Chapter 88: Balancing Strength and Duty
Spring had fully arrived in Ebon Hollow. Blossoms dotted the terraces of the new palace, their petals drifting lazily in the warm breeze. From his vantage on the balcony, Kael could see the village buzzing with activity: blacksmiths hammering out gleaming swords and armor, scholars teaching children under the shade of trees, and merchants organizing trade goods to send along the newly established caravans. Everywhere, the Hollow was expanding, thriving under Kael's guidance.
Despite the sense of pride swelling in his chest, a gnawing worry tugged at him. Each project he oversaw—the expansion of farms, the construction of storage facilities, the development of workshops—reminded him that the Hollow's growth made them more visible. With each new building and organized stockpile, their community became a tempting target for outsiders. And with every thought of enemies who might come, Kael's mind returned to the one pressing concern: they needed more soldiers.
He spent the morning moving between projects, helping where he could. He adjusted the placement of supply caches, offered guidance on fortifying workshop walls, and worked alongside blacksmiths to test new forging techniques. His presence motivated the workers, and Kael enjoyed seeing their confidence and efficiency increase. But every time he gave instructions, his thoughts drifted back to defense.
By midday, Kael's unease had grown unbearable. He needed answers—or at least a plan. He made his way to the training yard, where Thalos oversaw a group of soldiers sparring under the sun. The air rang with the clash of steel, shouts of exertion, and the rhythmic stomp of armored boots. Kael found his lieutenant instructing a young soldier on proper spear technique.
"Thalos," Kael called, walking onto the field. The soldiers paused briefly, giving a respectful nod, but quickly returned to practice.
"Kael," Thalos greeted, wiping sweat from his brow. "What brings you here?"
Kael's gaze swept over the yard. "We've expanded so much… and I can't shake the thought that if an enemy comes, even a moderate force could exploit our growth. We need more soldiers, but we've already pushed the limits of recruitment. I was hoping you might have a solution."
Thalos studied him for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "More soldiers, huh… The obvious answer is training, but we're already at full capacity. We can't just pull more people from the farms or workshops without weakening the Hollow in other ways. Magic could supplement manpower, but relying solely on Kael's power isn't sustainable. That's the issue."
Kael ran a hand over his face, frustration mounting. "I know… I just… I don't want to wait until we're vulnerable. What if someone decides to test us tomorrow?"
Thalos sighed. "I've been thinking about that too. We could implement specialized units—rapid response teams, scouts, and magic-enhanced squads—but it won't solve the need for sheer numbers. The Hollow is growing faster than we can militarily compensate. That's the dilemma."
The two fell into silence, listening to the sounds of the training yard. Kael's mind whirled, considering every possible solution: conscription, recruiting from nearby villages, magic-enhanced soldiers, even chaos-animated training constructs. Each had its drawbacks. None offered a perfect solution.
Finally, Thalos spoke, his tone calm but resolute. "Kael… we can't force a perfect answer. We prepare as best we can. Strengthen the walls, fortify supply lines, and train what we have to the utmost. Beyond that, all we can do is trust that your leadership—and your power—will hold the Hollow together if tested."
Kael nodded slowly, absorbing the words. Even with all the uncertainty, he felt a small sense of relief. At least he wasn't facing this dilemma alone. "You're right. We'll have to make do with what we have, and focus on making every soldier and every defense as effective as possible."
Thalos clapped him on the shoulder. "That's the spirit. And Kael… don't forget to take care of yourself. You can't lead a Hollow that isn't whole."
By evening, Kael returned to the palace, weariness tugging at his muscles and mind. Lyria and Druaka were waiting for him in the dining hall, the scent of freshly baked bread and roasted vegetables filling the air. Their playful chatter immediately drew a small, reluctant smile from Kael.
"You're late," Lyria said, a teasing lilt in her voice. "Were you saving the world again, or just brooding in the training yard?"
Druaka grinned, leaning across the table toward him. "Or maybe you were thinking about how many soldiers we need and how terrified you are of being outnumbered!"
Kael groaned, shaking his head, though the tension in his chest began to loosen. "I… I suppose I was a little worried," he admitted, his tone sheepish. "It's hard not to think about it with everything expanding so fast."
Lyria reached over, touching his hand lightly. "Kael, you've done more for this Hollow than anyone else ever could. If anyone can keep us safe, it's you."
Druaka nudged him playfully. "Besides, you're going to need someone to protect you too, don't forget that."
Kael chuckled quietly, feeling the tight knot of stress in his chest ease. He looked at the two women, the warmth of their presence grounding him. For the first time in hours, he allowed himself to relax—if only slightly—as laughter and conversation filled the hall.
The evening stretched on, filled with light teasing and gentle companionship. For a few precious hours, Kael could set aside the burdens of leadership and expansion, letting the comfort of Lyria and Druaka remind him of why he fought so hard to build the Hollow in the first place.
And as he sat between them, enjoying the rare moment of peace, Kael realized that even amidst uncertainty and the looming need for more soldiers, there was strength in unity—and in love.