The tavern was located on the outskirts of Bloody Coin, bordering the first roads after the cataclysm. Now none of the coastal cities remained unscathed. We great mages managed to stabilize everything already within our borders. But what came next would remain in the annals of history for its incredibility and brutality. The roads that descended began to rise. The proud coast that looked down at the forests like the rim of a bowl began to sink to the bottom. The forests meant few rocks fell; landslides existed but only in areas where humanity had logged. We still did not know what lay beyond the forests—how the plains and valleys fared, what happened to the Dark Lord, what became of the mountain dwarves. The last I heard was of a rebellion; now they were governed by a council of cities. We should be able to do the same, but we could not—not since the refugees arrived.
My beer arrived. I looked at everyone. Many of the newcomers vociferated, shouted constantly, seeking to impose their gods. We had had a couple of fights, as they sought to make the priests submit to their beliefs. For now, they were warned they could not proselytize in the major cities. But as with everything, that only encouraged them to try harder. Someone darkened my view—the Redcap leader.
We had never spoken well, and it was obvious all these crises had affected him. The only thing I could say in his favor was that he helped his people—all he could. Proof was his aged face. I greeted him and invited him to drink something. He asked for wine and sat down to observe the surroundings. The only real blessing we got from this crisis was the disappearance of the reanimated bodies. Almost none remained on the cities' borders. Those that stopped acting were buried and sealed with white magic. Greybeard told me fewer and fewer things. I feared he was hopelessly in love with the Overlord's partner. Good for him—he had worked hard and would know when he could tell me what he thought convenient. He was not my pawn; he was one of the few friends I had left.
The dwarf had not been seen again. They said he kept killing mercenaries, but there was no proof, and many thought he had become a mythical figure who avenged those suffering injustices—but there was no punishment other than death if he was involved... I did not approve, but many crimes related to the guilds had decreased considerably.
On the third glass of wine, the Redcap asked where the one he did not name was. I wondered the same, but a voice gave me a chill. Beside me, in a small shadow cast by the wooden pillar, impossible eyes watched us. They said he could not be present, as he was not very popular. He hoped we would not be frightened. Before either of us could ask, he said... the dragon was dead.
For minutes, neither of us moved. It was enormous news. I asked if there would be no more dragons then. He evaded the question, said many dangers awaited us. The Redcap joked about the madmen arriving on rafts and their new religions. The light emanating from his eyes increased a little in intensity—not much, but enough to know we were entering unsteady ground. He told us the Lich was contained for now, that it would be a long time before he became a threat again. But the chaos entities remained, as well as two more threats.
Truth be told, I was already afraid. Where would they come from? What were they? Did they have much power? The Redcap did not ask, but he paid attention to each of my questions. I was sure he shared them. The Dark Lord said he would answer, but it would be brief, as he had duties that would keep him from action for several years.
As his eyes faded, the words came from afar—dark and dangerous:
"Dragons remain—more than you can count. The isle was hidden from them by the Black Dragon's power, and that protection no longer exists. There are many populations fleeing those voracious beings, and they will come to Greenleaf—not as refugees, but as conquerors. And do not forget—the dragon's protection also prevented the gods from arriving... because they do exist, and we are not their friends. None of the three."