Reconciliation - Part 3

Vol strode across the muddy ground from the doorway of the village chief's house. Men looked up as he went now. They parted if he came too near, all of them careful not to catch his eye, and if they did, they made sure that they didn't catch it for too long.

Those that didn't have a job that they were doing pretended to look busy doing something else. Those that did went about whatever task they were tending to with renewed vigour.

"The dead – those that opposed you, Commander…" a man called out to Vol as he passed, posing the question without yet getting his attention fully. It was the same man from earlier. Vol paused mid step to hear him. "They've begun looting them. Is that fine?"

"Aye," Vol said. "That is fine. They have the honour of a funeral, but they lost nonetheless. The losing party does not get to keep the spoils of victory."

"I see," the man said. It was hard to tell whether he was pleased or not by that fact.