Ric and his household began to plan the next step of action. They began to organize and formulate different plans, collect information needed and they decided it was time.They finally decided they couldn't wait for the threat to come knocking their way, it was time to take the fight to the enemies.Two days after the Stronghold Master celebration, Morgana assembled a strike force of one hundred and twenty of her best fighters. The sun had barely risen when they marched out of the eastern gate under the crossed pike and crossbow banner. Ric watched them leave from the wall, Yan and Kahleen at his side.“Clear every major camp within fifty miles,” Ric had told her before departure. “Make the border ours.”Morgana had simply grinned, her hands holding the tilt of her sword as she shrugged her shoulders and replied. “Consider it done!”For the next ten days, reports flowed back through scouts. Morgana’s force moved like ghosts through the wild borderlands, striking hard and fast. They hi

The next day was not like a regular day, it came with a lot of good news.The victory over the Iron Wolf tribe warband sent ripples across the northern borderlands. Within days, scouts reported that the main body of the tribe had pulled back deeper into the frozen wastes, their raiding parties growing cautious and smaller. Riverpark Stronghold had drawn first blood against one of the region’s most feared barbarian clans, and won decisively.It was a thing for celebration, as the militia were rewarded based on merit and contributions.The dead militia’s family were taken care of with special treatment from the household as the injured ones were treated immediately.Ric stood on the northern wall with his wives, watching a patrol return with another group of freed captives and recovered supplies. The mood across the stronghold was one of quiet confidence.“They’re retreating for now,” Morgana said, leaning on the parapet. Dressed on her loose gown and her sword beside her, still bearin

RiverPark Stronghold production was nearly in its final phase as the summer heat hung heavy over the outpost as its forges continued to roar. The blast furnace complex now operated at full capacity, producing iron at a rate that would have seemed impossible just months ago. Ric walked the perimeter of the expanded workshop district with his wives, the air thick with the smell of charcoal and hot metal.“We’ve hit a new milestone,” he said, gesturing toward the line of completed cannons waiting for mounting, he added: “Fifteen operational pieces now, with crews fully trained. Combined with the crossbows and disciplined pike companies, we can field a force capable of facing a thousand-man army on favorable ground.”Morgana ran her hand along one of the cannon barrels, her callused fingers tracing the smooth iron. “My men are ready. The Iron Wolf Tribe is still licking its wounds, but I’ve got scouts watching the passes. If they regroup, we’ll greet them with thunder again!”She wanted

The days following the loyalty milestone felt different in Riverpark Stronghold. There was a deeper harmony within the Warlord’s household, as if the system had simply recognized what had already been true for some time. The unique skills each wife received were powerful, but the real change was in how confidently they wielded them.They couldn't wait for them to test out their abilities, they felt thrilled as they woke up very early the next day for some practice.Ric stood on the central tower overlooking the stronghold at dawn. The view had changed dramatically. The walls had been expanded twice. New districts of homes and workshops spread outward in orderly rows. Smoke rose from multiple forges, and the distant rumble of cannon practice drills rolled across the fields like distant thunder.Everything was on the right track as Ric knew this moment of peace wouldn't last long, so he had to make sure this stronghold stays firm and its defense should be top notch.He could perceive e

The following day, work continued as always.The New project was still ongoing as sketches were made and necessary improvements were added. It was something worth celebrating as the steam engine prototype had proven itself. Crude, loud, and temperamental, it still turned heavy millstones and pumped water from the new mine shafts with relentless power. Riverpark Stronghold was no longer simply surviving ,it was innovating in ways the rest of the Starlight Dynasty could scarcely imagine.This was something that the Riverpark foundation will be built on and also a means for survival and exploration.Ric wiped grease from his hands as he stepped out of the engine house, the rhythmic chug chug echoing behind him. Morgana waited outside, arms crossed, a proud smirk on her face as her voluptuous chest was heaving up and down with excitement.“The boys want to mount one of these on a barge,” she said, “Imagine floating cannons down the river. We could strike anywhere.”She chuckled softly w