Retreat in Defeat (Pt.2)

"Slap!" 

Alaric backhands Jorgen across his face.

"What have you done?!"

"Huh!?" Jorgen shouts, surprised.

Jorgen's surprise changes to fear as he sees the anger in Alaric's eyes.

"I knew you were an arrogant fool. But I never took you for an idiot." 

Alaric shouts for all to hear. The refugees have left the treeline and now watch as Alaric berates Jorgen.

"The least you could've done was kill them all!"

"You're too weak for that though. The Cevan Commander bested you, and you let him get away!"

"Look, there's your sword in the dirt!"

Alaric calms himself and takes a breath.

"Where all of us will soon rest too." 

His words come out slow and hushed. 

"Your actions may be the death of us all." 

Alaric taps his foot, thinking about what to do next. The refugees watch him with concern in their eyes. While the guardsmen start rounding up the surviving horses.