Evelyne's eyes twitched as she stared at the battered Aetherframe resting before her, a scowl etched on her lips. The frame's surface was scarred and pocked from the abuse it had endured, and the left arm hung limply from its socket, as if it had been torn off and hastily reattached. The armor plating had buckled and twisted in several places, and the crystal power core, normally a brilliant blue, was dull and hazy.

She took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as she ran her hands along the frame's torso. The damage was extensive, but thankfully, not irreparable. They would need to strip the frame down, replace the armor plating, and adjust the mechanisms to ensure that they weren't permanently damaged. The crystalline core would need to be removed, inspected for cracks or imperfections, and recharged.

Her gaze flicked to Viviane, who was leaning against a nearby workbench, a bashful smile on her face.

"Explain," Evelyne hissed, crossing her arms over her chest.

Viviane twiddled her thumbs, refusing to make eye contact. "Well, you see, there was a bit of a scuffle, and things got a bit out of hand, but we managed to defeat the elementals, so overall, a win, non?"

"Un, deux, trois..." Evelyne counted off on her fingers, her voice rising with each number. "Sept, huit, neuf, dix. I'm seeing at least ten distinct areas of damage alone. Plus, I suspect we're overlooking the hidden issues. Do you have any idea how much time and materials it's going to take to fix, Vivi? Je suis en colère."

"Oui, yes, I can tell," Viviane replied, backing away slightly. "However, it wasn't entirely my fault. The elementals put up quite a fight. Plus, we had its armaments removed and its specs adjusted to help with the mining, so you can't blame me entirely, non? I was fighting at a disadvantage."

"Au contraire, I can and will," Evelyne retorted. "You've prided yourself as the runner-up in our annual guild competition, yet you've allowed the Aetherframe to come to such disrepair. Are you trying to make a mockery of our honor?"

"Of course not!" Viviane exclaimed, waving her hands defensively. "I did the best I could with what I had, but fighting against three earth elementals without proper armaments is no easy feat!"

"Ah, but you did not fight them alone, did you?" Evelyne asked with a quirked brow. "Those Silverguards, and Dimitri, they were there as well. Did you not have them to rely upon?"

"Yes, but they weren't exactly useful," Viviane pointed out. "Well, Dimitri's clever plan did help me destroy the largest elemental, but most of their weapons couldn't even scratch the smaller ones. We're lucky Serrandyl arrived to save the day. If not for her intervention, things may have gone sour."

Evelyne sighed, shaking her head. "Fine, fine. I will concede that you performed admirably in such a difficult situation. But this does not mean I approve of you allowing our precious Aetherframe to be damaged like this. Your carelessness is appalling. We will have a discussion later."

Viviane flinched, shrinking under Evelyne's stern gaze. "Oui, I understand. I apologize."

The workshop's door opened with a creak, and Dimitri stepped inside, carrying a bag filled with various supplies. He gave a brief wave before approaching the duo.

"Is this a bad time?" Dimitri asked, glancing between Evelyne and Viviane.

"Not at all," Evelyne replied, flashing a placid smile. "Please, come in. I would appreciate your assistance with these repairs."

Dimitri chuckled as he set the bag down on a nearby workbench, pulling out various tools and materials. "So, the lecture is over, I presume?"

"For now, yes," Evelyne answered. "However, this does not mean that we are finished discussing this matter, Vivi. There are still many points to cover. But you are going to help us with the repairs to this Aetherframe first, understood?"

Viviane nodded sheepishly, picking up a welding torch and putting on her goggles. "Understood."

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19th day of Amberfall, 1369

Ebonheim's tranquil morning while sitting within her shrine had been shattered by a cacophony of voices, all clamoring for her attention. She blinked, unsure of what to say or do as she listened to their grievances. It wasn't the first time such a thing had happened, and she knew it wouldn't be the last, but still, the sight of so many people gathered at the foot of her shrine was surprising.

"They wake us up at dawn with their racket," one villager complained. "Can't a person get their rest anymore?"

"Not to mention, their livestock keep wandering into people's gardens," another added. "They need to keep a better watch on their animals."

"Plus, they're always drinking and making a ruckus after dark," a third chimed in. "It's distracting for the children and makes it hard to sleep."

"Do they ever clean up after themselves? No! Those mercenaries leave a mess everywhere they go!"

Ebonheim could feel her temples throb with the beginnings of a headache. She shifted uncomfortably, trying to think of a way to calm the crowd, but all she could do was sit and listen.

The villagers continued their ranting for several minutes, before Ebonheim finally managed to raise her voice. "Everyone, please. I'm listening, but you're talking over each other. One at a time. I'll hear each of you in turn, but calmly, alright?"

There was a short pause before the villagers started to speak again, albeit this time more slowly and with less fervor. Ebonheim sighed with relief as the chaos settled down a bit.

"Thank you. Now, let's start with...you, Mister Eadfrid. What's bothering you?"

Eadfrid cleared his throat nervously, clasping his hands together. "Well, I was hoping to get some help with repairing my fence, since those Silverguards' horses trampled through the wood a few days ago."

"Of course, I'll send someone over to assist you," Ebonheim replied, nodding in understanding. "Moving on, who's next?"

Over the next hour, the villagers expressed their concerns one by one. Some were minor, while others were more substantial. Each one Ebonheim noted mentally, committing to memory. The complaints were fairly mundane, though she couldn't deny that they were valid. The Silverguards hadn't been entirely considerate of the village's residents. They often caused a commotion during the late hours, which led to Ebonheim being awoken to deal with disputes.

Some complaints were thrown at the new Hrafnsteinn members who primarily settled by the riverside. The fishermen often got into arguments over who fished on which spot, how many fish could be taken per day, if fishing during certain periods was acceptable, and where to dock their boats.

More noise complaints were issued against the Artificers of the Ethervein Enclave and the Artisants of Spark, whose workshops tended to run very late into the night. Not to mention the frequent explosions and fire hazards.

In the end, Ebonheim promised to address them one by one, until they were all satisfied.

"Alright, I believe I've gotten everything," she announced after the last resident made their case. "Now, if that's all, I do ask for patience and tolerance. Adjustments aren't made overnight and will take time for everyone to acclimate to."

The crowd dispersed, still grumbling discontentedly as they shuffled back to their homes.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

She watched them leave, waiting until they were gone before releasing a long sigh of relief.

How did Engin keep up with all the issues here? It was more exhausting than using her powers all day. She felt tired already and it was still midmorning, but she couldn't afford to nap since she had other things to do.

Standing up, she stretched her limbs, her joints aching from staying in the same position for so long.

Maybe she needed to figure out a way to hold more regular meetings. That way, the people could voice their opinions in an open space, instead of complaining privately. There would be less need for them to gather at the foot of the shrine all at once like today.

Time to pay Engin a visit.

----------------------------------------

Engin Meric sat behind his desk, his quill scribbling furiously on the parchment as Ebonheim listed out the villagers' grievances. With each new complaint, he meticulously recorded them in his ledger, carefully detailing each issue.

"I think that's enough for now," Ebonheim said, sinking into the chair opposite Engin's desk. "Once the Silverguards return from their expedition, I'll talk to them about controlling their beasts and keeping a better eye on their horses."

Engin finished his latest entry with a flourish, placing the quill aside and dusting the ink dry. "That should do for now. It's a good start, and hopefully, we can resolve a few of these issues before the winter arrives. However, the real challenge will be getting the groups to agree to compromise. As we know, each faction is stubborn and tends to stick to their own ways."

"True," Ebonheim replied, cradling her chin in her palm. "It's a work in progress, but we'll get there eventually. At the very least, we can create a code of conduct for each group to abide by, ensuring that their actions do not infringe on the comfort and privacy of others."

"A sensible idea," Engin remarked, setting his ledger to the side. "Have you decided on how we'll enforce that code, however?"

Ebonheim's face scrunched up in concentration, her mind racing through a myriad of possibilities. "Hmm...maybe we can enlist the help of the Silverguard Commander...uh...what was his name again?"

"Lorne Miradan, I believe," Engin provided.

"Yes, him," Ebonheim nodded, her expression brightening. "We can request for him to assist in ensuring that his people adhere to the code and act as mediators when needed."

"You propose we make the mercenaries a peacekeeping force?" Engin inquired, raising an eyebrow skeptically. "The folks who complained about them aren't going to be pleased about that, I assure you."

Ebonheim smiled mischievously. "Trust me, we'll make sure they'll have their hands full enough with other tasks so that they'll be too busy to cause trouble. Also, we'll ask for volunteers elsewhere to assist the Silverguards as needed. I know Serrandyl and her friends already act as informal peacekeepers from time to time, so why not formalize the arrangement and include them as well?"

"Alright, sounds like a decent enough plan," Engin mused thoughtfully, drumming his fingers on the table. "But, that still doesn't solve the problem of the Artificers."

"Hmm," Ebonheim hummed, staring up at the ceiling. "The simplest solution would be to have a curfew for the workshops and assign designated times for production. I'll bring it up with Evelyne and Orin, but we can't expect them to completely cease their activities for the sake of other's sleep."

Engin shrugged, reaching for his quill. "Sometimes, a simple solution is best. Back where I used to live, the workshops that resided within the city limits were required by law to keep the noise levels within reason and not operate past sunset."

Ebonheim raised her brows. "Oh? And the Artisans obeyed?"

"To the letter, actually," Engin confirmed with a chuckle. "Apparently, they didn't want to lose the privileges granted to them, nor did they want to risk fines. It also helped that the local guard enforced those laws, though they were rather lenient with the occasional midnight project that involved a test run. As long as no one complained, then all was well."

Ebonheim laughed, imagining a scene where Evelyne and Orin worked furiously in a dimly-lit workshop, frantically conducting experiments with a thundering crash every few seconds. "Sounds reasonable. Well, hopefully, we can convince Evelyne and Orin to do something similar. I'm sure they won't be too unreasonable."

"If anyone can, it will be you," Engin agreed, jotting down a few notes on a piece of paper. "But for now, let's focus on what we can accomplish immediately."

The two of them spent the remainder of the afternoon formulating a series of basic agreements and guidelines, and by the evening, they had a comprehensive list of the new rules and regulations to present to the representatives of each faction.

Engin let out a low whistle as he surveyed their handiwork, letting the fatigue sink into his bones. "We did a lot for one day, considering all the disruptions and interruptions we had to deal with."

"Mmm," Ebonheim sighed, stifling a yawn. "But I think we did a pretty decent job."

The door to Engin's office creaked open, revealing Hilda standing in the doorway. She wore a warm smile, despite the exhaustion that lined her face. Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the mess of papers and documents that covered every available surface.

"Sorry for intruding," she apologized, stepping inside and shutting the door behind her. "I hope you don't mind the interruption. I've been looking for you two, and it seems like you've both been very busy."

Ebonheim glanced at Engin, who merely nodded in agreement. "Ah, yes. We're just finishing up here. Something you need?"

Hilda hesitated, clasping her hands together. "Actually, yes. I'm here on behalf of the Jixishan tribe. It has to do with the current lodgings for the refugees and...my people. Is now an appropriate time?"

Engin placed his quill back in its holder, sitting upright. "Absolutely. Please, come, sit. Tell us what's been bothering you."

Hilda relaxed, taking a seat opposite the two. She took a moment to compose her thoughts, gathering her words before speaking.

"As you know, the area where we've been residing is the outskirts of the village, away from most of the cluster of houses," Hilda began. "We prefer to stay away from the main thoroughfare, and it also provides some privacy for our rituals and customs."

Engin nodded, folding his hands together. "Correct. Most of the other buildings are within the central area of the village, around the feast hall, while you and your tribe are within the groves to the east."

"Yes," Hilda continued. "I've come to talk about relocating—"

"You're leaving?!" Ebonheim blurted, standing up abruptly.

"—no, not at all. We wish to relocate to a different area."

Hilda paused, observing Ebonheim curiously.

Ebonheim let out a sigh of relief and sunk back into the chair, her face flushed. "You scared me for a breath."

Hilda chuckled softly, before returning her attention back to Engin. "With the number of new refugees joining us, it was inevitable that the village had to expand to the south and east. However, due to this, our living area will eventually be encroached upon, and we fear that it might cause more friction. Instead, we'd like to propose moving further west, across the river and deeper into the forest."

"But isn't that farther away from the village?" Ebonheim asked, puzzled.

"It is," Hilda confirmed, nodding. "But, given the current circumstances, I think it will be better for us and the community overall. As the population grows, we can maintain some separation as we had hoped for."

Engin stroked his beard as he contemplated her suggestion. "West, huh? You'll have to cross the river each time you wish to enter the village. We haven't built a bridge yet, but if you require one, I can arrange for an artisan to craft one."

Hilda shook her head. "No, no need. Ferrying across the river won't be a problem. You do realize that the only druids in the village are amongst my people, right? What's a little water?"

Engin smiled sheepishly, his cheeks reddening. "Er, it certainly slipped my mind. Thank you for the reminder. Hmm, Ebonheim, what are your thoughts?"

Ebonheim stood up and walked over to Hilda, giving her a light hug. "Hildaaaaaa. I'm sorry that you have to move because of this."

Hilda patted Ebonheim's shoulder, a look of amusement on her face. "Now, now. This is nothing to cry about. This was a long time coming, and we prefer the deeper forests anyway."

"Are you sure?" Ebonheim asked, a pout on her lips. "It's not fair that you're pushed out."

Hilda chuckled softly again. "Don't worry about it. My people have been through far worse and are used to making do. It's nothing more than breaking down some huts and setting them up elsewhere, honestly. There are plenty of groves to choose from in the area we're heading to. We just wanted to let you know, and get approval from the head, in order to avoid any confusion."

"It's all a formality, of course," Engin spoke reassuringly. "You don't need my permission to move within the valley."

Hilda smiled and inclined her head respectfully. "Formality or not, it's important to us to inform you and gain approval from the village. Especially since the changes would be so near."

"If you're happy with it, then we are too," Ebonheim replied with a smile.

Hilda turned to exit but stopped briefly before she reached the door, turning back to give a parting farewell. "The Harvest Festival is approaching soon. Make sure you both don't forget to enjoy yourselves once in a while. A healthy body and mind will make this place thrive."

The first Harvest Festival with all the new arrivals. Ebonheim hadn't even considered it. But now that she thought about it, there'd be much more people. That meant more food. More ale. More noise...and more work to prepare for it.

"The festival...oh goddess, that's in a couple of weeks' time." Engin slapped his forehead and sighed.

Ebonheim giggled, her mood lightened by the unexpected excitement. "Then we'd better start planning soon, or else this whole town will be in an uproar!"