Horizon before dawn

Thank you for the Power Stone, extra chapter today.

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Repairing the former fort, now called Mother's Forge, was not easy. We labored tirelessly for three months to make it truly ours. Gone were the ugly bandit shacks, in their place, a new mixture of Nora, Banuk and Utaru architecture began to emerge. The new wooden houses still retained a somewhat tribal feel but were much improved. The new walls, constructed from sturdy stone and reinforced with metal salvaged from the ruins of the Old Ones, stood tall and imposing, two new towers and a ramp for patrol on them, the heavy wooden gate reinforced with steel plates to make sure no machine or human could pass, every section was carefully laid, with carvings and symbols from both tribes etched into the surfaces, symbolizing unity and resilience.

The houses were crafted with meticulous care, each one designed to balance the practicality of daily life with the traditions of the Nora, Banuk, and Utaru. The walls of the houses were made of smooth stone, gathered from the fort's ruins, while the roofs were thatched with woven reeds and grasses, providing both shelter and warmth. The thatching was reinforced with modern materials, making it more durable and weather resistant than anything the tribes had used before. But it was the decorative touches that truly set the homes apart. Each house had intricate carvings along the eaves, with patterns and symbols drawn from the different tribes, telling stories of ancestors, animals, and nature. These carvings not only provided a connection to the past but also added a deep sense of beauty to the structures.

The streets of Mother's Forge were a marvel in themselves. Paved with the original stones of the fort, the cobbled paths meandered through the settlement like veins of life, leading from one building to the next. The paths were lined with tall, slender trees, their branches reaching upward, as though they were guarding the settlement. In the evening, the soft blue glow of the Banuk candlelights illuminated the streets, casting a gentle, ethereal light that made the entire place seem alive with energy. Their soft flicker provided a comforting ambiance, guiding people through the settlement and giving it an almost dreamlike quality at night.

I had put Albedo in charge of construction because she had learned from the Old Ones data records I had sent her years ago. She coordinated the workforce with precision, assigning roles and overseeing the implementation of innovative techniques.

Under her guidance, the settlement not only grew but thrived, setting a new standard for what a fortified community could achieve.

The medical center, though modest in size, was an oasis of care and healing. It was built with the same attention to detail as the rest of the settlement, its wooden walls warm and welcoming. The interior was filled with shelves stocked with herbs, medicines, and potions, each one carefully labeled and organized. The walls were decorated with soft, hand painted murals depicting the healing arts, a reminder that in this place, no one would be left to suffer alone.

The school, though currently empty, was designed to be a place of learning and growth for the future generations. The building itself was a small, rectangular structure with a sloping roof and wide windows that allowed the sunlight to flood the interior. Inside, the walls were lined with shelves that would one day hold books and scrolls. For now, the space was empty, but it was filled with the promise of a brighter future, one where knowledge would be passed down and preserved for those who came after us.

The beauty of Mother's Forge was not just in the structures themselves but in the way they all came together, a seamless blend of the old and the new.

Meanwhile, I focused on building my forge, the heart of Mother's Forge and a symbol of our ambition. This forge was unlike anything the Nora had ever seen, blending traditional craftsmanship with advanced designs inspired by the Old Ones technology. It was equipped with bellows powered by wind and water and machine parts allowing for precise temperature control. The forge was central to our future, promising to arm us with tools and weapons that could rival anything our enemies possessed. Beyond weapons, it held the potential to produce farming equipment, defensive mechanisms, and even intricate works of art, anything we needed to secure our survival and prosperity.

The Nora don't traditionally have forges, relying purely on bows and spears, but I was different. I couldn't wait for the forge to be finished so I could start crafting some badass cannons, more grenades, and other weapons that we currently lacked.

After everything we had been through, my people trusted me and eagerly helped with its construction. They understood the forge was more than a building, it was a promise of strength, endurance, and a brighter future for all of us.

One evening, Albedo approached me near the half-finished forge. Kael, one of our sharpest scouts, was with her, holding a basket of tools. "You know." Albedo began, leaning casually against a stack of bricks "This forge of yours better live up to all the hype. Otherwise, I might just turn it into a bakery."

I smirked. "A bakery? I didn't know you had such lofty dreams, or seeds."

Kael chuckled as he set the basket down. "Don't give her ideas. Next thing we know, she's repossessing the forge."

Albedo shot him a playful glare. "Oh, please. Like you'd complain about fresh bread every morning. Besides, if anyone's getting their hands dirty here, it's you two."

"Hey." I said, raising my hands defensively, "I'm already elbow deep in this forge, If anything, you're the one who keeps finding excuses to hang around here."

She crossed her arms, her expression softening. "Maybe I just like the company."

Kael whistled low, grinning as he stepped back. "And that's my cue to check on the perimeter. You two behave now."

As Kael disappeared, she turned back to me. "You really think this forge will make a difference?"

My gaze met hers. "I know it will. This place… it's already changing because of you and me, all of us."

She smiled, the kind that made the long days feel worth it. "Just don't forget to save me the first grenade you make. I've got a few targets in mind."

We both laughed, the sound echoing through the forge as the stars began to appear above. It wasn't just the forge that was being built, it was something stronger, something unbreakable between us all.

Later that evening, Orlok returned, his face grim but determined. "I just got back from patrol." he said, pulling up a chair by the fire. "We found a small Carja outpost a few miles east. They've got prisoners."

I straightened, the weight of his words sinking in. "How many?"

"At least half a dozen." he replied. "They're in rough shape. From what we could see, the Carja have been using them for labor, If we act fast, we can get them out before reinforcements arrive."

"What's the layout?" I asked, already running through potential plans in my head.

Orlok leaned forward, tracing the dirt with a stick to sketch a rough map. "The outpost is small, lightly guarded. A main gate here, two watchtowers, and a storage shed. The prisoners are kept in a pen at the back."

I nodded, studying the drawing. "We'll need to move under the cover of darkness. Take Rhea, kael and a small team. Speed and precision are key, prepare to go now."

He stood, gripping my arm firmly. "We'll bring them back. You have my word."

As he left to prepare, I stared into the fire. Each step we took, every life we saved, brought us closer to building a world worth fighting for.

I turned to Albedo, who was sitting by the fire, she had been listening attentively as I spoke.

"I need more focus devices, and we need to teach the others how to use them." I said, my voice firm with purpose. "Tomorrow, you will go out with a small team and search for old ruins. Bring back any tech you find."

Albedo's lips curled into a subtle smile as she responded, her voice smooth and melodic. "As you wish, my king."

Her words sent a shiver through me, not from the cold, but from the way she said them, like a whispered promise meant only for my ears. There was a certain glint in her eyes that told me she enjoyed following my commands.

I couldn't help but smile at her attitude, even as I shifted the topic. "How is Mira doing with the farm? Any luck?" I asked, leaning slightly closer to the fire's warmth and, perhaps unconsciously, to her.

Albedo's expression turned somber, and her voice softened. "Too cold for now they say, and no seeds for winter." Her words carried a weight of disappointment.

"We'll figure something out." I said softly, my voice carrying a promise I hoped I could keep. "Together."

Her lips curved into a faint smile, the sadness in her eyes giving way to something warmer, more hopeful. The fire crackled between us, but it was her presence that truly kept the cold at bay.

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Comment if you want to see more Kingdom building or more action or romance or something else. Thank you for reading. 

Every 25 power stones a new chapter