Miguel observed the bodies of the dead with a heavy heart. The beastmen, along with some soldiers from the barony, were separating the bodies between mercenaries and their own soldiers. The sight was desolate. Each body represented a lost life, a sacrifice made in the name of a greater cause. The silence around was broken only by the sound of the living at work, a constant reminder of the battle that had ended but left deep scars.
As he looked around, Miguel found the body of Thomas, his dedicated butler. The sight of Thomas’s body, lying motionless on the ground, brought a wave of pain and sadness. Thomas had been more than a butler; he had become a loyal friend in a short time. The loss was immense, and Miguel felt his heart tighten with pain. The guilt for his death was his. He had indirectly attracted these assassins to this barony. But now, all he could do was mourn…
Arthur, noticing Miguel’s state, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “There was nothing we could have done to prevent this,” Arthur said, his voice low and full of compassion.
Miguel remained silent for a few moments, struggling to find words. Finally, he spoke, his voice firm despite the sadness. “We will rebuild and create a place where they cannot threaten us again.”
Arthur nodded, Miguel’s determination reinforcing his own will to move forward. “Yes, my lord. We will do that.”
Miguel looked at Arthur, an idea beginning to form in his mind. “Did you gather all the iron swords and armor from the mercenaries?”
Arthur seemed confused by the question but replied, “Yes, we gathered all the spare iron. Why do you ask, my lord?”
Miguel smiled slightly. “I have plans for all that iron. We’re going to use it for something useful.”
Arthur was still confused but confident in Miguel’s judgment. “What do you have in mind, my lord?”
Miguel looked at the now-destroyed wooden wall. “Have you ever heard of concrete bricks?”
Arthur shook his head, the confusion evident on his face. “Never heard of that, my lord. What are they?”
Miguel chuckled lightly, appreciating Arthur’s curiosity. “Well, let’s make some. Concrete bricks are a mix of cement, sand, gravel, and water. They are extremely durable and can be used to build strong, resistant walls.”
Arthur began to understand Miguel’s vision, even though he didn’t know the ingredients Miguel mentioned for making concrete. “You want to rebuild the wall with these bricks?”
“Exactly,” Miguel replied. “We need stronger defenses, something that can withstand future attacks. And we have the iron from the swords and armor to reinforce the structure.”
As they returned to the city, Miguel felt a renewed sense of purpose. He knew that rebuilding would be difficult, but he also knew it was necessary to ensure the safety of his people. The idea of using the iron from the mercenaries to build something lasting gave him hope that they could turn the tragedy into strength.
Suddenly, he heard a voice calling him. He turned and saw the servant Elnar approaching, accompanied by a lion with beautiful ornate armor. The lion was imposing, his presence bringing an aura of authority and strength. Miguel stopped and waited as they approached, curious to know what this new visit brought.
Arthur, beside Miguel, watched the approach with interest. The presence of the lion indicated that something important was about to be discussed. Miguel, trying to maintain composure despite the fatigue and turbulent emotions, prepared for the conversation ahead.
When he approached, the lion removed his helmet, which resembled a Greek helmet, revealing himself to be Ruidahr, the lion.
Elnar and the lion finally reached where Miguel was. The servant made a respectful bow before speaking. "My lord, this is Ruidahr, one of the leaders of the beastmen you met in our city."
Miguel looked at Ruidahr, impressed by his presence. "Ruidahr," he said, nodding in respect. "It is an honor to see you again."
Ruidahr gave a slight nod, his eyes shining with a mixture of curiosity and authority. "Baron Miguel," he replied, his voice deep and resonant. "We have much to discuss."
Miguel felt a wave of anticipation. He knew Ruidahr's presence meant important discussions about the future of his barony and the alliance with the beastmen. He was ready to listen and learn, knowing these conversations would be crucial for the next steps in rebuilding and securing his people.
With one last look at Arthur, Miguel stepped forward, ready to face another challenge. The rebuilding of the barony was just beginning, and he knew he would need all the help and wisdom available to ensure a safe and prosperous future for everyone under his protection.
***
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
A week had passed since the great battle. The barony was still in the process of healing, both physically and emotionally. All the burials had been conducted with due solemnity, honoring the brave soldiers who lost their lives defending their land. The loss was felt by everyone, but there was also a sense of renewal and hope.
Miguel had managed to reach an important agreement with the beastmen. In exchange for cooperation and a mutual alliance, he promised to help develop the civil and military infrastructure of both peoples. This alliance marked the beginning of a new era for the barony and the beastmen, based on trust and mutual aid.
The beastmen, honoring their commitment, brought 40 huge carts loaded with hundreds of kilos of food. The sight of these carts entering the city was a relief to everyone. Hunger would no longer be an immediate concern, and stocks could be replenished.
In addition to the food, it was agreed that some beastmen would stay in the barony to assist the local farmers. They brought valuable knowledge about cultivation techniques and soil management that would be essential to increase crop productivity. Among the volunteers was the servant Elnar, who volunteered to stay and help with the reconstruction.
A small contingent of beastmen guards also decided to stay. Their imposing mounts, the enormous red horses, were an impressive sight. The presence of these guards not only reinforced the security of the barony but also symbolized the strength of the new alliance.
Miguel observed all this with a mix of relief and determination. There was a lot of work to be done, but the support of the beastmen was a big step in the right direction. He knew that rebuilding would take time, but with the new allies and the resources brought, there was hope for a better future.
The days passed at an intense pace, with everyone dedicating themselves to restoring the barony. The farmers worked side by side with the beastmen, learning new techniques and improving their practices, even though many still felt prejudice towards their new companions. Some came to speak with Miguel, complaining about this new cooperation and that having the beastmen here was practically declaring war on the church and the entire kingdom.
Miguel had no rest, always supervising and planning the next steps. He felt responsible for each of his subjects and was determined to ensure that everyone had a safe and prosperous future. With the alliance established and the help of the beastmen, he knew they were on the right path.
The winds of change blew through the barony, and Miguel was prepared to face any challenge that arose. The union of different peoples and the promise of a better future were the pillars on which he would build a new era for his barony. The fight was far from over, but with courage and determination, Miguel would lead his people through the storms towards better days.
---
Miguel was in his office, the environment heavy with an atmosphere of responsibility and mourning. The absence of Thomas was deeply felt. The old butler had always been present with his wise advice and a calming presence. Now, without him, Miguel felt strangely lonely and overwhelmed by leadership.
By his side were Arthur and Ricardo. Miguel was focused, making some sketches of his new project. On a sheet of parchment, he was drawing wooden molds for bricks, a crucial part of his reconstruction plan. He wanted to ensure that every detail was perfect.
After finishing the drawing, Miguel looked at Ricardo. “Ricardo, bring João to my presence, please,” he requested, his voice firm but gentle.
Ricardo nodded and left the office to fetch John. Meanwhile, Arthur took the opportunity to talk to Miguel. “It was a good choice to appoint the guard John as the head of the city guard,” Arthur commented. “He is young, but he has already become an experienced knight, and the others trust him.”
Miguel nodded in agreement. “Yes, John has shown great potential. I have ordered the recruitment of new soldiers and that they receive proper training. In a few months, if all goes well, we could have double or more soldiers than before.”
Arthur smiled, pleased with Miguel’s vision. “That will be essential for the security of the barony. With the threat of the mercenaries and the need to maintain peace with the beastmen, we need a strong and well-trained military force.”
Miguel looked at his sketches, his eyes full of determination. “We need everything we can to ensure that our home is safe and prosperous. These concrete bricks are just the beginning. We will rebuild and fortify every part of this city.”
Arthur nodded, sharing Miguel’s vision. “With your plan and the determination of our people, we will succeed. Thomas would be proud to see what we are doing.”
The memory of Thomas brought a melancholy smile to Miguel’s face. “Yes, he would. We will honor him with our work.”
At that moment, the door opened, and Ricardo entered, accompanied by John. The young servant looked curious and a little nervous. Miguel raised his eyes and smiled at him.
"João, thank you for coming," said Miguel, indicating for him to come closer.
João approached, trying to maintain his composure. "At your service, my lord."
Miguel looked at Ricardo and Arthur, noticing the support and confidence in their eyes. He knew that what he was about to discuss was crucial for the future of the barony. The scene was set for a new chapter in his leadership, and Miguel was determined to do his best for his people.
Miguel looked at João, feeling the importance of what he was about to say. "João, please sit down," he requested, indicating a nearby chair. João obeyed, looking a bit nervous. "Have you ever been to the mansion's library?"
"Yes, my lord," João replied. "I used to help Lord Thomas keep everything clean and well-organized."
Miguel smiled, pleased with the response. "Great. I need you to look for more detailed maps of the region. The only map I have on hand is a rudimentary world map. I want a map of the barony itself, showing everything we have: forests, villages, mountains... everything. I know there's an ocean coast to the east, but no port. I need to know more about what's in this barony."
João quickly nodded. "Understood, my lord. I will look and return. But it might take a while, as I'm not very good at reading."
"Don't worry about that," said Miguel, handing John the library key. "Just bring all the maps you find."
João took the key with reverence and stood up. "Yes, my lord. I will go right away." He left the room, determined to fulfill the task.
Arthur also prepared to leave. "I have a lot of work to do at the forge," he said with a smile.
Miguel smiled back. "I hope I haven't asked for something too difficult."
Arthur laughed lightly. "It's something I've never done before, but it's not impossible. These new iron reinforcements are something innovative." With that, he bid farewell and left the room to carry out his own mission.
As soon as Arthur left, Miguel turned to Ricardo. "Ricardo, please bring Lila. I should have spoken with her already, but I've been very busy."
Ricardo nodded and left the room to fetch the young mage. Miguel, now alone, returned to reviewing his sketches. He looked carefully at the drawing of the new plow, more efficient and large enough to be pulled by a single red horse. With this plow, they could till twice the land as before, increasing agricultural production and ensuring the barony's food security.
Satisfied with the drawing, he took another piece of paper and began sketching something he never thought he would one day: a giant automatic crossbow. His idea was to create a weapon that could fire ten two-meter arrows in sequence, each capable of shattering upon impact, causing more damage. For this, he would need to use a material that was light yet strong.
Miguel paused for a moment, reflecting on the enormity of the project. He knew it would be a challenge, but he was also aware that this weapon could revolutionize the barony's defenses. He made some notes about the necessary materials and began thinking about another revolutionary idea that could change the course of his world: a firearm...
His mind was buzzing with possibilities and plans, but he knew that to realize his ideas, he would need the right ingredients. It was a difficult task, but Miguel was determined to find a way to turn his dreams into reality.
While waiting for Ricardo to return with Lila, Miguel continued to work on his sketches, immersed in thoughts about the future of the barony. He knew that each drawing, each project, was a step toward a safer and more prosperous future for his people.
Miguel's determination was unwavering. He knew the challenges ahead would be great, but with the help of his friends and allies, he was prepared to face any obstacle. He looked at the sketches before him, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. The fight for reconstruction was just beginning, and Miguel was ready to lead his people through any storm.
While waiting for Lila to arrive, Miguel took a deep breath, feeling more prepared and determined than ever. The fight for the future of his barony was just beginning, and he was ready to face any challenge that came his way.