“Can you really talk to your Hawk?” Harvey added.

  “Nope! Just thought it sounded cool.” Hannah laughed. “It does share impressions with me, though. If I sent it looking for tracks, it could give me basic directions to follow.”

  While they talked, Julian gave a short lecture on their theories about The Loom and skill creation. A few of the new arrivals were ready to take that first step, so they moved to the back of the room while people cycled through their first skill creations. Once the lecture wound down and the excitement in the church faded, the three of them slipped out to the yard behind the forge.

  “How was the trip?” Harvey asked.

  “Pretty exhausting.” Hannah groaned. “But we found a lot of people, which is all we can ask for.”

  Julian nodded in agreement. “Without a slispack, we couldn’t bring enough food and water for everyone, so we haven’t eaten since we left. Mind if we dig in while we chat?”

  “Go ahead.” Harvey encouraged.

  “How are things around town?” Julian asked between a mouthful of potatoes.

  “I’ve been holed up in the forge most of the time, but from what I’ve heard over dinner, it’s going well. There have been a few more monster incidents, but only one veilstrider died.” Harvey shared.

  “Damn, do you know who it was?” Julian swore.

  “I think her name was Jennifer.” Harvey shared.

  They were both silent, eyes downcast as they stopped eating. It was obvious they knew who he was talking about. Everyone here had been rescued by the pair at some point.

  “She was a great person,” Hannah whispered, finally breaking the silence.

  “Yeah. She really was.” Julian agreed.

  “I… I don’t know what to say.” Harvey added. He’d been so focused on crafting the last few days, he’d neglected getting to know all the new faces around town. His work was important, but guilt that he might’ve been able to save her if he’d been at the wall tugged on him.

  “It’s fine. We didn’t know her long, obviously, but she did a great job keeping people’s spirits up while we walked. Super funny lady.” Hannah explained.

  We know that we’re going to lose people. Seeing all the people who died before we found them is proof enough. It just hurts.” Julian added. “Hopefully, things will get better once the wall’s done. How are things going for you?”

  “Pretty great. I finally got my profession and have gotten way stronger since you left.” Harvey said

  “No kidding!” Hannah replied.

  “Yeah, reading the guidebook gave me the option to create a profession at the loom, and once I did, I was able to start leveling it just like my class,” Harvey explained.

  “Do the levels give stats? Or is there something else we haven’t found yet?” Julian asked.

  Instead of answering, Harvey grinned and shared two screens.

  Your profession, Apprentice Inventor, has reached Level 5. +3 Strength, +3 Endurance, +2 Wisdom, +2 Willpower, +2 Free Points

  “You’re joking. How do you have more Endurance than me? And you’ve caught up in Willpower!” Julian yelled.

  “Not fair! Give me that book, I want to read it.” Hannah exclaimed, hitting him on the arm.

  “I’d love to, but it disintegrated after I finished reading it.” Harvey chuckled

  “Liar, Julian, make him give me the book,” Hannah replied.

  “Harvey, give her the book.” Julian laughed.

  “Guys, I really don’t have it!” Harvey laughed as Hannah burst through the back door.

  A surprised shriek met her intrusion, and Hannah backed away to let Elena join them outside.

  “Elena! Hi, so great to see you. So, Harvey had this book. Where is it?” Hannah teased.

  “Book?” Elena said, stunned.

  “Yeah, I think it was called the Loser’s Guide to Blacksmithing or something like that. He told me it’s gone, but I think he’s lying.” Hannah explained.

  “I haven’t seen it, but if Harvey’s keeping secrets, I’ll be the first to know,” Elena added.

  “Alright, alright. Settle down. We can buy our own professions, Hannah. You don’t want to be stuck inside a sweaty forge all day anyway.” Julian laughed. “Really, though, Harvey, your stat growth in the last few days is pretty impressive.”

  “Thanks. It helps that the Profession increases our Race level, too. I think we should bring up Professions to everyone tonight so people know we can get stronger by doing more than just killing things.” Harvey explained.

  They caught up for a while longer, Elena joining in as they recounted their trip. They’d found another 47 people, and 45 had survived the journey home. He’d expected most people stranded out there to be dead by now, but apparently, the section of the forest with the weird undead monsters was pretty small.

  In less than a day’s walk, they reached an area that wouldn’t look out of place back on Earth. There was a river, edible plants, and plenty of animals to hunt, so people had survived better than in the area around Veil’s End. That wasn’t to say it was a paradise. There were still wolves, snakes, bears, and other predators, all growing stronger as essence infused their bodies. Still, with a few basic survival skills and the determination to defend yourself, it wasn’t unthinkable to survive without access to The Loom or the shop.

  They had yet to find another outpost with a Loom like theirs, but with how massive the trial was, it was likely there were more out there. That posed the question... Should they take everyone into the living forest and hope to find a better home, or keep building up Veil’s End?

  Harvey saw it as a bird in the hand being worth more than two in the bush scenario. Sure, would he feel more comfortable surrounded by lush greenery? Of course. But, a supercharged Bear could tear him apart just as easily as a Bloodrunn, and until they were sure there was a better Outpost than what they had, it wasn’t worth the risk.

  Theoretically, they could march the entire town back towards the fortress surrounding the portal the undead needed to reach Earth. It was prebuilt fortifications in a less alien environment. The problem was that it meant the children and elderly living there would be exposed to the undead army’s final assault, and a lot would end up as collateral damage. That was assuming they even made it all the way, which was no guarantee in a dangerous forest without access to the facilities the outpost provided.

  In the end, they decided to push that problem down the road. They wouldn’t hide the possibility from the other Veilstriders, but they wouldn’t bring it up for discussion either.

  For now, they needed to prepare as best they could with the resources they had.

  With the population up to 82, they had both a lot of mouths to feed and hands to work on building up the town. Julian and Hannah decided it was best for them to stick around for a few days, getting started on their professions while giving all the new arrivals a friendly face as they got settled.

  Once the wall was done and they’d blazed through the early profession levels, they’d head back out with better equipment and a big power spike.

  Elena stayed at the Forge when they left to peruse the selection of guidebooks. Surviving the wilderness had gotten Hannah and Julian up to level 11, and they had enough merit for each to buy a slipsack and one of John’s guides.

  Hannah found hers almost instantly, the picture of John holding two adorable puppies convincing her that beastmastery was the perfect choice.

  Harvey lurched as the book appeared in her hands, but stopped himself from lecturing about the importance of considering every option. It really was the right fit for her. She’d planned on being a veterinarian in her old life, so why not do the same now?

  “Ok, fine, I believe you now. The description says it’s consumable. How do I… I don’t know, consume it?” Hannah asked, turning the heavy book over.

  “You… read it?” Harvey answered.

  “What? I actually have to read it? Where’s the magic in that!” Hannah complained.

  Julian took his time, eventually settling on John’s Guide to Construction for Idiots, Morons, and You. It seemed like a simple profession, and not anything you’d need to buy a textbook to start doing. Apparently, he’d been an amateur woodworker in his past life, and hoped his profession would help him build defenses for the outpost.

  “I’ll need some tools if I’m going to build anything useful,” Julian said. “Can you make a few things for me?”

  “I’d be happy to, but I’m not very good yet. It might take me a while, and they won’t be anything like what you're used to using back home.” Harvey agreed.

  “Don’t sell yourself short, man. I’ll take whatever I can get.” Julian smiled.

  Books in hand, Harvey left them to get reading. It would still be an hour or two before the bulk of the camp gathered for dinner, so they could start while he and Elena went out for another hunt. He found her sitting at the workbench where she’d drawn her brother, idly adding to it as she passed the time.

  “Hey! Hannah and Julian got their guides and will be busy until dinner. Want to go hunting?” Harvey asked.

  She froze, charcoal pressed tight against the wood. Without turning to look at him, she replied. “No, my leg is still hurting pretty bad. I think I’d slow you down too much.”

  “Still? My ankle is a little tender, but it’s gotten a lot better since this morning.” He replied.

  “Yeah, I’m going to pass. Thanks for the invite, though.” She replied, getting back to her drawing.

  Staring at the back of her head, his heart sank. He couldn’t blame her for being scared, but he also couldn’t leave her behind.

  “Alright, I’ll see you at dinner then. Have fun.” Harvey replied, closing the door behind him. The old wood creaked until the latch fell, and he ventured into the woods alone.