"Actually, I'm not entirely confident I can persuade my father to abandon Red River Town. If things don't go smoothly, I'll need to call on your strength at a critical moment. I hope you won't refuse. Also, in recent years, some people in Red River Town have become close to an Easterling chieftain named Bal. I understand why they did it, but I'm worried they might interfere. If that really happens, I hope you can eliminate them."
Although Malherb had only been back in Red River Town for a few days, several people who had once supported him had already given him detailed accounts of the situation in town.
From their reports, Malherb learned that both his brothers had ties to Bal, some closer than others. The lord of Red River Town-Malherb's father-knew about all of it.
When he first heard the news, Malherb could hardly believe it. Their ancestors had migrated here to escape the Easterlings' depredations, yet now their descendants were actively reaching out to the Easterlings. It was utterly absurd.
But after learning more, Malherb could understand what his father and brothers had done. After years of peace, Red River Town had been discovered by the Easterlings and suffered heavy losses during the ensuing siege. Many townspeople had grown fearful. In fact, over the past few years, some of the bolder residents had already moved to other human settlements.
To preserve their territory and reassure both its residents and those who held some measure of power, it was hardly surprising that they had chosen to feign cooperation with the Easterlings. Malherb himself had done plenty of things against his conscience while he was a captive.
But the situation was different now. Malherb did not believe that an Easterling invasion on such a scale could be satisfied with