The thick, humid mist at the edge of the nesting grounds swirled violently as a massive troupe of figures began to break through the dense foliage. The sound of heavy leather boots, clanking iron armor, and coarse, undisciplined laughter completely shattered the quiet of the valley.
It was a sprawling, chaotic coalition of frontier mercenaries—a rough, battle-hardened mix of men and women who lived entirely on the fringes of the law.
Near the center of the marching vanguard, two heavily bearded thugs with crude iron axes slung over their shoulders were openly groping and manhandling a young canine demi-human girl. The girl, possessing soft dog ears and a twitching furry tail, was purring softly, deliberately flashing a provocative smile and using her sultry charms to keep the brute enforcers wrapped around her fingers so they would protect her if a beast attacked.
