The sun had barely risen on the horizon when the first axe strikes echoed through the Isle of Claw. The work had begun. Under the supervision of Edmund, Voss, and Kieza, the men were divided into specific groups, each with an essential task for building the fortress and the village around it.
The lumberjacks headed into the dense forests to the north, felling sturdy trees to erect temporary palisades. The wood would be crucial for the first fortifications and the construction of shelters for the population. Meanwhile, the stonemasons, led by an experienced shipbuilder named Harwin, began extracting stone from the nearby mountains. Each block of rock would be transported to the center of the island, where the construction of permanent walls would begin. The stones were cut into uniform sizes and stacked methodically, with mortar made from sand and crushed seashells to reinforce the structure.
On the coastline, sailors and carpenters began building the shipyard, reinforcing the docks to protect the ships from the elements. Logs were carefully shaped to form sturdy beams, and an improvised sawmill was set up to process the wood into thinner planks. Smaller boats were designated to patrol the waters around the island, ensuring that no enemy approached without warning.
Kieza coordinated the distribution of supplies and organized the planting of the first crops to the east of the island, where the soil was more fertile. Small streams were diverted to ensure irrigation, and the first fields of wheat, barley, and vegetables were planted. Additionally, areas were established for raising chickens and pigs, ensuring a sustainable source of meat and eggs. With the help of the most experienced villagers in agriculture, crop rotation techniques were implemented to maintain soil fertility and prevent nutrient depletion.
To speed up food production, some tents were erected near the plantations, serving as storage for agricultural tools and seeds. Straw baskets were used to store the first harvests of wild fruits gathered from the nearby forest, while medicinal herbs were cultivated in small beds near the center of the settlement.
Edmund, with his firm presence and watchful eye, oversaw every step of the process. He knew their survival depended on the speed and efficiency of this work. Time was as great an enemy as the pirates or the unknown dangers of the archipelago. He frequently inspected the constructions, ensuring the walls were well-aligned and the shelters sturdy enough to withstand the tropical storms that could strike at any moment.
By the end of the first day, when the sun had already dipped below the ocean, the first signs of progress were visible. The initial walls were taking shape, the shelters were being erected, and the island no longer seemed just an improvised refuge, but the embryo of a new home. The scent of freshly cut wood mixed with the aroma of bread baking in the first makeshift ovens, a sign that the community was beginning to strengthen.
The construction of the Fortress of Claw had begun, and with it, the birth of a new domain.