Chapter 51: Roots of a Village
Morning came early. The sun hadn't even touched the tops of the trees when the town hall doors opened.
Inside, Zira stood beside Garin, Borin, and Dorgrim. She looked more serious than usual, arms crossed and eyes sharp.
"The goblins that arrived yesterday," she said. "We need to protect them. All of us."
Garin nodded. "Too many folks here now. We need proper defenses. I say we build walls. Big ones."
Zira turned to him. "And traps. Hidden pits, snares, anything that'll slow enemies down."
Dorgrim raised a hand. "What good's walls and traps if no one knows how to fight?"
Borin snorted. "We need better weapons first. More tools. Axes. Spears. Armor, maybe."
Caelen leaned against the table, watching them all speak. He looked around the room—the faces of people who had nearly nothing just weeks ago. Now they had homes. A village. A reason to stay.
"Alright," he said. "We'll do all of it."
Zira blinked. "All of it?"
Caelen nodded. "Walls, traps, weapons, training. We're not just surviving anymore. We're building something real."
