Three days after Banaby fled in the night, the tranquility of Newly Town was broken by a long procession of carriages.
Over a dozen lords from the manors surrounding the Gray Sea Marsh had gathered here, each bringing "lavish gifts" befitting their financial means.
Kane and Mo'er stood at the head of the group before the Lord's Mansion.
As the highest-ranking among the minor lords, they had naturally become the representatives.
Beads of sweat formed on Kane's forehead. He gave a stiff tug at the collar of his formal attire, which was hard with starch.
Mo'er, meanwhile, couldn't stop glancing at the guards at the entrance. Clad in uniform leather armor and holding long spears, they stood in silence, exuding an intangible pressure.
The gifts brought by the procession were unloaded one by one.
A few scrawny live chickens, a sack of sprouted potatoes, and half a basket of dull-colored turnips.
