I scanned the valley and quickly spotted the perfect location for a walled city: an elevated part of the valley floor beside a large bend in the river, which would act as a natural defense.
"This is where we will establish Cradle, our first settlement," I said, pointing at the location.
It would be a kilometer or so in diameter if I could build it, but that was far beyond what I could achieve right now. So I decided to start with a much smaller version, on the highest spot. It would be my castle, protecting every citizen of our nascent country.
I had the craftsmen build a thin rope of fifty meters, then had one end staked at the center. Keeping the rope taut, I had the other end spun around to draw a large circle on the ground.
"What are you planning, my lord?" the Steward asked.
"A ring castle," I replied. " An oversized shell keep, with rooms built between the double walls. A single imposing structure that will protect and house everyone in times of trouble. I want it to be a hundred meters in diameter, so we need to erect three hundred fourteen meters of sturdy palisade. That will just be the beginning."
"That sounds like a large undertaking."
"It is," I said. "But it's also necessary. We need a large fortification to protect everyone if we are ever attacked, as any major setback would be a death sentence to our settlement. With such a small population, we just don't have the margin to survive any blows. None of our valuables, be it grain, livestock and most importantly, people, must be lost."
"We don't have any livestock or grain to protect though," said Lothar in a dry chuckle. "What about guards?"
"We're going to need a lot of them. Most crossbowmen can accurately shoot at least forty meters or so. So if they are to cover each other, we will need eight bastions around the castle. One pair of crossbowmen atop each, and four guards manning the gate, that's twenty guards per shift. So at least forty for day and night protection."
"Bastion?" Lothar asked.
"It's essentially the wall extended out like a tower. Since they are much more thicker, bastions are also tougher." They are also necessary if you want to place cannons atop the walls, but that was far in the future. It never hurts to prepare though.
"Forty men doing nothing but standing guard?" asked Ericsson incredulously.
"That's the price of safety," I said. "And even then it's not guaranteed. Relax Elder, we need to build a proper castle first."
My face fell as I watched the plan I had drawn on the ground. The human mind cannot truly grasp large numbers until they're represented in real life. The plan was so large that I doubted we could finish it within a month, and I refused to risk my people's lives for my perfectionism.
I would've made it smaller, but math landed another punch in my gut, when I calculated that a circle of fifty meter radius would cover an area of only 7,850 square meters; leaving a person not even three square meters for themselves. I would have to review their practices and knowledge regarding hygiene, as the density would be a breeding ground for diseases.
My mind wanted to whine, give up and escape into some indulgence, but failure meant death, so I hardened my resolve, let go of the breath I had been holding, and addressed the few masons, carpenters, ropemakers and blacksmiths that were among the refugees.
"Gentlemen," I said, straightening my back. "Our situation is dire. We need to build a sturdy palisade three hundred fourteen meters long and and five meters tall if we are to survive any threat. The security of our people is in your hands." I noticed their worried expressions turning to firm resolution. "Do what you must, but we need to finish it as soon as possible. I'll assign fifty men to do nothing but wood cutting, while you finish the wood and supervise the digging of it's foundation."
I turned to the Steward. "In this time of emergency, I will need every able bodied person to spend at least two hours of their time everyday to building the palisade. Would that be feasible, lord Steward?"
"Yes, my lord!" he nodded emphatically.
"M-my lord?" A young man asked hesitantly.
"Yes?"
"Why five meters? That's quite tall."
Ignoring the older men's scowls, I answered the inquisitive craftsman. "Good question. It needs to be at least five meters tall because a room has to be at least two meters tall. After we're finished building the palisade, we will begin working on a stone wall five meters out, which would be even taller. Then we will connect them with planks to create a three story shell keep, giving us almost three hundred fairly spacious rooms! What is your name?"
"Aramid, my lord."
"I like your initiative, Aramid. You know, we also need to build bastions, attached towers, around the palisade. Do you think you can take that responsibility?"
His eyes bulged. I noticed he was by far the youngest of the lot; by quite a bit. I wanted to reward initiative, but also couldn't risk strife brewing among the tradesmen, at least not yet.
"When did you graduate from being an apprentice, Aramid?"
"Almost a year ago."
"Oh. I suppose it would be best if you continue supporting your mentor for a while. Maybe I will have some personal tasks for you."
I turned to the rest of the group. "Everyone, please don't hesitate to talk to me, Elder Ericsson or among yourselves if you've come up with a good idea. Remember, we are all on the same boat; whether we float or sink, we will do it together."
The men nodded hesitantly. It was instinctive to hoard what you thought would give you an advantage over others, but fostering a culture of information sharing was necessary if I wanted to kick-start the engine of prosperity. I had an idea for that.
"Elder Ericsson tells me I have a barrel of good mead to my name. Why don't we meet at the end of the week to discuss your progress and any new ideas you come up with over a drink?"
That put a smile to everyone's face.
"We offered that barrel to you for your personal use, Sire," the Steward hissed.
"Getting the wall built is far more important to me than chugging some booze, Elder." I said, clutching his shoulder.
I doubted if I could even catch a buzz anymore, but I had never cared for alcohol anyway, nor did I have time to get drunk. I needed to tour the valley and explore every nook and cranny of our new home.
---
A pleasant breeze stirred through the castle's courtyard as birds sang melodious songs from the trees, but for Laira, it might as well have been one of those dark days when the windswept rain never seems to stop. Her heart was a knot of worry.
"Father, are you sure about this?" she asked the King.
"Amlain has definitely fallen, sunbeam. Sindhu is facing waves of thousands upon thousands of refugees. We must form an alliance now, or our fate will be sealed as well."
"That is what I'm worried about! Let me go there instead. Zoran's agents might have infiltrated it among the refugees. You know that they are not above employing unscrupulous tactics, and Nanon cannot afford to lose you."
Her father lowered his voice. "I'm not Nanon's future, sunbeam, you are. A capable member of the royal family must be always present in the capital. I have every confidence in your ability to safeguard our realm, daughter. I just wish you weren't shouldering the burden alone."
"Do you mean Linus?"
"No," he said, sighing. "I think that ship has sailed. I meant someone you could share a life with."
"There is still time for that," she replied testily.
"I know, I know, but a father worries."
She looked around and noticed her brother glowering at her.
"Father! The coaches are ready!" He shouted.
Her father smiled at her, one last time, and walked away. All Laira could do was pray for his safety, and for the strength to face the uncertain future.