Two families sobbed over the bodies, but no response would ever come.
Surrounding them were frightened and uneasy refugees, clearly shaken by the recent event. They knew the threat had never been far away, and anxiety pressed heavily on their hearts.
"My Lord," a refugee noticed Lance approaching, and all eyes turned to him.
Despite the many eyes upon him, Lance showed no signs of fear. On the contrary, his steps became firmer, his expression grave, exuding a powerful sense of pressure.
The relatives of the deceased and injured noticed Lance approaching. Their grief quickly receded, not eased, but replaced by uncontrollable panic.
It was simple: with the men dead or injured, the family's main source of labor had vanished. To a Lord, orphans and widows held little value. They feared being expelled from the camp, uncertain how they could survive outside.
Overwhelming sorrow and fear crushed their last bit of rationality. One mother pulled her child to kneel before Lance.
