SafeHaven Read online

  “Good day, laddie. Is tha your forge?”

  “Yes sir, it is.”

  They nodded and whispered among themselves before one spoke, “My name is Oter, these are Kromnit, and Kralit,” gesturing to the other dwarves with him. “We haven’t been in a forge for a long time. Been cooped up in a cage until ya saved us. Thank ya for tha.”

  I bowed my head and replied, “No problem. My name is Max.”

  They bellowed with laughter, and Krom responded, “Oh, we kno who ya are. I believe everyone around for miles kno who ya are.”

  I narrowed my eyes and asked, “What do you mean by that?”

  “Ah, do na worry about tha laddie, it’s a good thing, but we would like ta know if we could hav a look in tha forge. Maybe we can help fix sum of tha armor everyone is wearing?” Oter said looking hopeful after his request.

  I thought about it, dwarves were great at repairing and creating anything from metal.

  “That would be awesome if you would help, I have some weapons, and armor we took from some altercations. I’ll have Reap bring them over and meet you in the forge.”

  They left. I tracked down Reap and Herc in the woods.

  ‘Hey guys, how’s it going?’

  ‘About to go hunt, you want to join us?’ Reap replied.

  ‘Can’t, got some dwarves that want to get the forge running. Sigmus, you want to go with?”

  He hummed and thought about it, then replied, ‘Yeah, that would be great. Not sure when I’ll get another chance. Thanks, my man.’

  I laughed and pulled my shirt off. There were catcalls and whistles from all over.

  Sam hollered, “Yeah baby, take it off”

  Nancy whistled, “Woohoo!”

  Some elves and other shifters were cheering, wanting a show. I even saw a couple amazons watching. I chuckled, knowing their cheers were about to turn to hysteria. Sigmus activated his tattoo and began his descent. People started backing up, screaming. Everyone around started to run away. I rolled my eyes, maybe one day people would get used to it. Soon, the elemental emerged from the syrupy liquid and glanced at me. Then the bastard smiled. It sure was creepy.

  I looked over to my two predators. ‘Can you bring those items we accumulated to the forge before you leave?’

  ‘Sure, that’s good the dwarves are getting involved. They make excellent armor and weapons,’ Herc answered and went to get the items I requested.

  Sigmus hollered out as they left, ‘Be back later, bitch!’

  Grunting, I made my way back to the forge and found black smoke coming from the stack. Hmm… they must be making progress. I went inside to find the three dwarves working in different places of the forge. The fire was blazing. They were cleaning the tools and looked like they were about to get started with some repairs. I stared at them. They were wearing some aprons they must have found.

  “Wow, guys, you don’t mess around. Anything you need from me?”

  Krom smiled and replied, “No Max, it jus feels like home when we are in this atmosphere. Thank ya for tha opportunity.”

  I bowed and returned their thanks for their help. “Those items will be delivered in a few moments. Look through them to see what can be fixed and those that can’t, just use them for repairs.”

  “Will do Max, can ya hav some food brought by later on?” Kra asked while banging on a sword.

  “They were preparing the food a short time ago, so I will have some brought over. I need to go meet with some others, if you need something let me know.”

  They nodded and I left for my meeting. The others were waiting for me out by some oak trees. Noticing my girls weren’t there, I asked one of the ladies to go get them from the cabin.

  “Hey boss, looks like the forge is up and running. Think we can get some repairs done?” Frank asked.

  “Yes, sir. I recruited three dwarves in the forge, and they’re about to get working on that.”

  “Wow, that’s awesome, usually dwarves don’t help out with your kind. They must like you,” an elf answered.

  I saw the ladies were coming to the party as they exited the cabin.

  “Either that or they’re scared of him,” Sean snickered, and the others laughed at his statement. All I had to do was look at them and they stopped immediately, eyes downcast.

  “They came to me, wanted to work in the forge, so I let them. I will be in there too, doing my own repairs.”

  “You know how to work in a forge, boss?” Jacob asked, surprised.

  I nodded and replied, “Yes, my dad is a blacksmith, an-”

  “So that’s why you have a hidden armory on you at all times. You can just fix them when needed,” Tia said with a smirk as she came up to me.

  I grinned at her remark, but didn’t respond, instead scanned the others with her, and tried to determine what was decided. They just smiled, eyes twinkling, giving mischievous looks, but didn’t say anything.

  “Ladies, thanks for coming, we have many items to discuss. First, we need a headcount, and a list of skills everyone has so they can contribute. Carpenters, masons, builders, farmers, cooks, and herbalists are the ones we need to find first. Also, we need to assign security, hunters, gatherers, and trainers. I want training to start tomorrow. We need to find our strengths and weaknesses before we leave.”

  “What do you mean leave? Where are you going?” Cass asked hesitantly.

  “That’s one of the items we need to discuss tonight, but we also know where others are being held like the ones we just freed. I am going to see what can be done about it.”

  “Are you serious? You just got back and now you’re leaving again?” Val questioned.

  “I can’t just leave them there,” I responded and was somewhat irritated. “Someone needs to try and free them.”

  She slowly nodded but didn’t say anything further.

  “Sean, take Cass, Frank, Sasha, Lashane and a couple of others with you to find the workers. Soph, Tia, Leena, Shaila, and Val, take care of the latter, and we’ll meet in a couple of hours. Hopefully, the food is prepared now, I’m hungry, but headed to the for-.”

  I was interrupted by a voice that came from behind us, “Valencia?”

  I looked around to find the lady that was in Val’s pride. Oops, forgot to tell her, oh well, too late now.

  “Tina?” Val’s voice came out as whispered disbelief.

  They both sprinted to each other and embraced. They held each other for what seemed like hours but was only minutes. “Misty? The others?”

  “Yes Valencia, Misty is here, but not everyone. We were captured while hunting, I don’t know where they are, or if they are held prisoner.”

  “How are you here?” Val asked.

  “We were captured and taken to the mine,” Tina turned to me, tears running down her cheeks, smiled, and winked. “Our Alpha came and rescued us.”

  Val whipped her head around and jumped up onto my body. She straddled me, wrapping her legs around my waist, and kissed me passionately. When she was done, I set her back on the ground, and she whispered, “I love you, Max.”

  I grinned and slapped her ass. She yelped while holding on to her butt cheek, turned around with her eyes blazing yellow, letting me know her lioness was present. I stepped to her, my eyes turning bright orange and smiled down at her.

  I growled in a deep baritone voice, “You start something, you better be able to finish Val. I will slap that ass anytime I want.” I lowered my head down to her ear, and whispered, “You want to see who will dominate who? Here is your only warning. When it’s time, you’ll see how dominant I can be.”

  Grabbing her by the back of her neck, I whispered in her ear, “Do you understand, my feisty lioness?”

  She whimpered while nodding. I moved her neck to the side, and bit down on her flesh. It wasn’t hard, but I got my point across, and she purred. I licked the place where I left my mark on her neck and let go when I kissed her forehead. That made her purr louder and I laughed softly, but was interrupted by a she-wolf whi
ning.

  “If you’re handing out spankings, I’m next,” she turned around, lifted her butt into the air, and pointed to her right cheek. “Right here, baby.”

  I walked to her and whispered to her we would do that later. She frowned and pouted, so I slapped her ass hard, and got the reaction I wanted. She smiled and kept her comments to herself.

  Scanning the group around me, silence rained on us. They were waiting for me to say something, I supposed. I couldn’t help myself as I gazed at the ladies around and said brazenly, “Who else has been naughty today and needs a spanking?”

  I noticed then they had hunger in their eyes; damn shifters and elves. So I finished with, “Or who wants their ass beat because they haven’t left to see to their duties yet?”

  That encouraged action, and I chuckled as they hustled away.

  “Val, go see your sister and the others. Take some time with them to catch up.”

  She nodded, kissed me on the cheek, and left.

  I watched her walk away with Tina, arms around each other’s waist. I wondered if it was dumb luck or a big coincidence that some of her pride was in the first prison camp. Getting my thoughts together to make sound decisions, I felt someone watching me. I searched the area looking for the perpetrator and found it to be females; amazons to be more accurate. It was a group of them. One in particular was staring at me, and didn’t stop even when I caught her looking. She had red hair, about my height, muscular, wearing only a skimpy leather outfit. She was beautiful, but I didn’t want to seem rude, so nodded and walked to the forge. Feeling her eyes on me the whole way, I didn’t think anything of it.

  Chapter 5

  Oter, Krom, and Kral were taking a break. Someone had brought them food, and they were finishing when I walked up.

  “Max, thanks for tha hospitality and letting us work. We’re very grateful,” Oter said.

  “No problem, but I have to ask. Are you guys staying or leaving?”

  They smiled and Krom answered, “We were gonna talk to ye about it, but we wud like ta stay if it’s okay.”

  I smiled and nodded; they seemed excited about the prospects of living at my place.

  “If anyone else wants to stay, let me know, maybe we can get more forges built.”

  “That would be great Max, we will spread tha word. They hav actually been a little jealous of us helping ye,” Oter responded.

  “Anything you guys need, just let me know.”

  I bowed my head to them and left to go find something to eat. I headed to the cabin and found it empty except for some smoked meat and veggies on the counter. Sitting down after making myself a plate, I tried not to think about anything except food. I was still eating when I heard footsteps coming into the cabin. Sean walked in, Marie in tow.

  I looked up but didn’t talk and kept eating. They finally got the hint and started speaking.

  “Alpha, we have an issue. Some are refusing to work with the orcs, or even to talk with them. They don’t trust them and frankly I agree with them,” Sean stated hesitantly.

  I got up and cleaned my plate while he spoke.

  “That’s okay, I’ll handle it. What else?”

  He looked at me confused and somewhat stunned, “Alpha, we didn’t complete your commands, are you not going to punish us?”

  I furrowed my brows, glancing at them for a few moments, wondering why I would punish them.

  “Umm… why would I punish you? They were only requests, not commands.”

  “Well, we aren’t used to this I suppose. Please forgive us for not completing your requests for workers,” Marie replied, smiling.

  “There’s nothing to forgive. Now, anything else?”

  “We have come up with a temporary security schedule, and some temporary living areas. We also have a head count, and a list of occupations,” Sean answered with a smirk.

  “Where’s the list?”

  He handed it to me, and I sat down to check it over. The list had what I was looking for, a collection of mages: earth, life, water, fire, healing, and elemental were the highlights. There were also blacksmiths, carpenters, builders, and masons. We also had some farmers, no herbalist though. I wondered if I could get my parents to come. Hmm…maybe, I’d have to think about that later. I smiled and handed him back the list.

  “Excellent, I want a meeting with the mages and then the others on this list. We need to get started on housing and defense. I didn’t look at the head count, how many are here in total?”

  “Five hundred sixty-two counting the orcs, and we may have missed a couple of people while they were doing other stuff. Also, the rest of the Berenger pack hasn’t shown up yet,” Sean replied.

  I whistled, “Damn, that’s a lot to start off with, even more so when the other wolves show up. Okay, change of plans. Bring me the builders. I would like to get started on surveying the land for a keep. It will be the only thing that will keep them safe. Also, find Gordon, let him know I want to speak to him.”

  “Yes, Alpha, we will take care of that right now,” Marie responded, bowed, and left.

  I still hadn’t gotten used to the Alpha part. I left the cabin and walked to the orc encampment to find Gurak. He was discussing something with one of his men, so I waited until he was done to come up and talk.

  “Gurak, how are you settling in?”

  “We are well, thank you, Max,” he replied, grinning.

  “Good, I’m here to let you know we are training together; me, you, and your men. Women as well, if and when they arrive.” He looked confused, but didn’t interrupt. “I want to see what your men can do with blades and hand to hand. From what I saw, some are lacking, so we’re going to fix that. I don’t want anyone going into battle unprepared.”

  He nodded and replied, “Yes, that would be good. They’re young, so the more we can teach them, the better.”

  “No, they will know this better than they can swing their axes, and I want them deadly to fight against. Everyone here at my camp will know how to fight in close combat, whether it’s with swords, daggers, knives, or fists. When we move out to the next prison camp or a rescue mission of some sort, I want to make sure I don’t have to worry about anyone around me. When I’m satisfied, I will send out two companies to free two different prison camps. Those are my goals. It may take a little while, but we will get there eventually.”

  He didn’t say anything for a few moments, but replied carefully, “Max, why are you helping us?”

  I shrugged and answered, “Darkness isn’t coming. It’s already here, and it’s time for you to pick sides.” Taking a couple breaths, I shouted, “Light or Darkness. CHOOSE YOUR SIDE!”

  At the command of my voice, my eyes grew bright orange, and I could feel my animal ready to pounce. Gurak backed up. His men didn’t know what to do, but had their swords ready.

  “W-We choose you, and y-your tribe. You are honorable and we will follow you,” he cautiously replied.

  I nodded and spoke, “Sorry, I had to know and wasn’t going to put anyone in harm’s way.”

  He nodded and took deep breaths to calm down.

  “We are going to build a keep, so I want to talk about helping around with labor, hunting, and to secure the perimeter.”

  “Just let us know what we need to do, and it’ll be done.”

  He sounded confident now that he had calmed down.

  I nodded and left to see to other things, needing to meet with the builders. I saw two groups of people down by the cabin, so detoured to there, hoping they were the builders. I came upon the first group and saw Sean discussing something with them.

  “Ah, Alpha, I’m glad you’re here, this is Stan and his builders,” Sean introduced me to them, and I acknowledged them with a nod.

  “Stan, we have many items to discuss, so let’s walk while I tell you what’s needed.”

  Gordon was with them. They all nodded and followed me out to the woods.

  “All right, this is what I want, tell me how to accomplish it. I have almos
t six hundred beings here and more on the way.” Everyone looked shocked to hear that number, but I continued, “We’ll probably add to that number when we go to the other prison camps. First, we need to build a keep with merchant shops, barracks and other housing; somehow get trading going with other towns, and get gardens started. I have a couple already but will need numerous going to keep up with demand. What I need to get done first though, is to have the boundaries marked for what needs to be built and how large it will be. It will need to be done proficiently. The Leshies will need to be notified so they can do their thing.”

  They nodded and I continued, “Gordon, are the builders staying for the long haul?”

  He answered, “Yes.”

  “All right, can you help with these first items?”

  “I will, but where are we going to get materials?” he replied. “We need a quarry and a mine.”

  I smiled. “There is a quarry west of us and a mine in the same vicinity. We will just need to make some heavy-duty wagons. I have a meeting with the mages and will get them to help with the buildings and projects. We have an assortment with us, so I am putting you in charge Gordon, and you will work with Stan to get this up and running quickly.”

  “Okay, that will help tremendously. What about masons, carpenters, and other trade workers?” Gordon asked.

  “Sean and Rachel have a list of the trade workers, mages, and farmers. That should get you started.”

  He nodded and started talking to his men.

  “Stan, any questions?”

  “Water, any tools you could provide, and laborers would be nice.” He chuckled nervously.

  “Sure. The water pump over by my barn runs into an underground cavern. Elwin and Pelleus have channels built for the barn and chicken coop. I’ll send you Gurak, he can spare a hundred men or so, tell him what you need, and he will get it done. If you have any issues with the orcs, have Gurak handle it, or come get me. We have an understanding that they will earn their stay. What kind of tools do you need?”

  “That sounds great. We need trade tools. I’m not sure you would have those here. We would need to go into town and get them.”