As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, the village was a hive of activity. The villagers, still weary from the night's battle, were hard at work repairing the damage and fortifying the defenses. Ashen moved among them, offering words of encouragement and taking note of their progress.
Despite the exhaustion in their eyes, there was a sense of determination that had not been there before. The successful defense against the first wave had bolstered their spirits, but Ashen knew better than to let them become complacent. The next wave could arrive at any moment, and they had to be prepared.
As he approached the edge of the village, Ashen saw the assault squad gathered around the Swamp Bubalos, their powerful mounts. The blacksmith had done an exceptional job enhancing the squad's equipment, and Ashen was eager to see how they would perform in the next battle.
