Murmurs of approval swept through the villagers, their resolve strengthening with Amos' words. Hassler watched this exchange, his suspicion growing. But he kept his doubts at bay, focusing instead on his mission.
"This isn't a negotiation, Amos," Hassler retorted, his voice taking on an authoritarian tone. "You are living on Frant's land. And you will abide by Frant's laws."
"We are free people, Hassler. We abide by the laws of nature and live in harmony with the land that shelters us. We don't claim it or see it as something to be owned. Your laws mean nothing to us."
The expression on Hassler's face hardened, and his grip on his weapon became more apparent. "You are challenging the authority of Frant, Amos. This won't end well for you." the village leader smiled casually in response to the threat made by Hassler.
"We're not challenging anyone, Lieutenant. We merely choose to live freely, just as we always have." The crowd went silent as the tension between the two leaders reached its highest point.
The argument, which had previously consisted of a verbal back-and-forth, could now develop into a physical confrontation. And even though the villagers were prepared to defend their home, they were also aware of the potential costs associated with standing up to the might of New Alexandria.
However, because Amos was leading them, they experienced a glimmer of optimism and the belief that maybe, just maybe, they could continue living the life that they had grown to adore. "Whatever," Hassler spat out, his face a rigid mask of irritation. With a quick gesture, he signaled his men to fall back.
The abrupt dismissal given by Hassler lingered heavily in the atmosphere, signaling the conclusion of the conflict that had the village in its grip.
Every village resident who was there at the time felt as though they had been slapped in the face when the word "whatever" was spoken with such disdain.
His face, which had been an open canvas for negotiation and diplomacy in the past, had changed into a stony, adamant appearance, reflecting his resentment. Hassler, who had his back turned to the villagers, made a swift and pointed gesture to his men.
His gloved hand cut through the air with an authority that his men immediately obeyed. The soldiers, each dressed in the unique uniform of New Alexandria's armed forces, marched in step behind their commander. This synchronized march demonstrated the soldiers' discipline.
The ground beneath them seemed to shudder under the weight of their armored boots, each echoing step a resonating reminder of their unwanted presence in this peaceful village. The sun glinted off their armor, creating a harsh contrast to the warm glow that bathed the village.
The line of soldiers disappeared slowly from sight, their retreat a slow puncture to the tension that had inflated the village square. Yet, their departure did little to dispel the unease that their visit had planted.
Erik turned to Ethan as the soldiers walked away, leaving behind an ominous sound in the stillness of the village caused by their armored boots. "Has Amos met this Hassler before?" Erik asked, his gaze never leaving the fleeing soldiers for a moment.
Ethan nodded, his eyes moving in the same direction as his head. "Yeah, he's the one that they typically dispatch here. He is more knowledgeable than the majority of people about our traditions."
Erik was about to probe further when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around to see Vanessa, her gaze serious. "Amos would like a word with you, Erik."
The young man was forced to interrupt his conversation with Ethan to give Vanessa a polite nod before following her into the great hall. As they made their way toward the elder statesman, he couldn't help but be filled with a sense of anticipation. He couldn't help but wonder what Amos might want to talk about.
Erik was greeted by the stoic faces of Amos and Samuel when he entered the hall after he had arrived. The majestic appearance of the building was even more impressive than usual. Still, the young man was clearly distracted by Samuel's and Amos's faces, which were serious and grim, showing that, whatever the two wanted to talk about, it was nothing simple or easy.
The midday sun cast a golden glow across the exterior of the building, creating long shadows that moved gracefully in time with the swaying of the leaves on the trees surrounding the building.
Through the stained glass windows, the play of wintery lights and shadows painted the room in a vibrant display, turning the hall's interior into a kaleidoscope of colors. The pair were already deep in conversation, their brows furrowed in serious contemplation.
Their presence filled the room, two pillars of the community whose steadfast dedication had guided the village through countless challenges.
As Erik approached, their eyes lifted to meet his. There was a sense of expectation in their gaze, a silent acknowledgment of the importance of his presence. The room fell silent, save for the faint rustling of leaves outside, the steady heartbeat of the village providing a fitting backdrop for the discussion about to unfold.
Erik entered the space, and the sound of his boots making contact with the worn wooden floorboards could be heard. "Amos, Samuel," he said with a nod of greeting, his eyes moving back and forth between the two individuals.
The atmosphere was heavy with a sense of imminence, which caused Erik to experience a tingling sensation of anticipation that ran down his spine. "Hello, Erik. We wanted to talk about the cave you stumbled upon when you first came to our village," Amos began, his voice as calm as a placid sea, betraying none of his inner thoughts.
Samuel, who intently watched Erik's facial expressions while remaining silent, confirmed this with a nod.
Erik's brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to make sense of the sudden interest in the cave, and his mind worked quickly to do so. Amos sat back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest, assuming a relaxed posture. His stare was fixed and penetrating, and it never once left Erik's face.
Amos leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. His gaze, steady and piercing, never left Erik's face. "Erik," he began, the deep rumble of his voice filling the room. "Could you tell us more about the condition of the cave? The structures inside, do you think they're still usable?"
Erik halted momentarily, reflecting on the moment he first entered the village. His recollection of the event was crystal clear, right down to the cold, wet stones that had been underfoot and the empty buildings that had echoed with the silence of abandonment.
"The buildings inside...they're still standing. Not in pristine condition, but not completely worn either. With some repairs, they could be livable," Erik replied.
Amos nodded, mulling over the information. Samuel, who had been silent till then, leaned forward. "And the thaids, Erik?" he asked. "You've had close encounters with them. What's the situation like? Are they a threat to consider?"
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