The morning brought a new urgency to Frosthaven. Word of the group's confrontation with the corrupted villager spread quickly, and the once-quiet settlement buzzed with fear and activity.
Seris gathered the group near the village square, her expression resolute. "The Whisperer knows we're here now. If she has more of those corrupted in the area, they'll come for us—and the villagers."
Amara looked at the nervous faces of the townsfolk. "We can't leave them defenseless. We have to help them prepare."
Kael crossed his arms. "A village this size isn't exactly built for a siege. What do we have to work with?"
---
Assessing the Village
The group split up to evaluate Frosthaven's defenses.
Kael and Lyra:
Kael walked the perimeter with Lyra, noting the lack of sturdy walls or natural barriers. "The only thing protecting this place is the snow," Kael muttered.
Lyra pointed to a pile of unused lumber near a carpenter's workshop. "We could use that to build barricades. It won't stop a horde, but it might slow them down."
Kael nodded. "We'll need everyone's help. Let's see if the villagers are willing to fight for their home."
Amara and Seris:
Amara and Seris inspected the supplies in the inn's cellar. They found a modest stockpile of food and a few hunting bows, but little else.
Seris frowned. "Not much to work with. We'll need to get creative."
Amara picked up one of the bows, testing its string. "I can teach some of the villagers to use these. If we position them on rooftops, they might be able to hold off an attack."
Seris nodded. "Good. I'll see if anyone has experience with traps. We can use the forest to our advantage."
---
Rallying the Villagers
By midday, the group called a meeting in the village square. The villagers gathered, their faces a mix of fear and determination.
Seris stepped forward. "We know you're scared. But if we don't act now, the Whisperer's forces will overrun this village. We need your help to defend it."
An older hunter stepped forward, his weathered face set with resolve. "What do you need us to do?"
Kael grinned. "Glad you asked. First, we'll need to build barricades around the main paths into the village. Use whatever wood and stone you can find."
Lyra added, "Anyone with experience setting traps, work with me. We'll use the forest to slow them down before they reach the village."
Amara held up the hunting bows. "If you can shoot, I'll teach you how to use these. Even if you've never held a bow before, you can still help."
The villagers murmured among themselves, but slowly, they began to step forward.
---
Building Defenses
The village transformed into a hive of activity.
Barricades:
Kael led a team of villagers in constructing wooden barricades at the village's entrances. Though crude, they were sturdy enough to provide some protection.
Traps:
Lyra and a group of hunters worked in the forest, setting up tripwires, snares, and pitfalls along the most likely paths of attack.
Archery Training:
Amara stood in the square with a group of volunteers, showing them how to nock arrows and aim. Her patience and encouragement eased their nerves, and by the end of the day, some were hitting their targets with surprising accuracy.
Strategic Planning:
Seris coordinated the efforts, mapping out positions for archers and assigning villagers to guard key areas. She also prepared the group for the possibility of evacuation if the defenses failed.
---
A Quiet Resolve
As night fell, the villagers gathered in the inn for a final briefing. The firelight flickered on their determined faces.
Seris addressed them, her voice steady. "You've all done well. No matter what happens, remember this: you're not alone. We'll fight with you, and we'll protect this village as if it were our own."
Kael raised a mug. "To Frosthaven!"
The villagers cheered, though their voices trembled with lingering fear.
---
A Watchful Night
The group took shifts patrolling the village as the night deepened. Amara stood on a rooftop with one of the archery volunteers, her eyes scanning the snowy forest.
"Do you think we'll win?" the young man beside her asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Amara tightened her grip on the bow. "I don't know. But we'll fight with everything we have."
In the distance, the forest seemed unnaturally still. The pendant under her cloak grew warm, its faint glow casting a soft light.
"They're coming," Amara murmured, her heart pounding.
The quiet before the storm was over.
---
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