She paused for a moment, letting the name "Melfield" and phrases like "closed the passage" and "turned the tide" sink into the minds of the refugees.
Then, her tone softened once more. "The heroes are fighting and bleeding on the front lines, buying us time and space. And we, here in the rear, must also do our best to maintain this hard-won order and ease the suffering."
Her gaze swept across the figures under the lean-to who had just been whispering, finally resting on the woman holding a child. Her tone softened slightly:
"I have come today on behalf of the Vilt Royal Family, and on my own behalf, to visit you all and see what I can do to make things even a little better."
She inclined her head slightly, motioning to the maids behind her.
The maids stepped forward, set down the several baskets they were carrying, and lifted the coarse cloth covering them.
