CHAPTER 26 – THE STORM INVADES!
- Amethyst
- 25 May, 2026
- Amethyst
- 7 May, 2026
The barren wasteland awakens. It’s still an empty plain of nothingness. Nothing has changed. Anyone who dreamed there was a full built HQ? For sure it’s not Jowlani and Zayden.
They get up, eat breakfast and head out. It’s time to pay Marques a visit. Did he come up with enough plans for the headquarters? Is his design well enough to fit the bill? How many resources, tools and people are needed to build it? Questions, questions and no answers just yet.
Zayden knocks on the door that Marques is sleeping in.
“Knock, knock, we’re here! It’s your special pair of people.”
“Nice touch Zay!” says Jowlani.
They head inside and they expect to see a full on crazy Marques. Though when they step inside they find a whole different image. All kinds of drawings and files wrapped in binders. A desk that is clean. And somebody called Marques who’s still asleep.
Jowlani walks up to his bed, gets close to his ear and whispers: “My, are you a strong boy! Care to join me tonight for dinner? Just the two of us in private. My bedroom?”
Marques visibly starts sweating, tossing and turning. Zayden fills a glass of water from the tap, and then… “AGHHHH! What’s going on? Where am I? Debby?”
Jowlani and Zayden burst out in laughter. Zayden catches breath to respond: “You never stopped liking my aunt. I guess somebody’s hungry for a cougar. At least I’m not the one. I’m staying way clear of that.”
Marques then notices the culprits of the water. “That is so out of order. Why would you even do that? Besides the point you’re making, why are you here so early? I finished the designs well on time. So I wanted to get some rest to keep protecting you when you arose. Next time, just please give me some privacy. And to humour you? Debby’s a great lady. Next subject after I’m done getting dressed. No need for you to witness greatness, turn around please!”
“Whatever you like to call greatness. Says the one was ashamed to take a shower with teammates together after sporting events. Let’s just go with greatness then, shall we?” says Zayden.
After these morning ‘events’, we get on with the schedule. After all, a great headquarters isn’t designed or constructed by itself. Marques grabs all his paperwork, and the trio head to Hammy. Hammy’s already at the centre of the plain again, in the same tent as yesterday.
“Here come the young apprentices. Let me see what you’ve come up with and explain it to Hammy!”
Marques stalls out all his designs, and paperwork. Then he starts to fully explain his idea of the new headquarters.
“It was quite an easy feat, actually. We’ve had so many flaws and weaknesses in the other two designs that I have taken the liberty of exploring what our chances are. Our chances lie in dividing the headquarters in such a manner, that it’s impossible to take in one go. That citizens are safe to retreat any given time. Plus that divisions of the army are separated, but can quickly reinforce one another.
That being said, that gives me the following design. We are going to build this in an octagon shape. At first glance, that would make it much harder to defend. But here’s the trick. The underground tunnel system will be layered in two layers on top of each other. The upper layer will serve only for the army, with direct points from one edge to another, minimal forks in the road to prevent them heading the wrong way.
The lower layer will serve for the citizens and merchants, with a direct retreat route to Caelhem.
We will reinforce those sides with castle towers. Archers and mage users at the top of the tower for scouting and initial defences. In the lower part of the tower we will station infantry, cavalry and artillery. Tiny openings will be made into the tower, so that heavy cannons can do the initial work if needed.
The division of the castle will also be different compared to the other designs. Because of its octagon shape, we can no longer divide in two or four area’s. Instead, we will make sure to send to the focus around our city centre. We will build one central building for shops, with housing next to it. A specific separated quarters for the army, who will also partially be housed/stationed in the residential/shopping area. In case of night raids, who would be able to defend themselves? Citizens for sure not on their own. With soldiers and magicians amongst us, chances of casualties and injuries are significantly lower.
Should the war be over? Then this headquarters can be turned into the major new bustling city of Netralia. Open for business at any time. A safe haven for refugees from other countries. Plus a rightful place in history as new negotiating place for the continent, in case of peace talks or trade agreements.
We will need a whole lot of volunteers to build this. With this shape, it also costs much more financially. We will have to request the financial aid of the major cities and the national government. No need to worry about that though. I’ve already sent messagers to Zomerhoven, Caelhem and Caelira herself. All have granted approval for this design with financial backing. If you’ve got the people, we can start right away.”
Jowlani, Zayden and Hammy inspect the files. Letters from Lord Nelson of Zomerhoven, Caelira of Caelhem and the national government are included in the paperwork.
They all approve of the design Marques drew, without any significant remarks to disapprove them.
Hammy inspects the architectural plans, the interior designs, and the ledger on the costs.
“Well, damn son! You’ve actually pulled it off. You beat Hammy at design and construction. That’s a first in this country. Thank you very much though for the provided work. I think we can all agree that this is the design that we’re going to go with. No need to talk about all the details just yet. Get the frame started, then make it look pretty on the inside. You asked if I’ve got the people. Hell yeah I do. If you say green light, I’ll send them out.”
Zayden and Jowlani look astonished at the work Marques was able to put in so quickly.
“Wow, that’s brilliant work Marques. Marvellous indeed. I knew you were up to the task. You will oversee everything of the construction alongside Hammy. We’ll help out in any way we can.”
“Zay’s right! This is great! Thank you so much!”
Jowlani’s elated with this good news and runs to Marques and hugs him.
“No need to praise me that much. It’s my job, remember? Though thank you again for the chance. I’m happy to help. Just one step closer to our end goal. Seeing two nations at peace. And most of all, to see you two happy. In freedom and unashamed of who you are. This is what I call a bloody good start. Hammy, let’s get to building the possibly new capital of Netralia!…. let’s hope Caelira didn’t hear that.”
With that news, it’s time to start constructing the new headquarters. Everything set in place and the people are ready. Hammy’s been able to get around three thousand volunteers from around the country. Some of them aren’t even from this country. They’re from neighbouring nations willing to see peace on the continent remain. Many volunteers aren’t just builders. There are also magicians, who make the hard labour process much easier.
Electronical devices, mechanical systems and machines are brought in as well to help speed the process up. The building process is scheduled to last up for at least a month when it comes to the outer construction.
In the meantime, a storm is brewing in the more southern part of the country.