Sand Bandits HQ, 3 km from Vulkania, one month earlier.
"You've completely lost your mind, Zarod!"
"We have to wait for them to give us the signal !"
"This is suicide!"
Protests erupted from all sides inside the bandit headquarters. The place had lost a large part of its population; many had deserted after the deaths of the various warlords.
Even though trade with Vulkania had been profitable and had allowed them to grow, most of the bandits still carried bitterness and resentment after their defeat against the Vulkans, and against Akram in particular.
Zarod's reputation allowed him to keep a tight grip on the men who remained, but they were no longer numerous enough to attempt any kind of vendetta against the growing power of Vulkania and its leader.
Akram had played a major role in weakening the Sand Bandits' control over the Varang, to the point where they had become vulnerable once again, even to the Oathbearers, who had not intervened in the region for several months.
