The sun had already climbed above the mountains when Kano, dressed but slightly tousled, made his way to the central square where the dwarven delegation had gathered. His movements were steadier now, his shoulders squared. But in his eyes—still the shadow of the night before. A warm shadow.
Voices rumbled ahead.
—"I'm telling you, three tiers is the minimum!" the first dwarf fumed, clutching a thick, sturdy blueprint.
—"And I'm telling you those towers won't sit on our foundation! You want them toppling onto the orcs tomorrow?!" grumbled another, his red beard braided into three plaits.
At the center stood a stately, burly dwarf wearing a crown of dark metal. Hands clasped behind his back, he listened in silence like a patient father among unruly sons.
Kano stepped closer and cleared his throat. The delegation fell silent.
—"Greetings, your beardnesses," Kano smiled.
—"Did something happen?"
The king turned to him and laughed aloud.
—"Ha! Our ladies' man is awake at last! I thought you were still in bed with your… harem!"
A few dwarves snorted. Kano blushed, but smiled.
—"If everyone knows—so be it. But I'm not here for glory."
—"And that already makes you better than half the kings I've known," the king snorted.
—"But to business. Our architects want to impress you. And argue at the same time."
One of the dwarves stepped forward—the one holding the plans.
—"We want to make a city unlike anything ever seen: obsidian towers, underground storehouses, arcane channels for water, a central fortress with a dome that repels any magic."
—"That sounds… impressive," Kano nodded slowly.
—"And… incredibly expensive?"
The architect faltered.
—"It's true. A project like this needs hundreds of master craftsmen. And our hands are… occupied. Everything is costly, everything is complicated."
Kano opened his mouth to say "I understand" when another dwarf suddenly stepped out from the crowd—armored, a sword across his back. His eyes blazed.
—"Vagabonds!" he thundered.
—"You think only of gold! Our warriors died in those ruins for hundreds of years, and we could change nothing. But now the old gate stands open and our ancient capital is free! We can rebuild our forefathers' halls in peace, and dwarven glory will shine again! And it's all thanks to him, and him alone! And you bicker over coin, you wretches!"
The dwarves murmured. The king burst out laughing.
—"Now that's the truth," he grunted.
—"We dwarves don't sell our friends. We stand by them."
Kano stepped in:
—"I'm not asking for charity. But I have four thousand high orcs. Strong, tireless, eager to learn. Teach them—and you'll have the finest builders for years to come."
The architect considered, then dipped his head.
—"If we assign them a hundred of our masters—within a week we'll have two hundred effective hands."
—"You can start right now," said Kano.
—"The city is at your disposal. But remember: our customs are strict. If any master shows contempt for the orcs—we won't hide behind diplomacy."
The architect nodded gravely.
The king came closer and set a hand on Kano's shoulder:
—"Tell me, friend—how do you see your city?"
Kano thought only for a moment:
—"Vast. So it can hold everyone in need. No matter their race. If they agree to live by the rules of honor—this will be their home."
The king was silent for a long while.
—"Then, boy, you're not building a city. You're building a country. And I… I will help you do it."
Kano bowed deeply.
—"I promise: when the dwarves need aid—we will come."
The dwarf king smiled:
—"Then… it's time for a gift. We will forge a weapon. A symbol of our alliance. They will see it—and know: this chieftain is a friend of the dwarves."
With that he bellowed:
—"Hey, you rats! Shake those beards! We're heading back! You've got mountains of work!"
The caravan began to form up.
Kano stood a few seconds longer, thinking:
"I… am not a king. But I can be the one who creates something greater than a kingdom. Hope."
Day was already in full stride when Kano returned to the camp with the girls and a few orcs. His thoughts drifted between the idea of a great city being born right under his feet and the morning that seemed to have changed his heart forever.
—"Chieftain!" an orc shouted from around the corner as he ran up, breathing hard.
—"You need to see this."
Kano stopped, his gaze turning wary.
—"What happened?"
—"By the forest. Our hunters… they found people. Women and children. They're barely alive."
Kano ran without a word. Everyone moved after him—Lianel, Naira, Selina, Grimtar.
In the square, several dozen orcs had already gathered, standing in silence around them. At the center—several dozen humans. Pale, spent, in torn clothes. The women—bruised, some scarred. The children—with empty eyes. Two infants moaned softly, pressed to their mothers' breasts.
Selina halted—her eyes widened.
—"Oh Gods…"
She rushed forward at once, dropping to her knees beside the first woman lying unconscious. Her hands glowed with a gentle light, and warmth began to spread through the wounded woman's body. Then another, and another… She worked without stopping, forgetting to breathe.
Naira stood silent, fists clenched. Her body coiled as if before a battle.
Kano walked slowly to a little girl—thin, with enormous eyes. She stood apart, alone. Her hands trembled, her face smeared with ash. Kano went down on one knee and wrapped her in his cloak.
—"You're safe."
His voice was soft, like a blanket.
—"No one will hurt you here. You're home."
The girl silently put her arms around his neck. Tears ran down her cheeks.
Kano rose and swept his gaze over the crowd.
—"Raise the tents. For everyone. Now. Food, water, warmth—children first."
Then he turned to the orcs:
—"Send scouts into the forest. Quiet. No noise. If you see anything dangerous—do not engage. We need the full picture."
—"I'll go," said Grimtar.
—"Personally."
—"Take the archers," Lianel cut in.
—"They'll be eyes at a distance."
—"You want to go with them," said Kano, looking straight at her.
—"Yes. I'm fast. Unseen. And I want to know what happened to these people."
Kano paused a moment. His gaze was firm, but care lived in it.
—"You will stay here."
—"What?" her voice was sharp.
—"This is not a request. It's an order. Your arrow is needed here as much as in the forest. If someone comes again—you'll protect them. I trust you with this."
Lianel wanted to say something, but… fell silent. She nodded. Her gaze darkened, but there was no resentment in it. Only understanding.
Grimtar set out with the squad. Lianel turned back to the children and women already seated beneath new tents. Selina was still healing, and in her eyes something new burned—resolve.
Kano swept his gaze over the city once more.
He was no longer just a chieftain.
He had become hope.