Traditionally, the marshlands in the north were not part of the Tidelands. But the important thing was Rakkal claimed them, and the forest that was south of the trade road. As much as I'd like to blame that on Hortiluk, it has been my understanding that Rakkal claimed that land, possibly to create a buffer zone of wilderness between us and the Khanate.
If so, then the Kamajeen and Conventicle had flung feces into that plan. The former by colonizing the forest, and the latter by introducing Makura, a sentient species of crabs, into the swamp. To the best of my knowledge, they live there still.
On the dry lands, Rakkal and his kindred had led the column. The swamplands were a different matter. Sinkholes and undercurrents and vicious wildlife. The water too muddy to see the bottom, which we prodded with poles. I stopped counting the number of those that got stuck after the third.
So much I wanted to put into this chapter, but it wouldn't have been real. Rakkal has worn his army down to the nub, and there's not a lot of things he can do to replace them.
It's not quite as bad as the Legendary Heroes from the origin, but the empire is literally leaning on its last best heroes. The problem is the Kamajeen aren't pushovers, and they've had a few months to rest and recover.
But... no spoilers, just wanted to point out that I've been keeping track of the formulas and populations and such.
As always, thank you for your continued readership; it's what keeps me going when I think my own energies are expended.