In a large hall near the square, around a hundred captured provisioners were held captive—all of them sitting together, their hands bound with ropes, guarded by men of the Watch.
The air was heavy with their mutters, fear, and anger. Some kept their heads low, others whispered among themselves, waiting for what was to come.
And finally, it began.
The doors of the Hall opened and Matriarch Morvain walked in.
The hall fell silent at once, the Men of the Watch moved their right fists onto their chests, doing the traditional Velmourn salute.
Morvain nodded at them, her tall figure, wrapped in her fur cloak, looked colder than the snow falling outside.
The Matriarch then stared at the Men of the Watch and—
"Leave."
She ordered.
"But Matria—"
The Watch's Sergeant, the one who led this operation together with Kael, tried to reason but—
"I said leave."
