Chapter 213: New Degonda
Irwin and Daubutim were staring out across the bustling area around the town wall. The buildings inside the wall could barely be called done, with no second stories or door and window frames anywhere. Even then, the area beyond the wall was already being divided up into what one day would become the city. That would be long from now, though, as right now it was nothing but bustling emptiness of lines and tents in the mud.
Lines of stones created sections that were dividing the area up.
"How much are you going to let them decide?" Irwin asked as he looked at his friend.
"Most of it. I've only outlined the main roads and districts directly around us and all important trade routes and important buildings." Daubutim said before pointing towards the distant forest. "The further away from the center, the less outlining there is, and only the guard buildings and some squares around the edges are there."
Irwin nodded as he looked at the edges Daubutim was talking about.
Far in the distance, another wall was being erected around what would be the city's eventual outer perimeter. Parts were ready, but most here were just a foot-high rough stone ledge.
Irwin watched the gravely overworked stoneshapers walking around, and he felt sympathy for them. They had been working nonstop ever since they came here and wouldn't have much rest for at least another few years. The only benefit they got was that they didn't need to worry about food. The little there was would go to them. Well, and the card-smiths, guards, and rangers.
"Wouldn't it be better if you outline the entire city?" he asked absently.
"If I tell everyone exactly where they are to build and limit what they can build too much, it will take away their sense of belonging. Father always said that the most important thing for a leader to do was to give their people the idea that they had a say in matters and that they belonged. It's the best way to create a sense of unity."
Daubutim fell quiet as he looked around before continuing. "But don't worry. As I said, the crafters' and workers' squares have been well designated, as are the inns and other places of importance."
Irwin took a quick look at his calm friend. Ever since Daubutim had heard that his father was truly dead, he seemed to refer to his father differently than before, with less bottled-up anger.
Perhaps knowing someone is truly gone does that, Irwin thought as he faintly thought about his father. He'd never met him, but he'd always imagined finding the place he'd been born. Now, that was impossible, as was finding out if his father had any family.