Chương 87: Epilogue - Part II

Havlar's POV I finish the report twice before setting it aside. The first reading tells me what happened. The second tells me what nearly happened. The candles burn low across my study, throwing long shadows over the maps covering the central table. Beyond the windows, the lights of Fallowspire shimmer beneath the evening sky while the distant murmur of the city drifts faintly through the half-open shutters. Peace. Most rulers' mistake peace for the absence of war. It rarely is.

Peace survives because someone notices danger before it reaches the city walls. I lower my eyes to the report once more. Routine livestock missing investigation, the Guild had expected frightened farmer, perhaps a handful of goblins. Instead, a mature Rask colony had taken root less than two days from my city. Twenty-three adults. Breeding and established. I lean back slowly. Another week or two at most, they would not have been stealing cattle, they would have begun taking people.

Children would have gone missing first like always but soon adults would have followed as well. My gaze drifts toward the second report resting beside the first. Bandits, twelve in number but a separate incident. Entire camp eliminated. I cannot help smiling. Twelve dead bandits, is good news any day, but a man recognizing a threat before it becomes tomorrow's problem is much better. Most adventurers' complete contracts for the fame or money. Very few understand responsibility. Love this novel?

Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. I rise from the chair and cross the room toward the western windows. The Silverwood stands clearly visible above the rooftops, its pale canopy catching the last traces of the setting sun. Even from this distance it refuses to disappear among the city's countless buildings. Beautiful, unusual and more importantly, alive. When the old garden first awakened, I had hoped the druid might restore another forgotten corner of Fallowspire.

When I first saw the Silverwood and the cluster of Heartwood trees surrounding it myself, I thought the Grovekeeper will help protect Fallowspire from the kind of threats I had not known to exist. However, I had not expected him to begin protecting the lands beyond it. The Grove is no longer merely a curiosity growing within my walls. It has become another pillar supporting the city itself. A quiet knock breaks my thoughts.

"Enter." My steward steps inside before bowing respectfully.

"You wished to see me, my lord?"

"I did." I leave the reports where they lie upon the desk.

"Send word to Captain Aldren from the guards. Increase the northern patrols immediately. I don't expect another Rask colony, but I'd rather discover the next threat before it reaches Greenhollow or any other territory."

"At once."

"And have the road inspectors examine the route beyond Brookmere Bridge." The steward nods, committing each instruction to memory.

"Because of the bandits?"

"Because there were bandits." He understands immediately.

"I'll see to it." I turn once more toward the Silverwood rising above the rooftops.

"One more thing."

"My lord?"

"Increase the decided allotment for the Grove." The steward hesitates.

"The timber allocation?"

"Timber. Stone. Tools. Seeds. Whatever they require."

"Yes, my lord."

"And if the Grovekeeper requests additional land outside the present walls…" I allow the thought to linger before finishing.

"... I want to know before anyone else." The steward bows once more.

"It shall be done."