He tried to open his mouth to defend himself, to offer them the truth. But he never got the chance.
"You'd defend a murderer," someone spat toward Lira, cutting through whatever Kael might have said before he could speak. "Just like he defended that elf-girl. Just like all of you."
The word 'murderer' struck the crowd like flint against steel, and Kael felt his heart sink. He wasn't afraid. But looking at their expressions, he couldn't help but feel shocked.
Faces he had known his whole life now turned against him. Faces that had smiled at him in the training yard. Faces that had thanked him for grain rations during the lean months. Faces that had wept with gratitude the day he carved Petro's head from his shoulders in the name of justice.
Now those same faces looked at him with something he had never once seen directed at himself.
Contempt.
