Bramm had decided on the plan a long while ago; he could not keep up with the lodgings, and he needed to increase his strength as well. Whilst it would expose his men and his house a bit, he would feel much assured if genuine builders could build more lodgings and areas for his men to live in.

"I am sure there are a few companies willing to risk coming up here with sufficient incentives and protection, for how much it will cost... I do not know, it will probably depend on the company and what the Lord intends to build. The supplies should cost the most..."

"I don’t think we will have too much a problem with money... if we are short however, i know a guy in the city who... buys beast materials." Resven continued with a worried sigh.

His encounter with the halfling known as Balkas was intriguing and draining to say the least.

"Mhmm, I don’t think the materials will be too much of an issue, we are surrounded by forest. It will provide. The safety of the builders is my main concern... Oh! I know, Resven." Bramm called out with glee and a twinkle in his eye.

"Yes.. my Lord?" Cautious, Resven answered.

"You see, Mestin and Keren make an excellent duo. And I want you to be my eyes and ears from now on. I don’t like the idea of you alone, so what do you say about a brother joining your mission? Then you would have someone to watch your back. If one is not enough for the builder’s safety, more can join us."

A smile appeared on Bramm’s face as he continued. ’With the addition of another brother, it would round the two teams up for now. Mestin and Keren will be my main attack force and Resven will be my spy and... merchant?! Oh I do like the sound of that!’

"I would be honored to take such a role, my Lord and a brother in arms would be most welcome." Resven gave a curt bow with much emotion in his voice as he gazed at Bramm with glee.

"Well then... I guess it’s as good a time as any to welcome another brother."

’Summon a [Light Red Militiaman],’ he thought silently.

In the evening glow of moonlight, a dazzling light erupted a distance away from them, behind Bramm’s cabin, illuminating the area with splendour. ’Guess I’ll have to refrain from summoning them in the night, lest I attract unwanted attention.’

"Come, let’s go greet our brother in arms." With the fading of the light, Bramm stood up and slowly sauntered towards the cabin, Resven in tow behind him.

From behind the cabin, a man, slightly shorter than Bramm, but with large, broad shoulders and a lean body filled with muscle. His hair was cut short in a buzzcut, and a manicured beard flowed along his sharp jawline.

On his back, Bramm could see the shadow of a big, round shield, and strapped to his hip was an axe. ’So, a one-handed axeman, mhmm...’

Pulling up the man’s info quickly, he saw everything he needed to.

"We greet the Mormaer. Duely rendered." The man did the same greeting as the others.

"Rise, Telarin Ironhide, House Osric sees you." Satisfied with his new companion, he went forward to welcome the man.

"Telarin, this is Resven Longsteedt, a brother and warrior of House Osric. You will be partnering up with Resven. Well then, I have dinner on the fire... I’ll leave you two to get acquainted further."

With a huff of smoke, he pulled from his putty, he turned and walked his way down to the fire.

He only hoped the meat would not have burned by the time he returned.

"Oh, bind the sail and brace the mast,

The mountain wind is rising fast.

Though the deep-vein cold may bite the bone,

The sea shall bring the wanderer home."

He hummed a tune whilst he made his way down, but it was not long before something in the distance caught his attention. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Silhouettes danced around the fire, and it didn’t take much to realise what they were.

"Barbed Lynxes!" His eyes narrowed slightly, and from the shadows, he saw more and more movement, "Resven, Telarin, grab your weapons!"

Knowing full well what waited up ahead, Bramm turned around and headed towards the two men. Grabbing his Dane axe that was lying against the cabin wall.

"What is the matter then? What manner of beast are we facing?" Telarin was the first to raise his axe and shield, standing to the side of Bramm. Resven was not long after.

"Barbed Lynxes, saw a few shadows around the fire and even more lurking in the shadows of darkness. Were it not for the moonlight, I wouldn’t have seen them," Bramm warned with caution.

Barbed Lynxes were known to be difficult beasts to defeat. Individually, they are likely one of the weaker beasts of their tier; they are pack hunters. If there is one, there are many.

Bramm only hoped that the strength of this pack wasn’t too great; they could get overwhelmed.

The lynxes were not beasts that liked direct confrontation; they circled their prey, and with good coordination, they started jumping past their prey. Their long whip-like tails were barbed like spikes. They used their tales to sever tendons, cleave at armor or weapons alike.

One man would not be able to defend against a pack of them, even if he were stronger.

’Damn, it had to be Barbed Lynxes? Couldn’t it have been the forest wolves of dogs? These bastards won’t drain our stamina too fast. I really don’t want to fight such a beast tonight, especially in the dark.’ Bramm and the other two stood back to back, forming a circle as they surveyed their surroundings.

’But if we leave now and Mestin and Keren return... they’ll probably be able to escape, but I don’t want to risk the chance they don’t. It would be best if they could get here and attack the beasts from behind, then we can attack as well.’