The little one's name
Vorden stood there, standing in the sand. He hadn't moved for a few seconds now, and his head was facing the floor. From the top of his head, a trickle of blood was dripping down onto his forehead, and little by little droplets would fall to the ground.
"Why is the boss just standing there?" Lippy asked.
The truth was Berg couldn't explain it himself. Something about the person he was facing a few seconds ago had suddenly changed. He felt the same presence as when he was just about to face one of the elders in his own family.
Then for the first time since being beaten to the floor, Vorden had moved. He lifted his hand and wiped the blood away before staring at it on his sleeve.
"You guys said you would protect me."
"Hey, don't look at me Sil," Raten said, "Vorden was the one who got knocked out before I could even do anything."
"Maybe it's time for a change?" Sil said.