Chapter 224
Beyn found the new arrivals huddled under a tree towards the edge of the village . Refugees, fleeing the continuing destruction of the kingdom to the north arrived nearly every day . Sometimes in small groups of three or four, other times a collection of families, farmers usually, fleeing their holdings . Twice they had received a more significant number, over fifty in each, people feeling their town, moving together for safety .
There were almost two thousand people here now, and more trickling in over time . Enid was run off her feet trying to keep everyone housed, clothed and fed but she did good work . Her high level in the merchant class made it so organising provisions and acquiring goods happened as she breathed .
Beyn smiled to think of it . It felt as if everyone was falling into place as they were needed, at just the time their absence was most felt . Builders and carpenters had arrived two days ago, just in time to employ their skills and levels in the construction of more permanent housing . When they ran out of materials, the very next day blacksmith arrived, his equipment stacked on a cart pulled by an exhausted nag and watched by his young apprentice .
The priest had gathered the people and given praise for an hour, shouting and raising such a racket that the blacksmith might have turned his cart around and taken off if Enid hadn't appeared and clapped a hand over Beyn's mouth .
He shook his head at the memory as he approached the dusty group of travellers . He got carried away sometimes, he knew it . The passion, the faith that blazed inside of him felt so powerful that he struggled to contain it . The Great One, a divine miracle, had appeared to lead the people in their time of trial .
How was he supposed to NOT talk about it?!
Even now, the blacksmith was running out materials he could melt down and turn into nails . Many a wagon axle had been sacrificed to erect housing . No sooner did the need arrive than members of the community stepped forward and began prospecting in the nearby woods . Beyn had every faith they would find ore nearby . He felt it in his bones . Provision would come .
"Welcome travellers to our humble sanctuary" he greeted them warmly, "please be at ease, you are safe here and among friends . "
Before him sat five travel worn individuals . Enid has told him there was something odd about this group and on first inspection, Beyn had to agree .
It wasn't the way they half sat, half squatted in the shade of the tree, resting yet alert . It also wasn't that they wore leather armour and had blades on their hips . It was their eyes, hard, cold, and perhaps a little angry . They were mad about something, Beyn had no idea what .
He wasn't phased though . It would take a lot more than a hard stare to wipe the calm smile of his face .
After a moment four of the strangers turned to eye one of their number . The thickset woman nodded shortly and stood . Beyn turned his peaceful expression towards this person, apparently the leader of this group and took in her features .
She looked strong . Not only that, powerful . Her shoulders were broad, her arms thick and her jaw looked like you could cut bread with it . A strong, calloused hand rose and rested on the hilt of her blade as she extended the other towards the priest in greeting .
"I am Morrelia . My group have been fighting monsters in this area for several months . We saw smoke from a few kilometres west of here and came to investigate", she gestures towards the bustling people in the village with one hand, "I didn't expect to see … . This? What has happened to the north?"
The smile finally slips a little on Beyn's face . They haven't heard of the trouble, of the kingdom in ashes, trampled into the dirt under the feet of Dungeon monsters .
Taking a deep breath, he tells them . Their faces go pale and their eyes wide with shock as he describes to them the horror that has occurred .
"… we are all refugees here Ms Morrelia . I led the people of my village here and in the weeks that have followed more have arrived with the same tale . It is a difficult time . "
Morrelia scrubs one hand across her forehead, still struggling to process what she has heard .
"Monsters on the surface? Are they attacking out of the Dungeon? It makes no sense! My Father… what of the Legion? They surely wouldn't allow such a thing to take place! What has happened to them?"
Beyn can only shake his head . "I have no idea Ms Morrelia . I am only a humble preacher who has followed in the steps of our saviours, led by the Great One . Here we have found a place of security, for the time being . "
Confused, the young lady and Beyn has realised that she is quite young, turns back to her people for a moment and they shrug .
"Saviour? Great One? Is there some leader here? A Lord or Lady with a strong class?: she asks, turning back to the priest .
His smile returns at full beam, blasting these guest directly in their eye holes . There is nothing he would like to talk about more!
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login