Chrysalis

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.

from a few kilometres west of here and came to investigate", she gestures towards the bustling people in

on Beyn’s face. They haven’t heard of the trouble, of the kingdom in

pale and their eyes wide with

led the people of my village here and in the weeks that have

forehead, still struggling

the Dungeon? It makes no sense! My Father... what of the Legion? They surely wouldn’t allow such a thing to take

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.

young lady and Beyn has realised that she is quite young, turns back to her people for a moment

Lady with a strong

returns at full beam, blasting these guest directly in their

Instead, they had protected us, saved the city of Liria before its subsequent fall and then led us here to safety. We would be dead without them, and so we give thanks!"

thanks!" nearby villagers echo his shout and raise their hands

looks from the suddenly, extremely animated priest towards the villagers

is happening here? She

who is the great one? And your saviours?

miracle. He leans close towards his audience,

"They are monsters!"

gloved fist crunches his nose before he says

priest go down bleeding the refugees were incensed. Full of wrath they descended upon the five strangers, punching and kicking in a frenzy. The new arrivals were no slouches, their skills put on full display

be sure you are safe from them?" Morrelia demanded, not for the

needed to get done. Instead, she was here trying to talk to one of the most stubborn people she had

her building headache. They

times. I’m surprised you didn’t run into them if you were out there", Enid gestured in the general direction of the woods, "they’ve been in and out of there killing the surface monsters for

woman before her