Ben stood beside Alfred and Jerry.

  When they returned to the encampment, they were met with cheers and praise for their victory. The fairy commander had invited Ben and his companions to a place where celebrations, feasts, and drinks were brewing.

  A few fairy delicacies included varied smoked meats, including goat, venison, and rabbit. Their alcoholic beverage was mead crafted from sweet honey before leaving a sour glaze.

  With things settling down, the elder stood before one of the other fairies hit a large metal ring whose sound reverberated across the camp. When the sound faded to a deep hum and died, a deafening silence remained.

  The elder raised his hands. “When we received word from the warrior that the most powerful sporemancer encountered to date was here in this valley, my heart sank into the ground. I thought we would finally face death or become one of those monsters. Our best warriors fought alongside our newfound allies and paved the path to victory. Let it be known that on this day, we began rebuilding our civilization after the great fall. Using deep thought. I have convened with the remaining elders and their tribes to journey to this valley where our people will rise again. We can only retake the lands we lost to the spore scourge.” He then motioned for the commander to step forward and speak.

  “Before we can welcome the other tribes and start rebuilding, we must build a large wall the enemy cannot traverse. Only then can we clear the rubble at the pincer where one of the small mountains collapsed. A vast amount of Mirium is beneath that mountain, which we can exploit for our war against the enemy.” The fairy commander explained before nodding to the elder that he was done.

  “You may enjoy yourselves till the day is done. Be sure not to overdo it as the hard work begins at first light.” The elder waved before the sounds of laughter and cheering erupted again.

  Before speaking, the elder went to Ben and his companions, with the fairy commander not far behind. “Our people were able to figure out how your fire enchantment works, and we were able to recreate its properties. The only thorn we faced was that our arrows were not as sturdy as the ones your people craft.”

  Ben motioned to Jerry, “This man here is the one who created those arrows. I’m certain he’ll be willing to trade with you once he gets his workshop running again. Soon, plenty of products at the mine will be available to trade with you.”

  The elder nodded respectfully. “We don’t have much to trade, but we will soon. Your people are welcome here with open arms whenever you wish to come here again. As a gesture of goodwill, I have instructed the commander of my warriors to travel back with you so both our peoples can familiarise themselves with each other's cultures. He is to send word to me when your battle with the enemy begins so we can send our warriors to aid your victory.”

  Ben gave the elder a respectful nod. “We appreciate the gesture. Likewise, your people can visit the mine and its village anytime.”

  The elder nodded, “I must insist that you wait for a few moments before departing, as I had instructed my artificers to ready a crate of enchanted arrows and other items that will benefit your people.”

  When the crate was brought over, everyone exchanged goodbyes before Ben and his party set off towards the mine.

  The journey down the tunnel consisted mostly of chit-chat about how the humans and fairies would work together and the various items that could be traded. A few times, it had shifted to respectfully debunking certain stereotypes about each other's people.

  Ben was slightly confused by the fairies and their not sharing their names and thus turned to the commander and asked. “What’s your name, if you don’t mind me asking? We’ve just been referring to you as ‘the fairy commander.’”

  “We don’t share the names we are given at birth as our people believe some may use that to inflict curses and other fairy superstitions. Thus, most of us use aliases. You may call me by mine, Quicksilver.”

  “Quicksilver… A great name for a great warrior.” Ben nodded before stopping where the cave leading to the mine joined the smooth tunnel. He shined his flashlight down the opposite end where they had come from, and it looked like it had gone on forever. “You used this to get to the proving grounds, right?”

  “Indeed. Other caves sprout from it like the branches of trees leading all across the great mountains of this island. The main tunnel goes beyond the sea to places unknown to the fairy people. To this day, no one has ventured to see where it leads, but there are rumors that the civilization of Mirock allowed them to travel across this entire world.” Quicksilver explained.

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  “Mirock? Who the heck are they?” Ben asked, raising his eyebrows.

  “The race of people who lived on this island before men, fairies, and whoever else calls this place their home. We know little about them, and what we do, we deciphered from depictions from various unearthed artifacts.” Quicksilver replied.

  Ben nodded. “Hmm. I think Blue might know more about them. I’ll ask him about them the next time we meet.” Looking down the cave tunnel back to the mine, he finished. “Now, on to the task at hand.”

  Ben had led the way through the tunnel before they entered the third level. Ascending the levels revealed no one working, which made Ben think it must have been late.

  Arriving in the main chamber, candlelight flickering from the foreman's office was revealed. When Ben stepped through, he found Finn looking through some ledgers and figured he must have been practicing his reading.

  “Master Ben, you have returned. How did it go out there?” Finn shot up energetically. As the fairy walked in, the expression changed to worry and fear before he started to shake uncontrollably. “Master Ben, who’s that with you?”

  Ben raised his hands. “Take it easy, Finn. This is Quicksilver, a great fairy warrior, our newfound ally.” He then gave a brief explanation of the prior two days.

  “But I thought fairies were all bad and couldn't be trusted because of their dark magic. I don’t think the people here will be too happy about that since our people have been at way for so long in the past.” Finn explained.

  “I think everyone will need to take a few steps back and take deep breaths. The fairies have been fighting the same enemy we now face for far longer. They have agreed to help us in the upcoming battle with the infected. Divided, we are weak. Together, we have proved we can defeat them.” Ben explained. He took a pause and noticed Finn had calmed down a little. “Anyway, what’s the progress with the mine?”

  “Well, the second level is bone dry. We only have enough ore in the store to last Har another two runs.” Finn explained.

  “In that case, I have some good news for you. The third level is clear and deemed safe for mining activities to resume. From how the ore veins look down there, I think they’ll last for the next few decades.” Ben explained.

  Finn nodded. “I’ll get them on it at first light.”

  “Oh, Finn, before I forget. I would say that you meet with the village folk and explain our situation with the fairies. They will come here regularly and trade their goods and resources with us. Two things must be done without fail. I need the cave area cleared and ready for a small trading area, and I want the rough cave path to be chiseled out so that there’s enough space for a cart to get past. They will know where to stop as it’s obvious.” Ben explained before Finn acknowledged with a nod and left for the surface with Jerry.

  Ben turned to Alfred. “Right, now I wanted to speak with you about something. I’m not sure about your responsibilities with the Hollow Moon or if you’ll be going back to your old unit. But I could do with someone overseeing everything here. You have both the knowledge and experience when it comes to leading people. So what do you say?”

  Alfred nodded before letting out a heavy sigh. “My lieutenants were killed in action by Sudfield. With my system destroyed, my men have been disbanded into other platoons and companies. Like Hauxwell, I’m sick and tired of war and want to retire when the battle with the infected is settled. With no lands of my own, I would be honored to oversee and lead this settlement alongside you. After all, I wouldn't be alive if you didn't rescue me.”

  Ben patted Alfred on the shoulder. “I’m happy to have you here with me. We have a long way to go but can do it together.”

  Alfred nodded before stroking his chin. “We’ll need to convince more people to make their way here. People who can work the mine and those with vital skills for a settlement to flourish. A few people I know in Feruswich may be interested.”

  Ben, Alfred, and Quicksilver had decided to stay in the office, spending their time glossing over stories of the past. It must have been the early hours of the next day before they fell asleep.

  ***

  When Ben awoke the next day, he nudged the others to get up. They had just about got ready to make their way to the surface when Finn pranced in with a smile planted on his face.

  “Master Ben,” Finn started. When they awoke, I called for a meeting around the campfire and discussed the points you mentioned yesterday. Some took the news badly, but Jerry and I assured them that you’ve promised peace between us and the fairies now. They all agreed to welcome Quicksilver with open arms.”

  “That’s great work, Finn. We will be heading up to fill our bellies, but before then, I want you to know that I’ve nominated Alfred here to work side by side with me to oversee the village and everything here. I want you to take his word like mine if I'm gone. We are lucky to have him here in this capacity.” When Finn agreed, Ben continued, “Now, tell me, how’s the progress with the village going?”

  “The builders have been doing some great work. They managed to get the workshops done so that the new families could get to work with their craft. The bloomeries have been built and are smelting ore into ingots. Some are being used by the artisans, while others we are saving for Har to take on his next delivery run. That builder guy came here asking for you yesterday. It was something about a payment.” Finn explained.

  “That’s great progress. When Har returns with more checks, I will head to the bank to cash them out and get things settled with wages and payments. Did they get any of the other dwellings done?”

  “The builder guy said they will be ready in the next few days before the next batch of artisans arrives. Jerry has already taken his pick to get started with his arrows. We made some extra food so that the three of you can eat. You should get up there before it gets cold… I have a lot of work to do here getting things started with the mining operation at the third level.” Finn finished before Ben and the others made their way out.