What a terrible night. Thought Urist as he covered his mouth to yawn. 

Looking to his right Rhea snuggled around his arms sleeping soundly.

He wondered how she could sleep soundly when all those beast roars kept going on in the forest. 

Maybe I’ll need to ask Uroa for some medicine that can help me sleep. Through if I take it and there is danger I won’t be at my best to right. Guess I’ll just man up and deal with it, or just get rid of that annoying problem.

Moving his arm out of Rhea’s hold he pushed their hair out of her face before kissing her on her forehead.

“I’ll be heading out now.”

Tucking her in bed Urist got dressed and headed to the newly constructed meeting room where some people were here already. Ubel and Unicy staring at each other across the room with Vlad and co. sitting uncomfortably in the middle.

Forcing back a sigh Urist took his place at the head of the table, “Morning everyone, I’m sure you all had just as terrible sleep as I had.”

Snorts of agreement were given around the table.

“If they keep making racket morale is going to drop we have to do something.” Huffed Qrtia.

“We bust our asses off all day long and these bastards have to destroy our rest. They have to be dealt with.” Said Elrish.

Urist nodded, “Agreed. I have a few ideas about how we tackle this but I wish to first hear your thoughts.”

Unicy replies, “We should have the spear corps go out and get experience in forest warfare. Volt, you think your students are ready?”

Volt shook his head, “They need a few more days before I’m confident in their ability. I know we want to expand to the river to have food and a water source. But I wish not to throw away lives that are not yet fully experienced. How about using the warriors and mages under your command Unicy?”

Unicy thought about it for a moment, before replying, “We could have them undertake this task. But it’ll mean that we’ll have fewer mages at the base which will slow production. And I wish not to send out our warriors into unknown threats without protection and firepower.”

The warriors around the table frowned at Unicy’s comment, but after mulling it over for a bit most understood her logic in the matter. The talk moved along with people thinking of how to deal with the annoying fruitlessly until Ubel opened his mouth.

“Well, it seems everyone has forgotten about our dear hunters. If it’s them I’m sure they can gather information, kill those beasts and make it safely home. What do you think Urist?” 

Under Ubel's question, everyone looked towards Urist. Under their stares Urist nodded his head, “I agree that they should be able to handle themselves thanks to spending so much time out in the wilds. I’ll admit it’s more proactive than my few ideas.”

At this response, Ubel raised an eyebrow, “Oh? Do tell. I’m curious what you thought up.”

“Well for starters we’d take the wind elemental stones we’ve gathered and have our runesmiths use them as a power source for a formation. Uria found it on the market while looking through it, it cost a few hundred points but it has some pretty nifty features. One, it makes marked sounds not able to travel in or out. Two, you can set it up as a basic alarm system as to not be jumped by intruders. And finally, it’s pretty customizable in its settings so pretty practical.

“Another idea I had was to make stink bombs and throw them into the forest nearby at night to drive away the animals. But this would cause normal creatures to be driven away. Lastly, I go out their myself and burn them all to ash for messing with my sleep.”

That last remark made the people around the table give out a short chuckle.

Urist rubbed his chin and nodded his head, “Alright. Then I suggest we go forth with Ubel's hunter idea and my sound/warning formation. As I’m sure they won’t be able to kill them all in one night. How does that sound?”

“Sounds fine.”

“Man I’ll have more work today. Oh well, at least it’ll be interesting to work on some new runes.”

Murmurs of agreement and with Ubel's nod of approval the motioned was passed.

“With that sorted let’s talk about our plans on how to expand to the river shall we?”

---

Blink stood outside in the sunlight and did some light stretching, “Man it’s good to finally sleep on a decent bed. Although I wish someone dealt with those annoying roars, they ruined a good dream of mine.”

As soon as he finished his sentence a fellow dwarf approached him, “Hunter Blink? I tried to find Valkus, but I guess you will have to do. I’m here to pass a message.”

“Oh? And what message is that cutie?”

The dwarven girl acts cool like winter, “You and your fellow hunters are to head out today and scout and kill any ferocious beasts you come across. Good luck hunter Blink.” 

And with that, the cool beauty leaves the stunned Blink, off to seemingly report other messages.

With a sigh Blink looks up to the sky, “Me and my big mouth. Oh, how the heavens are cruel I thought we would have a break day. Oh well, at least I’ll earn some wine today… Fuck! I forgot to ask her name and she was such a babe.”

In a fowl mood Blink stormed off and headed towards the wall of the mountain before digging his hands and feet into the cracks and started to climb. Five minutes later he finds Valkus sitting on a ledge cross-legged meditating.

“Hey, brother.”

Opening his eyes Valkus responded, “Yes?”

“We got a job to do.”