Threads of Ashenveli
Morning sunlight washed Ashenveli in a warm glow, glimmering off half-built roofs and stacks of fresh timber.
The sound of hammers, saws, and cheerful voices filled the air as Heldric and his group—his own brothers and distant relatives who had arrived a day earlier—began working together to bring his blueprint to life.
Heldric stood in the center of the new construction area, barking instructions with precision while Voltaro watched with satisfaction.
“Move the support beams to the north sector!” Heldric shouted. “And you—don’t bend the nails like that, straighten your wrist!”
“Yes, boss!” the men replied.
These weren’t warriors or mages. They were builders, carpenters, masons—Heldric’s bloodline was full of craftsmen. And the moment they heard Heldric had found a place worth giving their lives to, they came running.
Raven carried piles of wood as if they weighed nothing. Selena used soft frost magic to cool freshly cut logs so they wouldn’t crack. Voltaro tightened ropes, lifted beams, and made sure morale never dropped.
It was teamwork at its finest.
Heldric looked at the rising structures with pride shining in his eyes.
“My dream is finally taking shape,” he murmured.
His youngest brother, Jarek—nicknamed “Jerk” by his siblings for being loud, childish, and always getting into trouble—stood beside him with a hammer slung across his shoulder.
“Brother,” Jerk said, wiping sweat from his forehead, “these buildings will be masterpieces. But… people still look like they came out of a battlefield. Ripped shirts, torn skirts, patched trousers everywhere. It ruins the vibe!”
Heldric’s eyes narrowed. “Shut it, Jerk. Don’t talk nonsense. We fix buildings first.”
But Jerk had a point.
Voltaro approached. “He’s right, Heldric. We can rebuild houses… but the people need dignity too.”
Selena joined them, brushing frost from her fingertips. “Some of the children’s clothes barely fit anymore. They’ve grown since the bandit attack.”
Raven nodded. “And our guards need proper uniforms. Right now, they all look mismatched.”
Heldric clicked his tongue. “Hmph. You’re all correct. Buildings shelter the body. Clothes shelter pride.”
He crossed his arms, thinking deeply.
“Ashenveli needs craftswomen. Seamstresses. People who can weave, stitch, design.”
Jerk’s mouth fell open. “Wait, wait… are you saying…”
“Yes.” Heldric turned to him. “You will go and bring the best craftswomen you can find.”
Jerk froze. “M–me? Why?!”
“Because,” Heldric said, poking Jerk’s forehead, “you’re fast, you’re loud, and you know how to talk to people… even though everything you say is idiotic.”
“Hey!”
“Also,” Raven added with a smirk, “you’ll stand out in any market. Nobody can ignore you.”
Selena giggled softly. “He’s like a puppy running around.”
Voltaro gave a calm nod. “Heldric wouldn’t choose you without a reason. Go. Find people who can help us.”
Jerk sputtered. “B–but where do I even start?!”
Heldric sighed dramatically and grabbed a rolled map. “I swear you’re hopeless.”
He pointed to a nearby town. “The town of Saffron Hollow. It’s famous for tailors and cloth weavers. Many craftswomen gathered there after the northern markets collapsed last winter.”
“Oh!” Jerk’s eyes widened. “So there ARE skilled people there!”
“Yes.” Heldric slapped the back of his head. “That’s why I’m sending you.”
Jerk groaned dramatically. “But why meee?!”
Heldric crossed his arms. “Because you’re my brother. And because I trust you.”
Jerk blinked. “Trust… me?”
Heldric placed a hand on his shoulder. “You may be loud and stupid—”
“Hey!”
“—but you always return home safely. And you never ignore someone in need. That’s why this job is perfect for you.”
Jerk’s chest puffed with pride.
Voltaro stepped forward. “Take two guards with you. Safety comes first.”
Raven tossed him a small pouch. “For expenses. Don’t waste it.”
Selena handed him a small frost-stone. “If you’re in danger, crush this. I’ll sense it and come.”
Jerk stared at them all, overwhelmed.
“You guys… believe I can do this?”
Heldric smirked. “Don’t get emotional. Just get moving.”
Jerk wiped his eyes dramatically. “I won’t let you down! I’ll bring the best craftswomen the kingdom has ever seen!”
And with that, he dashed off toward the stables.
As Jerk rode out of Ashenveli with two guards behind him, Heldric returned to the worksite. Voltaro and the others continued construction of the new training hall.
Heldric grabbed two wooden beams by himself, surprising even Raven.
“Whoa! You’re strong for an architect!”
Heldric chuckled. “Building is a craft of muscles and precision. I may not be a warrior, but I’m no fragile noble.”
Selena danced between workers, using frost to cool metal joints so they set properly. Her presence made the entire worksite magical—literally and figuratively.
Voltaro lifted another beam and placed it on the roof frame. “Heldric, once this hall is done, what’s next?”
Heldric wiped his brow. “Next, we begin the heart of the village—Ashenveli’s Grand Hall.”
His eyes gleamed with excitement. “Meetings, celebrations, strategy discussions… all under one roof. It will be the symbol of unity.”
Raven grinned. “We’re really building something huge here.”
A villager walked by with a basket of fresh bread. “Master Heldric! Please take some!”
Heldric smiled warmly. “Thank you. But give it to the workers first.”
The villager nodded and hurried away.
Selena whispered, “You’re already becoming a figure the villagers trust.”
Heldric blinked, surprised. “Me? Why?”
Voltaro answered gently. “Because you treat them with respect.”
Heldric looked down, almost shy. “If you say so.”
But deep inside, warmth bloomed. He had never been valued like this before—not even by the nobles he built mansions for.
Here… he had found purpose.
Hours passed. Beams were raised. Walls built. Ropes tightened. By sunset, the shell of the training hall stood tall and proud, glowing orange in the sun’s final light.
Heldric gathered everyone around.
“Well done! Today marks another victory for Ashenveli!”
The workers cheered.
But Voltaro raised an eyebrow. “Heldric… you seem unusually cheerful.”
Heldric grinned. “Because this is my dream! A place built with love, sweat, and dedication. A place where every hand contributes.”
Raven laughed. “Just don’t faint from excitement.”
Selena tugged Voltaro’s sleeve. “Do you think Jerk will be okay?”
Voltaro smiled. “He’ll return. He has a reason to succeed.”
Heldric nodded confidently. “Yes. Jerk acts like a clown, but when it matters… he doesn’t fail.”
As the sky turned deep violet, lanterns lit up around the worksite. Villagers celebrated another day of progress. Children played among the beams. Guards patrolled with renewed pride.
But Heldric stood quietly on a small hill overlooking Ashenveli.
Voltaro approached. “Everything all right?”
Heldric inhaled deeply. “Boss… thank you.”
Voltaro tilted his head. “For what?”
“For letting me build this. For believing in me. For giving my brothers—and me—a place to belong.”
Voltaro placed a hand on his shoulder. “Heldric… you chose us. Not the other way around.”
Heldric chuckled. “You’re right. But I’m glad I made that choice.”
Voltaro smiled. “Ashenveli is your home too now.”
Heldric looked over the glowing village, heart swelling with pride.
“Yes. And we will make it shine brighter than any kingdom.”
He turned back toward the worksite.
“Tomorrow, we start again.”
Voltaro nodded. “Together.”
And beneath the starry sky of Ashenveli, the dream continued to grow—slowly, beautifully, and with unwavering determination.
Too be continue...