Velma stood at the rear of what remained of her battle lines and simply broke into tears. The strength that had held her upright through the morning finally gave way. Tears ran freely down her face. Her voice came out cracked and broken, the sound of a woman who had watched too much die in too short a time.
"The angel fell protecting us. Today is the worst day Fondel has ever known. This is a horrifying fate. Why did I ever bring my army here for a mere village? Even my son is gone, nowhere to be found."
Athena stood a few paces away, her face pale under the dirt. The golden light in her left eye still flickered weakly as she stared at the distant place where Gabriella had gone down under the Orc King. She had narrated everything in great detail.
