The fire sought to devour everything: buildings, invaders, defenders...
"Turtle" Hench witnessed everything from a tower on the north shore. He flung his telescope aside and furiously grabbed the collar of the person next to him.
No one, besides Hench himself, could have foreseen him punching the supreme commander of the defending forces, Ilysov. It was a solid blow. Ilysov's age-slackened cheek distorted completely, a spray of blood testifying to the force of Hench's punch.
It all happened in an instant. No one saw General Ilysov's expression as the blow landed. By the time the guards and other officers pulled the rampaging Hench away, the old general's face was once again a mask of calm indifference. He simply took out the silk cloth he used for polishing his sword and wiped away the blood.
