Eimar sidles closer, lowering his voice. "And that's where Irovetti has failed. The Pitax River is our lifelin

Eimar sidles closer, lowering his voice. "And that's where Irovetti has failed. The Pitax River is our lifeline, connecting us to the outside world. River pirates know it, and they prey upon incoming travelers. You might think the king would thwart these pirates and defend his people, but no, he's only sent escorts to protect key shipments, leaving everyone else to the pirates' depredations. This tournament? It hides how we suffer from the king's inaction."