A sturdy warhorse galloped down the dirt road, a cloaked figure hunched against the wind and dust on its back. After hours of travel, a small Town amid vast farmland came into view.
The travel-worn knight raised his head, revealing a face covered in stubble.
The galloping Warhorse slowed, its hooves thudding between fields of golden wheat.
Farmers worked among the scarecrows in the wheat fields. It looked like a peaceful Village, but the indifferent looks they gave the knight held little welcome for an outsider.
The knight reached the Town's dwarf wall. Warned of a stranger's approach, the militia had shut the gate. One of them called down from the wall, "Outsider, who are you?"
"I bring a warning from Annan Reeves, King of the North."
Faster raised a copy of the Star-Moon Bay News Paper. "The vile Ratfolk marching north have deceived the Royal Capital, destroyed the Violet Kingdom, crossed the border, and are sweeping toward the kingdom!"
The militiamen on the wall, armed with pitchforks and hunting bows, exchanged glances as if they had heard a joke. They jeered at him in thickly accented slang. "Get lost, you Goblin-kicked jackass! We don't know any Annan!"
"Then you must know the Ratfolk," Faster shouted. "Their army is no more than two hundred li from here."
That warning silenced them. Trying to sound braver than they felt, they shouted, "Heretic, get out! Or we'll contact the Inquisition!"
Faster looked up. To the south, a vast flock of crows had taken flight and was circling wildly above the hills.
Clang—clang—clang—
A frantic Bells rang out from the Town, gripping the hearts of every bewildered member of the militia.
"Do you believe me now?"
Faster stared at the panicking Town, then pulled on the reins and turned. Without a backward glance,