Over the next week, Akira and the werewolf warriors spent every waking moment that was not used eating to build the cabins as fast as they could in order to build every cabin and outhouse that had been marked on the cleared ground.
During the night the Orcs helped the werewolf warriors patrol the snow wall that was in between the cabins and the lake. Every other night the monsters swam across the lake always led by the Griffin who would fly away after losing.
During that week Fluffball had reached level 10. Fluffball didn''t grow much and was still a small pup who always wanted to lay on Akira''s shoulders or be carried in his arms.
The fireplace inside the cabin was roaring making sure that he did not have to wear multiple layers of heavy clothing like he had to when he was staying in his tent.
''Is there something wrong with him?'' thought Akira as he looked at Fluffball who was lazily resting in his arms exhausted from trying to pounce at Nox #1 who was dozing in front of the burning fire. He had been repeatedly swatted away by either Nox''s tail or his paw.
It had been over a month since he had met Fluffball and he was still so small. The only thing that had really changed was his weight. The weight seemed to be all dense muscle with little to no fat as Akira made sure that Fluffball trained everyday.
Akira had seen several other weaker snow wolves around Fluffball''s level that had a near adult-sized body.
Ding!
<table>
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<td>
Temporary Rank 3 village created!
The Village overview icon has been added.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Akira closed the notification window and looked at the new icon that was next to the blueprint creation icon. The icon could not be opened as it was grayed out.
Ding!
<table>
<tbody>
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<td>
To access full functions of the village overview icon repair the castle keep on top of the hill.
Repairing the Keep will help raise the security level of the village.
</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
<table>
<tbody>
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<td>
Quest received: Repair the Keep!
Mine enough stone and fully rebuild the castle keep that was destroyed long ago.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
''This is going to be a pain,'' thought Akira as he tried to figure out how to complete this new task.
“How long do you think it will be until they get here?” asked Klyn as he sipped a steaming spoonful of a warm stew that had a creamy milk broth.
A day ago Akira had Audun inform the Grand elders that the settlement was nearing completion for basic living as long as they brought the needed supplies with them from Jerora.
“It shouldn''t belong since they don''t have to travel by sleds like we had to and will be using the ships to sail down the river,” said Akira as he turned to Klyn who was sitting at a table behind him along with Varbu and Delgar.
“Looks like you are going to be busy for the foreseeable future. What''s next on the list, now that we have the cabins and outhouses built?” asked Varbu.
“Delgar, I need you and the other Dwarves to help find a suitable quarry to gather large sturdy stones,” said Akira.
“What for?”
“The next project is rebuilding the ruined castle keep.”
“You sure are a glutton for punishment. Do you know how hard that will be with the limited people we have?”
“We won''t be able to do anything major until the rest of the clan arrives. While we wait we can still find a place with good stone.”
“Leave it to me. I think I know just the place!” said Delgar.
“For now I''ll put you in charge of the developing quarry. I hope you and the other Dwarves can make sure that everyone properly learns how to mine the rock,” said Akira.
***
Another week passed by. In that time Delgar had found a good source of marble stone on the smaller island next to the main island.
The quarry was now fully operational with several large stacks of mined stone waiting to be moved from one island to the other.
Their progress was not that fast as they had to set up everything from scratch and the inexperienced warriors had to learn how to properly handle the mining picks to not ruin the large chunks of rock.
Delgar and the Dwarves were still in charge of shaping the stone blocks as they continued to teach the warriors how to use the chisels and hammers.
“The ships are here!” shouted a scout who had been watching the distant river entrance.
Several smaller ships had already entered the lake followed by six large ships. A large portion of the smaller ships and a few of the larger ships were the ships that Varbu and Princess Gobalina had used to move their people to the new continent.
Akira joined Audun, Varbu, Klyn, Delgar, and Princess Gobalina near the lakes shore and watched as the ships sent the anchors splashing to the bottom of the lake and started to send rowboats filled with people to the shore.
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The first to arrive was of course the Grand elders and their escorts.
Akira stepped into the shallow water getting his boots wet in order to help pull the boat closer to shore and help the Grand elders disembark from the rowboats.
“This place does indeed look as promising as your reports stated,” said Grand elder Carl as he looked around.
“It is amazing at how fast you were able to build all these cabins,” said Seoc pointing towards the roofs of the cabins that could be seen behind the snow wall that was protecting them.
“What''s with that big snow wall blocking the view?” asked àaron.
“The monsters seemed to not like us building here and attacked the cabins almost every night. So we had to use this to block them.”
“Is it safe to be living here?” asked Carl.
“They have stopped recently not sure why. Maybe we killed too many of them?” said Akira, unsure.
“This island is the most perfect place for defending the clans! I highly approve,” said àaron.
“Ah! Grand elders please excuse my rudeness. It is cold out here and you have all had a long trip to get here. Please follow me and I will take you to my cabin and give you a full report,” said Akira.
Before Mileena could reach the shore and rush over to Akira he had already left with the Grand elders making her fume as she tried to find where he had disappeared to.
***
“..and now all we need is more workers in the quarries and the large ships to move the stone from one island to the other,” said Akira.
“You really have exceeded all expectations I could have imagined,” said Carl, praising Akira once again.
“It may be cramped for some time but at least for now all of our basic needs are covered. We''ll have to gather more of those Moomers and Chuckling cacklers to help feed everyone.”
“There is also the fishing and hunting of other smaller creatures to think about as well as the need to gather seeds and other stuff for cultivating during the short warm months,” said Carl.
“Klyn and princess Gobalina have already been gathering several types of seeds for later use.”
“With so much to do are you sure we should be focusing on rebuilding the Castle keep right now?” asked Seoc.
“I agree with Akira that it is vital that we build the keep. It will not only keep Akira who is now the new chief of the main branch safe, but it will also be a safe place for us Grand elders and the head shamans of the clans stay. It can help protect the civilians as well,” said àaron.
“I see your point. It would be pointless to work on things that are already doing well enough right now,” said Seoc.
“Also on this point, we should think about refitting some of the ships for proper patrolling of the lake to make sure that they can intercept any unfriendly ships that enter the lake.”
“Did the clan encounter any Demigods while you camped at Jerora?” asked Akira.
“Surprisingly no. Which is suspicious since they are always such a nasty bunch who attack without a care for their lives,” said àaron.
“Alright now that we have all been caught up on the village''s current development and our plans for organizing the workforce is set, we need to talk about finding a new Grand elder for the main branch of the dark moon,” said Carl.
“Speaking of the main branch and Outer branch, how is Frang?” asked Akira.
“He is doing well enough. Since he is to take over as the head of the Outer branch in a few years when his father retires he has been undergoing strict training,” said Carl.
“Here are three people we have come up with that we would like you to take a look at and decide on,” said Seoc as he passed Akira a piece of paper over the crude wooden table that had been built only a day before.
“Is it okay for me to be choosing the next person?” asked Akira.
“Everyone already knows that you are not the head of the main branch. So there will be no trouble with you choosing who will succeed your Grandfather,” said Carl.
Akira read the names on the paper along with a short description written under their names.
Of the three names, two were unfamiliar while the third was someone he had met several times before and was well acquainted with.
“Why is Hegir on the list? Isn''t he the Grand shaman?” asked Akira.
“There is no rule stating that the Grand shaman can''t become a Grand elder. We know that you have a good relationship with him and his grandson. It is always best for a clan to have a chief and Grand elder that get along with each other,” said àaron.
“However if you do choose Hegir, you''ll have to also find someone to take over his position as Grand shaman,” said Carl.
“How long do I have to decide?” asked Akira.
“We would prefer it if you could decide today. The faster it is done the faster we can focus on other issues,” said Seoc.
“Is it alright if I go speak with Hegir first?” asked Akira.
“We thought you might want to talk with the three candidates so they are all waiting in the cabin next to this one,” àaron motioned for one of the guards to bring Hegir to them.
A minute later the door to the cabin opened again and Hegir entered behind the guard.
“Grand elders, chief,” said Hegir, giving them a respectful half-bow.
“You probably already know why we have called you so I will not waste time. Are you willing to take over as the Grand Elder of the main branch?” asked Akira, getting straight to the point in a no-nonsense manner.
“I would be honored. But...”
“Is there something that is stopping you from accepting?” asked àaron.
“It is about my replacement. For many years I have been grooming my grandson to take over when I retire but he still has not fully grasped the Revitalize technique and is still studying it. In all matters to do with any other buff, he has no rival that I know of even among the older generation. He is also quite book smart,” said Hegir.
“If that is all that is stopping you from accepting we can make him sub-head of the shaman where he can further gain experience until he is ready to take over the role as head shaman,” said Seoc.
“Anything else?” asked Carl.
“No, that was my only worry,” said Hegir.
“Akira, is Hegir the person you want to succeed your Grandfather?” asked àaron one last time for confirmation.
“Yes.”
“Hegir from this moment forward you are now the Grand elder of the main branch and will act in accordance with the role granted to you. Unfortunately, we have little time to celebrate your promotion with so much work we have to do. It will have to wait until later,” said Carl.
“Akira you can go and start preparations for building the keep while the four of us hammer out the other clan issues,” said Seoc.
As Akira exited the cabin he was rushed by two blurs. One was Fluffball who had been waiting near the door and the other was Mileena.
Mileena jumped at the unsuspecting Akira and hugged him tightly before grabbing his face and pulling it down so she could give him a kiss on the lips.
“Not in public,” said the embarrassed Akira.
“I had to wait so long to see you, and yet when I reached the shore you had already left without even thinking of waiting to greet me!” said Mileena as she pinched Akira''s ear.
“Ow...”
“Get a room you two,” said Azura who was standing behind Mileena.
“I''m sorry Mileena, but the Grand elders have given me an important task and I have to take care of it since it has to do with the whole clan. I''ll talk with you later tonight,” said Akira as he skillfully escaped her arms and ran away with Fluffball following him.
Mileena stood there shocked.
“Did he just run away from me?”