Starting to Survive part 1

I woke to my second day as being lady of a small village. Late into the night I had planned and browsed this forum. It's creation and porpuse was unknown to me, yet it was clear that it was a gift of the goddess favor that I had been allowed to see something that only the God's players should be able to.

There was great speculation as to who the three players really were who had founded their villages before me, but in comparison they did not draw as much attention as I appeared to. Vast dialogue in differing dialects offered a great many theories of who, where, why, how, what I could be or had done to achieve what I had.

But my great discovery had occurred by accident, a small bulletin that had nearly completely been washed away by the tide of conspiracies had peaked my attention. It spoke of how this player lord best believed they could create a strong village. In it they detailed their plans, and even the layout of their village for all to see.

But the best part was that this player lord was in Grestna. A region not terribly far from Hadran. So I had written a small letter and sent it off on a small carrier pigeon that had part of the manor. The letter was vague, but expressed interest in his peculiar teachings and inquired about their nature.

There was certainly no harm in asking in for such clarification. It was after all merely asking him to better extrapolate what the bulletin meant. However, I could not let someone else create my city. That was a task that had to be done entirely of me and my people's accord.

So it was that once again more people came to the village, more farmers that had been displaced when their villages had been ruined by the sundering. However among this group there was one who had been a lumber worker.

His name was Vun, he was a simple man. A straight forward nature. it was not difficult to recruit him and a few of his compatriots to go and assist in felling timber. Vun's skills would certainly be of some benefit, even if all he accomplished was showing a few others how to swing an axe with a proper technique.

However I had grand plans, not something I could do overnight of course. I returned to the manor and began what all lords who managed their territories themselves immersed themselves in. At least, I preferred to think that was how they spent their time during such affairs. Future endeavors could not be accomplished without a groundwork to build oneself up from. So I had Kel come to my office.

"Is there something you needed from me?" He asked as he entered.

"Yes, if you believe yourself up to it." I replied as I gestured for him to sit in the only other chair in the study, the one across from my small desk.

"I apologize, for I have no refreshments at the moment or a way of procuring some." I said as Kel sat.

He shrugged. "There isn't much you can do about that at the moment," he leaned forward in his seat, "so why did you call me here?"

"To make an argument, and a depending upon who that goes, we shall see."

"Well? What is this argument that you wish to make." he asked, leaning back as he scratched his chin.

"Late last night it crossed my mind, do you think those bandits we dealt with a few days ago are the only ones nearby?" I asked as I clasped my hands on the desk.

Kel was silent for a few moments, I seemed to have caught him off guard. "It is highly unlikely they were the only ones nearby." he conceded.

"But," he continued, "I sincerely doubt that a handful of bandits would stumble across us here."

I shook my head. "While I too would like to think that way. with the lives of so many already entrusted too me. I can not."

I stood and walked to the small window behind the chair I had been siting in. The sun's light lit most of the room, and as such I shaded my eyes as I watched a few people cooking a deer on a spit. They were talking merrily, and seemed to be enjoying themselves.

"The past two days have brought so many new faces to us." I said slowly, "To think that a few days ago we were but a handful, but now we are a few dozen."

"It does appear that more may come." Kel said quietly as he joined me, standing next to me and looking out of the window. "But what is with that sorrowful tone?"

"Kel, this peaceful life. It's idyllic." I sighed, it appeared the conversation had taken the path I had feared it would.

"There is nothing wrong with that Liz, It's the life we all want to live." Kel shrugged. "I'll grant that it's difficult to eek a life out in the wilderness. But so far it seems full of promise."

"But who to protect that way of life?" I countered. "It will not last forever, nothing does."

I continued, "Whether it be bandits, rapid beasts, or another town's greed. we must be ready."

"What are you talking about Liz?" Kel was looking at me with concern.

"It's Elizabeth." I corrected. "I have plans Kel, I want to see my people live long, happy lives and prosper. But I need to be able to defend them, and that is not something I can do on my own."

"Kel chuckled, "That's not something I can do either."

"But it is something that you can teach others." I replied. "You must teach them, and if I am unavailable, lead them in defending themselves."

"Elizabeth! Stop talking nonsense." Kel shouted.

"I am not." I replied sternly. "There are people out there. Players, sent by the gods. But among them some are already being corrupted by the evils of man."

I repressed a shudder as I recalled some of the bulletins of the Forum. "I will not see that evil spread here, to do that, I need to start now."

I closed my eyes and leaned against the wall. "Kel, I would like you to take two or three from every new group that comes to us. Train them to be soldiers. I need not the best in the world. But men or women who are willing to lay down their lives for their people."

"And what if I won't?" Kel growled.

"Then you will not. I will not force you Kel. I know you have a family to look after. But I have a village to keep safe, and if more people continue to trickle in. It will eventually be a city."

"No. I will not." Kel left, closing the door softly. I watched as he left the manor, not turning back. continuing on.

"The future belongs to those who prepare for it today." I whispered