Hillhaven - Chapter 1: Prepare for the Setting Sun
Northern Forestline - Cresta, Iz
“Put ye’ back into it Izzy!” The Mayor it Hillhaven shouted out from a comfy wooden chair, her legs crossed with a glass cup of dark liquor in her hand. The sun was high in the sky, hot as hell, and anyone with weak skin would likely burn under long exposure
“Why am I doing the physical labor?” Iz Ah Bel was shirtless with an axe gripped between both hands, his light green skin beaded with drips of sweat. Right in front of him was an old tree that he had been swinging the cutting edge into, decayed, without leaves even in the bright and vibrant season.
“All’er woodcutters are busy.” Cresta quipped back with a wicked grin forming across her face revealing a mostly pristine smile. A crooked front tooth peaked out a little bit more than the others, a notable trait of the woman.
“Can’t we pay some younguns to do this?” The secretary of Hillhaven a grown and seasoned orc frowned dramatically, cheeks dropping and lower lip nearly covering his tusks.
“We can, but’n rather watch ye’ do it fer a bit longer.” Her evil expression softened, and her right hand clasping the glass of alcohol raised out to her friend. And she simply watched as he raised the axe and began to swing at the base of the of the tree, slowly peeing layer and layer away until a deep wound was formed within it.
Town Hall - Cresta, Iz, E.J
“We need’n to raise morale around ‘ere! It’s the’ first day’o Aburand and ain’t nobody puttin’ Star decoration outside ‘er nothing.” Cresta shouted within the town hall office, she was shuffling around the glass cabinet full of various concoctions deemed safe for human consumption.
Iz Ah Bel raised his shoulders weakly, his chest palpated quickly and his breaths were ragged as he was still tired from slamming an axe head into the tree. “People are trying to get settled. We’re in foreign land, preparations for the colder seasons are underway. These people were invited here by you, so to have unrealistic expectations would be short on your behalf.” The orc calmly coached back as he slowly paced to a cabinet and pulled a new white shirt from within, pulling it over his head.
“Nonsense, th’ fact that we’re in foreign land should motivate’n to work hard- leave their mark on the world.” Cresta shouted as she found a small bottle with a symbol reminiscent of fire on its face. Popping the corkwood from its sealing and raising the glass to her lips, taking a swig of the liquor.
“So what might you have me do then, Cresta?” The orc sighed his words out, raising his open palm to his forehead wiping sweat as he walked back to his desk and took a seat. “Shall I have a courier remind the folk of the holiday, perhaps an incentive?”
“That’ll work! Note’er down down this:
People or Hillhaven,
The Celebration or Stars is on the third day of Aburand. It is a day with origins of celestial worship first adopted by the humans of Astraia. To those who participate, you may take a break from labors of the day to express the love of life and others under the great star Solaris. And during the night friends and loved ones gather to admire the many other stars within the sky to admire their beauty and mystical wonder.
To those who wish to help with the town’s celebratory preparations, the scheduled meeting time is sunrise on the second of Aburand, tomorrow.
Sorry for the short notice, Hillhaven Town Staff
P.S - Volunteers will be given extra cheese rations next week!”
Then there was suddenly a load knock on the wooden door of the office, catching the pair off guard. Cresta simply canted her head curiously and looked to Iz, he was a doorman, secretary, labor, he does it all. And hates it all, equally. The large orc grunted once he finished writing out the letter and sealed it with some red wax. Sitting from his cushioned chair he huffed out and loudly stepped towards the door hesitating before opening it. As the wooden structure opened it revealed the grey-skinned elf E.J Silverleaf, a merchant woman that worked her way up the corporate totem pole and was now the trade ambassador here in the frontier.
“A moment of your time in private, Ms. Dustwallow?” This woman completely ignored the orc whom permitted entry into the town hall office space.
“M’you can tell me with Iz’ere with us.” Cresta rolled her eyes before taking another swig of the liquor, avoiding eye contact with the elf.
She hesitated for a minute, raising the corner of her moth in a sneer before stepping closer to Cresta’s desk and away from Iz Ah Bel. E.J placed both hands on the dark oaken surface and leaning in to speak carefully. “You need to start clearing out more land before winter, or you’re not going to be able to feed everyone.”
“Quit with ye’ doomsdayin’! If we go on hard times I’ll personally fund th’ rations through the cold seasons!” Cresta barker back, swirling her drink in her near-drunken stupor. Liquid courage was the secret remedy to the mayor’s confidence, or stubbornness.
“Let me pay some of the townsfolk to clear out some of the forest and I’ll personally fund the-” E.J was beginning to speak her proposal but suddenly would be cut off by the sweet orc voice behind her.
“Cresta has already voiced her opinions on your endeavors. You’ll trade the goods brought over from the kingdoms, that’s it. You wonder why she didn’t offer you land in the first place? You may take your leave, Ms. Silverleaf.” He towered in height over the elf by a good foot, maybe more, and while he wasn’t one for violence Iz knew Cresta disliked big-wig merchants from the kingdoms.
The gray-skinned elf grunted as she looked back to Iz Ah Bell, releasing her hands off the mayor’s desk and intentionally brushing past the Orc’a side headed straight to the door, opening and shutting it in a fit. Cresta and Iz simply smiled at one another before returning to daily duties, paperwork, planning, administrative work.
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