Chapter 38 - The Shape of Order

The next morning...

Ren stood near the table inside the tower, reviewing the scattered papers.

The room still smelled faintly of wood and dust. Outside, the village was already alive with movement.

"Tobren," Ren called out as the older man entered.

"The list I asked yesterday," Ren continued. "You have it?"

Tobren handed over a leather-bound ledger, slightly worn at the edges. "Here. The reworked one, from before. When we were still using only coal."

Ren flipped through the first few pages, scanning lines of ink. Tobren spoke beside him.

"Forty able-bodied workers," he said. "Twenty-eight women, some working, some caretaking. Thirteen under twenty. Eight kids under ten. Five elders. Sick or too frail to contribute."

Ren raised a brow. "The totals..."

"Ninety-six," Tobren answered. "Add you, Sera, and the Union builders. That's eleven more. So, a hundred and seven."

Ren glanced up. "It grew?"

Tobren nodded. "A few more drifted in yesterday evening. One was a tanner. The other two from a burned-out village west from here."

Ren's tone sharpened. "Keep tracking it. Always. We can't afford miscounts. This isn't about numbers on a page, it's the difference between life or death."

Tobren gave a single, sober nod. "Noted."

Ren softened. "Go ahead and eat. I'll sort the task groups after this."

Tobren left without another word, heading across the clearing toward the food tent.

Ren stayed behind, flipping another page in the ledger. His eyes widened slightly.

Each entry had names, ages, places of origin, family ties, listed skills, even their hobbies.

"This is... too detailed," Ren muttered to himself, impressed. "You really don't miss anything, Tobren."

***

After dividing the list of works.

Ren stepped into the food tent, weaving through the scattered tables and clatter of morning bowls.

He found Helrick seated near the back, calmly sipping from a wooden cup.

"You were an adventurer once, right?" Ren asked.

Helrick glanced up, shrugged. "That was a long time ago. Nothing worth bragging about."

Ren gestured toward the man's side. "You can still fight?"

Helrick raised his left stump with a faint smirk. "Lost this years ago. Doesn't make for a great sword arm."

Ren nodded. "Not looking for a soldier. Just someone who can hold a blade. Teach some basics."

Helrick lifted his right hand. "Right's my dominant. I can still swing. And I can still teach."

"That's all I need."

Ren paused, then asked, "How many turned in their work vouchers today?"

"Forty," Helrick said. "All of them. No injuries, no excuses."

Ren gave a short nod. "Good. That makes forty-two with me and Tobren. Solid number."

A short while later, Ren stood outside with the workers gathered before him.

The sun was climbing. Dust swirled as boots shifted in the dirt.

He raised his voice. "Everyone who exchanged their coupons earlier, line up in three groups. Fourteen in each. Fast."

There was a shuffling of feet, a few mutters, then the lines started forming.

Someone called out, "My line's one short!"

Another echoed, "Same here!"

Ren waved a hand. "That's my spot. And Tobren's. We'll join once the work's assigned."

He stepped forward. "Union builders, split into three as well. One to each group. You'll lead them."

The builders nodded and moved quickly.

Ren pointed to the first group. "Group One, with your builder. Keep working on housing. Target two more homes today."

He gave a small clap. "Go."

The line moved without question.

"Group Two," he continued, pointing to the middle line, "Tobren will lead you. Head to the east edge and expand the planting fields. We need more food growing before the next wave of settlers."

Another clap. "Go."

Finally, Ren turned to the last group. "You're with me. We'll build a shared bath area just north of the tower. One central spot for everyone to wash."

He paused to make sure they were listening.

"Water's still limited. Better to share one clean space than waste it across a dozen homes. Later, once we've got proper systems running… you'll get your own."

He clapped once. "Move."

The group followed without hesitation.

Lines moving, leaders in place, tools in hand. No shouting. No confusion.

As the work groups began to move, Ren turned back toward Helrick.

"Before you head off, take a few of the teens. Those with steady hands and start basic combat drills. Doesn't have to be fancy. Just enough so they don't panic if trouble finds us."

Helrick gave a nod. "Understood. I'll keep it simple."

Then Ren spotted Lenna, the quiet herbalist, standing near the supply tent.

"Lenna," he called, waving her over. "You mentioned we're low on herbs?"

She nodded. "I can't treat fever or infection without restocking."

"Sera," Ren said, turning to her. "Go with her. Make sure she gets back safe."

Sera smirked. "About time I stretched my legs."

Ren crossed his arms. "Prioritize safety. Plants aren't worth blood."

"Relax," Sera said, already heading toward the edge of camp with Lenna. "I'm just babysitting a herbalist."

Just quiet motion.

Order.

As Sera and Lenna is disappeared beyond the edge of camp, Ren spotted the two mechanics, Tarn, and Mikkel. They preparing a cart near the path that led west.

"You heading out?" he asked, approaching.

Tarn gave a half-salute. "We'll take the cart. Should be able to reach the central outpost in three, maybe four days. Depends on the road."

"We'll find that clockmaker," Mikkel added. "If he sees the drill, he'll come. If he doesn't…" he shrugged. "We'll convince him."

Ren nodded. "Don't push him. Just show him the stone. Tell him it still has power. If he's worth anything, curiosity will do the rest."

"You sure he'll come?" Tarn asked.

Ren glanced toward the drill tower in the distance. "If he's a real mechanic, he won't be able to sleep until he sees it up close."

They climbed onto the cart, gave a final wave, and rolled out down the uneven path. Dust trailing behind them, wheels creaking as the village faded behind them.

***

Later that evening,

The sun had dipped behind the broken ridge, casting long shadows across the quieting camp.

Fires crackled softly. A few workers rested near the well. Laughter from a child echoed somewhere near the growing row of homes.

Ren stood alone at the edge of the tower, map in hand.

He glanced north, toward the mountain the map had shown him. It still glowed faintly under his fingers, a shimmer barely visible in the dying light.

So much left to do. So much more than he'd planned.

But it was happening.

One stone, one wall, one step at a time.