The clash seemed to pause, the quiet only broken by the heavy breathing of those who were left.
The common folk, seeing Duran's brutal end, lost all their fight.
They dropped their weapons, their faces ghostly pale with shock and fear.
All they could think about now was their own future, and the future of their families.
The city guards were, of course, more disciplined than the commoners who had formed a makeshift fighting group.
Even so, they hesitated.
Their spirit was broken by the death of their captain.
His twisted body was a chilling reminder of what could happen to them too.
The remaining adventurers, seeing the fight turn, slipped away into the crowd.
But this selfish act would only lead to more problems later.
On the other side, the Paladins, even though they had won, were beaten and bloody.
Three of their own lay dead, their holy armor stained red with blood and guts.
The others were hurt, tired, and shaken.
They had won, but the cost was terrible.
