"A city that's primary forces just led a ridiculous strike in vain against a group of monsters, and were utterly destroyed." At this point, the top half of what is entirely a dragon with scales resembling smooth, shiny stone, is sticking out of the ground. It is unclear as to whether he stopped digging to converse, or if he had only dug his lower half into the ground for comfort.
"We do work for a lich, of considerable personal power. We serve him, to seek his treasures and lay waste to his foes. So, you too will invade this town with us, to burn and kill and plunder? The cold one is right, we must move quickly."