Halfling Colony.

Clive and Kilpa gathered many halflings together so that preparations could begin for the naming ceremony of the colony. Despite the little bit of nastiness not long ago, the rest of the colony was excited and were eager to get started setting up a proper celebration.

Which meant decorations where, and with what, they could make them with. Paper lanterns were made from stitched together dried leaves. Ribbons were fashioned from flowers and grass. It wouldn't win any beauty contest but at least they're in the spirit, Clive thought.

Oh, then there was also food. Because of course it was. Three whole hogs were already being spit-roasted nearby on fires as tables were being set up around the stage for the big announcement. One of which was actually hunted by their resident hunterling! Sure he was now nursing a nasty gash across his arm and belly. But he seemed happy that folk were enjoiyin' his labor, and the coin that jingled in his pocket from the bounty.

The only exception to the merry attitude of the colony was from the Big Families. They were obviously taking their little rabble-rousing loss pretty badly from the way they glared at him and a few of the halflings that eventually sided with him. Not that he cared though. He proved to them, and himself, that he wasn't going down without a fight.

Now he just hoped they wouldn't try anything during the celebration. Though he doubt they would do anything like their little mob again. Especially during a time where the halflings are supposed to be happy and feasting. Souring the mood of a feast was pretty rude according to Hamish and even the Big Families would be careful not to ruin it in so obvious a fashion. But he still wouldn't put it past them to at least stir up some folk during the celebration.

But that was an issue for later, he thought as he and Kilpa continued to coordinate everything. Making sure the constables and militia were ready for when they were announced and sworn in. Going over the simple treaty they wrote out for Kesle and the tortles. Making sure there was enough food and drink to satisfy everyone. That last thing especially as it would keep them all in a good mood regardless of what he announced.

Of course he talked to the cooks and made sure that they had enough especially after the string of snack snatchers. They assured him that there would be plenty for the celebration without dipping into their winter reserves. In any case he wanted the new constables to keep an eye on the larders and such just to be safe.

Everything was beginning to take shape, Clive thought as he and Kilpa watched as a fair of sorts began to form around the area. The market was alive as ever as stalls tried to peddle their wares as the whole colony made their way over to hear the announcement. Flowers and trinkets joined simple game as the peddlers tried to squeeze just a little bit more coin from their friends and neighbors before the announcement officially started.

Which Clive quickly found himself rather nervous about now that the time had come. He put on his best clothes, which was an old business suit he wore when he was first applying for jobs. But that was years ago and it was a little tight around the shoulders, he thought as Kilpa stood nearby and watched him fuss over buttons and his tie.

"You'll be fine!"

"I know! Doesn't mean I'm still not nervous!"

"All you gotta do is go up there 'nd announce a few thin's is all!"

"Again, that doesn't make me any less nervous!"

"Would it 'elp if you thought folk were nekked?" Kilpa suggested with a smirk.

"Honestly, there are more than a few people that I would rather NOT imagine being naked in that crowd."

"Good! Cause tha only one tonight you'll be seein' nekked is me!" Kilpa declared.

"Wait, what? I thought you wanted to wait until we got done healing?" Clive asked as he turned and looked at Kilpa.

"Aye, I did. But with you takin' charge 'nd lookin' all handsome in tha' suit. Can you blame me fer wantin' ta make tonight a wee bit special?" Kilpa said suggestively.

"That... actually didn't help my nerves at all." Clive said.

"So I dinnae suppose flashin' me tits durin' tha announcement would help either?" Kilpa said as she played with the collar of her tunic allowing Clive to steal a glance as she revealed more and more of her neck and chest. Before slipping it back up before he saw too much.

"You're such a tease."

"Oh quit actin' like you dinnae like it!" Kilpa teased some more before fixing her clothes and limping over and giving Clive's leg a hug.

"But thanks again Clive. Fer givin' me another chance."

Clive made to bend down, and promptly stopped that attempt as his wounded back fiercely protested the action. So instead he wrapped his arm around Kilpa as best he could.

"Like I said before. Everyone deserves a second chance. Try not to beat yourself up too much alright? Can't fix what happened. All you can do is plan for what will happen."

"Aye I know. Doesn't mean I'm still not nervous." She said half jokingly.

"Well if it helps, just picture everyone naked." Clive also suggested half jokingly.

The two of them chuckled and held each other close for a long moment before they pull back from one another and Clive looked down and asked.

"Should we get this started?"

"Aye!" Kilpa cheered as she took Clive's offered arm as the two of them left his tent and made their way over to the area where the entire colony and then some were already celebrating. Halflings and humans both laughed, ate, and drank. Some were still nursing wounds from the gang fight but some warm ale and a cute new girlfriend seemed to be helping sooth their aches and pains. Something Clive could relate to as he squeezed Kilpa's hand comfortingly.

The tortles were also mingling among the halflings. Their forms were hard to miss as they towered over everyone, even some of the humans. While they didn't drink and only ate vegetables, they were still enjoying their time among the halflings. Even the Big Families looked less like someone pissed in their soup.

He could see Hamish and the rest of the Hambinger Clan were also getting seated and already had plates stacked with food as they got settled for the celebration. Kilpa turned and kissed Clive's thigh before patting it softly and making her way over to her own seat near the front.

Clive nodded and took another deep breath as he shook off some last minute nerves before making his way to the stage. But he was stopped by Sam as he got halfway there.

"Clive? You, uh, got a minute?"

Clive turned and saw Sam, his face was scarred and stitched up from something.

"Holy shit Sam, what happened?!"

Sam flinched a little as he scratched at the wound and chuckled.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"I tried to stop a fight and ended up with a new beauty mark."

"How? And from what?"

Sam sighed and looked around at the gathering.

"Skeeter heard that some of those dwarf fellas were headin' up to Jeb's. So we got into his truck and sped up there as fast as we could. But things got bad and shots were fired before we even got close."

Sam pressed his mouth close like he didn't want to say anything more but continued anyway.

"Tried to get the two of them to stop shootin' at one another. Got this for my trouble."

"Sam-" Clive started before Sam help up a hand.

"Don't. I've gotten plenty of concern and no small amount of shit from those two." He said as he gestured back over to where Sammy, Greg, and another halfling that Clive barely recalled was the one that Sam had hooked up with during the Harvest Festival was sat.

Sammy looked bored despite everything going on, Greg on the other hand had a clipboard and papers with names on them. Probably everyone in the colony, Clive thought. The halfling woman was busy handing stacked plates of food to the both of them even as she turned and called and waved Sam back.

"Come on Sam! Tha announcement's 'bout ta start!"

Sam smiled as best he could and turned around and waved back before turning back to Clive.

"I'm sorry I've missed so much lately, it's just some stuff happenin' with Jeb-"

"I know." Clive said in a tone that seemed to say a million things to Sam.

"You know?" Sam asked.

"Yeah. I was the one that got him out of town."

"So... you saw-" Sam began and stopped as Clive nodded.

Sam sighed in relief like a weight was lifted.

"Then please tell me where he went to Clive. I have to at least know he's safe."

Clive began to say but was forced away as Hamish came by.

"Clive! 'Urry up! Folks is gettin' antsy!"

Sam likewise was pulled back by his own little halfling. Clive called out as he made his way over to the stage.

"After the announcements!"

Sam nodded before returning to his seat. As Clive ascended the stage he saw almost a hundred halflings staring back up at him. Fallmeadow and his family snacked near the front beside Kilpa, who sat alone but beamed up at him all the same. Sam and his family/party at one table even as the rest of the humans also sat nearby. Some had brought their friends and loved ones and some more than a few were sitting next to their new halfling girlfriends. The tortles formed another enclave to the left of the gathering and smiled and bowed their heads up at him as he took the stage. He could even see Sloth off in the distance as he peered over the trees over towards the colony. Most of the constables and militia were seated nearby so they could get up here quickly when called. He could even see some of the Feds that had come from the tent and stood off to the side as they loomed about. Last but not least were the Big Families that glared up at him, but did little more than that as he cleared his throat and began.

"Greetings one and all! I would like to thank you all for coming here today. Though I'm sure the promise of free food and beer was probably more than enough for most of you!" Clive started off with a joke, earning him plenty of chuckles and laughs from the crowd.

"I've been mayor for going on two days now, and I'd like to think that I've done a decent amount within that short time! Including, but not limited to, deciding a name for our fair little colony at long last!" Clive continued and got some cheers and claps from the crowd. He pulled the piece of paper that had his notes and information on it and peered down at it.

"So I would like to formally welcome you all to the town of..." Clive paused as he looked down at the name. A name that he and Kilpa didn't decide.

He leaned down and whispered to Kilpa.

"Kilpa. This isn't the name we came up with!"

"Because it weren't halflin' enough!" Kilpa whispered back.

"But we decided on something normal sounding!"

"Yer a mayor o'er a colony o' halflin's! It needs a halflin' name! Besides, it's wha' I wrote on all tha paperwork fer tha' stutterin' lad!" Kilpa said with a grin.

Clive groaned and glared at Kilpa before leaning back up and clearing his throat before he continued.

"Sorry folks! Just a little issue with my notes here. Seems someone thought it'd be funny to change them last minute!"

Despite the glare he leveled at Kilpa, she and the rest of the colony chuckled as Clive began again.

"So with that cleared up. I would like to welcome you all to the town of Sherry-by-the-Bend!"

The colony cheered and clapped as the colony could finally be called something other than... the colony. Regardless, he was glad the halflings liked it at least. Even the humans seemed to cheer and clap. He doubt they cared much though, not like they spent hours going over every asinine name to come up with something decent sounding or anything.

But with the name officialized, now came the next part.

"With a name for our fair colony announced! I would also like to proclaim that the town is just a little bit bigger than yesterday! Several acres of land has been purchased from the town and is ready to be settled!"

More cheers and claps sounded out and Clive had to wait a few minutes before they died down enough to continue.

"Some of it will be auctioned off while others will be given out to those with the necessary skills and knowledge to work the land. This will be done another day as we already have plenty to do today as is!"

Clive gestured for the constables to begin making their way up as he continued.

"I would also like to announce that Sherry has an expanded police force ready to begin!"

The six halflings marched up with heads held high and chests puffed out as they stood in a row before Clive. He turned to them and said.

"Hold up your right hand."

The halflings did so.

"Now repeat after me. I swear to uphold the law of the town of Sherry. I swear to be a beacon of fairness and justice. I swear to do my duty for as long as I am able. I swear to protect the people under my charge. Should my life be taken in the line of duty, know that I gave it freely doing my duty to my friends and neighbors."

The halflings did so, though there was a slight pause at the part about giving ones life. They might be halfling cops but they were still cops, that meant that sooner or later that someone was going to take being arrested a bit too far. Other than that they spoke the oath and were officially sworn in as the new constables of Sherry.

The crows cheers and applause was a little more muted, probably because they weren't "locals" and because the last constable was friends with everyone, even if he didn't do his job. But that was why he made these halfling the cops. They had some experience dealing with disputes, they weren't local so he wouldn't have to worry about their judgement being impaired, and it also gave them a chance to win some respect with their new neighbors.

Next up were the militia. They needed a bit of assistance getting up the stage, but they did so eagerly and with pride despite their wounded states.

"First off, I would like to thank these halflings on this stage, those sitting in the crowd, and those buried on the hill, for their service to their loved ones and neighbors. You fought for your friends and neighbors, even those of us who aren't halflings. So thank you. Thank you for your service and sacrifice."

The halflings all clapped as the militia formed a row.

"I will not ask that you be forced to serve your community again. But I will ask, are you sure you wish to continue that service?"

The halflings gave a resounding 'Aye!' for all to hear. Clive cast a spiteful look at the Big Families just to rub it in a little before continuing. He asked them to raise their right hands, or left if they were missing the right arm, and asked them to repeat an oath that was similar to the one he had the constables say. Though this one was more about duty and honor than law and justice. But it was repeated all the same, there wasn't even a pause when they repeated the line about giving one's life!

As the last line was said the colony cheered and applauded as the newly sworn Sherry Militia waved and nodded as best they could before returning to their seats. Clive would have to come up with some ways for some of them to participate, but that was a problem for tomorrow. Things still needed to be done for today.

So he continued. Having Kesle come up so he could announce the treaty between the newly named town and the tortle enclave. Which, despite his reasonings before, still caused just as many grumbles from the colony. But there weren't any outbursts and no angry mob was formed so Clive'll take that as a win. Though he noted the Big Families giving him a smug look this time.

Then he invited Greg up and went over his plans for the halfling town to begin the process of being integrated into the United States. With Greg already collecting names and such from the halflings. They weren't quite to the one-hundred population to get official town recognition, with some here that were obviously pregnant though their unborn kids' names were added which resulted in them just getting over that milestone! Which meant that Clive and Greg could now continue with the land survey and begin the process of getting the halflings recognized and integrated!

With the big announcements and decisions done, Clive turned the stage over to a band that began to play as the celebration continued now that things were taken care of. For today at least. He made his way down and was about to go get Kilpa and return to Sam when he was stopped by three dwarves. Aerin and two dwarven guards thick in dwarvish plate.

"Hey Aerin I didn't notice you show up." Clive greeted.

"Aye, we finally had the time ta come lookin' for you. You've been slackin' in yer duties." The dwarf stated.

"My duties? What d- Oh shit!" Clive cursed as he finally remembered he was supposed to be helping Dylan and his brother back at the trainyard!

"I am so sorry! It's just been one thing after another here!"

"Oh? Like what?" Aerin asked with a cocked brow.

"First we had some thugs come by wanting to extort the halflings, then after we dealt with them their boss showed up with the rest of his men and attacked the colony. Then I was made mayor and I've been trying to get this place in working order." Clive listed off.

The dwarf cocked a brow and looked around. Sure enough he could see several freshly wounded halflings and even humans sporting injuries. At least it isn't a lie, Aerin thought as he turned back to Clive.

"Regardless, you have prior commitments."

"I know, but with the way things are here I'm not sure I'll have the time to run over to the trainyard AND run this place at the same time!"

Aerin was about to lay into Clive for shirking his promises when a thought popped up in his head. Perhaps this was a blessing in disguise, he thought. He looked up at Clive with a calm smile.

"Not ta worry none lad. Tryin' ta round up halflin's ain't easy."

"Tell me about it." Clive muttered as Kilpa came over and held Clive's hand as she stared at the heavily plated dwarven guards.

"Who's this?" She asked suspiciously.

"This is Aerin. He's my boss. Or he's my boss's son." Clive introduced the dwarf who bowed his head slightly before looking down at the halfling woman.

"Oh! This is Kilpa, she's my-"

"Lover!" Kilpa stated loudly and held Clive close as she batted her eyes up at him in an exaggerated manner.

The dwarf cocked a brow up at Clive, who sighed and put his arm on her shoulder.

"Yeah. My lover."

The dwarf merely hmm'd and looked between the two of them for a moment before finally speaking.

"Very well. We are willin' ta overlook yer tardiness on account o' recent events."

"Oh thank you Aerin! I swear I'll make it up to you!"

"Oh you will lad! You certainly will! Since we've yet ta hit a decent vein o' iron, yer duties regardin' tha trains is still on hold. However, your duty in overseein' tha Artificer's is not."

"But Aerin I-" Clive started before Aerin held up a hand.

"Which is why we will be relocatin' 'em here. So you can do yer new commitment and yer old one at the same time!" Aerin proclaimed with a smile, and a few barely suppressed chuckles from the two dwarven guards.

"Well, I mean I can-" Clive started before Aerin walked off, his two guards in tow as he called back.

"Excellent! We'll get 'em ready ta move later today!"

With that, Clive stared at the dwarves as they left the celebration, not entirely sure what he agreed to. A habit he really needed to lose with how things have happened lately.

Kilpa grabbed his hand and pulled him along back towards his tent.

"Come on! This 'as been too long 'nd I'll not wait any longer!"

"Wait just a minute!" Clive said as he tried to get free of Kilpa as he passed Sam.

He gestured for him to come closer as he was having a rather hard time trying to get away from the surprisingly strong halfling woman. Sam hurried over and Clive spoke to him in a whisper as he eyed the forms of the Feds on the other side of the gathering.

"Trout's Landing." Was all he got out before Kilpa dragged him away.

Sam looked confused for a moment before understanding dawned on him and he nodded his head in thanks before returning to the celebration with Millie, Sammy, and Greg.