The Burden of Leadership

The woman turned slightly, her gaze piercing each brigand one by one. "You've looted, stolen, perhaps even killed today. You've already taken more than you need to survive. So why risk your life now? Why blindly follow a leader who's leading you to your doom when you can still flee, leave with what you already have, and live to see another day?"

She paused again, letting the silence weigh heavily. The wind gently rustled through the trees.

"The choice is yours," she finally continued. "Will you keep pretending to be brave, obeying a woman who despises you and sees you as disposable pawns? Or will you finally recognize what you truly are: men and women who, despite everything, want to live, who want to feel the warmth of the sun on their faces tomorrow?"