Symbiotic: Chapter 57

Chapter 57

The gates of Haven Valley stood open, the morning light spilling across the cobblestones as the procession reached where Sara stood at the gates. The Life Lions padded forward with regal confidence, their golden manes shimmering, their eyes sharp and watchful. Behind them came the crafters and families, weary from travel but carrying with them carts of tools, bundles of supplies, and the hopeful energy of new beginnings.

Sara stepped forward, her voice carrying across the square as she bowed to the golden guardians.

Sara: “Life Lions of Baron Glory’s Pride, I thank you. You have fulfilled your promise, guiding these families safely through the Lifewheat Fields. Haven Valley is stronger for your guardianship.”

She bowed her head slightly to She Who Laughs Last, who inclined hers in return, the Corelace Amulet collar gleaming faintly.

Turning to the arrivals, Sara gestured them closer. “Come forward. Give your names, your skills, your crafts. Tas will record them, and you will be assigned homes and access to the workshops you need to practice your trades.”

The holographic form of Tas shimmered into being, glyphs flickering as each crafter and family stepped forward. A blacksmith with arms like iron. A weaver with delicate hands. A brewer carrying crates of herbs, and so much more. One by one, they spoke, their voices steady but tinged with fatigue. Tas’s glyphs pulsed as she catalogued each name and skill, assigning them to quarters and crafting halls.

Sara’s eyes, however, never stopped scanning. With Sporesight and Danger Sense, she felt the subtle prickle of unease. Three individuals stood out. Not openly hostile, but their movements too careful, their eyes too sharp. Without hesitation, she invoked Mark Target, and in her mind, they flared like beacons.

She turned slightly, introducing the crafters to the Valley’s leaders. “This is Tas, who will guide you to your homes and workshops. And here are Cadri and Brogan, Captains of the Valley Defense Force. They are the shield of Haven Valley.”

Her tone shifted subtly as she leaned closer to the Captains, her words quiet but firm. “Three in the crowd concern me.”, she pointed them out. “Watch them. If they prove harmless, so be it. But be ready.”

Cadri’s eyes narrowed, Brogan’s jaw tightened. Both gave the faintest nod.

With introductions complete, Sara raised her voice again. “All of you, crafters, families, Welcome. Enter the Valley. Within these walls, you are safe from outside harm.”

The gates closed behind them, the walls humming faintly with protective runes. Inside, Sara gathered the mercenaries and those who had come with them.

Sara: “As the Valley has before, I offer you a contract. One year. Cause no harm, and share no secrets of what you learn here with the outside. In exchange for your skills and crafts, you and your families will have food, housing, access to crafting stations, and the promise of Valley citizenship when your term is complete, should you and your families desire it.”

Her words were firm, but not unkind. She gestured to the VDF, who stepped forward to guide the newcomers to their quarters. “The VDF will show you to your new homes. Welcome to Haven Valley. Speak among yourselves. Decide what you will choose. Haven Valley offers you safety, but it demands your loyalty in return.”

As the crowd dispersed, Sara remained at the edge of the square, her Sporesight still fixed on the three she had marked. She knew she could not always be here to guard against spies or saboteurs. That was why she had Cadri and Brogan, why Tas’s all seeing eyes watched every corner of the Valley.

She exhaled slowly, her resolve steady. As long as they do not threaten the safety of the Valley’s people, I will let my Captains deal with them. Haven Valley must learn to defend itself, not rely on me alone.

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Sara stood with her arms folded, her eyes sweeping across the village square. Cadri and Brogan moved among the new arrivals with practiced ease. Their voices carried warmth and authority as they guided families toward their new homes, pointing out the workshops, the communal gardens, and the safe paths through the Valley. Children clung to their parents, wide eyed at the bustle, while crafters nodded with relief as they were shown where their tools and trades could take root.

Sara’s smile was faint but proud. Haven Valley was becoming what she had envisioned: a place where weary travelers could find safety, and skilled hands could find purpose.

Yet her Mark Target still pulsed in her mind, three figures glowing faintly in her awareness. The shifty crafters blended into the crowd, but Sara’s senses never let them slip away. She watched as Cadri leaned subtly toward Brogan, his hand brushing against his belt in a series of signals only the Captains troops would recognize.

Moments later, three VDF scouts melted into the crowd. They moved with quiet precision, slipping between families and carts, their eyes sharp but their presence unnoticed. One took up a position near the gatehouse, another lingered by the workshops, and a third shadowed the trio from a distance.

Sara’s Danger Sense hummed faintly, but she forced herself to remain still. This is their task now, she reminded herself. I cannot always be the shield. The Valley must learn to defend itself.

Cadri’s voice rang out, cheerful and commanding as he ushered a family of weavers toward their quarters. Brogan, meanwhile, bounced a child on his shoulders, pointing out the training grounds with a grin that softened his squinting molefolk features. To the newcomers, the Captains were welcoming hosts. But beneath the surface, their scouts were already weaving a net of vigilance.

Sara exhaled slowly, her gaze lingering on the three marked figures. If they mean harm, they will find themselves caught before they can strike. And if they are simply cautious souls, then perhaps Haven Valley will soften them in time.

The gates closed, the walls hummed with protective runes, and the Valley breathed with new life. Sara allowed herself a small smile. She had done her part. Now, it was Cadri and Brogan’s turn to prove the Valley’s strength.

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Sara, flanked by Cadri and Brogan, oversaw the dispersal of the new arrivals. The VDF troops moved with practiced efficiency, guiding families to their quarters, carrying packs and crates, and offering reassuring words. Children darted between the soldiers, laughing, while weary adults finally allowed themselves to relax within the safety of the walls.

Sara’s gaze lingered on the crowd, her Sporesight and Danger Sense keeping her alert. The three shifty crafters she had marked earlier remained in her awareness, glowing faintly in her mind. She trusted Cadri’s scouts to keep watch, and indeed she saw them following the three into the crowd, shadows with sharp eyes.

With the families settled, Sara turned toward the Crafting Quarters, Tas’s glyphs shimmering beside her. Together, they reviewed the list of new arrivals, their names and trades glowing across Tas’s projection.

Sara: “Ok Tas. We’ll need to expand the workshops. Upgrade the basics. These crafters bring skills we can’t waste. Where do we start?”

Tas: “Acknowledged, Viscount. Crafting Quarters will be restructured to maximize efficiency. Assignments ready.”

Sara smiled faintly, checking her TAP and SC reserves, knowing this was going to use up more than the two days of saved up resources and dip into her personal funds. But the end result would be oh so worth it. “Then let’s build.”

The air shimmered as Tas’s systems interfaced with the Valley’s infrastructure. Walls shifted, floors expanded, and new crafting halls rose from stone and rune. Sara walked among them, ensuring each workshop matched the needs of its crafter. Forges reinforced for Smiths, weaving halls lit with steady glowstones for Weavers and Clothiers. Kitchens stocked for cooks and brewers. And specialized stations for the wide variety of new artisans.

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New Crafters of Haven Valley

Name Species Craft Level Specialty

Thalia Emberhand Dwarf Blacksmith 18 Master of weapon forging, rune etched blades

Elenwe Silversong Elf Weaver 15 Fine silks, enchanted cloth

Jorin Clayroot Halfling Brewer 12 Herbal ales, restorative tonics

Marrek Ironvein Human Mason 20 Reinforced stonework, defensive walls

Sira Quickpaw Snakefolk Leatherworker 14 Armor crafting, flexible hides

Brenna Hearthfire Human Cook 10 Communal meals, morale boosting recipes

Kaelen Stormbranch Elf Carpenter 16 Precision joinery, siege engine frames

Doin Ashbloom Human Healer Crafter 13 Salves, poultices

Torvik Deepdelve Dwarf Smelter/Forgemaster 19 Rare ore refinement, alloy creation

Lira Moonwhisper Catfolk Enchanter 17 Minor enchantments on tools and garments

Fenric Broadback Bearfolk Tanner 11 Heavy hides, durable armor

Calla Brightleaf Elf Herbalist 9 Medicinal herbs, potion bases

Oren Flintjaw Human Armorer 20 Plate armor, reinforced shields

Pyria Flamefur Foxfolk Glassblower 8 Crystal lenses, alchemical vials

Harl Stonebinder Dwarf Rune Carver 15 Weapon and armor inscriptions

Mira Willowstep Halfling Potter 7 Durable clay vessels, storage jars

Garrick Thornhelm Human Bowyer/Fletcher 14 Precision bows, enchanted arrows

Sylra Dewsong Elf Jeweler 18 Gemcutting, Enchanted settings

Varn Copperhide Lizardfolk Metalworker 13 Fine tools, hinges, fittings

Nyra Featherfall Owlfolk Scribe 12 Codices, Skillbooks, manuscripts

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As the last workshop shimmered into place, Sara exhaled, pride swelling in her chest. Haven Valley was growing, thriving, becoming a place where skill and craft could flourish behind defended walls.

She glanced back toward the square, where Cadri and Brogan moved among the families, scouts still shadowing the three marked crafters. Sara trusted them to handle whatever came.

It was with great pride that Sara stayed and accepted the Contract agreements of over half the new arrivals before evening meals were provided, and nearly two thirds by nightfall.

The following morning would tell whether the rest chose to stay or to set out for easier assignments. But to already have so many signed on well before the deadline was a balm to her worried mind.

Sara (softly): “This is what Haven Valley was meant to be. A home. A haven.”

Tas’s glyphs pulsed in agreement, the Crafting Quarter blazed. Alive with new purpose.

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