Lucian stood by the arched window of the harbor master's tower. He watched the Vanguard forces claim the eastern docks. Giant Troglodytes effortlessly tossed ruined galley hulls into the ocean to clear space for their ironclads. Cassian stood a few paces behind the armored Apostle.
"You invited feral beasts into our home," Lucian stated coldly. "They show absolute disregard for our authority. They view us as entirely beneath them."
"We ran out of viable options," Cassian replied, rubbing his tired eyes. "Admiral Vaelor would have starved us by winter. The Iron Arbiter granted me the authority to seek an alliance, and the Vanguard possessed the exact martial strength we desperately needed."
Lucian turned away from the window to glare at the Envoy. "They act exactly like conquerors masquerading as mercenaries. Once they finish slaughtering the Fourth Continent's army, they will simply turn those cannons on us."
