John was on his way to the grove of trees with the hidden pond. He’d left early, at first light. He planned to hunt again, but he had also brought a saw, hammer, and bag of nails. And a fishing pole. He wanted to build a small shack near the lake.

He made good time through the tall grass and rolling hills. Every so often, there was a mound of rocks that looked out of place. He secretly wondered if they too had been buildings at one time. But time and time again, he was disappointed. He could see they were just rock outcrops and nothing special.

After a couple hours, he could see the copse of trees in the distance. To the south, the Verdant Forest stretched as far as he could see in both directions.

When he arrived, he dismounted his horse and guided it through the thicket into the clearing. He tied it to a large rock near the lake and let it drink its fill.

While he wanted to begin on the shack, he decided first to walk through the trees and explore. Maybe he’d missed something. He wandered around for a while, finding nothing, not even an animal. He stood within the treeline facing north toward the lake. It was quite a distance away, more so than the Forest, but was just visible on the horizon. He figured it had more to do with the gentle downward slope of the plateau the farther south he got. Simple angles and all that.

“The perfect view and well hidden. Even someone with a keen eye would be hard pressed to see me here.” He did one more look over the area and went back to the pond.

He fished for a while, ate a couple, then took a short nap. He woke up refreshed.

“May as well get started,” he said to himself after stretching. He unloaded the saw and began to knock down a few trees.

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

Saul and the others continued to work on the tower and wall back at the bridge. More than likely they would finish today. Drew and he had decided the day before to also add a platform on top of the small building to further repel any kind of attack. They also built a platform on the other side for the same reason.

Drew himself now oversaw the construction of the wall. It was already starting to take shape as it extended farther east towards the fields. The new wall would have two gates as well: one in the east towards the fields and one to the north towards the woods and the Goblins. Both would be guarded by towers.

Drew currently sat on the ground thinking. He had drawn a rough sketch of the area. “The amount of guards isn’t going to be enough if we keep expanding. If more people come, we’re going to have to require that some at least get some training. Hell, we may as well require everyone to get training anyway. It’s their home too. They should be willing to defend it.”

He looked at his map then back at the village. The new area would almost double the existing area within the walls. The majority would be used for housing.

While he sat on the ground, he constantly used his spell to create different shapes. He was advancing, but not at the pace he wanted. He was able to make a cube and a cylinder, but a pyramid and cone still escaped him. “Only with practice will I get better. I mean it’s only been a few days. Saul said it took years to have any type of mastery. I’ve come so far already. I really wish he would have taught me Harden though too. I could be helping with the wall. Can’t hurt to ask can it?”

With that thought, he jumped up and jogged into the village to seek out Virgil. Drew found him making another set of foundations for apartments. Drew didn’t want to interrupt his thought, so he waited until the old man took a break.

“Virgil, do you have a minute?” he asked as he approached, Virgil having just stopped for a breather. “I know you said you’d teach me another spell after I master this one, but I was hoping you’d be willing to teach me Harden so I can help with the wall.”

Virgil thought about it. “On condition you show me how much you’ve progressed with Move Ground.”

Drew didn’t hesitate. He quickly created a cube and a rough cylinder. He even attempted to make the other two shaped but failed. He stood waiting, hopeful that Virgil had some sympathy for him. Or was at least impressed with how quickly he’d progressed.

Virgil walked over and inspected his work. He then created his own shapes right next to Drew’s attempts. The difference was immediate. Virgil’s edges were much more crisp and his sides flatter. But Drew’s weren’t a complete failure.

“I will pass you, but I will expect much better in the coming days. I understand you wanting to help, so that is more reason to help you along than your attempts here. Come with me and I will teach you Harden. But remember, there will be a price later.” Virgil smiled and waved for him to follow. “I don’t have my bag with me today, so we will need to go to my home. It will only take a moment.”

They arrived in a few minutes. Virgil went in and returned with the tome that held the spells. He turned farther into the book. “Read this page. It will teach you the spell and explain what it does. Then you’re on your own until you master the first spell.”

Drew read the page, not skipping a thing. This spell, while on the surface seemed easier, was a bit more involved. Where one basically moved soil, Harden changed it.

About ten minutes later, Drew closed the book. He had successfully learned the spell. He looked at Virgil. “So what’s the price? I don’t have much coin at the moment, and even the little I have won’t be enough. I know that.”

Virgil only smiled. “Later young man. And it may not be coin but instead a favor.” He waved him off like he always does. Drew took the hint and headed back to the wall to try his new spell. Virgil went inside, presumably to rest.

Drew sat and thought about what he’d read in the spell book. Then he remembered something about back home, adobe bricks, how they hardened in the sun but needed some type of organic material in them to keep them from cracking. How does that help me? It doesn’t. But I guess it’s similar. I need to remove all the moisture from the soil being packed in to harden it. I guess it’s more like concrete then.

He dug into the ground with his hand and felt the soil. It was damp and held shape when he formed it. “I bet there’s some clay in this. That’ll help I’m sure.” He formed the soil with his hands rather than his spell and formed a sphere. “Harden.” He focused intently on what he wanted from the ball of dirt.

Slowly, the moisture was drawn from the sphere, but cracks formed all along the surface. It still held its shape but would be useless for anything. “Damn. I guess this is why he said practice is so important. I must not have pulled all the moisture out evenly.”

He sat for so long practicing the two spells that hadn’t even realized all the workers had quit building the wall for the day. He was alone in the grass surrounded by many failed shapes but also a few successes. Nearly every one of them though had cracks from using Harden unsuccessfully.

He stretched his arms and stood. “I could have gotten more done, but my mana and mana regeneration is still low. But I did make progress.” He compared what he’d learned to what he knew from Earth’s games. “There, most skills and spells have levels. Not here though.” He hummed. “Maybe the levels are innate. Practice and you use less mana or stamina becoming more proficient ‘leveling up,’” he said, making air quotes “Yea. I’ll watch tomorrow as I practice to see if things change. That has to be it.”

He looked south then back to the village. “Enough of that for the day. Until I can get the speed down right, I won’t be helping on the wall any time soon. I’ll just mess it up. Oh well.” He jogged back into the village for supper and to check his progress.

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

John was headed back to town. He went north again like last time. He was traveling along the lake coming up to the bend. He didn’t see anyone in front or behind him. He wasn’t sure yet if that was good or bad. He wanted more villagers, but he also didn’t want to be inundated with people who may be useless to the village.

Back in the grove, he had made a small shack using some trees as supports. It could barely pass as a building, but it provided cover and a place to rest which is all he needed. In the future, something better could be built.

One goal was finished. When he got back to the village, speaking with Stanley would help complete the next. He was going to find out any information about animals or beasts to the south. Or if he’d found any caves. It was time to go hunting to get stronger.

As he rounded the lake and the small group of trees they had originally passed on their trip here, he saw a group of people following the path of the wagons that had left about a week prior. It was noticeable because of the ruts and the way the grass had been flattened.

He increased his pace. He didn’t want to scare them, but even from the short distance, they appeared haggard. It brought back memories of the bandits that they’d kill so long ago. Have they been attacked? Or are they just exhausted from the journey, he thought to himself. Looks like eight, maybe ten people. Moving incredibly slow. No children though. He gulped. I hope they didn’t leave with any and something happened.

He was maybe a hundred meters away when he called out. “Hey folks!” They stopped as one and turned to see him. I had forgotten what he looked like and shuddered. He imagined them being scared shitless as a stranger with a giant sword strapped to his waist galloped towards them.

As he got closer, he put his hands in the air, trying to show that he was friend and not foe. “Good evening,” he again called out. “It looks like you could use some help. Maybe a bite to eat?” He stopped maybe ten meters away and dismounted. He walked towards them, his hands still up in a non threatening position.

“I mean no harm to you,” he said as calm as he could. “I’m just heading back to the village up north. It’s just happenstance I came across you out here.” Still, the people didn’t move. He could see a few had small swords and each person had their hand on the hilt. One even had a bow. But they looked incredibly tired and hungry.

John stopped in front of them. He sighed. “I get that you’re scared. A stranger in a strange land and all that. But I assure you, I’m friend. Like I said, I’m headed back to River’s End. I’ve been out hunting all day. Well, mostly fishing. I’m more than willing to escort you back to the village for a good meal and rest. Whaddaya say?” he asked, a smile plastered on his face.

Finally, after several minutes of nervous silence, one of the women stepped forward. She had an air of command about her. Probably the leader of this little group, John thought to himself.

“And why should we trust you?” she asked, straight to the point. She held a sour look.

John thought about it, then came up with what to say. “I assume you met a caravan of wagons headed back to Innsbruck?” He waited, seeing a few faces hinting that they had. “Well I assume you talked to them. Did they say anything about the major, John Mitchell?” Again he waited, a few more faces showing realization.

“Yes, so what?” she asked again, still unmoved.

“Well, I’m John Mitchell. And it’s my town you're headed towards. So I can either help you along the way, or I can go by myself. Either way, I’m going back up there. I have no qualms with you. I know what’s happened back east and why you’re here. I’ll be the first to admit that not everyone you meet is a friend, so here.” He took a few steps closer, causing more than one to shift their stance or move back. “Share Status.”

Immediately, the lady’s shoulders relaxed. She turned to the group. “He’s not lying. It’s him.” She turned back to John. “And just in the knick of time. We’re on our last leg here. We didn’t know how much farther we had to go but I doubt we would have made it another couple days.” She took a step forward. “I’m Meg. This here is my family. My brothers, sisters, their husbands and wives, and my parents.” She waved behind her.

John could see that some had relaxed a little, but the two holding swords still held them firmly. Carefully he spoke. “Well, let’s get you home then. It’s maybe a two hour walk from here.” He looked at the older couple. “Why don’t you two get on my horse and ride the rest of the way. You look like you could drop at any moment.”

He walked back to get the horse and guided it closer to the people. Hesitantly, the older couple looked at their children, then came forward. But before they mounted the horse, the old woman grabbed John in a tight embrace.

“Thank you young man. These legs don’t work like they used to. We appreciate the help.” She turned to her family. “Bill, Al, put the swords away. They won’t be needed,” she said, in a stern voice. They took their hands off the hilts but still eyed John.

He helped the couple mount and took the reins. They set off toward the bridge. John made small talk as they traveled.

He asked how long they’d been traveling, if they knew of anyone else coming this way, and if they had any troubles along the way besides a lack of food.

Meg replied that if they hadn’t run into the caravan and been given some food, they may not have even made it this far. I’ll have to thank William later. And next time send more food back with him. If this keeps happening, there’s gonna be a lot of shortages on the route.

She continued saying that a lot of others had talked about heading this way, but none had left before them that she had seen. That made John feel a little better, that no one had yet perished on the route. She said they had to fend off a few animals, but that they were mainly scavengers after the little food they had. The group had run into no other people except the caravan. He did find out that people thought the village was closer though, and that’s why they were so unprepared. He hoped that William would rectify that back in Innsbruck.

After she answered his questions, he told them about the village and how it worked. How everyone worked for the betterment as a whole. No one was paid but no owed anything either. A few faces scrunched up but no one said anything. John knew in this world it was an odd concept.

He told them how they’d be given a home and food but that they’d have to work or do what they could to help. Meg nodded in agreement.

Finally, in the distance, the bridge and tower could be seen.

“What is that?” one of them asked.

John smiled. “Our first line of defense. It defends the only bridge across the water that we know of anyway. It’s like an early warning system. The village lays about another hour past it. We can stop and break there if you want. I have some fish in a pouch. Up to you guys.”

The family talked amongst themselves before Meg again answered. “Maybe just a small rest. And food,” she responded, sheepishly.

“No need to be ashamed. I’m just glad you made it here,” he replied, still smiling. “C’mon.” He moved ahead of them with the horses. “Don’t be scared if you hear a horn. We use it to alert each other of people approaching.”

Just as he said it, one blast was let out. He waited for another, as they were strangers, but another didn’t come. They must have recognized me. Or they need more training.

They made it to the bridge. The door was wide open. One guard stood atop the tower and another was at the north side of the bridge. John still didn’t know their names, but with so many new villagers, he knew he wouldn't be able to remember them all.

The guard on the bridge put up his hand. “Ho John. Find some friends out in the wild?”

He walked up to the guard and shook his hand. “That I did. They need some rest and some food. They’re exhausted and hungry from the journey. We’re going to rest here, then head back.”

He nodded, walked up to the horse, and helped the old couple off. Once they were through the gate, it closed shut behind them. A large wooden cross bar was put up, and the guard went back up into the tower. John was impressed with their efficiency.

John grabbed some timber that was left from building and started a fire. The smell of grilled fish soon followed.

In short order, the family dug in, several laying on the ground with their stomachs full. They groaned from eating so much. John smiled and thought to himself, Idiots. Everyone knows you don’t eat like that when you haven’t had a good meal in days. Can’t blame ‘em I guess. Wait ‘til they get a load of what we’ve built out here already. John smiled at that thought.

A little while later, the old couple was back on the horse, and the group made their way to the village. It was incredibly slow going.

The polite conversation continued as the village came into view. The fifteen foot walls and the multitude of towers was impressive. Even Innsbruck’s walls were mostly made of timber. There was no horn this time, as they’d already been alerted to their approach.

As they got closer, they could see villagers out in the fields and several guards up in the towers. The new wall now blocked the garden, but he knew at least Gert would be there.

They entered the open gate and were greeted by Katelyn and Drew. Drew had a concerned look on his face.

“Evening guys. Ran into some stragglers on my way back here.” He motioned to the family who were standing together. Their eyes drank in the surroundings.

“I see that. Katelyn came along in case any were injured. But I see that they aren’t, but they definitely look hungry and tired,” added Drew.

“Yea.” He looked at the family then back to Drew. “Any apartments available? We may have to double up, I get that.” Drew nodded yes. “Ok then.” He turned back to the family. “Any of you who want to rest, Drew and Katelyn here will show you where you’ll be staying. If you’re still hungry, follow me. But this time, take it easy. Broth and some bread until you’re back up to strength.” A couple lowered their eyes having been guilty of over-eating earlier. He clapped his hands. “Alright then! Follow!”

Meg, her husband, and her parents followed John while the other four went with Drew to settle in.

All eyes were on them as John sat them at a table. He returned as quickly as he could with some bowls of broth, bread, and water. “Get your strength back,” he said. “You have time to recover here. It’s safe.”

Meg looked up from her bowl. “Thank you John. You owe us nothing, but you’ve been overly nice to us. I think we’ve made the right decision coming out here. Once we’re stronger, we’ll do what we can to help. I promise. Even my brothers. They’re a little hard-headed, but they’ll come around. They’re good fighters though too, and I’m sure you can use some out here.”

“Absolutely. It’s not without danger. I won’t lie. But it’s relatively peaceful here. So enjoy. Later we’ll get you into an apartment to get some rest.” John stood. “I hate to leave you, having just got here, but I have someone I need to talk to before tomorrow. Ask around if you need something. Anyone will be willing to help you.” With that, John left the new family sitting enjoying their meal.

John searched for Stanley and found him sitting with Steven and the other miners. He’s probably dreading the meeting tomorrow with the Goblins, he chuckled to himself. Stanley saw John approaching and the conversation at the table quit.

“Evening ‘gents,” he said, greeting them. “Got a moment Stanley? I’d like to ask you about your travels down south.”

He nodded to the others who promptly left the table. John raised his eyebrow. “They didn’t need to leave. It’s nothing bad.”

Stanley replied, “It’s ok. We were just discussing what we are going to do tomorrow night when we meet the Goblins. What’s your question?”

John sat down. “Honestly, I just want to know what you saw down there. Animals, beasts, ruins, caves, and so on. Anything would help.”

He scratched his chin. “We had to hack our way through the Forest to get to the mountains. There was no path, but there were a lot of animals. No ruins, however, like the cave to the west, there did seem to be an area cleared at the base of the mountain. I’m not saying it was, but the area was devoid of trees which is stark contrast to the thick coverage in the Forest we’ve seen.”

“That’s good,” John answered back. “At least we know we have more animals in the area. What about caves?”

“Sure, but I don’t know how reachable. There were none ground level, and really, I wasn’t sure if they were caves or just recesses on the side of the mountain. They were quite high up with no path to reach them. We didn’t travel too far west because the trip itself is long.” Stanley had his hands folded on the table while he talked.

“Understandable. Thanks. I haven’t been on a good cave delve in quite a while. I think I may just take a trip south and see what’s up,” John replied. “Let me know how the meeting goes tomorrow night won’t you? I’ve got a couple guards lined up to go with you. I’m sure it’ll be fine. Don’t let ‘em get one over on you,” chuckled John, irritating Stanley.

“I won’t. No worries there. The miners though weren’t too thrilled about working with them, so I doubt we’ll be hiring them.” Stanley squirmed in his seat. “If it’s alright, I’d like to commission a cart of some kind that can be used in the mine to haul the ore. Something light but durable. We may also need some timber to hold up the ceiling in a tunnel if it’s not safe.”

John grinned. “I can make a cart, but talk to Ivan about some wheels. We’ll get you what you need. Your success is ours after all.” John stood. “Thanks for the info about the south. If I don’t see you tomorrow, good luck.”

“Thanks,” replied Stanley. “And good luck in the south yourself.”

John found something to eat then quickly called it a night. He’d have to leave early if he really wanted to explore the mountains in the south. Might ask Monty or Ivan to go along too, but I doubt they’ll want to. Our last excursion wasn’t exactly a success, he thought to himself as he laid in bed. Eventually he drifted to sleep.