Weeks passed after that harrowing night, and Terespol was no longer the same town. The attack had shaken the people, but it also sparked something new—a determination to protect their home. The sense of urgency I had felt that night now coursed through the entire town, from the guards to the shopkeepers to the farmers. Everyone knew that without a proper wall, there wouldn't be another victory. Next time, the monsters could destroy everything.
So we started building.
At first, it seemed like an impossible task. Terespol had little money and fewer resources. The nearby forests had been cleared long ago for firewood and farmland, and the stone quarry we needed to source material from was too far and too expensive to reach without risking lives on unprotected roads. But the people of Terespol were resourceful, and their will to survive overshadowed the lack of resources.
I called for volunteers, and soon enough, the entire town was involved. Blacksmiths started crafting metal supports for the wall from whatever scraps they could find. Farmers and carpenters worked side by side, gathering materials and shaping wooden beams to reinforce the structure. Children and elders alike contributed by carrying water, preparing food for the workers, or simply providing morale. The market square, once filled with uncertainty and fear, was now a hub of activity, buzzing with the sounds of construction.
As I walked through the square one day, I stopped by one of the makeshift workshops that had sprung up near the town center. A burly blacksmith, hammering away at a piece of iron, looked up as I approached. His face was streaked with sweat and soot, but he smiled as he wiped his brow.
"Governor, this wall is coming together faster than I thought it would," he said, his voice full of pride. "We'll keep those monsters out for good."
I nodded, sharing his sentiment. The work was hard, and every day brought new challenges, but the progress was undeniable. The base of the wall was already taking shape, its wooden framework rising higher with each passing day.
But there was still so much more to be done. As strong as the people were, I knew we couldn't rely on wood alone to keep the monsters at bay. We needed stone—a solid, unbreakable foundation. And for that, I had to take action beyond the town.
One morning, I gathered a small group of trusted guards and Kevin, who had become indispensable in helping organize the town's efforts. We were heading to the quarry, a dangerous journey, but one that had to be made. I had already sent word to the neighboring governor, requesting assistance to secure the route and help transport the stone we needed. The response had been positive, but guarded. Most of the other governors had their own concerns, and few were willing to send more than a token force to aid Terespol.
Still, we set off, armed and prepared for whatever dangers awaited us on the road. The journey was tense. Every rustle in the bushes, every flicker of movement in the trees could be a potential threat. But we were determined. The road to the quarry wasn't long, but it wound through a dense forest—perfect cover for the monsters that prowled the region. I had faced them before, but even so, the thought of another encounter filled me with a sense of dread.
As we neared the quarry, the landscape opened up into a wide, rocky expanse. The massive slabs of stone we needed were there, waiting for us. But so were the monsters. As we approached, a pack of them emerged from the shadows of the rocks—small at first, but quickly joined by others until there were nearly a dozen.
"Prepare yourselves!" I shouted, drawing my sword. The guards quickly formed a defensive line beside me, their weapons at the ready. Kevin stood back, holding the reins of the horses, his face pale but resolute.
The monsters rushed forward, their growls filling the air. These were different from the ones that had attacked the town weeks ago—smaller, but faster, more agile. They darted around the rocks, trying to flank us, their claws gleaming in the midday sun.
I surged forward to meet them, swinging my sword in a wide arc. The blade bit deep into the nearest creature, and it fell with a screech. Behind me, the guards fought fiercely, holding the line as best they could. The battle was chaotic, brutal, and short. By the time the last monster fell, panting and bleeding into the dirt, we were battered but victorious.
"Everyone okay?" I asked, wiping the blood from my sword.
A few of the guards nodded, while others were too winded to respond. Kevin, still standing at the back, looked shaken but unharmed.
"We'll need to keep a closer watch next time," I said, breathing heavily. "But at least we can start transporting the stone."
It took days of hard work to haul the stone back to Terespol, but once the first slabs arrived, the wall's construction kicked into high gear. The wooden framework was reinforced with the heavy stone, and soon the barricade that had once barely stood between us and the monsters became something formidable. The people worked tirelessly, driven by the knowledge that this wall was the only thing standing between them and destruction.
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Months later, as the end of winter approache, the wall was finally completed. It wasn't perfect, but it was strong—strong enough to keep the monsters at bay, at least for now. I stood on a newly constructed guard tower, overlooking the town below. The people of Terespol had done the impossible, and I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride as I gazed at the towering structure.
Kevin joined me, his face lit with a rare smile. "It's a fine wall, Governor. The people are already feeling safer."
I nodded. "It's a start, but we can't get complacent. The monsters will come again, and we need to be ready."
He nodded, knowing the truth in my words. "What's next, sir?"
"Now," I said, looking out toward the distant forests, "we start training more guards. The wall is only part of our defense. The people need to know how to fight, how to protect themselves. And we'll need scouts—people who can venture beyond the wall, gather information about the monsters, and give us early warnings."
Kevin jotted down notes. "I'll get started on that."
As he left, I remained on the tower, watching the sun set over Terespol. The town was safe—for now—but I knew this wasn't the end of the fight. The monsters were still out there, lurking in the shadows, waiting for their chance to strike again. But this time, we were ready.
Terespol had its wall. And I would make sure that it stood for generations to come.