[: 3rd POV :]
As the survivors began to stir, preparing for their journey, their gazes occasionally flickered toward Daniel.
Their thoughts were heavy, questions swirling in their minds, but no one dared to speak them out loud—at least, not yet.
Then, just as the last few gathered their belongings and the representatives began to organise the groups, Daniel remained standing at the front, his eyes scanning the horizon.
The others began to move, but there was something about the way Daniel stood, still, as if rooted to the earth itself, that piqued their curiosity.
It was as if he were waiting for something, or perhaps... doing something.
"Before we leave," Daniel spoke, his voice cutting through the murmur of the group, "I almost forgot."
The words were spoken with a nonchalance that caught everyone by surprise.
The representatives and a few of the more battle-hardened among the freed slaves exchanged wary looks.
What was he about to do now?
