Greigh's Point of View

Near Helmsforth Battlements

It’d been a few days since Arthur left, and we began work on the project. While I wasn’t sure what the finished product would really look like or mean, I believed in Arthur’s decision regardless. He kept an opening in the wall specifically reserved for this. The battlements would overlook the beginning process until it was too far out of sight.

The banging sounds of industry were drowned out by an overly enthralled Elf. “This is truly incredible!” Ayda said excitedly as we supervised everything.

Ziah was the one to respond. “What do you mean?”

“Arthur’s project will make ground transportation of resources and other goods far more applicable than carts or even airships in some cases.” The Elf explained. “If this works, it is very possible that in the near future, the transportation industry will be completely changed.”

“Yes. He did mention that in passing.” I spoke up. “The General has likely had this planned for some time now.”

“Why do you think that?” Ziah asked me.

Ayda replied before I could. “The placement of these tracks would be impossible without tearing down parts of Arthur’s wall. However, he left room for movement inside the city limits and outside. That includes a few key points where he left vacant gates purposefully in his original design.” She answered. “Even the path that he plans on taking to other cities and towns is incredibly thought out.”

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Then I finished with, “That, and he’s been hoarding the necessary resources for quite some time. We should be able to connect more easily with the eastern coast, south, and north.”

“Do you ever feel like the General knows a lot more than he is letting on?” Ziah questioned.

Ayda and I glanced at each other before she nodded. “With the blueprints he gave me and the amount of detail added, of that, I have no doubt.”

“Ayda!” All of us turned as a voice called out throughout all the hubbub.

“Cass?” I greeted a little concerned about how tired she looked.

Barely giving me a passing glance, she stepped before Ayda. “Ah need ta talk to ya.”

That got me to quirk a brow. “Is something wrong, Cass?”

“No.” She replied evenly. “Ah just need an Elf, and Ayda’s the best there is.”

Ayda, to her credit, seemed a little surprised at the praise. “Oh. Uh,” She looked at me, and I nodded. “Sure. Would you like to speak in private?”

Cassidy nodded. “Please.” Grabbing Ayda, she dragged her off, which seemed to startle the Elf, but she didn’t protest.

Ziah watched them from beside me. “Should I follow them?”

“No.” She looked at me. “Both seem to be doing better, and Arthur said to help them if they came to us. He didn’t say to spy on them.”

Cassidy's Point of View

Reed Farmstead

“May I ask what this is about?” Ayda inquired.

She’d been patient. Far more than I expected of her. We had left the city and moved through the outskirts to my home. It felt odd saying that. After all, it had been passed on to me.

Moving inside the kitchen, I gestured for her to sit down. She did so, albeit a little lost as to what this was all about. Grabbing something for the two of us to drink, she watched as I set it down in front of her before sitting on the opposite side of her.

“Cass,” She began, and I looked at her. “What is this about?”

“Can ya put up some manner of soundproofing spell?”

Quirking a brow, Ayda did as I asked after a moment. “Now?”

Swirling the cup’s contents around in a hypnotic manner, I finally answered. “Ah need yer help.”

“With?”

“Ah’m aware this isn’t exactly legal, but Ah’m gonna ask anyway.” That immediately made Ayda warier. “What do ya know about runes and enchantment?”

The Elf regarded the question with suspicion. “More than my fair share. Not very practical in actual combat if not done beforehand. Dwarves have their own manner of runes, just like the Dragons. Enchantment is extremely different across all our races, yet at its core, it is the built upon the same foundation.” Ayda explained, but my lack of reaction seemed to unnerve her. “But you knew all this, did you not?”

I shrugged. “Not the finer details, but the general gist, I guess.”