They made their way through the ruins. Viv already saw armor-clad sentries on top of intact walls, with some knights going through every building room by room to check for revenants. Viv saw that kids had been left near the entrance to play under the supervision of one of Gogen’s brood. The cleaner had been one of the first to join the exile, along with her progeny and relatives who numbered in the fucking dozens. They found that the guard barracks by the side of the entrance had been repurposed as an administrative room with their one map available displayed on a damaged table. Someone had placed light stones in the rusty sconces and the place was less dusty. It looked like an underground resistance cell headquarters in any movie instead of just a dump.

The new, improvised council held an exhausting session long into the afternoon, following which they gathered most people in the massive square by the entrance. The place had been cleared of wagons and repair supplies to allow a series of marked spaces separated by basic walls made by piling bricks on top of one another. There was the infirmary. They had a supply depot. They even had an armory. Kazar’s free people were all lined up with light spells going off everywhere to provide enough radiance for everyone to see. Farren set up a pedestal and went first.

“Hello everyone, we have several pieces of news for you. First, I’m sorry to say that we will implement rules for the food distribution. I promise you that every family will get their fair share, and that nobody will be left behind, with more details tomorrow. We will also form teams to do labor around to make that place viable. If you have any experience in mining for example, please see me at the end of the session. Thank you. Now, we will have a burial ceremony later tonight for Mayor Resh Ganimatalo. It’s a shame that her life ended that way, but her departure does not erase twenty years of effort and determination. We will honor her memory with a brief service.”

Viv suddenly remembered that she had been forgetful of those who had died to carry her forward. Back when they had faced the necromancer, Jor, the strong silent man, had jumped to his death to give her a chance. Benetti, the disgraced nobleman, had charged crawlers to afford them a few seconds. They had sacrificed their lives so that she might live, and it had been too easy for her to overlook them, so busy she had been with her own survival. Her own development.

Farren continued, unaware of her turmoil.

“One good piece of news, our witch pathed up!”

There were a lot of cheers. They were not exactly forced, but it was clear that the people were concerned.

“This will help our cause. Now I have spoken enough. We all know what you all want to hear. I will let Viviane go over the plan.”

Some of the Enorians still called her Bob but it appeared that everyone was starting to make an effort. It felt nice.

The council had decided that, with Viv finally acquiring leadership skills, she would be brought forward to develop them. She half-expected that the rest of the council simply didn’t enjoy speaking in public though, and that they were more than happy to let her get the spotlight and the stress that went with it. She replaced Farren on a pedestal and cast the sound spell that allowed her voice to carry.

“Right, good afternoon everyone. I’ll start by stating the obvious. We can’t stay here long.”

There were nods all around.

“We just made a new ward stone so folks will soon be able to get out, and we do have some food, but it won’t be enough in the long run. There is no rebuilding our lives in this place, not if we want more than half of us to survive. We have one option, and one option only.”

She could feel their determination mounting. Anger was never far from the surface these days.

“We must take back Kazar.”

“Aye!”

“Hear, hear!”

“Now,” she continued, “I don’t need to tell you the bad news. You can guess. The one piece of good news we have is that Prince Assh— I mean Prince Lancer is on a short time limit. He needs to get his filthy… he has to return to Enoria for the war season. He won’t have a choice. That means that some of his army will leave and those who stay behind will be less numerous. He simply can’t afford to keep everyone on this side of the forest.”

“You can swear, you know?” someone screamed for the back. A few people chuckled. The mood changed. It felt more intimate now, like everyone was part of a conspiracy.

“Thanks, but let’s stay on track for that one. We can hold out until the enemies split but that still leaves us with a siege force behind protected walls. Right now we are not ready to contest them, so we have to prepare. Fortunately, I have a plan. First, we need volunteers for accelerated militia training. Training will be provided by some of the best fighters this side of the Deadshield Woods. Join up if you’re ready to fight for your land. Second,” she continued, silencing a few clamoring people, “we’ll get ourselves weapons. We’re going to see the Yries and negotiate with them. They’ve already started to mine so they should have iron at the very least. Third, we’re going to need siege weapons. I have an idea, but I’ll tell you more on that later. And fourth, we’re going to see if the mountain tribes won’t join us. Once all of those things work out, we will attack. Any questions? Yes?”

A sturdy man with a long white beard roared from among a group of wiry men with dark expressions. He was from one of the most remote regions from Kazar, so Viv had never seen him before.

“What if Prince Twatface comes to us to finish the job?”

“We have already sent scouts away and the mountain tribes will also warn us, but right now the plan is that I will walk six hours into the deadlands and activate a beacon that will attract a horde, lure them back to their army camp and finally escape.”

The proposal was received with an awkward silence.

“Any reason why we can’t do that with Kazar?”

“Because the church and every garrison around would object to wholesale civilian slaughter, even if they are partly responsible, and because we want a city to go back to.”

“Would the mountain tribes really help us? They’re usually really reclusive.”

“I think they will,” Viv said, “because the first thing the prince will do after taking the countryside will be to try to steal from them as well.”

There were a few more questions, then the crowd soon started muttering.

“Alright everyone, one more thing,” Viv said in an attempt to channel all the energy she saw, “remember that we need people to help with various vital tasks. Cleaning, excavation, baking, and fighting... Decide what you want the most and find your groups. Come place your name on the list in front of the command room.”

Leadership: Beginner 2