Before the Storm: Act 8, Chapter 10
Chapter 10
What the…
Standing on the westernmost berth of Corelyn Harbour, Liane watched as a motley assortment of passengers disembarked from the recently arrived barge from Warden’s Vale. They were a provincial-looking lot…at least if ‘provincial’ included counting Orcs, Lizardmen, and Goblins amongst their number. Even more strange was that they were all adorned in the same fashion, which consisted of simple, serviceable clothing, thick-soled boots, and a plain leather satchel slung over the shoulder. Depending on their profession, shawls, headscarves, or wide-brimmed straw hats covered each passenger’s head.
Bringing up the rear of the procession coming down the boarding ladder was Ludmila, who wore the usual equestrian outfit that had been granted to her by Lady Shalltear. She walked toward Liane and Clara in an imperceptibly menacing way, her face an unreadable mask. Liane took a step back as Ludmila closed on them, which annoyed Liane far more than she expected.
“Is this an invasion?” Liane asked, “A…uh, frog attack?”
“An amphibious assault,” Ludmila corrected her. “And no. There would be far more Lizardmen with me if it was.”
“Then why all the people? They just visiting town?”
“No,” Ludmila replied. “We are bringing them with us.”
“Wha?”