Sanctuary: Safe Haven

The meeting lasted three long hours, but by the end of it, Canna had reached a decisive plan. The sanctuary had grown beyond its wildest dreams, and now the task was to find suitable people or races to join their ranks and contribute to their ever-expanding home.

The solution was the shock troops. These elite warriors, trained by Vorgrim and Grimruk, had already proven their strength and discipline, capable of handling threats well above their rank. Now, they would serve as the sanctuary's scouts, venturing beyond their borders to find potential recruits.

Out of the 300 active shock troops, Canna planned to form 20 squads, each composed of five highly trained soldiers, led by a strong and capable captain. But the shock troops wouldn't be alone in this mission—they would be accompanied by diplomats. These diplomats would represent the sanctuary, offering alliances, fostering trust, and bringing in people who would be a good fit.

Together, the shock troops and their diplomatic companions would explore new lands and seek out individuals or entire races to join the sanctuary.

The mission was clear. Their top priority was to find people or races that could coexist peacefully with the diverse inhabitants of the sanctuary. After all, the sanctuary was home to a vast array of creatures—from the gentle Blossom Shells to the mighty Stormbringer. Harmony was crucial to the sanctuary's success, and any newcomers needed to fit into that balance.

The criterion was talent. The sanctuary needed individuals with unique skills or abilities—people who could offer something valuable. Whether it was a gifted healer, a master craftsman, or a powerful mage, the sanctuary was always on the lookout for talented beings who could help them grow.

Two more qualities were added to the list of priorities for recruitment:

Adaptability: The sanctuary was ever-changing, and its inhabitants had to be flexible enough to adapt to new challenges and opportunities. Whether it was adjusting to new creatures, terrain, or responsibilities, those who thrived in the sanctuary needed to be versatile and quick to adjust.

Resourcefulness: Beyond talent, Canna wanted people who could think on their feet, solve problems, and make the best use of the resources around them. With such vast lands now under the sanctuary's care, they needed individuals who could make the most of what was available and contribute in creative and meaningful ways.

With the plan finalized, Canna turned to the leaders of the sanctuary. "Vorgrim, prepare them well."

Vorgrim nodded. "Yes, my liege." He stepped out of the meeting room without another word. His mind was already racing with plans to ensure the troops were ready for the challenging mission ahead. He would see it through. Failure was never an option for Vorgrim.

Canna's eyes then shifted to Grimruk, the towering black orc who had been standing behind him. The orc moved forward, his heavy steps echoing in the room.

"I guess it's time," Canna said. "You've been training all this time to find your own tribe, haven't you?"

Grimruk's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected his master to bring it up so directly, but the shock only lasted a moment. He had been waiting for this opportunity for what felt like a lifetime. His whole body had been prepared for this journey. Swallowing his hesitation, Grimruk found the courage to answer. "Yes, master," he said, his voice full of resolve.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Since Grimruk had arrived at the sanctuary, he had dedicated himself to relentless training, day in and day out. He had sharpened his strength, his mind, and his skills—all in preparation for this moment. Finding his tribe, the lost black orcs, had been his singular goal. And now, Canna was giving him the chance.

Canna smiled, seeing the determination in Grimruk's eyes. "Good. I like the resolve in your eyes, Grimruk. Take a duo of the shock troops with you. If you find anything interesting on your travels, they can bring it back. That way, you won't need to return to the portal yourself."

Grimruk bowed deeply, his heart filled with gratitude. His journey was about to begin, and he wouldn't fail.

The plan for the shock troops' return was equally meticulous. Once a squad located a suitable race or group of people, they would return to the sanctuary via Noctis' portal. Each squad would be traveling with a small clone of Noctis— capable of summoning a one-time-use portal upon request. The key, however, was that this portal was a one-shot deal. Once it was opened, they had to return immediately.

If they missed the portal, they would be stranded until they found another way to contact Canna, who could reopen a portal for them. Safeguarding Noctis' clone became one of the mission's top priorities.

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Communication between the scouts and the sanctuary would be handled by Alexa, with information constantly relayed through Noctis' network. The shock troops were to report anything of interest immediately. Alexa, acting as the communication hub, would filter the reports and determine what was worth bringing to Canna's attention.

Meanwhile, Kael had his own task to handle. He needed to find the right inhabitants to act as the sanctuary's diplomats—individuals who could present the sanctuary in the best light and negotiate peacefully with outsiders. He already had a few people in mind. Some were elves, known for their grace and diplomacy.

Others were beastkin, whose ties to nature made them excellent representatives of the sanctuary's ethos. Even a few talented humans had proven themselves worthy of the role. Each diplomat would be carefully selected, not only for their ability to negotiate but also for their loyalty and understanding of what the sanctuary represented.

Kael sat in his office after the meeting, flipping through scrolls and reports, reviewing the list of potential diplomats. He had seen many of them in action, watched how they handled themselves in difficult situations, and he knew exactly what he was looking for: someone calm under pressure, skilled with words, and capable of building trust.

This mission wasn't just about finding talented individuals; it was about expanding the sanctuary's reach, its influence, and its power. The people who joined had to understand the values that Canna stood for. They had to be able to work with the sanctuary's diverse inhabitants and contribute something meaningful.

By the time the meeting concluded, a clear path had been laid out. The shock troops, Vorgrim, Grimruk, Kael, and the hand-picked diplomats all had their roles to play. Canna's sanctuary was about to embark on a new journey—one of growth and discovery.

Canna stood at the head of the room, watching as his leaders and allies prepared to set the plan into motion. The sanctuary had grown, but it wasn't just about size. It was about strength. And now, with their combined efforts, they were about to become stronger than ever.

Canna smiled to himself. The future was bright