The Builder

"a ragged stranger stumbles through the door and collapses in the corner"

"the stranger shivers, and mumbles quietly. her words are unintelligible."

"the stranger in the corner stops shivering. her breathing calms."

"the stranger is standing by the fire. she says she can help. says she builds things."

"builder says she can make traps to catch any creatures might still be alive out there."

"builder says she can make a cart for carrying wood."

"builder says there are more wanderers. says they'll work, too."

"builder says leather could be useful. says the villagers could make it."

"should cure the meat, or it'll spoil. builder says she can fix something up."

"builder puts up a hut, out in the forest. says word will get around."

"a wanderer arrives with an empty cart. says if she leaves with furs, she'll be back with more. builder's not sure she's to be trusted."

"builder says she could make finer things, if she had the tools."

"builder finishes the smokehouse. she looks hungry."

"workshop's finally ready. builder's excited to get to it."

"builder says the villagers could make steel, given the tools."

"builder knows the strange device when she sees it. takes it for herself real quick. doesn't ask where it came from."

--

"beneath the wanderer's rags, clutched in one of its many hands, a glint of steel."