Master Of None

The walls were roughly thrown together wood from shipping crates and other dock tools. There were guards patrolling it that were wearing various merchant symbols. This was normal for the hard bar village since it was mostly owned and run by merchant groups so that they could send their goods farther away. The northern city across the desert was only accessible through the desert and most people would not risk such a dangerous journey. 

There were many homes that had been dismantled to keep up the wall but more interestingly there were many places where damage from water or force had been repaired. It was clear that there had been multiple instances of the kraken spawn attempting to get on shore to eat the residents of the port town. 

Another notable activity came with the people rushing around. There were many that were sailors or merchants that appeared very muscular from the constant work transporting goods and moving things around. With them, there were many merfolk as well. "I see you have arrived. One of the merchants' guard came to tell me as soon as they saw a group near the port. I hope you can help us. Miss Alma had already begun her preparations." Leon rushed over brandishing a long blue spear with many carvings and a heavy sense of water elemental mana around it. 

"We ran in to some minor troubles in the swamp lands but managed to make it here. We thought it would be faster but apparently, everyone else arrived about the same time as us." Walker knew that it was them who had left a little later and had to push themselves to arrive on time. If they had not cut through the swamp lands they would have been a day or two later than the others and there could have been a worst case scenario they would have been too late altogether. 

"You are here and that is what matters. As you can see there are not many places to rest. Please do as you wish. The merchant groups have banned together to protect this place at all costs. Many can not take their families away to start over elsewhere. Too much is invested here." Leon knew full well that this was also one of the major points of communication with the surface for the merfolk. That and the merchants often hired the merfolk to help protect ships on their travels. 

"Some of the party will rest while I get a feel for things. Gil is going to meet with the enforcers and find a spot to start picking off and attracting more kraken spawns. But notify everyone that we saw the mother on the way here. There was one much larger than a whale which seemed to be eating some parts of a ship it destroyed." The warning was important but cause a great look of despair to grow on Leons' face. 

"We tried to stop them but there was one group that wished to flee back to their northern home. They left without anyone being able to stop them and their guards. If you came from the south beaches they were most likely driven that way by their fear. They didn't even bring a proper captain." This was not something Leon was proud of. It was his failure not stopping them and as far as he was concerned their lives were on him. 

"It happens. We all have the choice to do what we want. If they had stayed who will never know the outcome. There are more important things to worry about now." Walker gave his condolences before Remey split off from them completely with Gil also leaving. 

"I will leave you to it. We are preparing to cut off the harbor altogether. My father has sent a small school of mages." Part of Walker wanted to go meet the merfolk mages but knew that he had to focus on other things at the moment. 

"Alright. Let's go over there. It appears to be a small chapel. I doubt there are residents but since Alice can heal it might be best." Su and Alice both nodded. They could rest then start to heal those injured. It would be better for them to do this than just sit around waiting. "Onyx, stick with them for now. Midnight and I will take a walk around to figure some things out." The lethargic Onyx barely responded before slithering on to Su's shoulders. He needed rest more than he expected after the swamp lands. Using his newer skills was something he had not been ready for. 

Alice didn't seem to want to wait but knew she would be a burden instead of a help at the moment. Instead, she chose to stick close to Su. She had a great many questions about some things she had noticed while they were traveling thus far that she had not wanted to burden Walker with. Su on the other hand appeared to know this was coming and had prepared herself for such a situation. 

"Midnight, I know it will be hard to resist while we wait, but don't practice trying to breathe fire with Su and shifting in to your dragonkin form. I don't know when we might be attacked but it could be very dangerous if you and Su are tired when something happens." The slow nod from Midnight was all Walker needed to know that she was taking his words with the utmost seriousness. 

There was a lot of tension in the air. Many people paced around and fidgeted through things they had with them. It was clear which families had used their homes for walls or given up their beds for some safety. Walker hated it. He knew this should be a safe and bustling town full of promise and growth. His resolve to save and protect only increased as he headed toward the makeshift walls that overlooked the waters. 

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