Chapter 034:

Verona lay on her back on the northern most inner wall of Atros, staring at the few wisps of cloud that strayed overhead. The warm sun graced her face as it hung in the middle of the sky. The stone underneath was warm as well, heating her backside through her leather armour. Her warmth did not distract from the overriding feeling that swirled through her mind.

She was bored.

Completely and utterly bored senseless.

It had only been fifteen days since Anton and the others left for Maxill, and now Verona was seriously regretting her decision to stay behind.

She knew it was probably the right thing to do, to make sure that someone remained in Maxill that could magic to fend off any attacks from the monsters and beast. It did nothing to help alleviate the sense of boredom.

For the first few days she had enjoyed having more space in their bed, but quickly she had started to miss the warmth that sleeping with Anton provided, among other enjoyable things.

Other problems quickly emerged.

She quickly realised how reliant she had become on Anton for healing and general guidance, like what to do for the day. For the first few days she had found it quite distressing. She had to ask the others what to do. It was quite awkward and embarrassing the first few times, especially as her main use was fighting. Now at the fifteenth day it was better.

Although she was working on becoming more independent there were other things on her mind. She sighed as she moved her hand to cover her eyes to block out the sun.

“I really don't have that many people that I can talk to that are my own age.” she lamented out loud. “Everybody my own age is terrified of me, and the people that aren't are either not here or nearly twice my age.”

She had tried to talk to some her own age but they ran away as soon as they saw her approaching. It hurt to watch them heading away and glancing over the shoulder to see if she was still following. The older villagers were better but they remained stiff when they spoke to her. She knew that it was due to her power that ripped blood out of her enemies and used it to kill. That, and the fact she glowed red when she used it.

She sighed again and resumed her basking in the sun undisturbed. Right now she had little to do, so she was hiding, in a sense.

Soon there was a strange sound coming towards her. She raised herself up and looked back towards Atros, down the wooden steps to the ground.

Someone was walking up the wooden stairs towards her.

Verona quickly glanced around and saw that there were a few guards keeping watch, most were looking quite bored or chatting. Jeff would not like to hear that they were not taking their job seriously.

A head of short brown hair slowly emerged. Verona recognised it, she had seen in almost every day in Atros.

It belonged to Sam, Jeff's partner and probably future wife.

Verona did not really know what to make of Sam yet, despite knowing her offhandedly for her whole life. She did seem to care for her and Anton, and was very interested in their private life, especially now that he was not here.

“There you are Verona,” she said, giving a little wave as she made it to the top of the wall, “We've all been looking for you. You can hide pretty well.”

Sam looked around, seeing that the other guards paid Verona little attention. Though that may have been because of her powers. They seemed so horrific to some but not to her, to her it was as normal as breathing.

“So this is where you disappear to each day, you've being doing it nearly every day after Anton left.”

Verona shrugged, still lying down. She hauled herself up and leant against the wall, her dark brown and red spear resting beside her.

“I'm just up here relaxing for a bit. Nobody disturbs me here. Besides, my body is still quite sore from all the exercise that you guys have been putting me through the past few days. Even when I had to fight alongside Anton my body never felt like this, although he was healing me every time.”

Verona chuckled as she folded her arms underneath her breasts covered by her leather armour.

“Although, with him probably returning from Maxill, it should not be too much longer.”

“Longer until...?” Sam asked with a wicked smirk.

Verona did not bother to answer. She fully understood what Sam was talking about. The day that Anton had left she had started asking about their sex life. Verona had relented after the tenth day of questioning, receiving many inappropriate comments and suggestions on what she should do. Sam had laughed when she found what she and Anton were doing. Thinking about it made her face heat up.

“You should really be out there helping them practice.” Sam said as she walked and leant on the wall, looking out. It appeared she was not going to tease her right now.

Verona turned around to look over the practice fields. It was situated between the wall she currently stood on and another built further away, a second defensive wall. It was much bigger and stronger than the first one and was still under construction.

She could see many villagers, and a fair few of the bondsmen from Maxill, practising relentlessly with blunt swords, spears and wooden shields. Beyond them was Avery and his archers, working equally as hard.Verona stretched out her back, first forward than backwards, the burning sensation from exercise ran through her with every movement.

“I don't think that I would be very good at teaching them how to fight. I can only use this spear well, and they can't use my magic. I've gotten so used to using having them both that I don't even know if I can really fight without them.”

Verona felt her body go slightly colder, her heart sinking.

“And...”

“And?” Sam asked, warm and almost motherly.

“They would try and run away...They're afraid of me.” she said almost in a whisper, hanging her head down and letting her silver hair cover her face. “Everyone except the people on the council is afraid of me. It's gotten worse since Anton left, like they think that I'm barely being controlled now that he's not around...and these are the people I grew up with. The day that I got my powers, the day I ripped an arm off and shredded a body without hesitating, while I was in a trance...that's when it really started. They looked at me like I was a freak when we got back...I think that's what helped make me closer to Anton. He doesn't care that I'm different. He loves me no matter what.”

Sam moved over and put her arm around her shoulders.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

Verona suppressed a sniffle.

“I'm fine,” she said as she straightened up, “It can just get a bit hard when I try to talk to people my own age and they look like they just want to run away. Even just to say hello. I'm not using my powers so I'm not glowing red, I look like I do know. They can't see any of my marks. I guess that's just the way things are going to be.”

She sighed again.“I just wish I could talk to people normally.”

“We're still here for you.” Sam said, giving her a little shake of encouragement.

Verona laughed on the inside.

She's right. I have heaps of friends, and people that I love and that love me. I should not be like this, I need to be helping in some way. That's what Anton would do.

She brushed Sam arm off her and slapped her own face hard. Not hard enough to leave a mark but enough to cause some pain. And bring some levity and clarity to her thoughts.

Sam raised a confused eyebrow as she looked at her.

“Moping around isn't going to make anything better.” Verona said as she puffed out her armoured chest. “Most people were afraid of Anton in the beginning, even if he didn't really see it, and he's fine with that. So it's time for me to stop being so silly.”

She turned to Sam, her normal smile returned. Immediately she felt her mood improve. Her father had always told her to smile more, something she had followed devoutly after he died.

“See, I feel better already.” Verona said as she retrieved her spear. “I may not be able to be friends with everyone, so I'll just have to do the best I can.”

“Well...” Sam did not know how to respond to Verona's sudden change in attitude. She might have expected her to mope around for quite some time before finally coming around.

“You said that people were looking for me?” Verona asked.

Sam smiled, thankful that Verona was directing her to a better topic.

“Yes. Since it's about mid-day, we were about to have lunch.” Sam explained. “There's also going to be a council meeting...thing, then too. It sounds like Jeff is wanting to do something a little silly. So...do you want to come?”

“Yes. Yes I do.” Verona answered. “If I'm going to be a help to everyone I need to be able to make decisions on my own, and learning is the only way.”

She realised she had said it a little bit arrogantly, like it would have been a profound revelation to Sam.

Sam, thankfully, smiled and started to walk down the wooden steps.

Verona retrieved her spear and followed with Sam waiting at the bottom of the steps for her to arrive. The guards paid them little mind as they walked towards the center. Other villagers were heading towards the central plaza as well.

“So, Verona...” Sam leant in close to Verona. She knew what she was about to ask.

“How are you handling things...you know?”

Verona shook her head, her face was already beginning to heat up.

“You've been asking me every day, and I've already told you.” she brushed her hand through her hair, “That was embarrassing enough, that one time.”

Sam laughed. The other passing villagers looked but kept on moving faster than they did.

“I know. I just love the way your face scrunches up when you're embarrassed. It's cute.”

Verona grunted angrily. The conversation reminded her of why she found it difficult to talk to her.

“I'm sorry.” Sam wrapped her arm around Verona's shoulders, she would not be able to escape easily.

“But there was something I wanted to ask you, you know, about that.”

Verona looked up at Sam, the mischievous look was gone.

“Since you two are together pretty much all the time...I was wondering when you were going to have kids.”

“Oh.” Verona flushed with embarrassment. She had often thought as to what it would be like to be pregnant, with a large stomach, knowing that she was carrying another life inside of her. One from the person she loved.

“Well, Anton said that he didn't want kids just yet. I think we both agreed that we would wait until Atros was larger and stronger. That way, if he's away while I'm pregnant, there'll be enough strength here to keep us all safe. I don't know how I'll be able to use my magic properly.”

“Well, it's a big decision you're making. But, I know that you'll look after them like a good mother.”

“Them?” Verona asked with a raised silver eyebrow.

“With the way you two are going at it, I don't think it'll be just one child.”

“Wha-?” Verona stammered.

The thought of having multiple children, all different ages, with silver and blonde a hair, running about their house, caused her to flush even brighter. It was an amazing scene to her. In it she was smiling while holding a small child, another two clinging to her legs to get attention while Anton brought her up for a deep kiss. Seeing it over and over in her mind made her flush deeply.

When she came to her senses, and out of her fantasy, Sam had moved infront of her.

“You just liked what you saw...”

Sam was smiling wickedly again. Verona tried to cover her face but Sam just walked to her side.

“See, it's just so easy.” Sam said as she laughed loudly.

Verona grumbled, but she felt something odd through Sam's arm.

“I hope that you'll be happy.”

There was something in her voice, something distant and remorseful. She caught the odd look that Verona threw at her.

“I...um...haven't told anyone this, but I've actually had a child before.”

Verona looked up and searched her memories. While she did not know everybody very well, she remembered nothing about Sam and Jeff having a child.

“When...”

“It was quite a few winters ago.” Sam almost had tears in her eyes as she looked into nowhere. “I think you would have been about ten. He...ugh...didn't make it.”

Verona could not reply. She just looked at the ground.

Not every child that was born alive...it was something that her parents avoided talking about whenever she asked about children. The thought that her potential children might not be born alive was a cold and oppressive thought.

“But, it was quite a long time ago.” Sam continued, “Atros was a lot larger then and was only just starting to fall apart.”

“I...I'm-”

“It's fine.” she pulled Verona closer. “Actually, Jeff and I are trying for another child now that it's safe here. That's why I was going to ask you about it.”

Verona squirmed free.

“Well, I think it'll be next winter or maybe the next after that.”

“Any idea what you're going to name it?”

Verona shook her head.

“That's another thing I hadn't thought of. It'll give me something to do for the rest of the day.”

“Come on, the boys will be getting impatient.”

Sam laughed and walked faster, Verona quickened her pace to keep up. She could already smell the cooking food coming from the central plaza. The smell reminded her that she was quite hungry. The previous conversation washed away from her mind but still lingered at the back. When Anton got back she planned to have a talk with him about it, maybe even learn what it was like in his world.

She almost started skipping as she arrived at the edge of the central plaza.

---[]---

Verona took her usual seat at the large wooden table reserved for the council meetings. Since Anton had left they started having their daily meetings outside, just outside the Main Hall. It seemed they liked being in the outdoors more than being inside. There was quite some distance from them and the other villagers so they would not be disturbed. For anything serious they would wait and discuss it inside.

Verona liked this as it meant there was lots of fresh air and the sun was out. There was still a chair reserved for Anton. It looked empty and reminded her of why she needed to pay so much more attention at these meetings. Despite telling Anton that she would try harder, and her best intentions before, most of these meetings had flown over her head. The isolation she felt from the other villagers had pushed her to hiding to get away from the feelings. She would run away as soon as she could.

Now it was different. She had to be different.

Now she would prove that she would contribute to the village, and to Anton's strange and obscure vision for this world. Whatever that would actually be.

Most of the other villagers had already gathered for the meeting, except for Bertram and Sybil.

They were good people, even if her parents had not really gotten along well with them. She still did not like remembering how life was before, when everyone was effectively left to fend for themselves, but that was in the past.

Throughout the rest of the central plaza, as Anton called it, was swarming in other villagers looking for a free table to sit and eat. Several of the women, and a few of the elderly men, were in charge of cooking and distributing food.

Anton had told her, in private, that it was a good idea for people to keep working in some form. Most people would want to contribute and if they could not fight, or build, they could do at least something. Something that would bring smiles to faces and the knowledge that they were keeping their fellow people alive.

Verona smiled on the inside, knowing that the villagers were all working together mostly.

Through the crowd, leaving a table mostly formed of former Maxill bondsmen, she could see Bertram and Sybil. She could see them making their way to the table as fast as they could, even if that meant a bit of a hobble between the two of them.

“You okay, Dad?” Jeff asked as they both made it to their table.

Bertram nodded as he pulled out a chair for himself and Sybil. She appreciated the gesture with a light smile as she took her seat and waited for Bertram to do the same.

“Everything's fine.” He replied. “Just still a bit stiff this morning.”

Bertram sat down with a tiny groan as he made contact with the chair. Compared to the those she had sat on in Maxill, in Duchess Belinda's mansion, these were incredibly uncomfortable and plain. It was strange to her that she had not thought it like that before. Before she had not known any different.

“That-”

“It's fine.” Bertram said. “Now that I'm up and about, everything's starting to feel better.”

Jeff gave an awkward smile, followed by a stifled laugh between the family.

I wish I could still laugh with my parents. I wonder what they would make of my relationship with Anton? Or that I'm a blood mage?

Her mental pondering was interrupted by a loud cough from Bertram, the signal that the meeting was about to start.

“Thank-you everyone for coming,” he began, “We have quite a few things to discuss today.”

“Actually,” Sybil interrupted, “First I think that we should have lunch. Some of the other women and I have already made it, and I don't want it to get cold.”

Oh, hot food!

Verona found herself almost salivating. While cold food was good, it was when the meat and vegetables were steaming that it tasted the best. Especially when the meat had little charred bits on the outside.

Sybil and Sam stood up and headed into the Main Hall, quickly emerging with plates with steaming food.

Last time they had hot food, Anton had used his flame magic to roast the meat and vegetables. It seemed like it made him feel rather uncomfortable to use such a powerful magic for something so simple. Nevertheless everyone enjoyed it.

Though now with him gone, and his magic too, she wondered if this was going to be a common thing. Wood was not in great supply especially if they were going to have three hot meals a day. With their increase in demand, for the rapid construction and for fuel, they had harvested all the the mature trees around Atros.

Now they had to go to the western forest or to the small forest overlooking the stone quarry to get wood, although they were starting now to use the coal the miners were digging up to replace it. The coal was such a dirty thing to handle, it took Verona some time to get the dust completely off her hands when she touched it once. Despite that the large chunks burnt for some time and with a generous amount of heat.

The last few days that we have been doing these meetings we've said nothing about how much of both we have. Winter will be here someday relatively soon. It's already near the end of Spring...that gives us only two more seasons...that's about two hundred or something days. If it's not brought up I will, I don't want to freeze...or starve. Nothing grows when it snows, we all know that. We need to prepare better than we did last time.

Sybil sat down and clapped her hands.

“Well everyone. Let's not let our hard work go to waste. Please, eat up.”

Verona did not hesitate once given the go ahead. Within a few moments she had already started to dig into her food. Flavour exploded in hour mouth, but something felt a little wrong.

Jeff was trying to speak but everyone else was focused on the meals infront of him.

Verona knew that Jeff treated her with respect, although it felt like it was based on her magical and destructive ability now that Anton was gone. He tried to start again but realised that nobody except Verona was really paying him much attention.

“Perhaps we should finish our meals first, then discuss what's on today's meeting.” Verona said quite loudly.

Everyone looked to her, somewhat surprised. She, at least until today, had always been the one to remain quiet and wait for someone to talk to her.

They realised where she was looking. Most looked quite embarrassed.

“I think that's a good idea, Verona.” Bertram said, perhaps the most embarrassed as he had ignored his son for food. “Perhaps we should wait until we finished our meals.”

Jeff smiled, giving Verona an appreciative nod, then returning to the plate of food infront of him.

I think this is why Anton chose to have it inside, and wait until anything related to food was done. So we would not be distracted....Maybe that's why he had us meet inside? So we would be focused on one thing at a time. It would be bad it we were distracted we might make a bad decision.

Verona could not be sure, as Anton was not around to ask, but it seemed like a plausible idea.

They continued to eat in silence, Verona taking her time to enjoy the flavours and textures of the food.

When they were finished Verona helped Sam and Sybil clear the table. They took them back inside the Main Hall and returned to the table.

Bertram coughed again, to start the meeting properly.

“Well, I think we should begin properly.” he said, throwing a sheepish look to his son. He seemed not to mind.

“Jeff, since you were starting, so why don't you start us off.”

“Thanks.” Jeff shuffled in his wooden chair to get more comfortable. “Some of the guards on the southern and eastern walls have been seeing something moving on the horizon late at night.”

“Goblins?” Sybil asked.

“Or those Kobolds?” Sam asked.

Jeff shrugged.

“Not sure. They're very far away. And there's so little light at the time we can't really tell.”

“That is very concerning.” Jonathan said. It looked like, to Verona, that he was worrying about his children the most.

“Yes it.” Jeff nodded. “So I was thinking of getting some of our horses...mounted soldiers, and sending them on a scouting mission south to get see what they are.”

Verona frowned. The last thing they wanted to do was to attract attention to themselves, especially with a huge city overflowing with Green Goblins just a few days to the south.

“I...I don't think that's a good idea.” Verona said relatively quietly.

It was loud enough to get their complete attention. Nobody said anything as they all looked at her. A sense of nervousness and apprehension overcame her. She never had everybody look at her for her words before. A small bead of sweat began to run down her temple.

Is this what everyone feels like when they are the centre of attention, and about to tell someone that their idea is wrong? It feels quite terrible. But I must keep going.

She coughed and moved her chair forward.

“If what the other soldiers saw are Goblins or Kobolds, we should not try and go after them. If they are roaming about then they haven't spotted us yet. Both of them are not meant to have very good eyesight. We all saw how close the Kobolds had to get before they could tell where we were.”

She stopped but found that everyone was still waiting and listening to her. Jeff did not look angry as he remained quiet and waited patiently.

“The Kobolds are just meant to roam aimlessly, and the Goblins...they've been hold up in the capital for quite some time...by the way, what is the name of that place?”

Verona looked around.

“I've only ever heard it as the 'Capital'.”

“The capital is called Surdon.” Sybil explained. “I think it's odd that we haven't talked about its name either.”

“Anyway, the Goblins in Surdon should be left alone.”

Jeff opened to speak but Verona cut him off.

“The last thing we want is for the scouts to get lost or alert them to our presence. Dana got ambushed by a group of those things, creatures we all thought were stupid...I have no intention of going through what the she and the other women in that cave went through.”

Jeff appeared to relent. While he had not seen what happened, he must have heard the stories by now. And she had seen it first hand. The looks of hopelessness and regret on their faces, and the joy and relief that they had just before Anton had put them out of their misery. She did not want anyone to find her like that.

“I must agree with Verona.” Zac said. On most of the meetings he was very quiet, only speaking when it involved him directly. It was quite an odd thing to hear.

“I do to.” Jonathan said.

Sam, Sybil and Bertram nodded as well. Avery remained silent but appeared to agree as well.

Jeff looked a little uncomfortable as he began to speak again.

“Very well. My idea-”

“It's not a bad one.” Verona said, trying to cheer him up. “We should definitely keep a better watch and hope that they don't come much closer.”

It was the best that she could think up, having just squashed his idea.

He nodded and looked down for a moment in deep thought before looking back up.

“Avery, after this is done we'll need to work on getting a better lookout for the city.”

“Right.” Avery replied in his usual cold demeanour.

“Have you got any more people trained in archery?” Bertram asked.

Avery shrugged lightly.

“I do, but we don't have enough bows or crossbows for everyone. The ones we have are old and quite worn.”

“Anton should bring some more back with him.” Verona added. “He knows how lacking we are in ranged weapons.”

Avery nodded and grunted.

“Good. If there are any more attacks we are going to need them.”

“Exactly why we need to remain as small and hidden as possible until we get them.” Verona responded.

Avery nodded again and looked satisfied with the answer.

With Jeff satisfied, although somewhat annoyed that his stance of investigating the figures lurking at the horizon had been stopped out of concerns of alerting their comrades, they moved onto the next piece to be covered.

"Zac. Jonathan." Bertram began, "How are you both going?"

They both looked at each other, Jonathan was the first to speak.

"I am doing very well with my new forge, and with the items that Anton and you got for me."

He directed that last part to Verona, who nodded in return.

"I've got a few more people to help out and we are also smelting the iron ore into workable iron. There's quite a bit. That is taking longer than I thought it would be are making good progress. Soon every fighting villager will have a new weapon and some basic metal armour."

"What about Anton's special thing?" Verona asked. She had not heard of how it was going since Anton left. As she was privy to Anton drawing and designing it, whatever a hand cannon really was, she suspected that they now needed some sort of powder to really make it work.

"Without Anton getting the necessary components in Maxill, there is little to nothing that can be done."

Verona nodded. She suspected she already knew what Jonathan was going to say but just wanted to hear it. A few people on the council looked at the both of them oddly. They had no idea as to what Anton was planning to build.

"And what of you?" Sybil asked Zac.

"If I'm honest, we could be doing better."

Oh? That not something I would have expected you to say... Wouldn't I? I really don't know you all that well to know what you would say.

Zac was unaware of Verona's metal musings and continued.

"As Jonathan said, his new smithy is complete and quite a few more barns and other buildings are complete. The second wall is taking a bit more time than we expected. It's mostly built in some areas, especially the south..."

Well, it is going to be higher and more strongly built. And since it runs around the other wall it will be much larger. But surely you would have known that?

"Anton taking those carts slowed us down a bit."

"It was three carts." Verona said with some exasperation. "That can't have slowed you down that much, we still have quite a few working here."

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Zac grumbled something, coughing to regain his composure. Everyone was looking between them. Verona did not want to start a verbal fight but trying to blame it on Anton, who left the relative safety of the village to get more people and supplies, a man that was not even born in this world, was a bit much.

He mumbled something like an apology, one which Verona accepted, but she did not want to leave it like this.

"So, what is the problem?"

Zac sighed.

"I really don't have enough workers in the quarry." He admitted. "Before, we were just able to take the rocks on the surface, smash them up, and use those for the wall. Since the wall will be needing to be bigger and stronger we need the stones need to fit very closely, and we don't have the proper tools for that, so it's taking some time to get them roughly right. We had broken apart the large ones on the surface for the first wall, but they're all gone. Now we are having to start to dig down into the dirt so it's slowing us down."

Verona was not going to ask if he had told Anton, before he left, that he needed better stone carving tools.

"What about the miners working at the base of the mountain?" Sybil asked, Bertram nodding in agreement.

"They are very busy digging up coal and iron. There's quite a bit of dirt to dig up as well, it's not all ore. So they have to work hard for what we get already. I can't spare them yet."

Zac leant back into his chair, she could not see much of his face beyond the beard. Secretly she wished that Anton would come back without his beard. She liked it when they were just little prickles.

"But, despite my grumbling, we are doing okay. The basic parts of the wall are complete and it's fully built on the southern half."

He turned to Jeff.

"Just in case those Goblins or Kobolds or whatever else tries to attack us."

"That's very good." Jeff said. Verona did not miss the hint of pride on Zac's face.

"Houses are going up pretty quickly too. They are very bare and minimum but they'll keep the rain and the wind out. Since Anton left we have enough room for two hundred more people."

If Anton brings only that many more people. I get the feeling that he'll try and get as many as he can. And with that woman... Duchess Belinda like she was, captivated by money the moment she saw it, he should be able to bring quite a few.

"What if Anton brings more than that?" Verona asked. "He's not someone that will act slowly with these sort of things."

"Speaking from experience?" Sam quipped loudly, Verona flushing a little in response.

The others laughed, Verona joining in as well. It was true that their relationship had progressed quickly so there was no reason to be embarrassed by it, regardless of how it felt when it was put out for all to see.

"But seriously, what if there are more than two or three hundred people?"

"That would be a lot of people to buy at once." Bertram said, rubbing his chin.

"If it's any more than four hundred they will have to share some of the old houses." Zac said.

"Considering what they had back in Maxill, I don't think they will complain." Verona added.

The others had not seen the terrible state the bondsmen were in. Having food was enough for most of them to be happy.

"It's just that..." Verona continued.

She was finding it hard to put it into the right words.

"Those new houses are in the... Second ring, right?"

She did not like to have to use the same phrase to describe this as the separation of rich and poor in Maxill. She hoped it would never come to that.

Zac nodded.

"We tore down most of the destroyed buildings and that made the first wall as small as possible. We didn't have that much time."

"Well, since the second wall is not finished and probably won't be by the time Anton gets back...Won't they feel a little bad being put there?"

Mostly she received frowns of confusion.

"You're worried that they might think they are some sort of meat shield..." Avery said in his dry way, "Like they are there to stop beasts and monsters getting at us."

Verona scratched the back of her head nervously.

"Yeah. It's just a thought, that they may not like that."

Bertram looked to Zac who shook his head apologetically.

"There's no way we could get it done before then. The rest of the wall still needs work."

"I don't think there's a lot we can do about that except have more guards on the southern wall until it is complete." Bertram said with a sigh. "But thank you Verona for bringing it up."

She found herself smiling. It felt good to contribute, even if there was little they could do with the information.

"I think that that covers most things." Bertram began. "With that-"

"Hang on." Verona spluttered out as the others were beginning to rise out of their chairs.

Guess now is as good as a time as any to ask about the food and heating for winter.

"I have another thing to bring up," Verona said, "For the past few days I really haven't heard much about how we are going in relation to supplies, things like food and wood for winter. It'll take us by surprise if we let it and I don't want to freeze."

The faces at her looked surprised, surprised that she was thinking and worrying about something so far away. She had just talked about the potential problems with the new people but thinking about this, which did not involve Anton, seemed to be a big leap for them mentally. Her face flushed slightly but she forced it back down. She was not going to be seen as just a side piece of Anton, but a respected, thoughtful woman in her own right.

After getting over their initial shock, all eyes turned to Sybil and Bertram. They were in charge of the keeping control of supplies within the village.

Sybil, as Verona had mentioned the food first, spoke first.

"The villagers that are helping with the farming are doing very well. This morning we have brought in the full harvest of wheat, potatoes, carrots and the new tomatoes. We're having to move the fields outside the walls as Zac's builds the houses within the safety of the walls."

"Sounds good." Verona said quietly, realising that she had actually spoken aloud. Nobody heard, or acknowledged it, to her relief.

"A few more days and the nut trees over east will be ready to harvest too. We'll be keeping them inside the walls."

She looked to Verona, but Verona did not know what she was looking for. Approval or something else?

In these situations Anton would just keep going. Better to not let someone get stuck down and let the silence sink in.

"That's good to hear," Verona said, the others nodding as well. It felt odd to her that already she was leading the conversation.

Things can change quickly.

"And how long will what we have last? If something goes wrong." Verona asked.

Sybil closed her eyes for a moment.

"With the number of people that we have, and as long as we don't over eat and ration it carefully, we should make it to the end of summer with no problems if we couldn't get any more from today."

I guess that we can just wait inside the walls safely if those things on the horizon do attack. When Anton gets back...

She shook her head, the others seemingly not noticing. While she did want him back, it felt wrong that she should still be so dependent. Even though it was probably right to wait, having everything relying of Anton was a bit much for him. This was why she had to do better.

"Zac is also building us a smoking room over on the southern side." Sybil continued.

Verona looked over and Zac nodded in confirmation.

"When that's built..."

"A few more days. Most of the builders are busy on the walls and houses. We will get it done though."

Verona was about to ask what a smoking room was but Sybil came to her rescue.

"The smoking room will allow us to cure and keep meat for a very long time. So we don’t have to go out every day and hunt some Razor pigs."

"Razor pig meat whenever we want without it going bad?"

Sybil nodded.

"That's wonderful." Verona said, clapping her hands. "Any potential food problems have been sorted before they emerged."

She turned to Bertram, who had been very quiet recently.

"Since we're on the topic...There are a few small barns throughout Atros where wood has been stored in readiness for the winter."

"What about the coal that the new miners are bringing up?" Verona asked.

She had not seen the mines for herself, something she should probably do since she had quite a bit of free time. What she had heard of it was that it was producing quite a bit of coal, more than Jonathan needed for his old or new forge.

"The coal that Jonathan is not using straight away is being stored in an nearby barn. We don't have enough to heat us through the winter but given some time we will."

"No more shivering through the cold." Sam said happily. "It makes a change."

The others smiled at Sam. It was incredibly cold last winter and Verona had to endure it underneath a table with a cloth draped over the outside for protection. It did not really work. It was the main reason of why she was so ill when Anton arrived. According to him she required quite a bit of mana to be healed.

"That's really good to know. Thank you." Verona spoke as sincerely as possible.

She did not know if it was conveyed properly but Bertram and Sybil smiled and gave a polite nod. Hopefully they could forgive her for implying they may not have been doing their job.

"I think now that is everything..." Bertram looked around and saw that nobody objected. "In that case, the council meeting is over."

---[]---

The council meeting was finally called to an end.

Verona felt that it had gone very well; she had paid attention during the meeting and had even, seemingly, changed their opinions of her from being Anton's attachment to a respected and thoughtful individual in her own right.

As she helped Sam move the table and chairs back inside she let out a sigh.

It's just a pity that I really didn't notice it before. I need to keep thinking for myself.

“Why are you sighing Verona?” Sam asked as she put down the last chair along with Verona, “I think you did very well.”

Verona smiled.

“I think I did. Before I just sort of sat there.” She began to explain. “Even when I was at the Duchess's mansion I really did nothing...maybe give Anton's story a bit more credibility.”

They both started walking to the door and out of the building.

“It kind of feels good. You know...actively contributing.”

Sam shrugged as she opened the door and stepped outside.

“I really don't know about that. I just try and keep up with it all.”

Verona chuckled, Sam smiling in return.

“There must be something that you do?” Verona asked.

Sam shrugged.

“I do my best to teach the women and girls how to fight properly. Jeff says I've got a small group of all women soldiers that looked up to me.” she replied. “If only the men fought when those Yellow Goblins attacked, and the women stayed back, we'd all be dead. And it'll help keep...unwanted attention off us...”

She stared into Verona's eyes, Verona feeling a little uneasy about the way she did so. It was not the usual one of trying to tease or agitate her, it was something else.

“You could have used that before....before Anton arrived.”

“Oh.” was all Verona could answer with.

She understood all too well.

“Yeah. I could have used that.” Verona continued as she leant against the outside wall of the Main Hall.

“Sorry. I-”

“No. No.” Verona stopped her from apologising. “It's fine.”

They both turned their attention out to the rapid movement of the plaza. The villagers were in the middle of cleaning up from lunch, with most of the tables and chairs already moved back into the buildings.

“If only we had worked together from the beginning.” Sam lamented.

“Yeah.”

Sam smiled as she scratched the back of her head.

“Speaking of men,” Sam continued, “I see one lurking around right now.”

Sam nodded out to the plaza. Out there stood Jonathan, looking a little lost.

Ever since the new smithy had been built on the eastern side of Atros, he had looked a lot happier. Now he was able to make many more swords and metal shields than he had before. It was partially due to the new and expanded smithy but mainly down to Jonathan understanding and utilising the strange items that they had bought in Maxill. Verona had asked once what they were, Jonathan had answered in quite detailed terms but it baffled her. She understood it so far as it utilised Earth Mana to make the fire more hot, but beyond that he might have well been talking gibberish.

Though now why he was looking like that was quite confusing for Verona.

“What are you doing Jonathan?” Sam asked.

Jonathan turned and smiled as he made his way towards them.

“Hello Sam, Verona.” he said with a nod. “Um...have you seen my children?”

He was looking a little panicked.

“They were sitting with the other children during lunch and now they have disappeared on me.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “This is not the first time they have done something like this.”

“How long is it before they usually come back?” Verona asked. She had not known his children to wander off, perhaps he had always managed to keep an eye on them or get them back before he needed to ask for help.

“Usually it is not long but I promised that I would start teaching them how to be smiths.”

Verona and Sam cocked their heads.

“Oh, Anton said I should at least ask if Shawn and Joclyn wanted to learn. So yesterday I did.”

A smile graced his face.

“I was really surprised. Most people do not really want have to work so hard over a blazing fire, with soot and ash and sparks flying in the air.”

“I'll have a look at your old smithy, you might want to check your new one, they might be there waiting for you.” Verona said, getting off the wall of the Main Hall, “You guys still live there?”

Jonathan nodded.

“We expanded our home when we moved the smithy,” Jonathan explained, “Now we have separate rooms.”

“I guess that would be hard, with two growing children.” Sam added, Jonathan nodding.

“Oh, when your kids have been found, can I see you about upgrading my chest armour?” Verona asked.

“What's wrong with it?”

“It can be a little difficult to do up if it's just me.” Verona said, turning side on to Jonathan so he could see the leather straps that held it tight.

“I really do not know what I can do to make it easier,” Jonathan admitted, “I suppose I could have a look at making the clasps a little easier to work with. But that would be about all I could do.”

“That'll be great. I'll get going then. See you later Sam.”

Verona gave her a little wave, which was returned as she started walking to the south. Jonathan looked a little better as he headed towards the new smithy.

Her boots, the ones she had received from Maxill, thumped against the solid stone pathway. When they were new they hurt her feet, something she had kept quiet to Anton as they were a rather good improvement than walking barefoot.

They were far better made than what most people had to wear. She glanced down at the feet of passing villagers. Most were simple wraps of leather, crudely fashioned into something that resembled her boots, or went barefoot.

Is that another thing? That I have better stuff than they do? That I'm being pampered?

It was just another question that she really had no answer for.

The villagers did give her some space as she passed. She could tell that they made an effort not to get in her way, especially her right side which she held her spear in.

It bothered her but she pushed it out of her mind. Being angry about that would only make it show on her face and might make things even worse.

She finally made it to Jonathan's old smithy, the only thing that distinguished it from the rest of the village was the large smoke stack and the fresh wood which had been used to enclose the house. It seemed they would have quite a bit of room in there now. When Verona had gotten her armour it seemed that it was very cramped, having three people and precious equipment inside a very small room.

The new door to their house was slightly ajar. Verona moved up and knocked on the side of the door, it would be very rude to just enter somebodies house without permission.

There was a sound inside, like something had just been put down.

“Hello?” Verona asked quietly as she poked her head through the door.

While it would be rude to fully enter, she reasoned that it would be alright just to have a peak through to see what was happening. If it was something like a thief she would have to step in and intervene.

A small pattering of feet and a small head emerged from the relative darkness of the room. It was one of Jonathan's children, although both Shawn and Joclyn looked very similar to her.

“Hello Aunt Verona.” came a higher pitched voice, it was Joclyn in her usual calm voice.

I'm not old enough to be an Aunt...Am I?

“Hello Joclyn,” Verona said as she leant down slightly to look her in the eyes. They looked back with a fierce intensity, one that would probably be more appropriate on her more outgoing brother.

“You know your father has been looking for you both?”

A stunned look flashed over her face.

“We...We just went to the new smithy and Dad wasn't there,” Joclyn explained, “So we came back here to get some stuff.”

“Did we miss Dad?” came another voice, it was Shawn. He was some much more lively and outgoing than his sister.

“Yeah.” Verona said while straightening up. “He was just looking for you in the main plaza area, he didn't look that good that he couldn't find you.”

They both looked at each-other, a little sad and sorry at what they had inadvertently done to their father.

“It's okay,” Verona began, trying to improve their spirits. “He's waiting at the new smithy. I'll take you there.”

Verona peered her head in further.

“What were you looking for anyway?”

Shawn looked a little uncomfortable.

“Some of Dad's old stuff. He likes to keep it here, just in case something goes wrong. We thought it would be a good idea to get it. Since we'll be blacksmiths one day.”

Shawn looked to Joclyn, both of them nodded enthusiastically to Verona. They seemed quite happy to be taught such a demanding and dirty art, one that was entirely necessary for their survival.

Verona clapped her hands.

“Well, let's get the stuff and head over there. I don't want to keep your dad waiting.”

Joclyn opened the door and let Verona inside. On the floor was a small pile of thick, dirty clothes and some thick leather gloves. Verona did not have the heart to tell them that they would be too big for them. They would look quite silly on them, with the clothes brushing against the ground.

Nevertheless she bent down and picked up what she could with her free left hand, the rest picked up by the children.

Verona made sure that they closed the door before making their way over to the new smithy on the east. The last thing she wanted to do today was to explain to Jonathan why their house had been raided.

That reminds me, I don't know what the punishment for theft is. Whatever it is, I'm glad I didn't have it happen to me before we fixed everything...I stole quite a bit of food to survive. I think we all did really. Jonathan might know, I should ask him.

As they started down the path to the centre of the village, Shawn moved infront. He turned himself backwards so he could look at Verona while he continued to walk.

“So, when are you and Anton expecting a baby?”

Verona was taken aback by the frankness of his question.

“Uhh, not for a little bit. There's still a lot of work that we need to get done before we settle down for something like that.”

“Right. So when are they all coming back? There was that one with the funny eyes.”

That must be Kal.

“By now they should be on the return trip.” Verona answered. “Hopefully they'll bring back lots of stuff like they did last time. Some of those things helped your father quite a lot.”

“Will there be any food from past the forest?”

“Um...I don't think so. They looked like they needed all the food they could get.”

“That's annoying. I was thinking we might be getting some presents or something...”

Oh, that would be good. Something from each trip.

“I'll talk to Anton when I see him and see what he has to say.”

Shawn nodded and resumed walking the right way. He seemed satisfied by the answer. Joclyn continued to look at her but she could not get anything out of her no matter what she tried. After that they walked in silence the whole way, Verona feeling a little uncomfortable from the somewhat hostile stare from Joclyn.

---[]---

Verona had not actually seen the new smithy since it had been completed. It was only finished a few days ago and Jonathan and Zac, as well as a few of his builders, had been working quite hard on the finishing touches.

It looked very impressive, not that Verona had seen another smithy before.

Overall it looked very similar to Jonathan's old smithy. This one was easily three or four times larger with a larger central fire. There was some strange looking structures within the smithy itself, ones which Verona guessed with involved with the smelting of the raw iron ore.

Just outside was a very anxious looking Jonathan. The moment he spotted Shawn and Joclyn his face lit up in relief. He ran over, dropping a large hammer onto the solid dirt ground.

He picked them up with one hand and brought them into a hug, uncaring that his children were still carrying things. Shawn and Joclyn squeaked as they embraced their father in return.

“Where did you two go?” he asked, trying to hold back his emotions.

“It seems that you guys just missed each other.” Verona said.

Jonathan threw her a quizzical glance.

“It seems that after lunch they headed straight over here, while we were still at the council meeting. When they realised that you weren't here they headed back to your house, when you first came here. It seems like they went behind the Main Hall, where that Karak tree thing is, and missed you going through the central plaza where we found you.”

Jonathan and the children looked at each-other.

“It looks like you just missed each-other.” Verona finished, shrugging.

“Well, regardless I'm glad you found them.” Jonathan said as he put his children down.

“Were you really that worried about them going missing?” Verona asked, genuinely interested.

Jonathan nodded.

“After my wife died, they are all I have left. So I want to make sure they are safe.”

He tussled their hair, something that Anton did to her since they first met. It was something simple but always made her feel safe, now making her miss Anton more than ever.

“Well, they're here now,” Verona started, “So can you have a look at my armour?”

She turned side on to remind him what she was talking about.

“I'll give it a look, at least make sure that everything is moving as well as it can.”

“Thanks.” Verona replied. “Just let me take it off.”

Jonathan nodded and moved inside the smithy along with his children. He started speaking to his children, both moving to the large bellows near the central furnace. They both started to move the end up and down, the centre of the fire starting to pulse with heat in time with the sound of wind. Verona realised that he must have other work to do.

There was a large crate outside the smithy, one that Verona could hop onto easily.

She moved and sat upon it. Raising her arm she started to undo the metal clips on that side with her free hand. She could not twist her other arm to help so she only had one hand. It was difficult, but not impossible, the clips slowly coming loose with some twisting and jiggling. They squeaked as the metal parts moved, a sure sign that they would need to be looked at.

But she was wondering what she actually expected Jonathan to do.

She had no idea as to what a better way would be. Anton might have an idea of something from his world. But the stories he had told her, the ones with fantastical and unbelievable contraptions, did not apply here. She understood that with some of Anton's more fanciful designs that he had shown Jonathan. It would be many, many winters of hard work before they could make something like he wanted.

Forcing her mind back to the task at hand, she had at least thought of something that might be improved. The metal clips could get a little stiff, especially when trying to loosen them. Finding a way to make them move more easily without sliding off in the thick of battle would be good enough.

Perhaps putting a pin through the leather strap, one that could hold it in place without it being so complicated? That might work, although Jonathan is probably more than busy enough without having to fuss around something so small.

She glanced around into the smithy and saw piles of swords, spears and metal adorned shields lying around.

I really don't want to take much time up. I feel kind of bad that I'm making an issue of this. It's a fine piece of armour, I just want it looked at.

With one side completely free she split the chest piece and freed it from her body.

There was a sense of relief as it came loose. While it kept her safe, the many scratches and white marks on the dark brown leather testament to its strength, it also did a many other things.

Now that it was off she felt the weight of her breasts, something that was supported by the armour.

“They really are huge.” Verona muttered to herself.

They were so large that they spilled out from her hands when she tried to hold them. More annoying, especially now that she was a fighter, was that they hurt when she ran and moved quickly and violently to strike. With the armour it was greatly reduced, barely noticeable now.

As she lay the chest armour piece on her lap she noticed that she was already hunching forward slightly. It was something that she had found herself doing before getting the armour. She was not as confident in herself and knew that they drew attention, a lot of unwanted attention.

Sam and her friend seemed jealous. Knowing that they could elicit such a response made her feel oddly proud in them.

It would be better if they were a little smaller, but Anton likes them, so I guess they're fine.

Her thoughts were stopped by movement from her side.

Joclyn came out of the smithy and looked straight at Verona, specifically at her chest. She could see the look on her face. One of annoyance.

“Dad said that he's ready.”

She walked away in a huff. Verona sighed as she picked up the armour underneath her arm and went inside.

Already she could feel the heat from the forge in the centre, the glow alone almost making her start to sweat. Jonathan and Shawn were standing near the pile of weapons, talking about something. There were a slight roar from the wind and fire that drowned out the noise.

“She's ready.” Joclyn said, still quite annoyed.

I know what that look is, but I didn't make these that big. What was your mother like? I shouldn't ask right now. Besides, you're young and have a lot more growing to do.

“Ah, good.” Jonathan said, walking towards her.

She saw his eyes glance down at her chest before taking the armour. As he walked away to a large table, she looked down as well.

The shirt she wore was a new one that she had received from Sybil, one that did not show off any of her skin below her neck. Verona reasoned that he must have just imagined what they were like. She found herself mentally rolling her eyes though she was not exactly sure why. It was certainly not the time to ask about his former wife.

“Think you can do anything?” Verona asked. “I don't want to take up too much of your time, it looks like you have heaps of work to do.”

She looked at the pile of weapons and so did they.

“We do, but this will not take too long.” Jonathan answered.

He fiddled with the metal clips, frowning as the squeaked in his hands.

“I suppose I can fix this.” he said as he moved towards the back of the smithy. “It might make it a little easier to use if it's not so stiff.”

“You have something for that?”

Jonathan nodded.

“I have some freshly made Merak oil that should do the trick. I will give you a little in a pot for later.”

“What's that?” Verona asked, walking inside the smithy.

“It...remember those blue flowers that you had outside your old house?”

Verona nodded.

“Well, Sybil and some of the other elderly have started growing them and harvesting the flowers. The flower head is quite large and when it is crushed, this oil starts to come out. Not that much from each flower, but they are starting to grow some small patches of it infront of some of the houses.”

“Is that like the stuff that we set fire to in the mountain?”

Verona turned and looked towards the looming mountain in the distance. Nothing of what happened in that place was any sort of good, nothing that she wanted to remember. The looks upon the faces of the women as Anton put them out of their misery. And the smoke that followed afterwards, billowing out of the many cracks and crevices of the mountain. Knowing that those wretched Yellow Goblins had suffocated while clawing for a single breath of fresh air.

Thinking deeply about it made her feel cold and sick. At the time, thinking back on it, she was glad that she was more worried about Anton than herself. The less she thought about it the better.

“I don't know what it was that you found in there-”

“It was this really thick and black stuff that they had in large barrels. I think Anton called it Tar.”

Jonathan looked a little perplexed but did not let it bother him. He, and most of the people on the council, knew that he was from another world. Anything odd that he did could easily be dismissed as part of that.

“That would not be good for this, I think it will be too thick and sticky.”

Jonathan picked up a small clay jar, like the one that Verona kept tied to her waist, and dipped his finger in. When he removed it, it was covered in a slightly yellow looking fluid.

“This will keep those things from gripping when they're not meant to...hopefully.”

He began dunking the metal clips in the oil one at a time. When he was done he used a rag to remove the excess oil.

As he walked over he moved the clips back and forth, the squeaking noise was gone.

“There. That should be good now.” he said as he handed her the chest piece and the small pot of oil.

“Thanks Jonathan.” she said as she took it back and put it loosely on herself.

She began to refasten the metal clips. They did not squeak or dig into her fingers, it was a great improvement.

“This is much better. How good are you at making tiny straight pieces of metal?”

Jonathan shrugged.

“I suppose as good as any other blacksmith. Not that there are any left in the village. Why do you ask?”

“I was thinking about using something like that to make pins that go through the leather for the straps, rather than what I've currently got. Basically just a piece of string, like most of the people around here.”

“I could, but...” he looked to the piles of weapons. “I have-”

“That's fine. An idea for later then.”

“Once Shawn and Joclyn become proper smiths I'll have time to try some new things like that.”

“Thanks Jonathan. I've taken up more than enough of your time, I'll leave you to it.”

Verona bowed her head slightly, Jonathan smiling in return. As she started to walk away she stopped.

I should ask about the punishment for things like theft, he might know.

“Jonathan, one last thing.”

She turned and found that he was already about to start working on a sword. His children had dressed themselves up in his old gear, comically too large. It took a bit not to stare or break out into a chuckle.

“What do you know about the punishment for things like theft?”

Jonathan stopped and looked up for a while.

“It has been a while since we actually dealt with that sort of stuff in an organised way. I think that Sybil or Bertram would know what it was like, they were both involved with the old Kar Kingdom before it collapsed. They would know.”

“Okay, well thanks Jonathan, for both things. Have a good day!”

She shouted it back as she started back towards the central plaza, Jonathan and his children waved to her before turning their attention to the forge. It was barely a few steps later before she heard the clanging sound of metal striking metal. She knew they would be working until late.

---[]---

Verona arrived outside one of the large barns encircling the central plaza to find Sybil directing people inside. They were carrying wooden boxes and crates between them. By the looks of things they were carrying in food, hopefully ones that would last the winter. She could see things that looked like nuts and wheat, things that would last a very long time in the shelter. So long as rats and the like did not get into it.

Sybil saw her approach and waved her over.

“Hello Sybil,” Verona began as she approached, “I haven't seen this much activity in a while.”

She nodded towards the crates still entering the barn. With its large doors wide open she could see many boxes inside already. Some villagers were hammering wooden tops onto the crates.

“Getting ready for the winter?” she asked.

Sybil smiled and nodded, gesturing to a small wooden chair nearby. It appeared to be hers. Her age, however old she actually was, must tire her out quickly. She took the chair while Verona stood nearby.

“How can I help?” she asked, her wrinkled face becoming even more so as she smiled up at her. “I don't have many of my old clothes left.

“It's not that.” Verona replied, “With everything that's happening now, I was wondering what the punishment for stealing was?”

Sybil looked at her with a odd expression.

“Why? Have you stolen something?” she asked, “I think we all agreed that everything that happened before was to be forgotten...”

She was waiting for Verona to continue.

“Well, I was thinking, that since Anton will be trying to bring so many more people from Maxill...they may not be the best people.”

Sybil looked oddly at her.

“Raston and the other bondsmen from Maxill are settling in very well. There haven't been any problems with them, at least my son says so.”

“That may be so, but they had the Kobolds attack on their first day here. They know what it is like and they saw how we deal with those horrific creatures.”

Goblins were not the only thing that made her blood boil. The Kobolds wanted to sack the city and probably kill everyone, at least according to Kal. She herself had never seen one before so she only had to go on by what she saw and it seemed to match up. They had been added to the list of things that made her furious, just below the Yellow Goblins.

“True-”

“But the new ones that Anton will bring won't know that. They may not respect us, and try to do their own thing and not help everyone.”

Verona squatted down, Sybil no longer had to strain her neck on her slopped back.

“And you didn't see Maxill. They had this...look in their eyes. If we had been walking...well, I know that I would have been attacked.”

Sybil frowned. She understood what that meant.

“It's the new ones that I'm worried about, if the Duchess decides to give us some of those bad ones. So I was wondering what the punishment was for committing crimes?”

Sybil looked up at the sky. The clouds were slowly growing in the otherwise blue sky, not enough for it to be rain thankfully. Being couped up in their house, alone, for days with nothing to do did not appeal to her.

“Well, the last marshal that we had was old Maxie, but he died...almost, well, before you were born. So it's been a while since we had someone like that.”

“I should have brought it up at the meeting.” Verona said, somewhat saddened.

Sybil waved her down.

“We can do it next time,” she said as she smiled warmly at Verona, “I'm glad that you're thinking for yourself.

Was I that bad? Or did I just let Anton make the decisions and just go along with it?

Verona coughed awkwardly. “Well, that aside, what would the punishment be? From the old Kar Kingdom. For something like stealing?”

“It really depends on what was stolen.” Sybil began to explain, “If it was a piece of bread to feed a starving family, probably a light beating. If they did it again they would loose a finger.”

Glad I didn't get that then, I don't like receiving pain at the best of times. Wait, Anton is missing a finger, did he steal something back in his world?

“And for something more serious?”

“Back when coins were of some use, stealing them would have lost a hand. Second time, the other. Third time and they would be hanged. Something like murder, once proven, was also hanging.”

“Wow.” Verona said, standing back up, “I don't think many people would have had to of done it for them to learn.”

Sybil nodded.

“Only one or two every winter or so in the big cities. People would forget or think they could get away with it.”

I wonder what Anton's world was like in regards to things like this. Was it lighter or more harsh?

“I think we should get somebody to start being the new Marshal...or whatever the proper name is. Show anybody new that we take order very seriously.”

“Any idea on who should do that?” Sybil asked, “My son cannot do everything.”

“I...I don't know. We would need someone that won't become bad or corrupt. That's all I really know.”

Sybil looked up in thought.

“I might have a few ideas. I'll talk with Bertram and Jeff and see what they come up with. Tomorrow we'll get them on the council and talk about-”

A horn blew from the south, Verona instantly recognising the short and sharp tone. It had only been blown once before.

Her hand tightened on the shaft of the spear out of reflex. There was going to be a battle. But with what?

She glanced back at Sybil, seeing the fear and apprehension on her face.

“Get everyone that can't fight to safety.” she said to Sybil.

She turned and looked around; some of the villagers were looking completely lost, while most were afraid. Anton, and his devastating magic, was not here and they knew it.

Now there was only one person with magic.

She took a deep breath and shouted.

“Everyone that can fight! To the South! Grab your weapons and armour! Go!”

At the end she felt her voice break, but it seemed to do the trick. Everyone started moving in a flurry of activity. She did not know if they were going to do the right thing, but at least they would be moving.

I hope they actually listen.

She pulled tightly on the leather straps. The did not even budge, despite the oil. She mingled in with the other villagers running to the south, not knowing what was coming.

---[]---

She saw Jeff and Avery already on top of the secondary wall. Avery was yelling in his cold voice, orders for the few archers they had to get in position. It was serious.

As she ran up the stairs Jeff turned and saw her. The look of relief on his face was palpable.

“Thank whichever gods you follow that you are here.” he said as Verona ran up to the parapets, “We'll be needing everything we can get.”

Verona could see just over the top of the second layer of the wall, the parapets were bigger and taller than those on the first wall.

Jeff could see that she would have difficulty in seeing over and said something to Avery. One of the archers appeared immediately with a small wooden box.

Verona thought it was a little much. She was not that much shorter than everyone, but now was not the time to complain.

She stood on top and looked out, towards the bone yard.

Her heart felt like ice as she saw it.

A mass of brown and white was making their way towards them.

Kobolds.

Thousands of them. More than Verona could properly count.

“How many?” she asked, a quiver running through her voice.

“I...I've been trying to count,” Avery started, his usual calm voice also having the same crack as Verona, “And I'm guessing at least four, maybe five thousand.”

Verona could feel the hearts sink of everybody that heard him. These were not like the small and weak Yellow or Green Goblins that died in a single hit, these took several to go down.

And now there were so many more.

Why? Why hasn't this happened in all the winters past? Why now?

A discussion at dinner, the day before Anton left, reared into her mind. One about the Kobold totem, and the force that Anton felt coming from it.

A goddess.

And not one of theirs.

I think it was Nithroel. The elven goddess...and she was meant to hate Anton's prayer goddess, Tethra. If she...

Thoughts quickly swirled around in her head, many of them making no real sense. Her mind cleared in a single moment of realisation.

“It's an attack.” she said loudly.

Jeff and Avery looked to each-other then to Verona.

“Of course it is.” Jeff replied, not sounding very sure of himself.

“No.” Verona shook her head. “It's more than that. You remember the totem in the Kobold camp? The one that Kal said belonged to the Elven Goddess, Nithroel?”

“I...I do.” Jeff stammered.

“Anton's gods and her hate each-other.” Verona said as she crossed her arms, frowning and grimacing at the thought. “And this is an attack from Nithroel, using the Kobolds that worship her.”

She had no real evidence of this but it seemed to fit. Why they attacked now, when Anton would be as far away as possible and when it had been long enough from the last attack for them to relax somewhat.

Jeff looked very unhappy.

“So what do we do?” he asked.

The answer was simple.

“We fight.”

----------

Hello Everybody.

Sorry about the delay. The hectic nature of things has decided to continue for at least this week and it will be longer before it all settles down. So, I've put this one out just so t can get done.

Since it has been so long since the last one, if there are any erros or quality issues, please forgive me. I've gone through it so many times that it's getting annoying.

Anyway, this chapter.

I've tried to show what's happening back at home while Anton is away and trying to get more people for Atros. Also trying to flesh out Verona's character a bit, not sure how I went with that. Things like thinking about things in the place of the larger picture and reigning in more agressive actions they could be taking. Also realising priorities, such as improving her armour would be nice but not a priority when there are weapons and armour pieces to make. Also not liking it when people are grumbling about Anton not being there, but instead of just lashing out, finding out what the underlying problem is and seeing if it can be fixed.

Antoher thing I touched upon was the subject of law and order. Right now everyone is a survivor of the Yellow Goblin sieges, so they're going to be loyal for now. Even though other things