Lanek returned to the monastery with Ivan in tow, each going their own ways once inside. For his part, Lanek didn’t need to pack much to prepare for his move, but Ivan had quite a few tools and projects that he intended to collect. After leaving his former quarters, he went in search of Talwarg and Lira.
After asking around, he discovered that Lira had not awoken yet and was being watched over by Liv. Talwarg, on the other hand, was in the training hall as he often was at this time of day. Deciding that he would start with Liv and Lira, he made his way to their quarters and knocked lightly, entering moments later as Liv invited him in.
“Welcome back, Lanek. It didn’t take you long to get the tree planted, did it?” Liv said with some amusement since they had only parted ways earlier that day while Lanek looked down at the sleeping Lira.
“Nope, not at all. I’ve planted the tree near the west gate. Ivan and I decided to check in and collect our stuff before moving to the gatehouse.” Lanek proceeded to explain what the living situation was like and his plans for the tree.
“Good lord, that’s going to be exhausting. That much mana being drained for eight days? You won’t have the energy to do much else. Do you mind if I move over there as well? Is there room?”
Lanek shrugged. “I don’t mind at all, there are still four rooms left. Are you sure that you want to? It doesn’t have the same comforts as it does here.”
“Yeah, I’m sure. I figure that my best chance of getting stronger is going to stick by you. I’m sure Ograch will feel the same.”
“Ah, could you let Ograch know that he is welcome as well? I’m not sure if I’ll run into him before Ivan and I head back.” Lanek said sheepishly.
“I will. I don’t know about him, but I’ll be waiting until Lira is up and about before leaving. Any idea how long that could take?”
“I don’t think it will take long, especially since Invidros didn’t have to go hunting for her soul while it was stuck in the Void. I’d be shocked if it took more than a week. But, don’t be surprised if it takes a bit longer than that before you can leave, my new body was weak as hell. I could barely stand or walk for several days after I woke up.”
“Oh. I see. Well, I’ll wait and see. Either way, I’ll be seeing you when Lira’s up and about.” She said, eyeing the door. It had been a long day and she was more than ready to get cleaned up and turn in for the night.
Laughing at her not-so-subtle hint, Lanek left the room, promising her that he wouldn’t go on any more adventures without her. Okay, let’s go see Talwarg.
As expected, Talwarg was practicing his techniques in the training hall, each blow seeming to cause the air in the room to vibrate. Lanek waited patiently for the hobgoblin and leader of the monastery to finish. It seemed that he had come at the tail end of Talwarg’s training session as he looked up and waved Lanek over.
“Lanek! Welcome back! I heard you were off to plant the tree, where did you place it?” The hobgoblin boomed.
After a few minutes of laying out his plans for the tree and its location, the hobgoblin nodded happily. “I like the plan. Frankly, you and the grove being that close by will be a great thing for our security and anything that keeps shit out of the city has my approval. Keep a room free for me, will you? I need a place to go to hide from the responsibilities SOMEBODY foisted upon me.” Talwarg scowled menacingly before laughing.
“Of course, my friend. I want everyone to know that they are welcome, even if it is just to chat or relax. I mean, it is only a short walk after all. Now, I do have something I need you to do for me.” Talwarg perked up at those words and gestured for his friend to continue. “I would like you to mark out and clear a place for some walls like those I’m going to place around the tree. The more you guys can clear out, the easier and faster it will be for me to get this place fortified once I’m done with the tree’s defenses.”
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“Ah, yes. I’ll get people on it, some defenses would be very welcome. Are you still planning on making a fortified route from here to the west gate?” Talwarg asked.
Lanek shrugged. “I wouldn’t mind, but I would like your opinion on that. As long as your walls and mine line up on the same streets, it shouldn’t take too long to connect them. However, I worry that a wall of that length would stretch our defenses pretty thin.”
“Aye, it would. However, the relative safety it would provide for people just wanting to go for a nice walk or for the foragers heading to the forest would do wonders for morale. Not to mention that all of those houses and land inside the walls would be invaluable when we get more people. I can set up patrols for the walls, maybe some lookouts as well.” Talwarg said confidently.
“Very well, get me a map and I’ll show you where my walls will go so you can decide where you want me to place yours. Also, I think I can help with the lookouts.”
Talwarg arched an eyebrow curiously while they walked to his study. Lanek just smiled and pointed out the relevant streets to the hobgoblin.
“Got it. Now. Spit it out, that smirk is getting on my nerves.” Talwarg said, smiling to take the sting out of his words.
“Okay, sorry. I made a deal with the descendants of the cats that used to live in this city.”
“I’m sorry… Did you say cats?” Talwarg asked, taken aback.
“Yeah, apparently the dungeon rescued them when the city fell and has been protecting them ever since. They’ve lived in the Depths ever since, but they want to return to the surface. Before you ask, I have no idea why the dungeon would help them. As long as we give them a safe place to live, they will aid us in keeping watch as well as dealing with vermin and some smaller monsters that have apparently been roaming our territory that we just haven’t noticed. Some of them have the potential to detect gaunts from beyond visual range by feeling the same soul connection that I do. They even said that they would be willing to join our patrols if they were protected.”
“That’s a lot to take in…” Talwarg said, taking a deep breath and looking down at the table. “My people have missed having the little, as you would say, furballs around. When will they come?”
Lanek felt a pang of sadness at the hint of longing in Talwarg’s voice. With how much the hobgoblin chieftain had doted on Sanguineus and Kazuma, as well as befriending Yuri’s mother, he was shocked that his class wasn’t something more akin to a druid or tamer.
“Pharaoh is getting them ready and is awaiting my word. There is nowhere safe enough for them yet, so I was hoping to get them after we built our walls. Once that is done, they will need an escort as the first group to join us will be full of the pregnant, elderly, and those nearing their end. Pharaoh wants them here first because he doesn’t want any more to be born or die in darkness than necessary.”
“Then give him the word.” Talwarg said quietly.
“What? Why?”
Talwarg slammed his palm into the table. “Because I will not delay any longer. I can make room here for the most vulnerable and who knows how many might pass in the next few weeks while we prepare? I will not let them die this close to their goal. I will not back down from this, Lanek. Send the word to this Pharaoh and I will gather volunteers to go out at first light.”
“I’ll try.”
Lanek wasn’t sure if he could reach the tressym, but he was hoping that his link to the members of his order would allow them to communicate. Minutes passed as he poked at the bond before an irritated voice sounded in his head.
“This better be good, Lanek. I was having the most pleasant dream.”
“It is. Talwarg, who I’m sure you know from skulking about the monastery, wants to come get the first group of your people in the morning. He is adamant that we get all of your people’s young, pregnant, elderly, and sickly people here without any further delay.”
“Why the rush?” Pharaoh sounded a bit surprised, but elated as well.
“He worries that any more time wasted may result in the deaths of the weakest among you and he doesn’t want that this close to them coming to the surface. Did… Did any pass while we were gone to Laethon?”
“No, none have passed since we made our bargain. Please… thank Talwarg for me. I will get my people ready and meet you. Simply follow the street that goes straight from that plaza to the center of the city. We’ll be waiting.”
“We’ll be there. Be safe, Pharaoh.”
“Be safe, Lanek.”
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Lanek descended the stairs of the monastery, having spent another night in his former quarters. Ivan had been more than happy to stay another night as he had wanted to take the time to talk to Glasha and Nerek about her potential and to come up with a training regimen so she could help with the rubble. As for his furry companions, they had not minded being asked to stay at the tree when they learned what Lanek would be doing in the morning. As he entered the main hall, he couldn’t help but wonder why everything was so quiet.
He had his answer as soon as he entered the plaza. Every single person in the monastery had seemingly volunteered for this mission. The warriors looked alert and armed to the teeth while the noncombatants among them were carrying food, water skins, and blankets. Shel had even managed to find a cart somewhere and was currently supervising the efforts to make a comfortable space within it. While he wondered if the structure was to be left unguarded, he heard a loud chuff behind him as Letha planted herself in front of the door. Yeah, no one’s getting past a dire bear any time soon.
Feeling real hope for the first time in a long while, Lanek joined a somber Talwarg. The hobgoblin stepped aside and gestured for Lanek to lead the procession. Without any further delay, Lanek led his people to the one place they had made every effort to avoid. Today, they would be going to the Ashen Depths.