Even Gods Must Fall - Christian Warren Freed Page 0,38
elusive force more interested in self-preservation than occupation. Time, money, and manpower were in limited supply. His first priority was to ensure the city was able to support the current and projected population. That couldn’t be accomplished without hunting down those who preyed on the weak. He felt trapped.
“Yes, but keep them at a minimum,” he said. “This city must come first. Am I correct in assuming you are also in charge of reconstruction efforts?”
Brun flushed. “Unfortunately. I must confess to not being trained in nation rebuilding. I’m a warrior, Lord Venten, not a statesman.”
“I can assist with that. I’d like to take a tour of the city after lunch. Once the people see there is a civilian at least partly responsible for helping rebuild, I believe they will calm down slightly,” Venten said.
Brun was clearly relieved. Extreme stress had added years onto his face. The knowledge that Venten, a person the people of Rogscroft knew and respected, had finally arrived to assume control melted years of stress on the young major.
“Sir, I’ll have a detail sent to escort you to my command post in the city.”
As much as sleep hounded him, Venten couldn’t allow himself to rest until after he’d made his rounds in the city. He returned Brun’s salute and hesitantly reached for the first report.
Amazed was the best he could describe the efforts underway in Rogscroft’s center. Hundreds of workers erected scaffoldings, hammered boards, raised trusses, or carried supplies back and forth. Venten was reminded of colony ants, ever busy and tireless. Dozens of houses had already been rebuilt along with a handful of shops. He spied two large warehouses further down the road. Progress was well beyond what he or Aurec envisioned at this stage.
Venten found Brun overseeing a series of outgoing work details. Reports indicated that reconstruction continued around the clock, suggesting strong feelings of hope among the general population. The elder statesman took heart. All was not lost after all. Waiting for Brun to finish issuing orders, Venten studied the crude map tacked onto the back wall of the tent. It represented the city and immediate areas. All rebuilding efforts seemed to be working out from the castle. Work crews cleared one street at a time while others swept in behind to begin new construction. Checkpoints and way stations had been established at strategic points throughout the city to facilitate safe passage of personnel and supplies. Impressed, Venten helped himself to a clay mug of steaming coffee.
“I expect this street to be cleared by nightfall. Our pace has been slacking lately. It’s time to pick it back up.”
A silver-haired carpenter with thick webs of lines creasing his leathered skin frowned. “What’s the rush? Winter’s near done and we don’t have any timeline to follow. Not like we’re being paid for this, Major.”
Brun’s frown outdid his accuser’s. “We’ve been through this before, Iocta. The war’s not going to last forever and there’ll be thousands of soldiers returning home when it’s finished. This city needs to be as far along as possible in order to house so large a force.”
“I’m not arguing that part, Major, but some of the folks are ready to head home and start seeing to their own lives again,” Iocta pressed. “This ain’t our war.”
“But it is.”
All heads turned towards the unassuming Venten. Most clearly didn’t know who he was.
“Who’re you to say? We done our part and now it’s time to go home.”
Brun spoke up first. “This is Lord Venten, regent of Rogscroft until the king returns.”
Iocta’s eyes widened. “My…my apologies, Lord Venten. We wasn’t aware King Aurec had sent you back.”
“I don’t see as to how that matters any. We all have a duty to our kingdom. The war may no longer be active here but it is far from over. Our obligation, if ever there was one, is to restore our city and kingdom to as much of its former glory as possible before King Aurec returns. You are the blood of Rogscroft, Iocta. You and everyone else like you. The army fights for us, but the life of this kingdom flows through your blood.”
“That’s all well and fine but folks are tired of hiding in these stinking ruins. We got our own lives to look to.”
“Indeed. Farmers need to be preparing for spring planting. Herds need to be replenished. Trade routes reestablished. Need I continue? Let the army worry about beating Badron and the Goblins. They aren’t my concerns. I need you, all of you, to help me