Not long after passing the border,
Javier spotted the first signs of civilization, or rather, what was left of it.
A small dwarven town.
Half of it lay in ruins/
Smoke no longer rose from the wreckage,
Javier slowed Buddy down, narrowing his eyes.
Around the broken central square,
dozens of Halfling soldiers patrolled the area in tight formation.
Light armor, small builds.
They had fortified the ruin.
Turned it into a checkpoint.
Javier smirked, casually guiding Buddy toward the edge of the occupied town.
As soon as he stepped into view.
"Halt!!"
a sharp voice shouted.
One of the Halfling guards raised his hand, stepping forward with a drawn spear.
"What business does a human have here?!
This area is captured by the Halfling Kingdom!
You are not authorized! Move back immediately!"
Another guard pointed excitedly from a broken rooftop.
"Oi!!
There's a human here!
Alone!
With a weird big bird!"
