The Crafter's Defense: A Dungeon Core Novel (Dungeon Crafting Book 2) Jonathan Brooks (large ebook reader TXT) 📖

out in the forest.  There were a few that helped supplement their diet with grown foodstuffs using their Natural-element-based energy, but for the most part everyone was there for their singular purpose: culling and collecting dungeon loot to send back to the capital.

“What is it, Echo?  What did you see out in the forest that’s got you so worried?” the Elder asked, though “Elder” was only based on her age in comparison to those around her.  She still likely looked the same as she did centuries ago, with only the barest wrinkles around her eyes betraying her age.  Or, more likely, they were worry lines from the decline of their people she had seen over the years.

“It wasn’t in the forest, Honored Elder.  It was in the wastelands…”  Echo proceeded to tell them what she had seen on her way out of the forest earlier, her journey into the wastelands, the strange “net” of metallic objects floating above the ground, and finally the discovery of the dungeon out in the middle of the dry, barren landscape.

Horror suffused the Elder’s face as she described what she had seen and the strange monster that had attacked her; out of everyone there, Elder Herrlot knew first-hand how dangerous an unchecked dungeon in the wasteland area could be.  “…and so, I turned to run, keeping my camouflage up as long as possible to make it back here safely.  I’m not sure what to do now though; based on my futile attack against that monster, I doubt I could do any serious harm to it.  Perhaps if we all joined together to attack the dungeon, we would be more successful, but if that was just the first room, I dread to see what else is in there.”

Everyone was quiet for a while as they took in the information, their faces a mixture of fear and determination; while the knowledge of the new dungeon’s existence couldn’t come at a worse time, her people weren’t going to turn over and let it destroy them.  “No…we can’t take the chance that the dungeon is already powerful enough to stop all of us.  I’m going to send a runner back to Lyringlade for some expert help, and permission to send envoys to the other races nearby.  For now, there isn’t anything we can do to stop the dungeon, but we can definitely keep an eye on it; Echo, since you’re the only one it would have difficulty seeing, I want you to keep an eye on it.  Your knowledge of it will help you see if anything changes in its methods and be able to warn us if it is going to attack here.”

As much as she wanted to protest and insist that they strike now, she held back when she considered the consequences of that some more.  The Elder was correct, she reluctantly agreed; if they went in without knowing more information, they could all end up getting killed and accomplish nothing in the end.  If that happened, the village of Avensglen would likely be abandoned and cease to exist – which would only hasten the decline of their people.

“Yes, Elder – I can do that,” she responded tiredly.

“The rest of you, it’s business as usual until Echo tells us differently.  Hopefully we get help back from the capital in time to stop whatever this dungeon is up to; if not, I can only pray to the Creator that our people are spared the coming catastrophe.”  And with that, the Elder went back to her personal arborent.

“You should get some sleep, Echo,” Wyrlin said from her side.  “You have some long days ahead, if I’m not mistaken, and it sounds like you really need to recharge your spent elemental energy.”

She couldn’t help but agree, so she headed for the arborent she shared with two other Rangers and collapsed on her mat.  She briefly thought about changing out of her leathers…but that idea went by the wayside as she was asleep within moments.

Chapter 9

Sandra waited until most of the people in the meeting had went back to their treehouses and it was fully dark outside.  Well, the sky was dark, but the village wasn’t quite bathed in shadow; light orbs that were enchanted with Holy-energy-fueled runes were suspended from poles in strategic locations around the perimeter of the village.  Two Elves were also stationed just outside the village, facing towards the two distant forests in the distance; she assumed they were some sort of night guard to warn everyone in case there was a surprise attack when everyone else was sleeping.

After instructing her construct to go back to its place in her AMANS, she turned her attention back to her dungeon and her Home room, where she had been relaying the entire village meeting to Winxa.

“So…it appears you have a minder, now.  At least you don’t have to worry about them attacking tomorrow, but if they send some of their Elites from the Capital – if they are anything like how they used to be – you could be in trouble.  Despite the excellent defenses you have in your dungeon so far, it’s doubtful that it would stop even a small group of them if they had an elemental specialist or two in their party.  Though…” Winxa trailed off as she cocked her head to the side in apparent thought.

What?  Though what?

“Well, I was thinking that you might get lucky if they only send a Holy elemental specialist; if they think you’re a Nether dungeon, like that ‘Echo’ woman thought, then they might not send anyone else – because that would probably be all they would need,” Winxa said absently, still lost in contemplation.

I don’t understand – why would that be all they would need?

“Huh?  Oh, well, it’s because Elves are rightfully recognized throughout the world to be the masters of elemental manipulation; humans can probably match that prowess when it