Following Taelan's lead, the two of them arrived at Hearthglen without incident.
It was a valley with a narrow entrance and a broad interior, shaped like an enormous pocket on the map.
The surrounding mountains formed the outer walls of that pocket, securely protecting the plains within the valley.
To the people living in Hearthglen, the steep mountains were like an impassable natural barrier, firmly separating the valley's interior from the outside world. Only a single road at the valley entrance allowed passage in and out.
Before the Scourge spread, Hearthglen's terrain had been a tremendous hindrance to its residents. It made communication with the outside world difficult, and for a long time, the valley's population had steadily declined. Many people would rather move their homes to the plains outside the valley than live in such a remote place.
However, the arrival of the Scourge turned Hearthglen's disadvantage into an advantage.
Thanks to the mountain barrier, Hearthglen instantly became a natural fortress against the undead. The narrow valley entrance was a place where one man could hold off ten thousand. As long as they defended the short stretch at the entrance, the safety of the entire valley could be guaranteed.
With this in mind, Taelan decisively evacuated most of the populace into the valley, then sealed it off. That was how he and his people had survived the Scourge's claws.
Because of Hearthglen's unique terrain, after retreating there, Taelan led his people in extensive construction projects while reclaiming farmland. They even carved terraces into the gentler foothills, barely achieving self-sufficiency and even managing a modest surplus.
At the same time, with ample manpower available, Taelan vigorously strengthened Hearthglen's defenses, turning the valley into a massive fortress. Even if the Scourge launched a full-scale siege on Hearthglen now, Taelan was confident