"Do not pursue!"
Roderic's voice cut across the battlefield like a blade.
Several Dustwind warriors, already preparing to chase the retreating bandits, froze mid-step.
"Forget them!" Roderic barked. "All units, return to the town! Put out the fire before it spreads out!"
Smoke was rising thicker now, dark and angry against the sky. Even from the western gate, the crackling of flames could be heard when the wind shifted.
One of the body tempering practitioner stepped forward. "But my lord, if we press now, we can wound them further—"
"And leave our own town to burn?" Roderic snapped.
The elder fell silent.
Roderic turned his blade downward and exhaled sharply. "Form fire lines. Use the wells. Break the adjacent structures if you must. Contain it."
The gates were opened wider, and the Dustwind fighters poured back into the town, not in pursuit, but in urgency.
The battle was over.
But the damage had just begun.
----
Up in the tree, Aiden remained still.
