The governor nodded at the adventurers, although this nod was much more dismissive than those he usually showed. "[color=lightblue]I thank you for your concern, but I have made up my mind[/color]", he shared, clearly set on his course of action. Sergeant Longwater stepped back, raising his hands in the air behind the governor, a gesture that clearly signalled him giving up and encouraging the others to do so just as well. Nighthill had made up his mind and if the guardsman's behaviour was of any indication, the governor would hold on to decisions such as this. Perhaps it was pride, perhaps just plain stubbornness. Whatever be the case, it seemed this meeting was over for now as the heroes of the night began scattering from the rooftop.

And it did seem as if there would be no more incursions for the rest of the night. Sentries reported no critical structures under attack, the sally port held fast against any further probes, the Old Tunnel saw no more traffic from the keep, nor did it seem as if the enemy would have wandered in there. And even if they did, they either failed to notice or deliberately ignored the door inside. But as things are according to Murphy's Law, if something could go wrong, it would. The keep itself was well defended, but it was those who were left outside of its walls that would be used against the denizens this time.

[hr]
When barest hint of sunlight just barely appeared above the horizon, the raiders gathered close to the keep. Now that they were all in the same place, it was easy to see why a no holds barred counterattack would have been a futile endeavour: They numbered at least thrice the amount of defenders available. And even if one could consider the adventurers a boon to Greenest, they were not the only side packing more formidable force.

From the darkness, a creature strode into the dim light of the fires of the keep. Although shaped roughly like a human, it was at least seven feet tall, its skin covered in blue scales, fingers bearing wicked claws and its face... it carried the muzzle and reptilian eyes of a dragon. The creature stopped about eighty yards from the main gate, a line of kobolds fanning out behind it. These servants used their spears to prod forth four prisoners, a woman, a teenage boy in a blood-soaked tunic and two children. They let the scene set in to the hearts and minds of the defenders for a moment, but finally the half-dragon breaks the 'silence' by hailing the keep.

"[color=0076a3]Defenders of Greenest! This has been a successful night, and I am feeling generous. Do you see these four pitiful, useless prisoners? We have no need for them, so I will trade them back to you. Send out your best warrior to fight me, and you can have these four in exchange.[/color]"

As it has finished speaking, a distinct sound of people brawling in metal armour can be heard, at the source of which one can see a few of the guardsmen holding back sergeant Longwater, who is in turn doing his best to press through his underlings. "[color=lightgray]Let me through! Those are my wife and children out there![/color]" the sergeant bellows, but his men do not give way. Quite on the contrary, the dwarven castellan rushes into the room with even more guards who join in keeping Longwater in check. As this is going on, the governor has crept behind the adventurers.

"[color=lightblue]My friends[/color]", he spoke up, "[color=lightblue]you've demonstrated your prowess all through this frightful night. I realise this is an awful burden to ask you to bear, especially after all you have already done for us, but any of you has a better chance to defeat that... thing, than any of my militia have.[/color]"

[@The Harbinger of Ferocity][@Norschtalen][@Gordian Nought][@Ryonara][@Lucius Cypher]