Chapter 15: Chapter 14

Pov Finn

 

Things went surprisingly well. We built four log buildings in a week, each accommodating around two hundred people comfortably. Right now, they're stuffed with 250-300 inhabitants, but that'll change soon.

The problem is, I didn't expect so many children. Of the 2600 citizens, approximately half are kids or infants, and they can't help. Of course, we need someone to watch the children; even if the elder can do that, it isn't enough.

Someone has to cook the meals and wash the clothes, so in the end, we're left with 500 workers, more on a good day. However, there's progress, and while most workers are beginning to construct the fifth structure, a few have chosen, and I'll finally build the latrine.

It's about time because it stinks if you have almost three thousand people doing their business in the forest surrounding you.

"Are you ready, guys?" I shout to the small group in front of me.

"Yes!"
"Let's do it!"
"Can we hurry? I need to shit."
"Yeah! Let's go!"

While we roam through the forest to the Sudan, I explain the first phase, "We're going to dig a narrow trench from the river, roughly a hundred meters into the direction of the village, where we'll shovel a small pond."

"I get why we need the trench, but why the pond?" A male Elf, I think his name is Serref, asks. "And why don't we build it near the river?"

"Good questions," I affirm. "Let me explain. First, the use of what we do here is more than a restroom. The pond will regulate the water pace and act as a washing spot. Later it will be used for our farm projects. Also, I don't like walking so far to piss."

I leave half of the group to dig the hole while the others will do another next to the river, so the stream gains little speed. I warn them not to dig too close to the water and to keep it out.

In the meantime, I'm searching for a big stick to draw where the trench will run. After I had prepared everything, I joined them and started digging too. Luckily, the refugees don't flee empty-handed and bring various tools along.

Besides, when the Partnership delivered the food supplies, we requested more instruments, and they agreed. Unfortunately, it'll take a while to supply them because of all the secrecy.

"Hey, boss," Serref shouts to me.

Yeah, I got promoted to 'boss'. Still trying to figure out how that happened, probably because I helped out a bit--every day.

"What's up? Already tired?" I joke

"Actually, yes," he confesses. "It has been, what, six hours?"

I take a look at the other workers, and he's right. All of them are exhausted. I noticed a few times before having much more stamina, and certain it's because of the difference in our cores.

The Mana is changing my body's physique, but I need to find out by how much. So I'll keep an eye on that.

"Guys, we made good improvement, and you all worked hard," I announce in a loud voice to get everyone's attention. "That's why you deserve a break. But, not too long, so in one hour, back here."

They split up, going to wash up or just relaxing by a tree.

It's getting colder by the day now, so we should hurry because winter will arrive shortly.

I head back with a small group because I didn't have time to eat in the morning.

Kids run in the village, followed by the unhurried elders, who are just a little behind.

In fact, the mood of the residents has improved immensely since we began to enhance everybody's life.

But it isn't all good news. One of the Sehvlers reported movement from the palace but nothing specific, so we can't prearrange something—another thing I must keep my attention on.

Another reason why we only built four lodgings are the long tables in front of me and the roof covering them up, so we're safe from the rain while eating.

I sit on an available seat, getting a few nods from the Humans and Elves as greetings. Tabea is an exceptional cook; she creates the tastiest meals with the simplest resources daily.

As luck would have it, yesterday, a group of patrols encountered a battle between Thunder-Bunnies and Garboarlics. Even as small as they're, the Bunnies put up a good fight against the considerably larger creatures, but in the end, they fleed.

However, they injured the Garboarlic so severely that it was easy for the patrol to finish six of them off before the other ran away too.

The meat wasn't enough for everyone to get a portion, so we let the children have most of it. The leftover got thrown into the other meals randomly to make it fair.

Likewise, one of our men got injured, but we found a fantastic healer, Mary, who was chased out of Peak city. She fixed the bruises and scratches very quickly, and he should be fine in a few days.

Peak city is the second larger city in the Elven land and is further down the Dasdan to the east, located at the southern edge of Peak lake. I guess that's how it got named or maybe the other way around; I don't know.

The city focuses on studying the body and improving its healing capabilities. Mary traveled from a city in the north of Insani, I forgot the name, to study there. For example, she told me that sometimes grey body parts of an unknown monster get washed up, which the peak healers can then examine.

It's a pity I didn't get a piece of meat in my soup, but it was still delicious. I bring the used dishes to the side, where they quickly get taken and carried away to clean up.

I stay for a bit, listening to the conversation of people.

"Did you hear, in Esavilla, the Mayor is imprisoning the Humans. Even the Elves don't get spared if they shelter a Human."

"Are you serious? I have always known he's a scumbag."

"I heard of that too," another Elf joins them. "a woman from there told me yesterday that her cousin's long-time family friend came to visit from Varuna and is now held in the dungeon."

"It's a disgrace what is happening in our homes..."

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I look to the side and discern Mia playing with the youngsters. A little boy jumps on her back, trying to get hold of her. On a second look, I recognize him as Arbin. Suddenly, each kid runs at her, laughing and clinging to her.

When she volunteered to oversee them, I didn't understand why. But now that I see her smile and laugh, it was a good choice. She changed so much in this one week, but not only her. Arbin is, in fact, a cheerful kid. He even made a few friends already.

She noticed my stare and cheerfully waves to me, so I wave back. Arbin, who also discovered me, takes it as an invitation and sprints over with Mia trotting behind.

"Finn, Finn," he jumps esthetic up and down. "Can you come to play, please, please?"

"I would love to," I give him an apologetic look. "Unfortunately, I have to leave soon."

"How is it going?" Mia joins us. "Did you tell them about your next project?"

"Not yet," I shush her, and she looks around like I told her my darkest secret. "We almost have the two ponds ready and will finish them today."

"What's the project?" Arbin lies his head on my lap, looking up with big eyes.

"It's a secret," I say, looking around, noticing the workers of my group leave one by one. "And I have to go now." I pat his head.

"Are we still up for the evening?" She asks me while I stand up.

"Of course," I grin back at her. "But this time, we'll do it for real." She has a slightly worried expression when I leave.

She probably thinks we're going to fight a real battle, but it's not what I meant. I'm not going to correct her; it's funnier this way.

When I return, the others are hard-working, so I join them to finish the first phase today.

We wrapped things up shortly after dusk, collected all instruments, and returned to the village, except me.

I watch them drag themself back. The last one to leave is Serref, and I shout to him, "Can you tell Tom I need someone to build me two one-meter blocks with a fissure in them?"

"Ähm," He turns, looking confused. "Sure?"

"Right, I should explain. The two blocks go on either side of the trench, and a board between them to regulate the water. That reminds me, I need a board too."

"Oh, that is smart," He exclaims. "Anything else?"

"The blocks should be out of something stable and wide enough so it doesn't break easily."

"I will get the job done for you, boss." He salutes, smiles, and leaves.

That triggers a memory, but I can't pinpoint it. Where did that come from? I watch him leave, trying to remember, and notice that he, unlike the others, doesn't seem exhausted.

I can't figure it out, so I drop it.

The last light gradually disappears, and Mia still needs to arrive. Thus, I inflame a small fire, sit in front, and meditate.

"What took you so long?" I ask her when she finally comes.

"The little guy was too excited to fall asleep," she replies apologetically. "It wasn't that long, right?"

"It's fine," I stand up. "Follow me."

We move away from the fire. She seems nervous, which makes me smile.

"What?" She frowns.

"Nothing. So from today onwards, we'll fight additionally to your training."

"Really? You think I can do that?"

"No."

"No?"

"You'll fight me, but I'm not going to fight back," I explain.

"Oh, I see."

She takes a step forward, arms up as I taught her. Then, reaching back her right arm, she takes another step, and with a swift swing, her punch flies at me.

I stand laterally, moving into her and passing the force of her arm further beside me. As a result, she stumbles past me.

It's easy for me to read her movements, and I know how hard it is to conceal them. Even I can't do it, unlike Askei. If he wants to, his fist is in your face before you realize he moved. I speak from experience.

But she isn't done yet, pivoting she aims a kick at my side. I step toward her but duck under, moving behind her, and push her.

"Hey, you said no fighting back," She complains.

I keep silent, beckoning her with my hand toward me.

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