"Alright," Ellen said, stowing the map. "Our next move is to a coastal village further south. The Lunar Empire has been making incursions along the shoreline, and that's where we'll be 'ringing the war bells,' so to speak".

  Borin grunted in agreement, adjusting his grip on his greatsword. "Another long walk in this frozen wasteland," he muttered, his breath misting in the air.

  Faelan, ever observant, scanned the horizon. "The snow will make their tracks visible, but it will also make us easier to spot. We need to be vigilant for patrols".

  The journey south took them through a patchwork of climates characteristic of Varethis, transitioning from temperate valleys dusted with snow to haunted steppes where the biting wind carried whispers of the past. They kept a wary eye out, but for the first few hours, they encountered no signs of the Lunar Empire. Ellen occasionally consulted her map, guiding them along less-traveled paths.

  As they neared the coast, the landscape began to change. The white snow gave way to patches of frozen mud and hardy, salt-resistant grasses. The air grew heavy with the scent of the sea, a stark contrast to the pine and frozen earth of the inland. They began to see more signs of recent passage – unfamiliar footprints in the mud, and the occasional discarded piece of equipment that didn't match Draggor's standard issue.

  Finally, the village came into view, nestled in a small cove. It was a modest settlement, with buildings constructed from a mix of wood and stone, some showing architectural styles that hinted at a connection to Soohan, given their proximity and shared border concerns with the Lunar Empire. However, the signs of encroachment were unmistakable.

  Several buildings near the shore showed signs of damage, with splintered wood and cracked stone.

  Strange, earthy-colored scales were visible on the ground near the water's edge, and the distinctive scent, described by the other players as "earthy" and "patterned," that Pag now associated with the Quang, hung faintly in the air.

  A few figures clad in armor bearing the symbol of the Lunar Empire, a stylized crescent moon, could be seen patrolling the main street. Their bipedal, digitigrade stance was clearly visible, confirming they were likely Quang. Their tails moved with subtle flicks and postures, likely communicating information amongst themselves.

  The air carried a tension, a palpable fear among the few villagers who could be seen hurrying through the streets.

  "This is it," Ellen murmured, her eyes narrowed as she surveyed the scene. "The Lunar Empire has definitely made their presence known. Our objective is to disrupt their operations here. We need to gauge their strength, identify any key targets, and generally make this an uncomfortable place for them to occupy".

  Borin cracked his knuckles. "Sounds like a plan I can get behind. Less sneaking, more smashing?"

  Ellen gave a small, enigmatic smile. "There will be elements of both, Borin. Faelan, scout ahead. See if you can identify any supply routes or command structures. Pag," she turned to him, "keep your eyes open for opportunities to cause… unexpected diversions. Remember, discreet chaos is the key". The "War Bells" were about to ring in this small coastal village.

  The group, having assessed the immediate situation in the coastal village, began to formulate a plan. "We can't just charge in," Ellen cautioned, her voice low. "We need to gather more information about their numbers and their purpose here. Borin, your size might draw unwanted attention initially. Perhaps you could secure a vantage point overlooking the main street? See if you can discern any patterns in their patrols or identify any central gathering place".

  Borin nodded, his gaze already drifting towards the sturdier-looking buildings. "Aye, I can find a spot. Keep your eyes peeled". He moved with surprising agility for his size, utilizing the shadows along the edges of the buildings.

  Ellen then turned to Faelan. "Faelan, your skills lie in observation and movement. Try to blend in with the villagers, see if you can overhear anything. Any information about why the Lunar Empire is focusing on this village would be invaluable. Be cautious; they will likely be wary of strangers".

  Faelan, with a subtle shift in his posture, seemed to melt into the background, his movements fluid and silent.

  Finally, Ellen addressed Pag. "Pag, your task is as I said – discreet chaos. While Borin and Faelan gather intel, can you create some minor distractions? Nothing that will put the villagers in immediate danger, but enough to sow a little confusion amongst the Quang. Perhaps a misplaced cart, a sudden noise in an unexpected place. Use your… talents for the unusual".

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Pag, recalling his recent experiences in Ludere Online where even a complaint could lead to unforeseen consequences, considered the possibilities. The earthy scent and scales reminded him of the Quang's likely connection to Patala magic, which surged during eclipses and was tied to concentrated mana pools. While he didn't have direct access to that knowledge within this world, the descriptions provided a sense of their nature. He thought about creating small, localized bursts of uncontrolled magic – perhaps a sudden gust of wind carrying dust into their faces, or a brief, harmless flicker of flame that would seem accidental. He remembered Meowtimer's warnings about his own volatile magic and the need for control.

  As Borin moved to secure his vantage point, Faelan slipped into the flow of the few visible villagers, and Pag began to subtly survey his surroundings for opportunities, Ellen scanned the damaged buildings near the shore. The splintered wood and cracked stone spoke of a recent, forceful arrival. She also noted the strange earthy scales, a detail that resonated with the information shared earlier . The Quang were here, and they hadn't arrived peacefully.

  The tension in the village was thick, a silent testament to the Lunar Empire's encroaching presence. The war bells, though not literally ringing yet, were certainly being felt in the fear etched on the faces of the villagers and the heavy tread of the Quang patrols. The group knew their actions here could have far-reaching consequences, potentially echoing beyond this small coastal settlement and further igniting the conflict with the Lunar Empire .

  As Ellen, Borin, Faelan, and Pag cautiously moved through the coastal village, keeping to the shadows and dilapidated side streets as instructed, a disturbance erupted in the main square. The harsh, guttural voices of several Quang cut through the tense quiet.

  The scene unfolding was stark and unsettling. A human woman, her clothes worn and her face etched with worry, was being confronted by a group of three Quang warriors. Their scaled bodies and the distinctive crescent moon symbol on their armor were unmistakable . Clinging to the woman were three young children, their eyes wide with fear as they huddled against her legs. The Quang were gesturing aggressively, their tails flicking in sharp, agitated movements, and one of them was reaching out a clawed hand towards the woman. The air vibrated with their alien vocalizations, though the tone was universally understood as threatening.

  Borin was the first to react. A low growl rumbled in his chest, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his greatsword. "That's enough!" he muttered, taking a step forward, his imposing figure suddenly visible from the alleyway .

  Ellen grabbed his arm, her voice urgent but quiet. "Borin, wait! We don't know their numbers. We need to assess the situation—" .

  But Borin was already straining against her grip, his gaze fixed on the unfolding scene. "They're bullying a defenseless woman and children, Ellen! There's nothing to assess!"

  Meanwhile, Faelan, true to his nature, had already slipped closer, using the narrow alleyways and market stalls for cover. He was observing the Quang, noting their weapons (likely Draggor-made, given the conflict), their posture, and any signs of reinforcements nearby. He noted the subtle flick of their tails, a form of "Tail-Speak" likely communicating their intentions or dominance.

  Pag, remembering the guards back in Draggor harassing the children, felt a surge of anger mixed with a familiar anxiety. His hands instinctively clenched, and he could feel a faint warmth building beneath his skin, a flicker of the Pyroclasm abilities he had recently acquired. He hesitated, the memory of the burning down the town square still vivid. He didn't want to cause more destruction, but the sight of the frightened children mirroring his own helplessness in the face of the Draggor thugs stirred a protective instinct.

  The situation escalated quickly. One of the Quang, seemingly impatient with the woman's apparent lack of cooperation, shoved her roughly. The children cried out, their small forms trembling. That was the breaking point.

  Borin roared, shaking off Ellen's restraining hand. With a bellow that echoed through the square, he charged forward, his greatsword already being drawn from its scabbard. "Leave them alone, you scale-backed cowards!"

  His sudden appearance and furious charge immediately drew the attention of the Quang. They hissed, their reptilian eyes widening in surprise and aggression. The woman gasped, pulling her children tighter against her.

  Ellen swore under her breath. "Well, there goes the subtle approach," she muttered, drawing her own weapons and moving to support Borin. "Faelan, Pag, let's make this quick and minimize civilian casualties!"

  Faelan, already positioned to the side, nocked an arrow to his bowstring, his gaze sharp as he identified potential targets and escape routes.

  Pag, seeing Borin's direct assault and Ellen's move to engage, knew he couldn't stand back. He took a deep breath, focusing his intent. Instead of uncontrolled flames, he aimed for a more localized and disruptive effect, recalling Meowtimer's lessons on control. With a muttered incantation, he focused on the ground directly in front of the Quang harassing the woman. The frozen mud beneath their feet suddenly liquefied into a thick, slippery mire, hoping to unbalance them and give the woman and children a chance to escape.

  All hell had indeed broken loose. The quiet tension of the encroached village had exploded into open conflict, the clang of Borin's greatsword against Quang steel echoing across the square, the cries of the children mingling with the hisses of the lizardfolk, and the subtle shimmer of Pag's disruptive magic adding to the chaos. The war bells, it seemed, were finally ringing in this small coastal village, not with sound, but with steel and fire.