The construction of the camp began with the most important structure. A towering fortress that would serve as the beating heart of the plain. The fortress, made from blood-infused wood, stood like an obsidian monolith in the centre of the camp.

  Its walls were nearly three stories tall, reinforced with sharp crimson spines that jutted outward like thorns. Its surface pulsed faintly with veins of red, as if it were alive. The roofline bristled with spear-like battlements, and an enormous set of carved double doors bore Leah’s brand new sigil—a blood red eye that adorned a black crown.

  Inside, Leah’s personal quarters were located at the highest level, offering a commanding view of the entire encampment through slitted windows. Beneath that was the war council chamber, a circular room with a long table, surrounded by wooden chairs.

  And in the lowest level of the fortress was a sealed chamber constructed to house dungeon crystals, with the blood fairy crystal resting in one of its corners.

  Surrounding the central fortress, the inner core began to take shape. Here, long, massive barracks were built to house the legion. Also in the inner core, a workshop was built to manufacture weapons and armour that was infused with fairy blood.

  Training fields bordered the barracks—open grounds divided into zones for combat drills, archery practice, and formation training.

  Nearby, storage halls were constructed, built into the snow-covered ground with reinforced doors, used for stockpiling food, materials, and recovered weapons. At the request of Ibbi, an arena that stood adjacent to the fields, was built with high wooden walls, that would serve as a place where soldiers could train in live combat.

  Beyond the inner core lay the outer zone. Tall perimeter walls were raised, forming a massive ring of defense around the growing stronghold. The walls were made from blood-infused logs, sharpened at the top, and spaced with watchtowers at regular intervals. Armed sentries stood watch day and night, ever alert. Four main gates had been carved into the wall, with one facing north towards the mountains, one south to the forest, and one east and west.

  But even with the enormous progress, Leah wasn’t done. She planned to expand beyond the outer wall, to build farms, housing for non-combatants, and possibly even marketplaces in time.

  By the end of it all, two months had passed, and what began as a war camp now resembled a growing city.

  Looking out from a narrow, frost-lined window in the war council chamber stood Leah. She was draped in a mix of blackened blood-forged armor layered with thick grey fur around the collar and shoulders. At her hip, her obsidian longsword rested sheathed, its length so imposing she had to constantly press down on the hilt to keep it from dragging across the floor behind her. Snow drifted lightly outside, carried by gentle winds, as distant patrols moved among the streets.

  Behind her, the war table buzzed with voices. Zytherin stood at its head. Around the table sat Ibbi, her eyes fluttering open and closed, Gabriel crouched like a beast, clawing the table with his claws, Boko with his arms folded, Yventil quietly watching everyone from beneath a cloak, and Elise, legs crossed, listening intently.

  Zytherin’s voice carried over the hum. "One last thing. We’ve built a city in all but name now. Cities need names. I propose we give our home a title worthy of its strength."

  Ibbi’s eyes shot wide open. An excited smile spread across her face. "We’ll call it Leah’s glorious city." She said as her hand smacked the table.

  Zytherin nodded. "A strong suggestion."

  Leah turned from the window, her brow creased in a frown. "No," she said flatly, stepping towards the table. "Keep my name out of it."

  She took her seat beside Zytherin. "Was that the last thing you had for me?"

  "Yes." Zytherin said, straightening his posture.

  "Good," Leah said. "Then let’s talk about the mountain."

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  The room shifted. The mention of the mountain immediately drew everyone’s attention.

  "I want to take a small group with me," she continued. "Ibbi and Gabriel are the ones coming with me."

  Zytherin spoke up. "I think it’ll be too dangerous with just three of you. We don’t know what lies deeper in that range. I suggest at least a small detachment accompany you."

  Leah stared at him for a moment, taking in the concern in his voice and the stubborn set of his jaw. Finally, she sighed.

  "Fine. I’ll take a few of the hobgoblin elites."

  Yventil raised his hand slightly. "And a scout. Someone who knows how to navigate the terrain."

  Leah nodded. "Alright."

  She rose slightly from her seat and looked around the table. "We leave in two days. Zytherin, you’re in charge while I’m gone."

  Zytherin bowed his head. "Understood."

  ***

  Leah stood firm in the centre of the snow-dusted training grounds, her longsword resting steady in her grip. Across from her, the elven scout Daraena approached with a calm, fluid grace. For the past two months, Leah had sparred against her relentlessly—each clash another step towards learning her sword.

  Daraena bowed low, then with a swift motion, she drew her twin curved short swords from her hips, the polished metal catching glimmers of morning light. Her stance was poised and predatory, eyes narrowed. Though Leah had the edge in strength and speed, Daraena's technique was leagues ahead.

  Leah raised her sword and gave a slight nod. "Begin."

  Daraena sprang forward like a shadow, blades slicing through the air in unison. Leah stepped back in time, avoiding the twin arcs. As she landed, she kicked hard to the left, snow flaring around her boots. She circled Daraena quickly, then closed in with a powerful slash.

  Steel rang as Daraena’s blades intercepted the strike, redirecting the blow harmlessly aside. Leah shifted her weight, jumped, and spun mid-air—momentum carrying her blade down in a vicious arc.

  Daraena blocked again and clenched her jaw, her arms shaking under the force. Leah landed and immediately transitioned into wide, aggressive swings. Daraena danced out of reach, her boots barely touching the snow.

  The scout retreated across the training yard, and Leah chased with relentless pressure. They moved in tandem, sparks flying each time their blades collided. Leah’s sword came up in a sharp vertical slash, but Daraena bent backwards with inhuman grace, the edge barely grazing past her nose. Then, with a swift kick, she knocked the sword from Leah’s hand, sending it spiralling into the air.

  Leah’s eyes widened for a moment. Daraena lunged forward, twin blades slicing towards her. Leah twisted through them, ducking and weaving. As Daraena extended a hand to stab her, Leah seized the opportunity. She sidestepped and grabbed her arm, vaulted upwards, and launched herself high into the air.

  Catching her falling sword mid-flight, Leah twisted to face downward and hurled it like a javelin toward Daraena with all her might.

  The blade whistled through the air. Daraena jerked her head aside just in time but the sword still grazed her cheek, drawing a thin red line of blood. It embedded itself deep into the frozen ground behind her.

  Leah descended back down and exhaled sharply, her breath misting in the cold.

  Daraena stood still, one hand brushing the blood from her cheek. A faint smile touched her lips.

  "You’ve really improved these past months, master."

  "I want to go again." Leah said.

  Daraena gave a small nod and walked over to where Leah’s sword was. She grabbed the hilt and tossed it through the air. Leah caught it with one hand and rolled her shoulder before taking her stance again. Daraena mirrored her, twin swords flashing once more into her hands.

  They clashed again, and again, and again. The snow churned beneath their boots as the hours passed, steel flashing, feet shifting, bodies turning. The sun slowly rose to its peak overhead, casting long shadows across the frost-bitten field.

  Eventually, Leah felt the ache setting deep into her limbs. Her muscles burned, her breath came heavy. She finally drove her sword into the snow and leaned forward, bracing herself against the blade. Steam poured from her mouth with every exhale. Daraena calmly slid her twin blades back into their sheaths, looking barely winded.

  Still hunched, Leah lifted her eyes and asked between breaths, "Can you come with me up the mountain? I need someone like you?"

  Daraena gave a soft nod. "Of course. I’d be happy to offer my skills."

  Leah stood up straighter at that, only to pause as the sound of slow clapping echoed from the edge of the training grounds.

  Turning her head, she spotted Ibbi walking in with a sharp grin on her face. "I see Master’s been working hard," the goblin said, her voice teasing. "I wonder though… do you still want to spar?"

  Leah raised a brow. "What are you trying to say?"

  Ibbi smirked wider and reached down, pulling her axe from the waistband at her hip. "I haven’t fought you in my hobgoblin form yet. I want to see who is stronger."

  Leah sighed and rolled her eyes. "I’m too exhausted."

  Ibbi tilted her head and clicked her tongue. "Is Master running away from the fight?"

  Leah narrowed her eyes, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "Cocky goblin," she muttered, grabbing her sword and yanking it from the ground with a clean pull. She pointed the obsidian blade at Ibbi.

  "How far are we taking this?"

  Ibbi’s grin widened like a slash. "Give it your all. We stop when one of us surrenders."

  Leah nodded slowly. "I see."

  She shifted her grip and lowered her stance, eyes locked on Ibbi’s. "Then you’d better prepare yourself."