Finally, a city that welcomes me with open arms.

Lartaynior sat in the office of the mayor of Torfen. Tyrioz was a small man, almost dwarfish in stature, who was taller sitting down than he was standing up.

"I can give you 800 of my fighting men, but I will need to keep the rest to defend my city, your grace."

Hardly surprising for a city that was built without a care for defense.

For as long as Avernum has been settled, there was a merchant encampment along the east bank of the small lake in the steam caverns between Almaria and the Tower of Magi, but it was only in 973 IE that King Edward established the city of Torfen in hopes of drawing people out of the overpopulated Great Cave. Situated as it was in the middle of civilized Avernum, defense was the last thing on the minds of the designers. There were no walls. In fact, it was the only city in Avernum without walls. Now, it boasted a hastily constructed cavewood pallisade around it, but that was nothing compared to the stone walls of the other Avernite cities.

"That will be fine, my lord mayor," he said rising from his seat, "Now if you will please excuse me, I have matters that need my attention."

"Of course, sire. I have things to do as well," said Tyrioz picking up scroll.

-------------

As he walked through the streets of Torfen, he saw one of his lieutenants running up to him.

"What is it, Davon?"

"Sire, our sentries have spotted a group of men approaching from the east."

"Well, let's take a look, shall we?" asked the king as he strode toward the eastern pallisade.