Seeing Bramm so self-assured, Mornell sighed and gave up trying to speak about the matter further. "Well, I don’t know about what you know, but tensions between House Morvayn and House Draken are stirring; the city is on high alert ever since Lord Godarwin returned. Word is that he was successful in slaying a green-tier Great Root Drake and is currently advancing to the green tier." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"House Draken will not stand by if their rival house gains a powerhouse. They’ll surely attempt something to halt the lord’s advance. Beyond that, the Skard pirates have been seen more frequently—eluding House Morvayn’s fleet and plaguing merchants, who now complain about the House’s security."

"That’s probably the best sourced ones I know, as for your healer, or venture it’s because you don’t have a healer or supplies left anymore, do you?" Mornell looked up to face Bramm, who only shrugged in response.

Sighing, Mornell continued, "Really, Bramm, you now even better than I do how important one of those guys is, especially if you decide on living at the edge of the bloody black spine forest and the base of the great spires."

"Those folks aren’t cheap and most act high and mighty now. The Order of Glen Marrow isn’t what it was—the young ones care more for riches than people. Last winter, a few southern villages suffered winter fever, but couldn’t pay, and lost half their folk despite seeking the Order’s help."

Mornell shook his head bitterly. There was a time once, when those priests and healers of the Glen Marrow would come to heal people without any fee or reward for their work, but ever since a few years back, the healers started asking for prices, and the price continued to rise until the poor couldn’t even receive healing anymore from them.

"Aye, they aren’t what they were, and I would rather not have someone so pompous in my house. A skilled herbalist would do, someone who is good with the trade is all I ask." Bramm’s eyes gleamed; he desperately needed a healer for his group to continue venturing into the forest.

"Mhmm... it may not be much but I did hear about a healer in the lower docks, not sure why though but rumor is she is around the docks looking after people but you best be careful with the her... nobody comes to live in the lower docks because they want to." Mornell stroked his beard, his thoughts racing.

"Great! I knew I could count on ya, old friend! Ya always had a knack for gossip," Bramm burst out in laughter, clutching his stomach in glee.

"Goes by the name Elspeth Vane I believe. Once we’re back in the city me and my men can have a look around for ya if need be?" Mornell grunted and suggested a plan.

"Mhmm, that would be good. Once you’ve made contact I will send Resven to speak with her. He is the best with these types of stuff... I think. If she is willing then I want to bring her here."

"Well then, it seems we have a plan for ya then... and speaking of that, shall we get started with the real business. I’m itching to see what ya want to have made." Mornell shifted subtly in delight, his eyes gleaming in excitement.

And just like that, the night passed. Resven and the group returned with meat that lasted until morning light, and the men had a lavish night of eating and revelry.

By midday, the group had begun building the necessary cabins and fences. The group of men had been hard at work, building the fences to be even more sturdy and higher. Using Iron Oak wood as the base and materials, two-meter-high palisades were built.

And whilst that was underway, the first two cabins which Bramm had built were slowly being remade and remodelled, whilst two other cabins were under construction on the other side of the campfire area.

During the day, the men would build using the materials Bramm and the others gathered from the woods, and some extra supplies bought from the city.

In between all that, the group continued to make their rounds throughout the area on patrols and keep primal beasts at bay.

And like that, the monotonous life began, and for a whole week, the group had done the same every day, hunting, gathering supplies, patrolling, feasting, and building.

Life was laborious but peaceful, that was until the group of men returned from patrol one day and brought Bramm some interesting news.

"You found a battlesite?" He raised his brow in surprise. Interest flickered in his dark blue eyes.

"Aye, my Lord. The colors o’ House Morvayn and another lot besides. Their colors were black and red—vile, insidious-lookin’ things—and the sigil was a serpent coilin’ its way upward... I’d stake me life they were soldiers o’ House Draken." Keren reported duly.

"Mhmm, looks like what Mornell said is happening. House Draken is getting angsty with the Lord of Dun Shatter attempting to break through to the Green tier..." Bramm mumbled to himself in wonder.

"My Lord, what do you wish for us to do regarding this matter? Report it to the guards of House Morvayn?" Resven had been standing to the side whilst Keren reported, but after a few moments of silence that went unanswered, he stepped forward.

"For now... don’t. Jumping into a dispute against these two houses will do us no good. We have enough trouble with the primals. The recent surge in numbers is not a good thing for us at the moment. I have already told Mornell to report the increasing number of beasts."