them onto one of the several newly built shelves inside of the general store.

Kofac organized everything to his liking trying to make it so the store didn't look so empty. He nodded with satisfaction when looking at the shelves that were now filled with a variety of items all ready to be sold.

“Kofac, I hope you don't mind me asking but, how long have you been learning under your uncle?” asked Akira as he placed down the last item onto a display shelf at the front of the general store.

“About... 5 years I think? This is the first time that uncle has taken me with him on his travels,” said Kofac happily.

“Just how old are you?”

“This year I will be 31. I know I am still really young and not an adult yet but I can take care of my uncle's shop well enough,” said Kofac.

“You're older than me! How are you not an adult?” asked Akira.

“Since we Dwarves live such long lives when you turn 50 you are considered an adult. I still have almost 20 more years until I can call myself an adult.”

“Excuse me is this the place where I can sell items?” asked a young werewolf who stood at the door looking at Akira and his guards with awe.

“Everything is in order here so I'll let you take care of your businesses,” said Akira leaving Kofac to talk with the young werewolf.

***

Akira stood over a piece of glowing metal that was laying on the large anvil.

The hammer in his hand continued to rain heavy blows down onto the metal as he used the tongs to move it this way and that way shaping it into what he envisioned in his head.

The forge was empty since the Delgar and the other Dwarves had all gathered at the tavern waiting for it to open so they could celebrate as if it were a huge holiday.

Akira used this time to work on some miscellaneous projects he had been wanting to get to but could not due to the constant moving and lack of facilities.

He continued to work over the large piece of metal only putting down his hammer when he felt that the new weapon was finished.

What lay in front of him was a large double-bladed Ax with a heavy metal shaft. Akira wiped the sweat from his brows as he inspected the large weapon.

It was far heavier than any weapon Akira would use in a battle.

He had experimented with several other lighter versions but this was the sturdiest of the bunch using a mixture of Korium ore and Puminium.

“Varbu, what do you think?” asked Akira.

“Can I?” asked Varbu, his hand hovering over the large battleax.

Akira nodded.

Varbu had trouble picking it up with only one hand so he grabbed onto it with both hands and lifted the battleax easily.

Akira followed him out of the forge into the open street. Although he was expecting it the cold air was quite a shock change from the sweltering heat inside of the forge causing shiver for some time.

Varbu, now having a wider, more open space, began to test out the feeling of using the large ax. Loud bangs echoed out as the ax slammed into the ground causing chunks of ice, snow, and dirt to fly into the air.

“It'll do,” said Varbu after looking at the new weapon closely to see if there were any signs of breaking.

He took out his leather coin pouch and handed Akira several gold coins as payment for the new weapon.

“I'll leave you with your new toy and allow you to play... get antiquated with it. If you decide later that you want to use it as your main weapon, I made sure to add a slot for your gem. I can transfer the gem from your staff to your battleax if you want.”

“I can't make a decision yet as this is quite different from what I am used to so I'll have to figure out how to properly use it.”

Akira went back into the sweltering forge and continued to work on projects until the light outside disappeared.

He placed his hammer back onto the tool holder on the wall. He would have to finish tomorrow.

He took some water from a nearby clay jar and poured some of the water on a clean piece of cloth and used it to wipe down his face, neck, hands, and other parts trying to clean up before heading to the tavern.

Word had already spread that the tavern would open tonight causing a large group of people to fill the central plaza as they waited in the cold for the doors to open.

When they saw Akira they all made way for him so he could walk to the front so he could be the first to enter.

Akira was going to refuse the offer but Dolph stepped forward.

“It would be best to accept their kind gesture and not insult them by refusing.”

Akira only silently nodded his head accepting Dolph's words.

When they reached the front of the line Delgar and the other Dwarves that had been waiting all day greeted Akira.

He tried to look for Mileena or any of the other girls but could not see them or Varbu anywhere. He guessed they were skipping the large crowd in favor of eating at the castle keep.

The doors to the tavern soon opened up allowing Akira, his guards, and the Dwarves to enter first with everyone else following.

The morning's empty tavern now looked like a completely different place.

The warmth and smell of fresh cooked bread and meat filled the air coming from the kitchen that was hidden behind the large bar counter where there were over 50 stools.

There were several new maids waiting inside to escort groups to their tables. The tavern was already becoming packed to the extreme with only being open for a few minutes.

Glola had taken it upon herself to escort Akira to a table near one of the warm fires.

Delgar joined Akira at the table and plopped down on the opposite side along with the two other elderly Dwarves.

“Here is the current menu,” said Glola as she handed Akira a flat piece of wood that had several words and numbers carved into it.

Akira found several specialized meals that had been created to best utilize what the village was able to catch, gather, and grow. Fish, rabbit, eggs, moomer milk, and other herbs and things gathered from the woods.

The tavern was a place for fishers and hunters to sell their surplus food at a cheap price.

Everything on the menu was far different from a tavern that would be found in Jerora or Froit.

Akira was glad that it was all at a reasonable price which would allow people to eat here every night if they wanted. It was very nice.

Looking up from the menu Akira saw Delgar and the other Dwarves were looking at their menus in horror.

“Where are the drinks?” asked Delgar.

“Where am I supposed to get something like that right now? Until Burkin comes back with a large delivery we'll be unable to sell anything,” said Glola with a huff.

“Still...What type of tavern doesn't have any drinks?” mumbled Delgar with a sad expression.

The two dwarfs next to him both nodded with sad faces of their own. The three looked like they would start to cry at any moment.

“I'll have the grilled fish meal and the Snow-berry pine needle tea,” said Akira after looking at all his options.

It was only a short wait for his order to arrive at the table along with the dishes that Delgar and the others had ordered as well.

Akira cut some of the fish meat and bit into it enjoying the flavor.

Throughout the meal, Delgar and the other dwarves didn't say much. But the rest of the tavern was loud and jovial as everyone enjoyed their first meal at the tavern. With the tavern operating it brought a feeling of normalcy to the village making it feel more whole.

With the aroma of different food and the warmth of the tavern made the whole place feel rather cozy.

Akira guessed that this would be a very popular place for people to come and even more so when it started to sell wines and ale. People would come in to get out of the cold to eat and drink while sharing the company of friends and strangers alike.

Akira paid for his meal and left the tavern heading back to the castle keep where the girls were waiting.

As soon as he entered the keep he was stopped by Samuel.

“Sir, I have good news for you! The village is ready to rank up to a first-tier village!”

“Already?”

“Well you have been on a building spree lately and the population is already high enough. To get to the 3rd tier town we must do several things but the most important is to create an army of 200 regular soldiers, and 50 village guards. As the village grows new people will want to migrate here.”

“An army? Do we need something like that?” asked Akira.

“Do you not realize how big it is for a village to be started this far south?” asked Samuel.

“The nearest trade city by land is several weeks if not months north through dangerous lands. Not only will the wandering tribes want to come here and trade but so will the northern cities and merchants. The adventures who wish to explore will want to use this village as a base to explore even farther south. With such an important place popping up out of nowhere there will be others who want to take this village for themselves.”