The morning sun painted Eldham Village in soft hues of gold, the air alive with the hum of daily chores. Kael Dray strolled down the narrow dirt path, his small pouch of coins tucked securely in his belt. His thoughts raced, each step filled with purpose. Today marked the first step of his grand plan, and for that, he needed capable allies.
Kael's eyes scanned the village as he made his way to his first target: Finn Whitlock, a boy of eleven who lived near the edge of the village. Finn had a reputation for being a tinkerer, always fiddling with tools or fixing broken items for his father's carpentry shop. Kael had seen him once turn a splintered rake into a serviceable broom handle, his hands steady and sure despite his young age.
As Kael neared the shop, the rhythmic tap-tap of wood on stone reached his ears. There, under the shade of a crooked oak, Finn crouched over a broken wooden wheel, his hands deftly smoothing out splinters with a small knife. His sun-tanned face glistened with a light sheen of sweat, his dark brown hair sticking to his forehead. His pale green eyes, focused and calm, made him seem far older than his years.
Kael paused, watching Finn work. He couldn't help but think about how different life was here compared to the world of his past. Children in Eldham matured quickly, molded by the rhythm of village life. With no schools to occupy their time, they learned by doing—helping their families, running errands, and honing skills from an early age. Kael himself had grown used to managing resources and drafting simple plans for his father. This environment created a practical, hands-on kind of intelligence that Kael could use to his advantage.
He called out, "Finn!"
The older boy looked up, a small smile breaking through his otherwise serious face. "Kael? What brings you here?"
"Got something to talk about," Kael said, his tone casual but tinged with excitement.
Finn wiped his hands on his tunic and stood, his wiry frame revealing the strength of someone used to manual labor. Kael took a moment to glance at Finn's System Panel:
Name: Finn Whitlock
Age: 11 years
Physical Stats:
Strength: 14.20 Dexterity: 15.40 Endurance: 14.80
Mental Stats:
Mental Clarity: 70.15 Focus: 72.10
Condition:
Physical: Healthy (Light fatigue from manual work) Mental: Calm (Determined worker)
Satisfied, Kael nodded to himself. Finn's stats reflected his steady nature and practical skillset, exactly what Kael needed for his plans.
"What's this about?" Finn asked, curiosity lighting up his face.
Kael grinned. "You'll see. Let's pick up the others first. I'll explain everything once we're all together."
Finn raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Alright. Who's next?"
"mira" Kael replied, turning on his heel. "Let's go."
Finn grabbed his pouch and followed, his steps light but purposeful. As they walked, Kael felt a growing sense of anticipation. Each partner would bring their own strengths and quirks, and this was just the beginning.
Scene: Walking Toward Mira's House
The sun hung lazily in the sky, its golden rays casting soft shadows across the dirt path. Kael walked beside Finn, who carried a small pouch of tools strapped to his belt. Finn's sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing faint smudges of soot from the forge earlier that morning.
"So," Kael began, kicking a stray pebble along the road. "How's life in the forge? Your dad still making you hammer nails until your arms fall off?"
Finn chuckled, adjusting the strap on his shoulder. "Pretty much. Ever since the village started growing, everyone needs tools. Axes, plows, you name it. Dad's barely got time to breathe, so guess who gets to cover for him?" He flexed his arm dramatically, pretending to admire it. "I'm basically a blacksmith already."
Kael grinned. "All that hard work paying off, huh? Must feel good to have a hand in everyone's success."
Finn shrugged, his expression turning more thoughtful. "It's not bad, but… I don't know. Sometimes I feel like these tools could be better. You know? Lighter, stronger, easier to use. Like, what if we could make an axe that doesn't chip so easily, or a plow that doesn't need fixing every other week?"
Kael's eyes lit up. "You're already thinking like an inventor. I like it. Maybe we'll experiment a little—find ways to improve them together."
Finn glanced at him, a faint smirk on his face. "You and your crazy ideas. What's next? Flying carts?"
Kael laughed, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Hey, don't tempt me. But seriously, you've got the skills, Finn. With a bit of tweaking, I bet we could make tools that'll blow everyone's mind."
They rounded a corner, and the scenery began to shift. The houses along the path grew larger, their walls made of smooth stone instead of wood. Vibrant flowers adorned the windows, and the faint scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the air.
Finn slowed his pace, glancing around. "Mira's house always feels like a whole different world, doesn't it? Fancy gates, polished floors… Sometimes I forget she's one of us."
Kael smirked, nudging him with his elbow. "Jealous?"
"Not jealous," Finn shot back quickly, though his ears reddened slightly. "Just… impressed, I guess. Her family's done well for themselves. Makes you wonder how they pull it off."
Kael nodded, his mind already spinning with ideas. "That's exactly why I want Mira on our team. She's sharp, and she knows how to talk to people. If anyone can help us turn ideas into reality, it's her."
As they approached Mira's house, the sight of its finely crafted wooden door and intricate ironwork greeted them. Finn whistled low. "Alright, genius. Let's see if your silver tongue can get her on board."
Kael grinned confidently, stepping forward. "Just watch and learn, Finn. Watch and learn."
With that, he knocked on the door, ready to set the next piece of his plan into motion.