Counterattack from the Gray Dwarves

Captain Tennyson had just been about to follow that Gray Dwarf into the cabin when the Gray Dwarf seemed to sense something and turned around. He raised the candle in his hand and carefully inspected the cargo hold for a long while, but found nothing unusual. All he could do was walk back with a puzzled expression.

The Gray Dwarf wore metal combat boots, which made dull thuds against the floorboards.

He held the candle high in one hand and cradled a wheat cake in the other, leaving a clear shadow behind him.

Captain Tennyson hid behind the Gray Dwarf and entered a large cabin. The ventilation inside was poor, with all kinds of smells mingling in the air. It was stuffy and hot.

The cabins on the lower three decks were packed with Gray Dwarves. They wore thin linen clothes, while large piles of metal armor were stacked against the surrounding walls. Only a few dim oil lamps lit the cabin.

The Bearded Gray Dwarf holding the wheat cakes dripped candle wax onto a beam, then quickly stuck the candle onto it before the wax dried.

Under the candlelight, the Bearded Gray Dwarf tore the wheat cakes apart with his hands and handed them out to the Gray Dwarves beside him.

No one spoke in the cabin. There was only the sound of chewing and drinking water.

After handing out the flatbreads, the Bearded Gray Dwarf found an empty spot and sat down. He said angrily:

"The big ships can't dock. Those Imperial Merchants are planning to make one last profit and leave."

The cabin suddenly fell into a suffocating silence. Low curses came from all around as the Gray Dwarves struggled to suppress their anger, yet did not dare raise their voices. The lower-deck cabins were filled with