Tordek says, "I'll take these folk down to the shore, see if the Captain can take us aboard. They're still weak and I think a trek across the mountain will only slow you down. I'll try to get the Captain to stick around, maybe pick you up here if things go bad." With that, he escorts the tired villagers down from the ledge.
Taking the trail, you all head into the woods and lose sight of the Red Cutter. It is not a difficult path and you make good time, slipping across the bare earth criss-crossed with buried roots. Through the trees, you see the daylight from a clearing ahead. You step into the clearing and the morning sun blasts into your eyes. You've come around a part of the mountain and stand on a small ledge with a terrific view of the landscape and ocean horizon. You can see the village in the distance and the lagoon.
You also see the dragon. It hovers over the lagoon, flapping its wings violently towards the shore and causing choppy surf to pummel the small skiffs and boats. The villagers are in a panic, some swimming to the beach and others scrambling for shelter.
Haesh's keen eyes spots a figure astride the base of the dragon's neck, seated in a saddle. Black robes cinched at the waist billow out from the blasts of air, revealing the distinctive green scales of a dragonborn. This figure holds onto the saddle with one hand, its other clutching a staff that is used to prod the black dragon and gesture in the air.
Parallel notices that the box is no longer attached to the dragon. There are, however, two large flat structures lying on the beach. They appear to be platforms made of thick wood and banded metal, and judging from the scatter of sand around them, they were dropped there from a significant height. Everyone can see markings on the platforms; bright blue rings across the entire surface, concentric bands enclosing strange shapes and symbols connected by straight lines. You notice that the bright color is increasing in intensity, and realize that the rings are glowing.
Suddenly, tall metal-clad figures appear around each platform. They seem to step out of thin air as they charge up the beach, using their polearms to herd the frightened villagers away from their hiding spots. More armored warriors appear and head to the strand, pulling swimmers out of the water and pushing them further up the shore. Shouts and screams rise quietly to your ears, a grim indication of the chaos taking place far away as nearly a dozen soldiers move through the village.
The glow upon the platforms quickly ebbs and winks out. However, before it completely disappears, a small figure steps onto the beach. A long black cloak and large hood conceal this person as it stands in observance of everything, seemingly oblivious to the dragon hovering above and behind.
