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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4603187" data-attributes="member: 3285">Hidden Greed: PrologueThe verdant hills of Milandir were truly a sight to behold.  A signpost ahead noted the village of Saeber lay only a few miles up the road.  “Considering the sun will set soon, I think Saeber’s a good place to rest,” said Vlad.Kham and Ilmarė shrugged.  “It’s your homeland,” said Kham.  “As long as they’re not crazy cannibals, cultists, or have the plague, I’m happy to stay there.”The trail cut across a small valley and then went high up a hill.  Ilmarė blinked.  “I hear the sounds of battle.”The clash of swords soon became unmistakable.  Small explosions and hoarse yelling signaled a conflict.  Once they reached the hilltop, there was no doubt.In the distance, scantly a mile away, a walled village was under attack.  Villages rushed to cover various areas, shooting arrows and throwing spears at a large group of reptilian soldiers.  The ss’ressen attacked on foot while a second group, mounted on drakes, rode by and drew their fire.  “Ss’ressen?” Kham asked in disbelief.  “Here?”Before anyone could react, the ss’ressen regrouped and rode off into the northern hills, back into their swamplands.  The village folk inside the walls cheered and rejoiced as they slowly returned to their lives.A patrol of five Milandisians rode up the trail to greet them.  “Well met, travelers,” said one of patrolmen. “You may wish to camp at our village tonight instead of riding on past sundown.”“What’s going on?” asked Vlad. “This area has been under constant attacks for the past half month and one never knows when those crafty ss’ressen might attack again.  There’s an inn in town; I’m sure you’ll be able to find lodging.”“But I thought the ss’ressen were Milandisian allies,” protested Vlad.  “They only just recently established their colony in the Sulfurmarsh.” “This was a small party that attacked just now,” said the patrolman.  “They also retreated quite fast, but we must not bemoan our moment of luck.  We are riding now to scout the area and make sure it is secure.” The patrolman clucked at his horse and they rode off.“I guess we have to stay at the dinky little town,” Ilmarė muttered to Kham.  “You didn’t mention anything about towns attacked by traitorous lizards.”</blockquote>

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