Chapter 6 - Soilwyrms
Lucien decided to ignore the string of notifications for now.
There were more pressing matters to attend to.
He stepped once more into the center of the stage, surveying the crowd before him. The murmurs died down the moment he stood still and his presence alone commanded silence.
Seeing that the moment was right, he raised his voice for all to hear.
"My people! We’ve discovered the cause of our failing crops!"
A hush fell over the crowd. Tension filled the air. Was it good news... or bad?
Lucien’s expression hardened. "There is a creature called the Soilwyrm. It feeds on the nutrients of the earth. The traitor, Dreggor, released a swarm of them into our fertile lands! But do not despair. It is easy to remove them!"
The people gasped as their shock gave way to outrage. That someone would sabotage their livelihood felt like a betrayal too cruel to bear. If Dreggor were still alive, they would have demanded justice with their own hands.
"Remember. What doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger. Stand tall. Fight with me. We’ll purge our land together!" He pointed in the direction of the farmland. "I will lead the way!"
A stir of hope swept through the crowd. Nobles rarely dirtied their hands, let alone led the charge in labor. Yet here was Lucien, volunteering to walk with them.
To dig.