I sat on a fallen log at the edge of town, waiting for the Norwind survivors.
Soren and his men had gathered some supplies. Mostly water and a little food. I knew Soren wanted to have some food for me and the baby, but once we got moving, they’d be hunting for their meals.
“Mila, it’s time to get going,” Soren said, reaching a hand out to me to help me up.
Sighing, I took his hand and he pulled me up.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, brushing his thumb over my knuckles.
“I knew not everyone would come but… I didn’t think no one would come,” I admitted. I looked down the road toward the village.
Not one Norwind member had shown up. They’d all chosen to remain behind and take their chances with their attackers.
Soren was right, they had their own fates, their own destinies. I couldn’t save people that didn’t want to be saved. All I could do was remind myself that I’d done everything I could. I’d offered them a way out, it was their prerogative not to take it.