Damian looked at everyone gathered before him.
His voice carried across the crowd without shouting, Mana amplifying his words so that even those at the edges could hear clearly.
"I am sorry for your losses."
The words were simple and direct.
"I am sorry for what you have gone through over the last day. Many of you have lost family. Many of you have lost homes. Many of you have lost everything you thought you knew about your place in these Lands of Stone."
He paused, letting the acknowledgment settle.
"You are safe here. Within these walls, nothing will harm you. For now, you can be at ease. Rest. Get some food. After that, everyone can work together to build shelters for the night."
His golden-winged pupils moved across the crowd, meeting eyes that desperately needed to believe him.
"Nothing will be harming you within these walls."
...!
Essun was shocked.
