“Our martial reputation lies in tatters. Nobody stands before this horde as it commits atrocities. This land used to be entirely dark to the Sutherners. For every man who set foot north of the Abus, a severed head was thrown back onto its southern bank. Invading armies were met with uncompromising steel. We torched their lands with impunity when they threatened our people. The Sutherners whispered about us. We were unconquerable: a hornets’ nest that they dared not kick for the vengeful swarm that they would unleash upon themselves.
