In the Southlands, Cranberry Territory.
Two figures appeared before the Teleportation Array on scorched earth.
As far as the eye could see, blackened ash lay beneath the orange-red Dusk Sky.
"The air is filled with the cries of living souls..." the Skeleton King murmured.
"Did you find something?" Binn asked, drawing his gaze back.
A great fire had clearly swept through the area. Everything had burned to the ground. A wisp of smoke rose from a massive, smoldering ruin, and only isolated stone walls and pillars remained across the Hills.
"Death and destruction..."
The Soulfire in the Skeleton King's eye sockets flickered. He beckoned with his long, bony fingers, sending a faint pulse of Magic Power rippling outward. Like a raindrop falling into the Sea, it brought no response.
"There are no souls here."
"Not even souls? Who could have done this...?"
"An Undead Sorcerer could."
But Undead Sorcerers always preyed on the weak and attacked with superior numbers. Why would one dare strike a family with the resources of a King of the North?
So the Skeleton King added, "Or Fel Energy."
"Lingering fragments of souls, heed my call and awaken."
The Skeleton King raised his Staff again. Another pulse spread outward, and before Binn's eyes, ghostly flames appeared in the empty ruins and gathered in the Skeleton King's palm.
"Tell me what happened."
"Rat Tide... So many rats... Help... Mom, where are you... Hold them back... Someone save me... Go get help... Kill them..." Fragmented voices—men and women, young and old—spilled from the soul fragments in the Skeleton King's palm.
The voices shook Binn so badly he nearly lost his bearings. The Skeleton King steadied him, and once he recovered, Binn let out a breath. "We've found the killers. It was the Rat Swarm."
Rat Swarms in the