The late summer heat lingered over Emberhold, though the days were gradually growing shorter. The sun still beat down fiercely at midday, but the coolness of night had begun creeping in—a slow, steady shift that marked the passing of time. It had been nearly five weeks since the siege, and the food situation was becoming critical.
Alexander stood at the war table with Elias, Silas, and Tyrell, awaiting the first report on their new trade strategy.
Owen entered, dust clinging to his boots from the road. His expression was unreadable.
"Well?" Alexander asked.
Owen hesitated for just a moment before answering. "It worked."
The Trade Gambit Pays Off
The room tensed as Owen placed a worn parchment on the table.
"One of the smaller villages accepted the tools in exchange for food," he continued. "They only gave a small amount, but it was more than what we got before."
Alexander studied the paper—a simple trade ledger listing their exchange.
"We gave them five plow blades, ten axes, and three reinforced hammers," Owen explained. "In return, they gave us sacks of dried grains and salted meat. Not much, but they agreed to continue trading as long as we keep supplying them."
Silas smirked. "It's starting."
Elias grinned. "Guess they couldn't resist better tools after all."
Alexander nodded. It was a foothold. The villages might be afraid, but fear wouldn't last forever—not when survival was on the line.
"We keep up the pressure," Alexander said. "Send word that we'll provide tools to any village that wants to trade. If one accepted, others will follow."
Owen hesitated. "It won't be that easy. There's still a lot of fear. Some of the elders refused to even speak to us."
"Then they'll change their minds when their neighbors start outproducing them," Silas muttered.
Alexander exhaled. This was just the beginning.
The Mercenary Force Moves
Tyrell leaned over the table, tapping the rough map.
"While you were dealing with trade, we kept an eye on the riders," he said. "They've moved from their last position. They're not blocking the roads anymore."
Alexander frowned. "Where are they now?"
Tyrell's expression hardened. "Camped near another village. The same one that just refused to trade with us."
The room fell silent.
Silas exhaled. "So that confirms it."
Elias crossed his arms. "They're not just here by coincidence. Someone's controlling them."
Alexander considered the implications. If these mercenaries were here to tighten the trade blockade, then this wasn't just a scattered effort—it was organized.
"Any signs they're preparing for an attack?" Alexander asked.
Tyrell shook his head. "No open hostilities. But they're making their presence known. The villagers are scared."
Alexander drummed his fingers against the table. He had two choices.
Confront the mercenaries and force them to reveal their intentions.Avoid direct conflict for now and continue building Emberhold's strength.
"Keep watching them," Alexander said finally. "If they move against us or the villages, we act. But until then, we don't make the first move."
Tyrell nodded. "Understood."
Preparing for the Future
With the first trade breakthrough, Alexander turned his focus back to production and fortifications.
The Innovator Path buffs were becoming more apparent—efficiency in the mines and lumberyards had increased, smithing was faster, and the new metal was proving to be invaluable.
Gareth had expanded operations at the forge, bringing in more workers to help refine the process. More tools, weapons, and armor were being produced at a pace 30% faster than before.
Meanwhile, Marcus and Elias worked on reinforcing Emberhold's defenses. The walls had been patched, and new watchtowers were being built to prepare for any possible attacks.
The settlement was changing.
They weren't just surviving anymore.
They were building something greater.
The First Signs of Autumn
As the sun began to set, a strong breeze swept through the settlement, rustling the sparse trees and carrying a coolness that hadn't been there before.
Alexander stood near the outer defenses, watching as the torches were lit along the walls.
The first true signs of autumn were beginning to show.
Winter was still months away, but time was moving.
And soon, so would their enemies.