====== The Workhorses of Lizard's Fangs ====== With the reconstruction of the Lizard's Fangs, there has been an influx of new workers and farmers to the Lizard's Fangs area. Half of them have decided to settle in the area of Fort Hammerfell and Tokay village, while the rest spread out into the existing villages around the area. Such immigration was previously unimaginable in the time before the rise of the Villain. The combination of new management at the Fort Hammerfell and a new guardian goddess on the Obsidian Throne have yielded great effects on the area. At the center of the Tokay village, at the newly-constructed town hall, two Volgeckos can be seen walking out of its gate. One wears the ceremonial armour of the Fort Hammerfell with a smaller stature -- Keahi, the Castellan. The other, tall, and regal, wearing chieftain robes decorated with shimmering crystals and ores -- Alana, the Chieftain of Tokay Village. //".... Alana, please -- your father would want you to be the Chieftain..."// Keahi begs, trying to catch up with Alana. Behind them, Volgeckos and other citizens of the village funnel out of the town hall whispering nervously. //"Keahi... It's in the best interest of the town people. I was unelected, and my specialty is not management... it's connecting the people as the ambassador of the Lizard's Fangs. Besides, I have already announced it to the public."// Keahi clicks his tongue in annoyance. He finally catches up to the taller figure. //"Dammit, Alana! What if the next chieftain refused to work with my fort!? Tephra is on our side now but who knows when she will change her mind. I need someone stable and sympathetic on the inside..."// He is cut off by Alana, who stops at the gate to the local tavern just before they enter. //"AND I will still be sympathetic and understandable, dear friend Keahi." She raised her voice somewhat, before resuming a normal speaking volume. "I do not like bossing around people, and that is the main part of a chieftain's job. I can still help you by coordinating with other villages, as long as YOU and whoever comes after you still maintain the cooperation agreement we have"// She sighs. //"Sorry, Keahi..."// Keahi shakes his head, and sighs. //"Fine, Fine...I am sorry Alana...You were an awesome chieftain."// Alana nods, with a gentle smile, before pushing the tavern door and entering with Keahi. Inside, the tavern is somewhat busy. Not all tables have been taken, but the bar seats are fully occupied. //“Hey!”// A happy jolly voice came from a corner. Serenity -- the previous Castellan of the Fort, and currently… Angus’ lover. They are seated at a corner booth, with a large tankard of ale already in hand. Their caramel-color cheeks are tainted in a gentle shade of pink… and their voice sounds slightly… inebriated. //“Hello Serenity!”// Alana cheers happily, before rushing to join them. Keahi too does the same, giving his old friend Serenity a hug before sitting on their other side. //“The usual for me and Alana.”// Keahi turns to order for Alana and himself. Before turning to join the conversation ongoing between Serenity and Alana. //“I cannot believe that you've quit your job, Alana. You were so good…”// Serenity speaks before taking a swig of her ale. //“Well… I took inspiration from you. I'd rather follow my dreams… my old man would understand that.”// A tankard of ale is served to Keahi, and a glass of red wine to Alana, while the conversation continues. //“How’s the farm anyway? How’s our friend Angus?”// Alana takes a sip of her wine, before swirling the crimson liquid in her glass chalice. //“Yeah, he is happy and very busy now. He just got a forgemaster position not too long ago, so he's kept himself busy.”// //“Yeah… that man is trying to get my job for sure…”// Keahi adds, laughing with everyone jovially. //“AH yes, also, the farm is going well. Not all the new arrivals are proficient in smithing or mining, so I have a lot of hands at the farm now. We are experimenting with plants from other regions, but the local flora are growing exceptionally well. We should be able to feed enough people and have extra to send to other villages.”// Serenity giggles, before turning to Keahi and Alana. //“Wow… that is impressive, my girl, I cannot believe that you are also a good farmer. I did not expect the warrior Serenity to also be an expert farmer.”// Keahi giggles at his comment. //“Well, what about you, Keahi? Any plans for the near future?”// Alana turns to Keahi on the other side of the table. //“Oh yeah, apart from keeping my seat away from Angus, I plan to fully turn the Fort into a civilian factory. Our revenues for the weapons and armours fell so sharply after the war, and the new production department that builds tools and furniture is getting only bigger and more profitable. So yeah, pacifying the Fort might be my grand goal while I still hold power.”// Alana and Serenity nod. //“See… I would not dare starting a big change like that. Good thing I retired early…”// Serenity sighs, looking down at the table for a moment. //“Come on, Serenity, don’t blame yourself for the calamity… You were put in the worst possible situation… and you managed to not cause an all-out war with my people… I think that is commendable… You know what? We should be more cheery and celebrate! This is my quitting party from the chieftain job! And I invited you and Keahi because you two are my friends…”// Alana stands up, a wine glass in her hand. //“We all did the best we could do to help our friends and family. And now we are stepping into a better world than the one we started with. I would like to propose a toast to all of us… to the prosperity of our lives and the Lizard’s Fangs!”// Serenity and Keahi stand up too, with drinks in their hand holding up high. **//“CHEERS~!”//**