Ambrose waved as Reabeck's cart started it journey up the path back towards the city. Now they had come to an agreement that Gro-Lag would attempt to get all the runes done, with her warning the customers that there may be some delay in their orders everyone seemed happy. Well, everyone seemed less unhappy at least.

  He made his way back to the camp where he found Trelen and Ros looking through the supplies he had brought back. Trelen picked up a sturdy looking shovel.

  "All of this well definitely help, but I am not sure why you got enough for a company?"

  "Rea just kept insisting it was too good of a deal to pass up." Ambrose said with a shrug. He scanned the area and saw Gro-Lag sitting, looking intently at the book Reabeck had given him. "You can study that later Gro, we need to plan for the next moons turn."

  The goblin looked up, his eyes somewhat glazed from concentration. After a moment he seemed to process what he had been told and made his way over.

  Reenie and Gren-Lag where both asleep at this moment so Ambrose felt it was probably their best opportunity to have a more dedicated discussion. He sat in a spot next to his bed, by the fire and the other three joined him, looking at him expectantly.

  "With everything that has happened I think it's important that we make a more focused plan on what we want to be working towards. I don't know what the council representative will exactly be looking for, but I think if we present ourselves as having... Some amount of our ducks in order it can only help."

  The three watched him as he talked, all of them with growing smirks.

  "We currently have a number of different tasks we can approach. Now that Trelen has their kiln finished, we can begin producing bricks which means we can build some larger and more importantly dry buildings, which considering the wet season should start in two or three moons turns should be a major priority."

  He stopped to see if any of them had any input and couldn't help but notice all three of then still smirking like fools. "What?" He asked.

  "A few days in the city and some new clothes and you have come back a proper lord." Said Trelen.

  "You do seem to have somewhat of a new drive my lord." Gro-Lag added.

  Could have something to do with the fact I feel better than I have in years. Ambrose thought to himself. The healer had really helped him in ways he didn't even know he had needed. Though he thought considering the disagreement that had only just been calmed it might not be the best time to mention a large expense he had spent on himself.

  "We have some serious resources now and a chance to become a real settlement, one where we can control what we do with it." He said, more emphatically than he meant to.

  The three where silent for a moment before Ros spoke up. "Ok then, so we can start building you a house and-"

  "No, we need to build something more sturdy for you two and the kids first. If needs be I can have your hut once it's done."

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Both of the goblin began to argue but Ambrose simply raised a hand in defiance. "This is the decision I have made."

  Ros almost seemed annoyed for a moment at his tone but then softened and gave him a wide but cheeky grin. "Yes, my lord."

  Ambrose shuddered. "That made me very uncomfortable."

  "Good." She said, winking at him.

  "Anyway." He said quickly moving on. "Since we are going to be working on bricks I say, me and Trelen alternate between digging clay and drying bricks ready for firing and working on the bridge. Once it’s done, we can start digging out more from the other side or use what we have for building, depending on timings." He crossed his arms in thought. "Besides that, they only other priority is probably levelling out the path to the main road."

  "I can make a start on that." Ros said.

  "Are you sure?"

  She nodded. "As long as you don't expect it done fast, using some of the new tool I should be able to cut back the green and level it all out."

  He gave her a smile and nodded himself. "Ok then, sounds like we got a plan. Trelen would you probably show me the kiln, I am still a bit shaky on how it works?"

  The Slovèi stood and gestured for him to follow.

  "I will get back to work." Gro-Lag said standing himself.

  Just before Ambrose could start to follow towards the kiln Ros touched his arm.

  "I am... sorry about earlier. I know you only have Gro-Lag and our best intentions at heart." She said, quietly.

  He gave her a small smile. "It's fine, to be honest I was as annoyed at Reabeck when she told me what she had done."

  Ros sighed and nodded. "It's just, I knew he was going to say yes to doing it and I have seen him work himself to illness for us before."

  "I will try my hardest to not let that happen." He replied, earnestly. "And I promise, any gold he makes through his work will always be his to choose what he does with."

  They shared a last smile and he headed in the direction of the kiln. While he did want to get a better look at it, asking to see it was also the best way he could think to talk to Trelen alone.

  Once he reached it, they gave him a rundown of how it worked and what was needed to keep it maintained.

  "So as long as you keep it clean and patch any cracks with fresh clay as they form you should be good." They said, patting the kiln.

  "Hopefully we don't break it too quickly." He replied with a small laugh. He paused for a moment before moving on to his intended topic. "Trelen, I wanted to ask, have you thought anymore about what you are planning to do?"

  The Slovèi's face suddenly looked crestfallen at his question, so Ambrose quickly clarified. "Not that I am expecting to leave anytime soon, I was mostly wondering if you want me to factor in building you somewhere more... permanent for you to live."

  They staired at him for a moment, their face an expression he couldn't quite read, but looked almost like shock. "That's. That's very kind of you Ambrose." They stuttered. "But I am still not sure what I am going to do. With the slavers still about I... well I am just not sure."

  At the mention of the slavers Ambrose's face darkened. "When the council's man arrives and... has gotten used to our situation, I-we can tell them about what happened. If you want, with the coin we have now I can see about paying for you to have safe passage home. if you want?" He added quickly at the end.

  Trelen turned their gaze slightly away from him. "I don't have a home. Not anymore."

  That seems to be everyone who makes it her. Ambrose thought to himself.

  "Well, when we get around to building anything for me, we will just have to add some guest rooms so you can stay in comfort while you decide."

  Trelen gave a huff of a laugh. "So, are we building an inn now?"

  Ambrose went to give a funny response, when what they had said sunk in. "I mean… There are no others on the road?"