Kortor's two Sheriffs were in league with the Clean Riders, as Twist had guessed. The Clean Riders controlled water in this Arid Chunk, in addition to – as they proclaimed – managing a disaster among disasters, the Great Earthen Parasite.
The Clean Riders had a surprisingly large force behind them. With the numbers, they captured and restricted all water sources in the Arid Chunk and recruited – or flat out kidnapped – anyone with a water-related Utility.
The Twin Sheriffs, as good friends of higher brass members of the Clean Riders, got massive volumes of water each month to boost business in Kortor – food business. This sort of business was the only reason many people journeyed to Kortor after all, but at great personal risk. The empty, barren lands were dangerous to traverse.
