 Right, we're not helping any more people. A large clump of hazelnut trees looks like a good place for clansmen to scratch their legs and gather supplies. Was and land the children laugh while kicking around leather-wrapped bowls of rags. You notice a vow on the edge of the clearing silently stirring into the woods. He's watching alone dredged grunts stalk a squirrel. There might be a hundred of them in these woods. The vows whisper in still loud enough to scare the squirrel and alert the grunt. It looks attuned, the vow before slowly backing up. There are weapons in between two plates of stone armor and the dredge cries out in a strange warble. It runs saluting your second shot before disappearing in the trees. The vow who made no move to chase the dredge says, We'd better get everyone to stop looking for food and head back to the boats. He sounds vaguely irritated. Everyone watches the shoreline in silence, but no sign of a dredge force is spotted. Some complain about running from a single dredge, but most just stay quiet and vigilant. Gough. Carved rock on a vacant island. Azelai's godstone almost looks... ...normally. Does that have a red sound? That's awesome. I love her voice. Oh, another godstone. She's even more beautiful than the song he says. She really, really is. Most of the godstones in the first balance, I go, weren't really that... ...sexy, I suppose. You should have got yourself in love. Uh-oh. Did I click it? Yeah, I clicked it. The clansmen and vow are admiring the godstone when you notice some are missing. Is Volver akin to his ravens? They look rather upset by my music and older singing. He shrugs. If they'd rather hang around that large cart instead of joining us, I wouldn't take it personally, but come closer. Let me introduce you to Azelai, the god of streaming waters. Okay, streaming waters not love. She's the curse of every river, a guide for those of us travelling and familiar lands. Inscriptions from all those who were lost but found away back home with her help. It's been a fair amount of time looking at all the balls left by other visitors that were then stricter as valuable. As you return to the pitched calm, Pelopols you sigh. Well, however, strength and minus in stories that may very well benefit us all in these troubled times. He says, there at least worth a listen. He doesn't sound upset, it's a simple request. The number of fighters is shown here. If your cabin is assorted and massed in a war situation, it is the fighters that protect the Clansmen while your hear is by the tactical battle. It is important to keep enough trained fighters available, but keep in mind that fighters consume more supplies than Clansmen and are less effective at foraging. Alright, awesome. Let's... Right. Well, come on in and let's have a look at you. Sven the Tire says, Teaching fighting to the young Svenmuses, they won't go back to hunting and foraging for food, you know. Surely you want to go through with this? We need a protection. Sven blows out all his air through flapping lips. Let's get it done. A hundred new fighters will do... fine. We got enough food and water to last us a day and a half, Sven asks. That's what it'll take for me to break them from running at the first sign of trouble. Consider it done. Alright. Got some morale, got some fighters... and... now I'm going to talk with the Val King. The two Val the Deeping Conversation, that either catches your eye and waves you over. So they've all armed themselves and are running from something. But what? Her King's becoming a dredge scholar, trying to understand the motivations of our enemy. It's just strange that we've never seen their women fight until recently. Good thing too, we might have lost the Great Wars. You think about what to say. Dune says there's a darkness coming. But what Val could say and mean aren't always the same. They speak in riddles and prophecy. Still, it might explain why the dredge are everywhere, like someone kicked an anthill. Maybe whatever's coming hit them first. Or maybe it's just a new tactic for a new war. If they've learned to crack the ground and call Jan Serpent. Then we're all dead and just don't know it yet. What happened back then? A great deal of killing on both sides. Imagine waking up to the dredge attacks every night. Back then, the sun actually set. You'd wake up to a sound and see nothing but glowing eyes around you. Inver probably told you we never got close to pushing them back to the depths they call home. Actually, Iver has never said much about the past. Oh, Iver says nothing just holds hack and stare. Well, he's probably got more stories than you could hear in your short lifetime. Has anyone ever talked to the dredge? But Val looked at each other. There are rumours that some have tried and been killed in the process. A lot of nonsense. Skull tales about the sound of a dredge voice making your skin full of. So there's been no communication with the enemy. Is that normal? But we're too busy killing to worry about the fireside chat. Besides, they only ever make warbling sounds. I'd guess if anyone has talked to them, it wouldn't be the Valka. I'd lucked getting them to give you a straight answer. I'll leave you to figure out the big issues. You should know the Klansmen have been talking about us killing women and children. Dredge or not. It's not sitting well with everyone, which is probably a problem. I say if it's us or them, we make sure we're still standing. I'm bothered more by your decision to destroy Einarthof's bridge. Let it go, Haken. It was the best decision at the time. To collapse a bridge that cost thousands of our lives to build. If it weren't for your own horns, I swear you were an overgrown human. The two Jans being trading insoles and you step away letting them vent. Jans venting sounds like a sure way to get yourself and everyone around you into loss and loss of travel. Let's move on. Nice little island. Oh, the mess, the lovely mist. A desperate looking lot of adults in a vile stand on the shoreline waving it down. You probably look similar going anywhere with either. They look hungry, but can they be trusted? Slow the birds and ask their needs. The basics, the vile says food, safety. Trade routes are empty. Well, the two dozen humans half look like they've seen battle. Cow bored, you have food and safety. Everyone carefully files onto a couple of the less burdened ships and starts eating. Clip, the vile says which you take as his name and as his appreciation. Right, well that was not a mistake, I think. And a single vile for the one we lost some time back. Eleven days. Oh my. This looks ominous, if anything. Seriously, look at this atmosphere. The sheer cliffs and boldest, strong waters of the southern bank dictate the long ship's course. The journeying sounds of the dredge accent extend their quicker pace as they follow your ships around the northern bank. Doesn't make it hard to see your head. A kissing, rumbling noise growls. Rows all around. Waterfall, shouts the sharp-eyed knid from the bow of her long ship, oars instantly versed and you nearly lose your balance. I officially love the fact that there are more cutscenes than before. Uh-oh. We should probably stop. The roar of the approaching waterfall clouds your thoughts. All the clansmen you picked up keep the ships from being nimble but only two fall to the power of overwhelming current. Still, the screams of the families, fighters in vile, are difficult to meet past. The remaining ship rowers full heart, heading for the dredge-lined northern bank. In their haste, the vessels smash against sharp split rocks as they push towards the shore. Some fighters are shown from the birds sinking mud under the weight of their armor. The long ships are too spread out to command a unified landing. Amid the chaos, he looks at those nearby. Gris starts a vile warrior and a few others, like him, look ready towards the dredge. Boverk and his company are close to you, hauling their sealed cart on the ship. Consider your options. Hmm. Gris, make an opening in their ranks. Without question, your authority, the start vile, grants an agreement. If I have a vile, join him and push forward into a dredge onslaughts while you raid your attack. Excellent. Well, it seems only logical, you know. Let's see then. We're going to take you, my friend. You, my friend. We're going to put me here. A shield master always useful. And I think all human or two will be of great use. Echo is actually a favorite. You'll be surprised. Mad but useful. But not as mad as his brother-in-law. Another guy I hated completely. Gris, why did he advance so far? Don't let his dead being vain fight. Pity. We've got plenty of enemies here, don't we? You slimy and unpleasant person. Let's take a chip off the old block. Watch your flying, something skulks. Damn it, I didn't see that. Oh, gosh. Yes, that, oh my. What, what are you? Whatever you are, I don't like you. Not at all. Go away, please. Yes, 6.2 damage. You are very welcome. I don't like these. Small and very, very unpleasant for whatever reason. We'll move here. We will absolutely kill you, yeah. More of those damn skulkers. That's how you call them, skulkers. And seriously, they will decimate a let. What an unpleasant occasion to be in. Five points of armor damage for you, mate. Nice. Not an utter you, but be once their leader. I bet they all run if he falls. Oh, I see. So you introduced the leader only now. What's the commitment to do? Okay, we'll concentrate on the leader. Jadonfield is fantastic. We need to take him down. Yes, so yes, we do. Oh, boy. They can disappear now. I told you. Six. I love this one. You know, it can help, but feel that... I'm not in the best of positions here. Bloody stars. But hey, I need to take care of his shield. So, might as well do that, right? Yes, thank you. I do plan on chopping you to bits. Which will needless to say be awesome when you die. Especially when you die. Your shields are almost gone, mates. And when they are gone, it's just a matter of time until I do some very nasty, very bad things to you. Might. See? Wherever I go, I do plenty of damage. Please, please, please. Yes! Excellent. I really don't need any more monstrosities coming from the woodworks trying to take my life. You know, honestly, it's quite annoying. Oh, God. Not that. Oh, no, not that. Just summoning friends. Smaller friends. So is the friends. Is it later going to bite the dust? I think she might. Okay, first thing first. I must admit, I really like the fact that they have now added these objectives to combat. Obviously, I could have killed them all and ended it this way, but killing the special new dredge type did the job just as well. Because last time, all battles but the last one were virtually all the same. Kill all the enemies. Haken works his way to frantic transmen on his way to you. We lost some good Varl on those ships. Humans, too, but you saved more of those along the way. Maybe too many. You look at Haken with disbelief. I'm not saying I would have done things different, but some of those ships were too weighted down. As far as we know, this group is all that's left of my kind. Each Varl death is one step closer to being wiped out. For a moment, the Valkings looks more vulnerable than you have ever seen him before. Their next attack is coming, and this time they'll come in force. What do they want? They seem keen on our supplies, but this can be it, can it? I don't know. Maybe the first time I saw a dredge, it wanted a deer eye shot. Do you know in the Ivan, in the approach, there may be a way out of this situation. A gamble to be sure, but we believe it's our only chance. God, is bad when a Valker option is the only option. What's in that? I can't promise everyone will make it. Juno gives Ivan the look. So, what's your idea? Ivan Sykes. With Juno's help, I think I can get as a closer cousin, but it won't be easy for me or the caravan. I need to help Ivan and calm these people so they are ready to march when he's ready. We need to keep this area clear of the dredge at all costs. If they, the sun are warm because we're off in the runters to look. The dredge assault begins. And it's Haken. They know what to do. It looks like the force you train is roughly the size of the enemies. It's going to go either way, but I think three here will protect most of your clansmen. Juno and Ivan move off the cliff's edge. Haken, severing the battlefield, says some supply barrels could make a few barricades for the fence. Otherwise, it'll be a straightforward assault. You can see they want to do. Sacrifice some supplies for barricades. And Val begin moving barrels for her food. Barrels are barely rode into place before the fighting begins. Excitement all around. Right, you got your moment of... ...awesomeness. Let's move along, move along. Krumbrl. I remember the old Val. I think he might be quite useful. Let's see. I can't recall whether he was a shieldmaster or a max-building maniac. This will take time, alright. War! Sure, it's not my choice, right? Actually, I think I have just a thing. A nice enough start, I suppose. Huh. Running away so quickly. This will not help you. Now, this is kind of annoying. But I'm sure one of those lovely fellows will come to... ...try and... ...do some damage. As it is. My problem here is that I can't take... ...these deal by myself. Which means that I will have to... ...make sure that's... ...ouch, ouch, ouch. Bloody hell. Let's break through your shields and make sure... ...that you will pay for the damage you just did. Oh, awesome. Yes, not much is obvious. Is this a thing with time? It is, isn't it? Oh well. Right here. See, the knife with five points of damage... ...of armor damage, too, will go a long way. No. Not fine. Not at all, actually. He is actually going to rise here. I thought he was going to make a... Why is she not doing it? Huh. Curious. Or is it because she doesn't have his skills? This is all very confusing. And very interesting. But yeah, the supplies really are helping keep them at bay... ...and pick them off one by one, something that... ...would have been insufferably... ...unpleasant. We're going to plus one to die with, plus two to return the favor. Next strike, this guy is... ...out. And you, my friend, whatever am I going to do with you? Hack you to pieces is one idea. And a very nice option, too. See, one down... ...and five billion more to go. I like that the art now looks kind of 3D-ish. I mean, obviously it's 2D, but I like how... ...the dredge come out from... ...parts of the maps. It just adds that much more detail to the game. For me, that is, that is cute. Whoa, what a critical hit. Fantastic, absolutely fantastic. I think I will take your... ...armor down a peg. Huh, can't hit me. I sounded a bit more pleased than I should have. I think. Nice iron, the promotion! It's always exciting when that happens, right? I think I'm still going to take damage from this one... ...which is not ideal, but not by a long shot. I must admit, when I first played the battle cycle... ...I actually didn't get the fact that... ...the slingers are the dredge women. You know, it also may have some of those... That's a sad one. That should work if we can clear away the dredge. We can proceed. Hey, we can do that. I mean, clearing away the dredge. Easy peasy. Does anyone say that? Another one down! Another one bites the... Yeah. Not a single original toss in that head. Hey, I'm doing it. I'm the most original person you will never meet... ...because I never go to him. There was an item in the book. A very important item that gave me, like, three, four strength. It was a level five item. I wish I had it now. I would be doing absolute wonders... ...with little miss a let here. But no. I had to do... ...the stupid thing... ...lose the milk and lose it. And, obviously, no one actually... ...had the decency to take... ...an incredibly valuable... ...item... ...and use it. Which, by the way, would have been an amazing idea. Just five more to go. The hacken... ...got knocked out again. Yeah. What happens constantly? It's not my fault. It is my fault. I know, I know. This one is going to take quite a beating. Those are all those... Yes, you, my dear friends, are about to be... ...hum... ...murdered. Or killed in war, if you prefer. Doesn't really make much of a difference to me. Hmm. Oh, well. I was going well. Really. That was damaging. War. Absolutely destructive. Now I think this is... ...will end. Let's chip a piece of the old block. Six points of damage, which means that I need another star. Funny how that works. I can't get to him. No. Still. Dead is dead. Victory. The foes lying dead. Whoa. I really like the things they've added, but I would have liked... ...further looking at my losses to... Juno walks onto the floating land, cradling a kid goat. Really? In one arm. She looks trained, but beckons to the families to follow. You shout forever and to start moving, but the fighters and classmen alike remain motionless. Large chunks of earth bobbing in midair, like ships at sea, has ever been unsettled. Finally, I, for days, the reins of a yoke loaded with a supply cart and walks out onto the first floating stone. It spores the load without issue. We go this way. Or the dredge kills us all. His words are punctuated by slinger stones, studding into the ground on a feet away. Men pick up their children and start running. The caravan animals squawk and bleed, bled, blah, in the frenzy, I guess. Val pushed through the crowd, while others fight to follow in their wake. A frightened mob trumples a few and knocks a couple more from the ledge before everyone is strangely pacified. Even you feel a sense of calm, and a setful new nose. Is that how we're traveling now? Awesome! The wounded and the elderly struggle to make it onto the floating rocks, while fear of the bridge paralyzes the legs of others. The dredge gives chase, crossing onto the bridge without hesitation. Shouts at Avon to drop the back of the bridge. It's not easy to mount the words, but there are just too many dredges. He washes the floating stones near as the land, tremble and drop within, and drop back into the cousin, taking all the standing there with them. Besides, it's terrifying that you turn and urge the others to keep moving forward. All right. A pity that I lost a few men there, but, apparently, couldn't avoid that. Really, how epic is this? This, by far, is the best... Avent is growing visibly weaker. Meanwhile, many in the Caravan are stunned by witnessing family members fall to their deaths. The effect is spreading. You grab a man by the tune who's reaching out to his fallen wife, violently jerking him off from the rock. Keep going, you shout at him. You're actually in authority, seen to jar others from their hopelessness, and the Caravan begins moving steadily again. Finally, it goes. Since we are getting near to the end, the stones behind the Caravan are falling faster than the rising ones in front. The real clansmen are pushing forward in a pike. Both of us shout, Knock some of these people over the edge before we all go down. People gasp and flee from him. We are carrying too much. Al says, we've got to get rid of something before that mender drops us all into the depths. We look around and see only people food in the massive car for ravens and holding. Only two of these are an option. Dump more food. One's closest to the splice looks to be welded. We won't need food if we don't make it across, you shout. Slowly, a couple of cars are un-pitched and shoved over the edge. And his relief is almost instant, and the bridge extends, giving everyone more room and time to move. Just a niche. Too bloody much. We were so close. No, that village doesn't look too good. Just a bit farther I went. Impressive how the pieces look the same, though. They're not exactly the same, but... Lovin' Scream chills you as it echoes off the cliff a mere hundred yards away. Again, the bridge shakes, but stays together. When Juno looks at you, her lips are trembling. This is killing him, she says, and I won't let that happen. Her turn is dark and cold. What's the alternative? She says nothing but looks to us the rear of the caravan. Governor Rugger and many others from Bogard are back there. He told me the clansmen are important, even you must try. There's no time for me to explain. The valker returns to aid in silence as soon as Screams are up from behind you. You turn and climb, and see the bridge falling away and moving forward to save the ground with his glance. The rest of the caravan pushes forward in fear the governor glances at you with suspicion. Yeah, that was bad. That was... something. That was bad. This looks like it might... Yeah. It's hard to believe we made it across that chasm. Now we find what's left of Ormstallur. Once a great trade town at the fork of the Ormstall river, how many lives must have been lost here? Looks like a few buildings made it. I'm sorry, I can't. But have a course that... No, the chasm completely destroyed this place. Just... I need to practice my... Norse accent. From the massive valk to the youngest human children, everyone is sapsed from crossing the chasm, then so loosely strung up and gaze thrown on the ground as everyone falls asleep. You manage to post a few guards out of habit before sinking down against a crate, wrapping your cloak around you and closing your eyes. It takes as if from a wasp's sting. Feeling around for the cause of it, you look down between your leathery grey fingers running over a red stone breastplate. Gasping you open your eyes to find your cloak still wrapped around you, no stone armor underneath. The carbon is still asleep, snoring more prevalent than usual. You're able to drift off for a bit more rest before facing the tasks of the new day. Poor carbon morale causes a minus two willpower peltier in battle. Well, at least we've got plenty of vile left. Yeah, I'm going to rest a few days, certainly. I think we can take... Yeah. Good. I've got plenty of renown, which means that that is getting a promotion. Let's see then. Two points available. And I think... Hmm, yes, this is good. I don't like it. Yeah, I'll take another point. Ooh! Should I take... No, I am going to... take a look at these two. No, thank you. I don't need that one. Fine, I'll take another star. Fair enough, right? And you, my friend, you certainly deserve... The war leader uses his experience. Yeah, tempest. Tempest. Definitely tempest. Uh-oh, I need one more renown. What about next time, old boy? I'm totally doing this wrong. Let's take a look at the ruins. Better let someone like me check out that place. Equal sense, grabbing your arm. Searching for whatever's left in the ruins of the side of a cliff could be dangerous. So he joined you around Frostwell. You've never been sure of his motivations, mean by someone like you. Now throw away type. Before you can say anything, he holds up a hand. There'll be no way to hide around here if I went missing. That's a faint fact. Can say the same for you, too. Maybe, but I'm still going to look. I doubt a helmet would help that hard head of yours. He says, Let's step aside as you start making your way across the broken bones of the former trade town. The structures groan as you enter in here, hear yourself whispering. This isn't worth it. After a quick survey of the ruins, what you're doing stands out. A stone with a strange etching is resting on the broken mantle and footprints in the dust near a small door in the wall. A gust of wind blows up from the chasm and the whole building creaks. Across the teetaling floor for the stone. The wood flexes under your feet. You're sweating one step further, and you know you can grab the stone, but the board stands on your feet. The shifting round you is too much. You see the stone tumble down the mountain and hear nearby screams as you jump back through the door. A few moments later, a section of the frame collapses and slides off into the chasm. I have a stone stoically by evens palette, watching the unconscious minders breathing. It took a lot out of him. I never want him doing something like that again. I'll tell you. Tell that to the man who can pull lightning from the sky and lift rocks to form bridges. Impressive as his strength may be, you notice how the use of power tacks the mender. He looks older. Where's Gino? I figured she'd be by Avin's side. Just as I have a shrug's odd leaf, abruptly enters the room. Good. You're here. Here's the Ravens. They're trying to leave and some of our people want to go with them. What? Why? I don't think we can stop them. Maybe, but then what? Do you plan on tying up all the Ravens and dragging them to Alberang? Besides, both works are a bit dog-best kept away from Clansmen. But the Ravens have been ordering supplies this whole time and they're trying to take off with them. Oh, now stand down. Or you'll be missing more than your horns. Stand down! You son of a gun! Fight is what I would definitely say if put a narrow in his back. Whoa. Tough. Take him down. Yes, I will. Whoa. She worries me. This one. I know. Fire. Fire is fun. The Valhade Fire, by the way. It's what? Bolverg? Hear me. Well, he is a berserker. The Clansmen chatter as Gino converses with a dazed Bolverg quietly. Hacken grabs your attention. Get ready for a confusing conversation. Emotions to Iriza, one of Prince Ludin's bodyguards who's wagging her pitch-covered hand with her running her way over to you. Clever trick, which... this time. New Valhade is too easy. However you need to do that, thank you. You don't have to be a scholar to learn what others fear go. She gives you a cursed smile before returning to the Prince's tent. Strange that one. Strange is how much effort it took to stop Bolverg. I suppose no one told you he's a berserk. Probably the last of his kind after Einar Tuft. The Valhade King laughs at your blank expression. Berserk's lose themselves in the fight. They're as strong as school bears and just as wild. Hard to save their friend or foe in a fight. King Hacken, do you? Enough with the king formalities. I've been hacking before your am I was alive Fine. Sorry Hacken. Do you mind telling me why two battle leaders just tried to kill each other? I wasn't going to let him take our supplies without a fight. Quote him trying to take off with supplies he tucked away. Couldn't let it happen. A cool anger glistens in Hacken's eyes when he looks at Bolverg. Where does he want to leave? Says you've been bad luck ever since arriving in Borsgart. Can't say I blame him for that. The two of you actually laugh for a moment. I bet his main reason for leaving is just to be in charge again or any jobs and keep his ravens in line. Like most of us he's looking for something normal to grab on. Whatever his reason I hate that some of ours are giving with him. We've done what we can for them. Offer the ravens now supplies to last a couple of days. We've got a lot of mouths to feed. The ravens can make do with a couple of days of food and live off the land afterwards. That sounds about right. You've got a better head than me for these things. Now let's see what we can find in what's left of this place. Finally I think we will cut it short here and be back with chapter 9 soon enough. I'm so happy with this.