Over the next three days, the leaders of the various families' trade companies gradually withdrew from Southshore's harbor.
The once-busy docks stood deserted. Dockworkers lingered around the harbor in small groups, idly passing the time.
Their faces were full of worry. No arriving cargo meant no income.
The orcs who had escaped from the internment camps had everyone on edge. A few seagulls, however, were having a wonderful time, perched on the dock railings and squawking incessantly.
Rowan picked up a stone and threw it at them, driving all the seagulls away.
Floyd had arrived in Southshore three days earlier, before news of the breached orc internment camps had reached the town.
As a subordinate, Floyd's first priority had to be Young Master Rowan's safety.
Over those three days, Floyd had made no shortage of attempts to persuade Rowan.
"Young master, Lordaeron's reinforcements haven't arrived yet, and Southshore's military refuses to disclose the orc army's movements. We should make preparations now and set sail for Boralus."
Young Master Rowan had always acted cautiously and excelled at avoiding risks. In Rowan's own words, "We don't do business at a loss."
Even so, they could not remain in Southshore and risk an orc ambush.
All the trade orders had already been signed. Apart from Illucia, president of the Barov Family's trade company, who remained in Southshore, the envoys and presidents of the major trade companies from Lordaeron, Arathi, and the Kingdom of Alterac had all set off for home within the past few days.
Moreover, the trade agreement between the Norwington Family and the Barov Family had long since been finalized.
To put it bluntly, staying in Southshore now was nothing but a waste of time.
The young master never lifted a finger without something to gain. What was he doing here