Chapter 6: The Ironclad Banner

The sun beat down on Kael and Sir Gareth as they traversed the desolate plains, the ruins of the old world stretching endlessly before them. Their supplies were dwindling, and the silence, broken only by the wind whistling through broken buildings, was a constant reminder of their isolation. Then, in the distance, a flicker of movement. A glint of metal.

As they approached, the flicker resolved itself into a fortified camp, a stark contrast to the scattered ruins they'd been navigating. A tall wooden palisade surrounded the camp, watchtowers rising at intervals. A banner, a stylized iron fist clenching a lightning bolt, snapped in the wind. This was no makeshift settlement. This was a clan.

"Ironclad," Sir Gareth murmured, his voice low. "Known for their discipline and… caution."

Kael nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his Masterwork Hammer. He knew that encountering other survivors could be a double-edged sword. They could be allies, or they could be a threat.

They approached the gate cautiously, Shadow padding silently at their heels. Two guards, clad in well-maintained armor, stood watch. They eyed Kael and Sir Gareth with suspicion.

"Halt!" one of them barked. "State your business."

"We're travelers," Kael replied, his voice calm and even. "We mean no harm. We're just looking for… trade."

The guards exchanged a look. "Trade?" the other guard scoffed. "What do you have to trade?"

"We have skills," Kael said. "I'm a Builder."

The guards' eyes widened slightly at the mention of the Builder class. Builders were rare, their abilities highly valued.

"And I'm a Knight," Sir Gareth added, his hand resting on the pommel of his sword.

The guards considered this for a moment. "Wait here," one of them said, disappearing inside the gate.

A few minutes later, a woman emerged. She was tall and imposing, her face etched with lines of experience. She wore practical armor, and her gaze was sharp and intelligent.

"I am Anya," she said, her voice commanding. "Leader of the Ironclad Clan. What do you offer us?"

Kael stepped forward. "I can build," he said. "I can fortify your defenses, improve your structures."

Anya's eyes swept over Kael, assessing him. "And you say you're a Knight?" she asked, turning to Sir Gareth.

"I am," Sir Gareth confirmed. "I'm skilled in combat."

Anya nodded slowly. "We're always in need of strong warriors," she said. "But we don't take in strangers lightly. Prove your worth to us, and we'll consider your offer."

"What do you have in mind?" Kael asked.

"We're facing a shortage of lumber," Anya explained. "A recent storm damaged our storage sheds. If you can repair them, we'll consider letting you stay."

Kael exchanged a look with Sir Gareth. This was their chance.

"We can do that," Kael said.

Anya gestured towards the camp. "Follow me."

As they entered the camp, Kael was impressed by the level of organization. The structures were well-built and maintained, and the clan members moved with purpose. It was clear that the Ironclad Clan was a force to be reckoned with.

Anya led them to the damaged storage sheds. They were in a sorry state, their roofs partially collapsed and their walls weakened.

"These need to be reinforced," Anya said. "And quickly."

Kael surveyed the damage, his Builder's senses already assessing the situation. He opened his System interface, reviewing the blueprints for reinforced structures.

"We'll need more lumber," he said. "And some stone."

Anya nodded. "We have a stockpile. I'll have it brought here."

As the clan members began to gather the resources, Kael set to work. Using his Masterwork Hammer and his Builder abilities, he began to repair the sheds, reinforcing the walls and rebuilding the roofs. Sir Gareth, despite not being a Builder, helped by carrying materials and assisting in any way he could.

The work was hard, but Kael was driven by the desire to prove himself and earn the trust of the Ironclad Clan. He knew that this was just the beginning. If they wanted to survive in this harsh world, they would need allies. And the Ironclad Clan, with their strength and organization, could be valuable allies indeed.