Eira was gripped by a deep, paralyzing fear. To the commoners, Florian's ruthless slaughter of Asvaldur's army and the magic wielders appeared no different from senseless butchery.
The scattered presence of Imperial Army knights throughout the city made them seem like harmless, fragmented groups rather than an organized threat. Adding to the confusion, the magic wielders had blended seamlessly into the populace, dressing and living as ordinary citizens.
Though whispers of the Imperial Army's arrival circulated, few suspected that such a formidable force would be hiding in plain sight. People expected armies to reside in grand lodgings—palaces or fortresses—not among the common folk in the narrow streets.
