"That's right! Kill this jinx who brought disaster upon us!"
"Kill Idir!"
A faction of the elders joined in, relentlessly inciting the Serpent City beastmen. Harin and a few others remained silent, while Milt stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching Idir without uttering a word.
Whiped into a frenzy by the propaganda, the crowd glared at Idir with burning resentment. Nina and her companions instantly shifted into a defensive stance.
Anxiety and inner conflict warred in Weena's eyes. Was this catastrophe truly Idir's doing?
Terrified, Penny ran to her father's side. "Father, please help Idir! He isn't a jinx!" She couldn't bear to see him driven away again; if Idir left this time, she might never see him again.
Alar pulled her aside sternly. "Penny, stay out of this. I cannot help him."
Clutching his arm, she pleaded, "Father, I beg of you, please save him!" But Alar remained completely unmoved.
