“Are we going to the spellcasters’ guild?” Bray asked, but the young spell weaver just shook his head.

“I promised the others that we’ll meet at the market square. Galen and Salvador suggested that we try recruiting people there.”

“Oh,” the old potter nodded. “How many do you plan to take with you?”

“For now, we only have enough supplies to feed another twenty people besides our group at most. Our soon-to-be druid created a farm plot with the help of the others and they managed to grow a decent amount of crops, but we will need actual farmers to help us set up a stable source of food. We also need a couple of skilled craftsmen as well.”

“I’m sure you will find what you’re looking for,” Bray said as they walked along the crowded street. “Plenty of refugees arrived here during the past weeks and most of them would do anything to get out of here. The offer of a safe home is too big of a chance to let go right now.”

“That’s what we’re counting on. Quentin should have... found the right people.” Regis went slack-jawed as the two reached the market square, only to see his companions surrounded by waves of people.

The paladin was easy to notice with his eye-catching armour and shield, even in the bustling crowd. As the dark elf and the old man neared the outlander group, the chatter of the crowd became louder as well.

“My lord,” one of the desperate refugees said with a pleading tone. “My family have been tending to the land for generations. We could make almost any kind of crops grow.”

“I am a skilled butcher...”

“I have been crafting shoes and boots since...”

“We are never going to get through this crowd.” Bray sighed as they came to a grinding halt due to the people that kept shouting about their crafts and tried to swear their fealty to the paladin in hopes of getting a new home.

“Quentin is holding up pretty well,” Regis noted as he looked at his friend. “But this is getting out of hand.”

As he said that, he handed over the small crate before raising his staff to the height of his knees. He slightly slammed it back on the ground, an inexplicably loud ringing sound filling the market square. The crowd froze in place for a moment, turning their head towards the source of the strange sound. As they noticed the heavily armoured dark elf with the glowing magic staff, the crowd immediately took a step back before opening up a path to the spell weaver and the old man.

“I see things are as hectic as we expected.” Regis said with a firm tone as he took back the crate and walked over to his companions with Bray following him.

“Took you long enough,” Amanda remarked as she stepped forward, taking the crate from him. “You must be Mr Bray. It’s nice to meet finally you. Regis spoke quite fondly of you.”

“And you must be the young blacksmith lass Amanda.” The old man nodded with a smile and greeted the others as well.

“Did you manage to recruit anyone yet?” Regis asked from the paladin, earning a slight nod.

“We found a skilled carpenter who’s willing to join us if she can bring her daughter along.”

“Any reason she shouldn’t?”

“None,” Quentin shook his head. “But the remaining seventeen spots are a lot harder to fill.”

“Do you need any help?”

“Sure,” the paladin agreed. “Far too many people want to get out of Hunor, but we can only take a few and they don’t seem to want to take no for an answer.”

“I see,” the dark elf nodded before turning back to look at the crowd that seemed awful quiet compared to how rowdy they were just a minute ago. “You all know why we’re here. We have space and supplies for twenty people. Three of those spots are now taken.”

“Oy,” a dirty-clothed and red-nosed refugee yelled from the side. “We don’t need your demon-worshipping kind here! You Exiled Court bastards caused enough trouble already.”

“Do they want to take us to some elven work camp?” Another peasant asked from the crowd.

“If he’s a demon worshipper,” a familiar voice cut through the crowd as a group of guards appeared. “Then I’m the queen of Ecragurne.”

“Norma.” The spell weaver called out to the woman walking towards him, receiving a firm hug as soon as she reached him.

“Thank the Saints,” she said as she finally let go of him. “When we heard how you had to leave Hunor with those Argent bastards at your heels I was worried sick.”

“It seems they did quite well for themselves,” Grego said as he walked closer, clasping hands with the Regis. “Look at you lad; all kitted out and standing strong. We received word of your exploits in East Fork just a few days ago. You did us proud, all of you.”

“I’m glad to see you too captain.” Regis nodded as he stepped aside slightly, allowing the man to greet the others as well.

After a minute of quiet greetings, the captain turned towards the crowd of refugees.

“Most of you have arrived only recently, so you do not know of the battles we had to face to keep Hunor safe from the fallen. These few are a part of an outlander warband that stood with us every night, facing the horrors thrown at us. Each of them earned great honours. If they are here to recruit people, then anyone they take is counted to have tremendous luck.”

“But he’s a dark elf!” A woman yelled with a venomous tone.

“That he is,” Grego nodded. “He’s also a light element attuned magi, a healer and an excellent warrior to fight alongside. If my word as a guard captain isn’t enough to convince you, then you might as well leave and let those interested get their chance.”

“What sort of folks are you looking for?” Norma asked from the group, the paladin answering her question.

“We were looking for a carpenter, but that got solved fast. Regis also brought along a potter friend of his, but we still need a couple of farmers experienced in tending to animals and crops.”

“We’re also looking for people with general skills,” Sophie added. “The kind one would need to restart an abandoned settlement.”

“Sir,” a man seemingly in his early thirties stepped forward from the crowd along with a woman and a little girl that barely reached up to his waist. “My name is Bertram and this is my wife Esther. Before the plague, I was a farmer and Esther was a florist. We have planted pretty much every sort of crop there is and we raised plenty of livestock as well. I even have some experience in training horses. If you would allow us to join your settlement, I’m sure we could be of service at the farm and the fields.”

“And the little one?” Amanda asked as she bent down to ruffle the little girl’s hair.

“This is our daughter, Lunet.”

“How old is she?” Regis asked as he took a better look at the child.

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Lunet couldn’t even deny she was the daughter of Bertram and Esther. She had her mother’s blue eyes and her father’s dark brown hair, along with his somewhat squarish jaw.

“She’s six,” Esther answered hastily. “But she’s a smart and hard-working child.”

“I’ve no doubt,” the dark elf nodded as he fiddled a bit with his satchel, pulling out a handful of different elemental crystals.”

“Hold out your hand, little mouse.” Regis said as he crouched down in front of her.

Lunet just stood there, silent and likely scared by the attention she garnered.

“Go on,” her mother pushed the child a bit forward. “Do as asked.”

As the little girl held up her slightly shaking hands, Regis gently put the thumb-sized crystals onto her palms. He watched as the magic stones stayed still for a moment before the green one that represented the element of nature began to glow with a heartbeat-like rhythm.

“Does that mean what I think it does?” Quentin asked as everyone kept looking at the frightened child.

The spell weaver couldn’t help but smile as he patted the little girl’s head.

“Your daughter seems to have a strong affinity for nature magic,” he explained while retrieving the elemental stones. “A rare and precious gift for a child her age.”

“Are you saying that she could become a mage, sir?” Bertram asked with a shaky voice as his wife was too stunned to react.

“If she wants to, and studies properly, then yes. You are more than welcome to come with us. We have a friend who’s also mostly interested in nature magic. I’m sure she would be delighted to have Lunet around.”

“Thank you, sir,” Esther spoke up finally as she bent down to pick up her daughter, hugging her tightly. “We will do our best to repay your kindness.”

“That’s three more spots filled,” Amanda sighed. “There’’s sixteen more, folks. Make your decision.”

The stunned crowd became lively again as they realized what just happened. Obvious envy could be seen on many parents’ faces as they watched Esther and Lunet. Everyone wanted a brighter future for their children and the future of a spellcaster was undoubtedly better than that of a peasant. The refugees began to regain their courage, raising their voices somewhat as they tried to volunteer.

“You got it from here? Regis asked Quentin, the paladin giving a firm nod.

“Go. I’m sure you have some catching up to do.”

“Thanks. In the meantime, tell our new villagers to gather their belongings and take them to the spellcasters’ guild.”

After saying that, the dark elf let Quentin take the stage again, trusting his skills and wits to recruit whomever they needed. Regis walked over to Norma, the guardswoman patiently waiting at the left side of the market square.

“These people are desperate,” the woman started their conversation. “Have you heard about the events related to the Exiled Court?”

“Galen and Salvador told me the gist of it.”

“Those damned dark elves caused a lot of trouble and killed a lot of good people as they escaped Hunor.”

“Did anyone...”

“One of ours got injured,” she shook her head. “But a couple of guards from the other squads weren’t so lucky, not to mention the refugees that got in their way. Lord Verhen’s son was among the first to die. The man... he changed a lot after that.”

“Changed how?” The spell weaver inquired as he watched Norma’s face darken.

“There was a time before when he at least somewhat cared about the people but after his son died, lord Verhen became cold and reclusive. Anything that would require his attention is addressed by his daughter. Not to mention that he practically sealed off Hunor. Any refugee that wants to leave would be thoroughly searched and anything above a certain value would be confiscated.”

“Are you telling me that he’s openly robbing the refugees?”

“I wouldn’t go that far, but it sure starts to feel something like that. These poor people have already been through enough without the gate guards shaking them down, taking away what little they managed to bring along.”

“He won’t be able to do it for long.” Regis noted, earning Norma’s curiosity.

“What makes you say that?”

“Let’s just say that a little bird from the army at Rust-well Keep told me that the royal court sent out a decree that will strongly encourage the nobles of the kingdom to take in as many refugees as they can. We’re a bit ahead of the curve thanks to the gateway of the guild, but I’m pretty sure that they will send over a courier with the decree soon enough.”

“If they do that,” Norma thought aloud as she looked at the people Quentin selected. “Then the servants of the different nobles won’t be far behind either. A lot of people have died due to the war and the fallen that followed. I imagine the lords will want to ensnare every skilled craftsman and able-bodied fellow they could to mend their losses.”

“Exactly,” Regis agreed. “Now you understand why we had to come here so soon. Still, there’s one thing I wanted to ask you.”

“What?”

“Would you want to come with us?”

“Wait, what?” the guardswoman looked at him with an unbridled surprise. “You want me to leave my people and Hunor?”

“Actually,” Regis scratched his head awkwardly. “I was hoping that I could convince all of you to come with us. Not immediately of course, since we don’t have enough supplies or homes for everyone. But soon.”

“I,” Norma tried to say something, but she seemed far too conflicted to be able to say anything reassuring. “I don’t know. This is an important decision. I can talk to the others and tell them about it, but I can’t make any promises. I also have to think about Lithia as well.”

“I understand,” the dark elf nodded. “With so many people coming to our settlement, I think everyone would benefit greatly from her presence. Of course, that’s something she would have to decide for herself. Just tell her about it for me, will you?”

“I will,” the woman nodded as a somewhat motherly smile appeared on her face. “To think that the scrawny kid from back then is now standing in front of me, kitted out like a high-born battle mage, recruiting people for his land. Life sure is full of surprises.”

“What makes you think that we’re recruiting for my land?”

“Your presence,” Norma sighed. “Your paladin friend has a bright and pure feeling to him that makes people feel safe, but he lacks your presence. They all lack the presence of a nobleman. I met a few of them before, so I can easily tell the difference. Your very being draws attention and demands respect. People might try to fight against this feeling, but it is still there nonetheless. When did it happen?”

“After we saved a smaller settlement from a bunch of fallen,” he answered honestly. “Although, I’ve been steadily pacing towards it since my first battle here in Hunor.”

“We all do, but few reach that far amongst the ordinary soldiers. It requires great deeds for the Heart to acknowledge someone like that. In the entire ninth guard squad, the captain is the closest to it, but even he said that it would be another year of service or two before he would earn the honour.”

“Do you think he...”

“I’m sure he noticed it the moment we met you today.”

“He didn’t seem bothered by it.”

“Why would he? He fought alongside you before and trusts you. I think his speech made that quite evident.”

“It did, that’s why I hope that he would be willing to come with us later.”

“No promises, remember?”

“I... know.” The young spell weaver said as someone called out to him.

As he turned towards his left, he noticed his friends heading towards him with a group of refugees.

“Looks like the recruitment is over.”

“I guess it’s time for us to go then. It will take some time to transport this many people.”

“I’m sure you can manage it sir battle mage.”

“Loremaster.” Regis corrected her.

“What?” Norma asked back, her eyes wide as saucers after hearing the youth’s choice.