As the first light of dawn illuminated the snowy forest, our settlement buzzed with unprecedented activity. It was time to bring the magnificent city plan we had drawn up last night to life.
We started with the foundation of "civilization": the roads. Barun wielded his mine-looted pickaxe so masterfully that he split the massive boulders at the forest's edge into neat, even blocks with a single strike. Thanks to Koram's engineering expertise, we laid a wide, orderly Stone Road stretching from the inner edge of the trench all the way to the field and the fronts of the newly planned houses. Built with a slight slope for water drainage, this road meant an end to trudging through mud during melting winter snows or spring rains. The solid thud of our boots against the stone screamed that this was no longer a forest camp, but a true settlement.
Towards noon, we began construction using the smooth timber we had cut with our steel saw and the stone blocks Barun had shattered. These new structures were nothing like our first makeshift, drafty stone shelter; they were practically luxury manors. We didn't hold back; we had piles of rabbit fur, deer hide, and brand-new timber at our disposal.
First, we completed Lira's Botany and Apothecary House. We built a stone foundation directly over the hot water pipes and topped it with smooth wooden planks. To block the winter wind, we insulated the inner walls with sheep's wool and deer hides. Stepping inside, the scent of warm, damp earth filled your nose. Lira's rare winter seeds were already prepared to sprout in the clay pots resting on the custom shelves we had built for her.
Right after, Koram's Leather and Tailoring Store rose across the street. Befitting a former combat engineer, Koram's house was angular, flawless, and perfectly orderly. We hung a curtain made of the cleanest white rabbit furs at the entrance to give it a touch of prestige. Inside stood a wide, custom wooden workbench for stretching and stitching hides. The professional steel needles and waxed threads bought from Aethelgard had already taken their place on the bench.
As the sun began to set, we pushed through our exhaustion to finish Barun's Butcher Shop. Tasked with managing the crazy population boom of the rabbits and processing our venison, this shop was built in a cooler corner of the settlement. With a thick chopping block carved from massive pine logs and steel hooks nailed to the ceiling, it had become a fully professional meat processing center. On Barun's bed in the back, we laid the thickest, softest furs we had—creating a luxurious corner for the giant man to snore the night away.
When darkness fully fell, we stood panting, looking at these three new buildings rising on either side of the stone road, smoke puffing from their chimneys. With their smooth timber, sturdy stone foundations, and fur insulation, these houses looked even more comfortable than the homes of middle-class merchants in the 7 Kingdoms.
Eliz stood with her hands on her hips, admiring these new, luxurious homes with great awe. She looked at Lira's toasty room, Barun's massive fur bed, and Koram's orderly shop. Then, she frowned and turned to us standing in the middle of the road. She had a sweet but questioning look on her face.
"Everything is simply magnificent," Eliz said, lightly tapping her foot against the stone road. "Stone roads, fur-lined walls, luxury beds... So, where is my house?"
Barun dropped the final piece of a massive log he was carrying on his shoulder and collapsed into the snow in slow motion. Koram was leaning heavily on his staff with both hands, struggling not to fall asleep standing up. I just looked at the fresh calluses on my hands and smiled painfully.
"Tomorrow..." Barun groaned, his voice muffled and breathless from the snow. "We'll build the others tomorrow, girl. I'm so exhausted today that even my bones ache; I don't have the strength to lift a pickaxe."
We all burst into laughter at Eliz's bewildered expression. Tonight, Lira, Koram, and Barun would sleep in their own luxurious homes, in their own little kingdoms. Eliz and I would stay in our old shelter—the one we planned to turn into a luxury restaurant and tavern tomorrow—in that familiar room full of memories.
Our settlement was no longer just a survival point; it was a breathing, growing village of stone and steel.
ESSENCE HAVEN
CITY STATUS: Stone Road Laid, 3 New Homes/Shops Completed
POPULATION: 5 People