Dawn broke over the settlement with a warmth that made everything look more stable than it was. Satou stood at the edge of the village square, watching the morning activity with something that wasn't quite satisfaction — more like the careful monitoring of someone who had learned not to trust quiet.
Goblins and orcs moving together. Building. Training. Eating. It was working. Against every piece of logic available to him three weeks ago, it was actually working.
"Big brother!"
Jessica and Kelvin came at a run, both in the simple leather armor the orc craftsmen had helped them put together, spears in hand, expressions that made their excitement completely unnecessary to announce.
"Ready for today?" Satou asked.
"Yes," they said together.
