Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Canna and Kael sat in a cozy clearing within the sanctuary, surrounded by the soft glow of the enchanted lights that the Sylphirs had woven into the trees. The air was filled with the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant sounds of the sanctuary's inhabitants going about their day.

It was a peaceful setting, a stark contrast to the chaos and tension that had surrounded them in the dungeons of Arenthia.

"Kael," Canna began, his voice cutting through the calm, "do you already have a headcount of those we rescued from the dungeon?"

Kael, ever efficient, nodded confidently. "Of course. Who do you think you're talking to, huh?" He smirked and then became serious as he began listing the numbers. "We've got 124 dwarves, 21 scholars, 28 gnomes, 16 elves, 32 beastkin, and 179 humans. That brings the total to around 400 people."

Canna nodded, processing the information. The sheer number of lives they had saved was astonishing, and it filled him with a deep sense of accomplishment. Yet, with so many new residents, there were going to be challenges in integrating them into the sanctuary. "Mortem," Canna said, turning to his firstborn, "summon all of them here. I want to speak with them directly."

Mortem manifested silently beside Canna, his dark aura contrasting with the bright, natural surroundings. "Yes, Master," he replied, bowing slightly before disappearing into the shadows to carry out the command.

As Canna watched Mortem vanish, a thought struck him, and he quickly added, "And hurry back, Mortem. I have something to discuss with you as well."

Within moments, the rescued prisoners began to gather in a large clearing, their expressions a mix of uncertainty and hope. Canna stood before them, his imposing figure flanked by his powerful subordinates: Vorgrim, Grimruk, Flora, Elandra, and Mortem, who had returned swiftly.

Behind them stood the natural inhabitants of the sanctuary—the barbarians, the Sylphirs, and the Verdant Wardens—all watching the proceedings with interest. Mira was beside Canna, her small hand clutching his sleeve, and in the distance, Sylvanar loomed, his massive form a silent sentinel.

When everyone was assembled and the murmurs of the crowd died down, Canna addressed the group. His voice was calm and reassuring, yet it carried the weight of authority. "I know I offered you freedom and a place to stay here," he began, his eyes scanning the crowd. "But I also understand that many of you have families, loved ones you want to see again.

Those who wish to stay will always be welcome here, and I'll be happy to tell you all about the sanctuary. But if you want to return to the outside world, to the lives you had before, you are free to go. I have no hard feelings. If you wish to leave, raise your hands, and I will teleport you to a safe part of the kingdom."

A tense silence followed his words, as the gathered people processed what he had said. Slowly, a few hands began to rise—seven in total. Canna noted the apprehension and the resolve in their faces. One man stepped forward and spoke, his voice filled with emotion. "I need to see my child again. I've been gone for so long…"

Another, a woman, added, "My husband doesn't even know what happened to me. I need to find him, to let him know I'm okay."

Others shared similar stories—loved ones they longed to reunite with, lives they wanted to reclaim. Canna listened to each of them, nodding in understanding. When all had spoken, he smiled warmly and opened a portal, leading to a quiet street in Arenthia. "Go," he said gently, "and may you find peace."

The seven stepped through the portal, their expressions a mix of relief and determination. Once they were gone, Canna turned back to the remaining group, who watched him with a mixture of curiosity and hope. "For those of you who choose to stay," he continued, "this place is now your home. You are free to live here, to rebuild your lives.

The sanctuary is a place of safety, a place where you can heal and grow."

He then explained the few rules of the sanctuary, emphasizing the importance of harmony and respect. "There are only two rules you must follow: do nothing to harm or damage the sanctuary, and do not approach the cave where Stormbringer is napping. Other than that, you are free to explore and make this place your own."

A wave of relief seemed to wash over the crowd as they absorbed Canna's words. The tension that had been gripping them began to dissipate, replaced by smiles and murmurs of gratitude. Someone in the crowd raised a hand, and Canna nodded for them to speak. "Will we be able to live here, truly? Will these collars be removed?"

Canna turned to his subordinates and then back to the crowd. "Yes, the collars will be removed," he assured them. "But first, we must deal with the man who controls them. That's still a work in progress, but rest assured, I plan to free you completely."

The crowd erupted into cheers and expressions of thanks. The weight of the collars, both physical and metaphorical, had been a constant reminder of their captivity. The promise of their removal brought a new sense of hope.

As the atmosphere grew more festive, with people beginning to mingle and explore the sanctuary, Canna, Kael, and Mortem stepped aside to discuss the next steps.

Canna's voice was serious as he addressed Mortem. "Your report mentioned two things that concern me greatly: the black market slave house and the 17 orphanages. Tell me more."

Mortem, his expression as stoic as ever, nodded. "The black market slave house is a vile place. It operates in the shadows of Arenthia, hidden from the public eye but well-known to those in power. They deal in all kinds of slaves—children, adults, various races. It's heavily guarded, and the nobles have a direct hand in its operations."

Canna's eyes darkened, his hands clenching into fists. "And the orphanages?"

Mortem continued, his tone grim. "There are 17 orphanages in Arenthia, housing over a thousand children. Many of them are from different races—humans, elves, beastkin, and more. These orphanages are little more than prisons. The children are treated poorly, and some are sold to nobles as servants or worse."

Kael, who had been listening quietly, spoke up, his voice laced with anger. "So, it's not just Mira. There are others suffering the same fate."

Canna nodded, his resolve hardening. "We can't allow this to continue. Those children need to be saved. If they're anything like Mira, they're suffering in ways we can't even imagine."

Mortem agreed. "The orphanages are scattered throughout the kingdom, but I can pinpoint their locations. The black market, however, will require more planning. It's not something we can take down easily."

Canna thought for a moment, his mind racing with possibilities. "The orphanages are the priority. We'll save those children first. Kael, I need you to stay here and manage the people we've just rescued. Make sure they're settled in and start integrating them into the sanctuary."

Kael nodded. "You can count on me. I'll make sure everything runs smoothly here."

Canna turned back to Mortem. "Gather as much information as you can on the orphanages. We'll need to move quickly and quietly. Once we have the children, we can figure out how to deal with the black market."

Mortem bowed slightly. "I'll begin the preparations immediately, Master."

As Mortem disappeared into the shadows once more, Canna took a deep breath, his mind focused on the task ahead. The sanctuary was growing, but so were the challenges they faced. He knew that rescuing those children would not be easy, but it was a mission he was determined to see through.

Kael placed a hand on Canna's shoulder, offering a reassuring smile. "We'll get through this, Canna. We've faced worse, and we've come out stronger every time."

Canna nodded, grateful for Kael's unwavering support. "You're right. We'll save those children, and we'll make sure this sanctuary becomes the safe haven it was always meant to be."

With their plans set and their resolve stronger than ever, Canna, Kael, and Mortem prepared for the next phase of their journey. The kingdom of Arenthia was about to face a reckoning, and Canna would make sure that those who had caused so much pain would be held accountable. The sanctuary would grow, and its light would shine even brighter in the darkness that surrounded them.