Reinforcements Arrive

The next morning I got up and dressed and headed down were Felicia was cooking breakfast. The other two girls **** up a little late. It felt good for all of us to be at the same table again. As much as I loved the city I loved living out her more.

I had to stop by to see Ava so she could check my wounds and check on the men at the fort. Today we would start rebuilding. Rose came with me just to tag along and catch up while Aurora went with Felicia to see what they had done since we had been gone. We got close to Huntersrest when I saw the elf twins working out of their tent next to their almost finished shop.

"My lord." Iola waved.

"Friends of yours?" Rose grinned.

"We meet at the elder grove on our way to the worlds wood." I shrugged.

"Ah." Rose nodded.

"My lord. It is so good to see you again." Ellyn said as she came out and bowed.

"You as well." I nodded.

"We have several suits ready for you." Ellyn said setting them on a table they had set up in front to serve as a clerk desk so they could work outside until the place was finished.

"These are very nice." Rose smiled.

"But not to flashy as you requested." Iola smiled. You can change into one if you like in our tent. If you don't like any of them we can make adjustments or pay you back the difference."

"They are fine." I nodded.

"He means to say he would love to wear one." Rose gave me a look. I nodded in agreement and went toward the tent.

"I think the lady needs a new dress or two if you could take her measurements." I grinned at Rose before closing the tent. I came back out wearing one of the outfits. Thankfully the girls had used light material which was a must with the rising temperatures. I was sure in several months I would be back to buy winter clothes during the fall.

"Hey Rose." A gnomish lady waved standing next to another who waved as well and Rose waved back.

"Friends of yours?"

"The Brewer and her Wife. I bought several barrels from them for the tavern." She shrugged.

"I would typically have a question about two women being married but I am sure the answer would be that they are Gnomes." I smiled. At this point I wouldn't be surprised by much when it came to sex and gnomes.

"Yep." Rose nodded. We went over and said hey and I bought a couple of barrels for the fort and a cask for the house to pick up later. I was surprised when I saw Emerald come out to greet us.

"Emerald. It's good to see you beautiful." I smiled

"You as well handsome. I heard you stopped them from burning down my brothel. I came to check and see if it needs any repairs but only some broken windows from an arrow here of there." She gave me a hug and a kiss.

"Couldn't let my investment go to waste." I teased.

"And who is your lovely lady friend?" Emerald looked at Rose.

"This is Rose."

"You are just beautiful dear. I wondered why he never slept here but I can see why. You are just gorgeous." She smiled brushing a stray lock from Rose's face making her blush.

"Thank you." Rose nodded.

"If I had a handful of girls with your looks." Emerald teased. "Speaking of which I have this month and next months payment but..."

"Its in copper and silver." I nodded.

"Yes, mostly copper." She smiled.

"That's fine. Though I did steal some of your ****."

"Easily replaced." She shook her head. "People don't come to my brothel for a drink love. If you get time later you should both come by so I can pay you and thank you personally my lord. Your friend is more then welcome to come if she wishes." Emerald touch my chest and gave Rose a wink.

"Maybe." Rose blushed.

"Who is that?" Emerald looked up the road.

"Reinforcements?" I shrugged. At least I sure hoped they were. We couldn't defend the fort again with what we had left. I recognized the red and gold banner. The Lionhart.

"Looks like my business just picked up considerably." Emerald smiled.

"I am looking for the lord of this place." A rider said as he road up to several men by the front gate.

"I am the lord of the Kingswood." I said coming over.

"The Goblin Slayer?" He asked.

"Yes." I nodded.

"Can you please follow me please my lord. The general would like to see you." He dismounted and led me back the way he came.

"Would you care to join me for a cup of tea dear." Emerald asked Rose. I nodded knowing this might take a bit.

"That sounds nice." Rose looked at Emerald.

"General." The rider said as The general rode up. I knew her only as Diana, or that was what the Duke called her anyways.

"My Lord. I am to take command of the fort per the future kings orders." She said dismounting.

"Your more then welcome to it. She needs some repairs but she is still standing." I shrugged. I was happy to have someone who knew more about war then I did at the fort. The captain was an able leader but we needed more manpower if a second attack came.

"So I hear. Care to walk me through your defenses you used for the battle encase another comes around?" She smiled.

"Sure." I nodded. We meet with the architect and the captain and went over or battle. Diana had experience fighting the dark elves down south in the past which is why Lord Lionhart had sent her personally with a full battalion. She made several small changes to the castle plans. First and foremost was the outer wall. She wanted to extend the outer walls first to cover the flanks. Especially on the south side. She wanted to build them as far as we could go north and south first with every stone we had and worry about the height and depth of the wall as the secondary objective when more stone arrived.

Spikes and spears would be drove into the ground along the shore line and the river dredged to make it deeper to slow anyone crossing. The courtyard layout as well would see minor changes as the inner stairs moved to outside the second gate making it harder for enemies to reach the battlements.

"Very impressive what you managed to do with so little. I hope your up to training more men on how to shoot. If another fight comes with the elves they will need it. Plus we have a lot more mouths to feed now." She smiled up at me.

"As you wish general." I nodded. More mouths to feed meant money for those who farmed widows hill. We would just have to provide the meat our selves.