New Origin One docked at the seaport beneath dark clouds.
In the cold sea wind, a squad of Wei Soldiers marched onto the port in orderly ranks. The weapons they carried resembled spears, while bloodstains painted across the right breasts of their finely made Plate Armor dispelled the youthfulness of their faces.
Luoxi stepped onto the pier and narrowed his eyes at the decaying Harbor, where crows circled overhead. As captain, his plate armor was spotless: he had killed no ratfolk in the last battle. But Luoxi could not understand why Lord Annan had...
He intended to kill some ratfolk himself in this trial. As a cavalry captain personally appointed by Lord Annan, he could not be less capable than his subordinates.
Tap, tap—
The crisp sound of leather boots on Deck came from behind him. Luoxi looked up and saw Faster leaning against the Ship's Rail, a captain's hat tilted on his head. "Good luck."
Luoxi nodded solemnly, glanced at the parchment one last time, then let go and allowed the sea wind to carry it out over the Ocean.
``` [The rat plague swept from south to north and shattered against the Royal Capital. But the scattered rat tide still spelled disaster for towns in its path. Evernight Port was both unlucky and fortunate. Unlucky because pirates and ratfolk had occupied it in turn; fortunate because you would change its fate.]
[The main rat tide has already moved north. Only the old, weak, sick, and wounded remain here. This place will be a Hatchery for warriors and a graveyard for ratfolk. Your next task: clear Evernight Port so it can become a port of call for Star-Moon Bay.]
[The Water Elementals have cleared the Port and remain there to guard it. The Port is your safe haven; you