The soldiers were already distraught when they reached Camp Ashborn. Their forces had cleared the surroundings of the makeshift camp in the Eserian forest, making sure nobody would bother them. That was until the Hnolls attacked. They clearly didn't expect such a well-organized assault from mere monsters.
Even if they were humanoids, Hnolls were not supposed to be intelligent enough to overwhelm the Zetrian Empire's soldiers and hunters. At least, that was how I imagined them to be thinking.
I still didn't know the extent of their initial plans, but either the discovery of the dungeon entrance or the find of the eggs had changed something. Whatever it was, it sent waves throughout Camp Ashborn. So did the roar ringing out from the Eserian.
