The wind in Dry Wind Gorge carried the foul stench of charcoal and roasted meat. The soldiers silently and efficiently dragged the bodies, tossing the twisted limbs into a pit they had dug. They worked quickly, as if they were handling livestock.
Bryn's armor was smeared with some kind of black filth and dust. He strode up to Suleiman, his voice hoarse.
"Lord Suleiman, we've finished counting the bodies in the gorge."
He paused, his brows knitted tightly.
"But the numbers don't add up. We found far fewer people than expected. There are almost no women, children, or elderly. It's very different from what we estimated before."
As soon as he finished speaking, swords began ringing out all around them. Every soldier's gaze instantly blazed like a fire, all turning toward Kopi and the more than forty surviving members of the Tree Men tribe beside him.
"Liar! These Wildlings are all liars! Kill them!"
"They must've secretly let their own people escape!"
"My lord! You can't trust Wildlings! Kill them! Cut off their heads! All Wildlings deserve to die!"
"Burn them all alive! Burn them!"
The furious shouts echoed through the empty gorge, and the air filled once more with murderous intent. The Tree Men Wildlings frantically searched for anything nearby they could use to defend themselves.
Suleiman slowly raised one hand. Instantly, all the clamor died away, as if an invisible hand had clamped around everyone's throats. The soldiers gripped their weapons tightly, their bodies trembling. Their bloodshot eyes remained fixed on the Wildlings, but not one of them dared make another sound.
He turned, his gaze settling on Kopi. It was cold and utterly emotionless, yet more terrifying than a drawn sword.
Kopi's face was as pale as paper. He stepped forward and dropped to one knee with