The revelry at Blackwood Fortress did not last long.
Once the initial excitement brought about by the massive harvest had slightly subsided, the entire fortress, like a precision machine with its springs tightened, began to operate at high speed under Lena's near-cold-blooded coordination with astonishing efficiency.
Colin did not order any form of celebratory banquet.
For this leader who was pragmatic to the extreme, the fruits of victory could only be considered a true victory once they were completely digested and transformed into tangible strength. For Blackwood Fortress, which was expanding rapidly, every bit of manpower and every second of time was precious.
The next few days became the busiest and most fulfilling days in the memory of all the residents of Blackwood Fortress this winter.
The scene inside the fortress was spectacular and full of a sense of power.
Over a thousand women and non-combatants were processing the frozen meat from those two hundred-plus sleds. At the entrance of the newly built warehouse, people passed down chunks of frozen meat larger than human heads, stacking them neatly. The air was filled with a cold, meaty aroma that belonged to wealth.
On the other side, an even larger amount of manpower was invested in the processing of animal hides. A batch of scrapers and wooden racks, urgently crafted by the dwarf Berg, was distributed to every skilled tanner. The women were responsible for preparing large quantities of wood ash and animal fat. The entire tanning area was a hive of activity, with everyone working hard so they could wear thicker leather clothing for the winter.
Outside the fortress, there was an even more grand construction scene.
Led by Woodhoof, hundreds of Boar-folk warriors were using their terrifying strength to expand the new animal pens. Huge logs were driven one by one into the frozen earth, and new, more sturdy fences rose from the ground at a speed visible to the naked eye. Hask and the Wolf Cavalry stood guard on the perimeter to prevent the herds from becoming restless and causing a commotion.
Aynil led the Werewolf Warriors to build a brand-new wolf kennel specifically for the Snow Giant Wolves. It was adjacent to the main body of the fortress, built of sturdy wood and stone, with a spacious and warm interior, and even had independent "nursery rooms" partitioned off with stones for the mother wolves and their cubs.
In this wave of total mobilization for construction, the 131 survivors of the Remnant Bone Tribe became the most special "spectators."
They were temporarily housed in a large wooden warehouse in a corner of the fortress. This place used to be where hay was stored; although simple, it was enough to keep out the wind and rain. The floor was covered with thick, dry, old animal hides, ensuring they would not freeze to death in their sleep.
Three meals a day were delivered by designated personnel. The food was simple black bread and meat broth, but the portions were sufficient.
Their range of movement was strictly limited. A dozen Blackwood Fortress warriors holding sharp blades kept watch outside the warehouse day and nite, and any attempt to leave the designated area would be met with merciless warnings.
This life of being confined and guarded should have been humiliating.
But for the clansmen of the Remnant Bone Tribe, their hearts were filled with unprecedented peace and... relief.
All they had to do every day was look thru the warehouse windows at the bustling scene outside, watching every person in Blackwood Fortress working frantically for a common goal, like parts on a clockwork mechanism.
They watched new buildings rise from the ground one after another, watched carts of supplies being transported into storage in an orderly fashion, and watched those Blackwood Fortress warriors who once filled them with fear now sweating profusely while doing heavy labor, yet without a hint of complaint on their faces.
Ulf and the remaining dozens of young warriors in the tribe initially held onto a sliver of pitiful pride belonging to warriors, disdaining to associate with those "coolies."
But when they saw that even powerful leaders like Barton and Hask, who were like gods and demons in their eyes, were stripped to the waist and working alongside ordinary soldiers, carrying logs and shouting work chants, that ridiculous pride in their hearts was completely shattered.
In this place, labor did not seem to be a lowly task.
On the contrary, every person working hard had a glow on their face that they could not understand, a glow called "hope" and "pride."
Nuo saw further.
He leaned on a wooden stick every day, standing at the warehouse entrance, watching for an entire day at a time. He watched the parchment book in Lena's hand that was always recording something, and watched her give instructions in clear, concise language to the various leaders who came to receive orders.
He watched Anna carefully count and mark all the animal hihe entire North had already quietly taken shape in that brightly lit building.