"I won't bore you with some long speech," Ludwig said, his voice echoed in the area where only the crackling of the bonfire could be heard.
The words didn't need to be loud; the Safe Lands had gone quiet on their own. A moment ago, this place had been all mugs and meat and laughter.
Now the fire sounded like it had teeth, fat popping, wood settling, sparks snapping into the night air.
Faces turned toward him from every angle: ogres with heavy brows and heavier hands, goblins half-hidden behind cups they'd stopped drinking from, a troll's silhouette hunched near the edge of the light, and scattered orcs who looked like they were deciding whether this was going to be a speech or a challenge.
Ludwig kept his shoulders square and his posture relaxed on purpose. If he looked like he was pleading, they'd smell weakness. If he looked like he was commanding, they'd bristle. He needed them listening, really listening, before he asked them for anything.
