A week had passed since the violent battle that shook the walls of Drakmoor. The smell of blood and smoke still lingered in the air, but now the city was in a frantic effort of reconstruction. The streets, once the scene of brutal clashes, were filled with workers raising new structures and repairing the damage caused by the combat. The front wall, which had firmly withstood the attack, still bore the marks of the battle but stood tall as a symbol of resistance.
The tide of the battle had shifted dramatically when Elnar's improvised artillery, with its explosive rockets, hit the ranks of the duchy's army. The devastating explosions had sown chaos among the enemy soldiers, who, already weakened by previous casualties and the prolonged siege, failed to maintain formation. Fear and confusion quickly spread among the duchy's troops, with many believing they were facing some form of magic or divine weapon. The casualties were immense, and morale plummeted.
With the brutal advance of the beast-men cavalry, Miguel saw the perfect opportunity to lead a final charge. Soldiers and beast-men, motivated by the possibility of victory, pushed the enemy out of the city and into the fields beyond the walls. The heavy cavalry of the beast-men finished the rest, trampling and scattering the remaining troops. The few who tried to resist were quickly subdued.
By the end of the battle, Drakmoor had triumphed. But the victory did not come without a cost: corpses were scattered everywhere, from both sides, and many of Miguel's own soldiers had also fallen. Even so, the enemy had suffered much greater losses, and the victory was undeniable. Among the captured were about 600 soldiers of the duchy, including Erondir, the royal envoy, who was found unconscious on the battlefield, severely injured after being thrown from his horse during the bombardment.
Augusto, on the other hand, had been missing since the battle. Miguel had sent men to search for him, but no body was found, nor any signs of his escape. Some believed he had died in the chaos of combat, while others thought he had fled to regroup. Miguel, however, knew that Augusto's absence was a sign that he was likely still alive, and that made him uneasy.
An improvised prison was erected for the prisoners of war. Using bricks and wood, the workers of Drakmoor quickly built a structure that could house the 600 prisoners. Erondir was placed under special surveillance, as everyone knew he was a key figure in future negotiations or retaliation. Miguel, aware of the importance of these prisoners, ordered that they be treated with dignity, despite the circumstances. He knew that any act of cruelty could turn against him in the future.
The following days were filled with tense silence, as Miguel and his allies consolidated their victory and prepared for the next steps. The city's streets, though calmer, were full of scars left by the conflict. And while the sounds of hammers and saws filled the air, Miguel knew that the real fight was not yet over.
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A month had passed since the victory at the walls of Drakmoor, and life in Miguel's kingdom was slowly returning to normal. The sounds of battle had been replaced by the relentless work of reconstruction. What was once a city devastated by war was now being rebuilt with renewed vigor, and Miguel’s plans, both military and economic, were finally getting back on track. However, a shadow loomed over these accomplishments.
Amélia had found Augusto’s body, dead several miles from the city, almost outside the borders of Miguel’s kingdom. She brought the news to Miguel while he was in his office reviewing construction documents, and the surprise was clear on her brother’s face. Augusto had not been seen since the battle, and Miguel had assumed he had fled or was hiding for a future retaliation. Finding his body so far from Drakmoor brought more questions than answers.
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The soldiers who had likely fled with Augusto were also found dead. The arrow marks and cuts on their bodies were clear evidence they had been ambushed, but not by Miguel’s men. At first, Miguel thought perhaps a group of bandits had taken advantage of the confusion, but Amélia, ever cynical, suggested a more disturbing theory: Aurelio, ever cunning and calculating, might have hired mercenaries to ensure Augusto was eliminated, already anticipating his brother's failure. It was a typical precaution of Aurelio, she explained. Miguel was shocked to hear this.
— "But... Why? Augusto was his brother..." — Miguel murmured, still trying to process what his sister had suggested.
— "Brother or not, Aurelio only sees threats to his position. He’s paranoid, Miguel. If he thought Augusto would fail here and pose any risk to his influence, he wouldn’t think twice about getting rid of him." — Amélia said, with a resigned tone.
Miguel remained silent for a long moment, looking out the window of his office. The death of Augusto, someone he had so many conflicts with, should have brought some relief, but instead, it raised new concerns. He knew he hadn’t ordered the attack, and if Amélia was right, his other brother Aurelio now posed an even greater danger. There was no way to predict what Aurelio planned next, and that kept Miguel uneasy.
Despite the shadow of this mystery, life in the kingdom continued. The works and projects that had been interrupted by the war were now in full swing. With the help of the beast-men and trusted carpenters, another catapult was being built on the outskirts of the city, further strengthening Drakmoor's defenses. Miguel knew that despite the recent victory, more battles were coming, and preparation was essential. He trusted Marcus and the local blacksmiths to ensure that the new siege weapons were ready before any new threats arose.
Additionally, Miguel had focused on the development of his agricultural infrastructure. The new carts, designed and built based on Miguel's sketches, were already in full use. They were more efficient, faster, and could transport more goods than the old carts that had been damaged or destroyed during the war. This made a significant difference in transporting food and construction materials, especially with the revival of brick roads, one of Miguel's most prized projects.
Three new plows had also been distributed to some local farmers, further optimizing the kingdom’s agricultural production. Miguel was confident that, with these advancements, Drakmoor would not only survive but thrive.
Another major project underway was the construction of a windmill. Miguel was particularly excited about this idea, knowing how revolutionary a windmill would be for the region, capable of grinding grain efficiently and saving labor. The location for the mill had already been chosen, and preliminary foundation work was about to begin. He knew that, over time, this innovation would bring enormous benefits to the kingdom, increasing food production and making Drakmoor more self-sufficient.
But perhaps the most ambitious project of all was nearing completion: the brick factory. Elnar, with his tireless determination, had accelerated the construction of the factory after the battle. He was aware of the importance of this project for the kingdom's future, and with the same seriousness with which he had helped defend the city, he now dedicated himself to ensuring the factory was completed as quickly as possible.
The brick factory, an impressive structure near the south gate, was almost finished. The large one-story building, made primarily of wood and brick, was the centerpiece of Miguel’s plans to modernize the kingdom. Once completed, the factory would be able to produce thousands of bricks per day, allowing Miguel to expand his vision of connecting the entire kingdom with brick roads, in the style of the ancient Romans.
Miguel frequently visited the site, watching with admiration as the internal and external walls of the factory took shape. The site was already equipped with furnaces to dry the bricks, and workers, both human and beast-men, were busy assembling the final details before putting the place into operation. Elnar, always diligent, oversaw every step of the process, ensuring everything was going as planned.
Miguel was eager to continue the brick road project. The few roads already paved had greatly facilitated the transportation of goods within the city, but he knew this was just the beginning. He dreamed of a future where the entire kingdom was connected by a network of well-paved roads, allowing for quick trade and communication between towns and cities.
As Miguel reflected on the future, he knew the challenges weren’t over. The presence of prisoners of war, including Erondir, within the city was a constant reminder that the conflict with the duchy and the kingdom of Ardia was far from over. Miguel occasionally visited the improvised prison, checking on the prisoners’ conditions and ensuring they were treated with minimal dignity, even though he knew many of them likely wouldn’t do the same if the roles were reversed.
The prison, hastily built with bricks and wood, was simple but functional. It was a sign that Miguel was handling the war as best as he could, without losing sight of the principles of humanity and respect. Even with the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, Miguel strove to maintain a vision of the future, one in which Drakmoor could be an independent, prosperous, and just kingdom.
As the ashes of battle still cooled, Miguel knew he was only at the beginning of his journey. The road ahead was uncertain, and the threats from Aurelio and the kingdom of Ardia still loomed over his head. But with every catapult built, every road paved, and every advancement in the kingdom, he felt more prepared for what lay ahead.