"Full retreat," said Leah.
"What!" cried multiple voices.
Her makeshift war council-Olorus, Hook, Sif, Endrus, Gunnar, Pool, Borris, and a few others-all stared at her.
"Pull everyone back from the bridge," she said. "Get all our people, every sword and shield at our disposal, to the western walls."
"Battle still rages on the eastern front, my lady," Endrus said. "If you order a retreat, Darvelle will be emboldened. They will attack with full force, and our gate won't stand for long if no one is there to defend it. There will be nothing between our enemies and the city's inner walls."
"Then we will surrender," Leah snapped.
"My lady!" Endrus fumed. "You are raving mad if you think I will stand idle as you-!"
"Darvelle attacks with an army," said Leah, stepping aggressively toward Endrus. "But they are at least humans. Humans who acknowledge surrender and know mercy."
"You would beg for their mercy?" Endrus spat.