The sound of hammers from the rising grain silo and the infirmary construction in Essence Haven pierced through the frozen silence of the deep forest. The city was no longer just a shelter; it was like a massive, smoking machine. However, this activity brought an unexpected guest to our gates sooner than we had anticipated. When the horn of one of the new guards in the watchtower blew sharply, we all rushed to the front of the walls.
Through the mist emerged not monsters, but 7 former soldiers with shattered armor and shields dragging across the snow. These weren't ordinary peasants; it was clear from their stance that they were professionals, yet they had been brought to their knees by the ruthlessness of winter. The soldier at the front collapsed onto the snow before even reaching the gate.
Koram approached me and squinted his eyes. "Mayor, I recognize those tattoos. These are abandoned, masterless mercenaries. They either bring great trouble or they are exactly the professional strength we've been looking for. But in their current state, they are just candidates for the grave."
Eliz looked at me while keeping her bow ready. After a moment's hesitation, I shouted, "Open the gates! Get Elena and the Green Slime ready immediately. The first patients for the infirmary have arrived."
As the soldiers were carried inside, Elena began giving commands with composure. The infirmary wasn't fully finished, but thanks to the hot water lines, it was warm inside. While Elena prepared the medicinal herbs brought by Lira, I placed the Green Slime from my pocket onto the sword gash on the chest of the most severely wounded soldier. Guided by Elena, the slime slid over the wound and began to emit its miraculous green light. Within minutes, the dying man's breathing stabilized, and the deep wound began to close. Elena treated the other soldiers by combining the slime's power with Lira's herbs.
By evening, these 7 strangers had recovered with hot bread and medicinal soups. The man who was their leader stood up with gratitude and knelt before me. "They left us for dead, Mayor. Give us a roof and a purpose, and our swords shall be yours," he said.
Our population had suddenly jumped to 30 people. We were no longer just a village of families; we were transforming into a small garrison with professional soldiers. But the suspicion in Koram's eyes hadn't faded; the arrival of these men was the first sign that the eyes of the 7 Kingdoms in the outside world would now be turning toward us.
ESSENCE HAVEN
CITY STATUS: MILITARY STRENGTHENING & FIRST TREATMENT
POPULATION: 30 PEOPLE
STRUCTURES: GRAIN SILO & INFIRMARY (TREATED FIRST PATIENTS)
STATUS: PROFESSIONAL MILITARY UNIT JOINED