The evening sun bled orange into the sky as Kyle stood before the gathered villagers, his hands calmly clasped behind his back.
The tension from earlier had settled somewhat, but concern still lingered in the faces of the people before him.
"I'll be leaving with Lady Rose tomorrow. It's a temporary departure. While I'm gone, Bruce will be in charge."
Kyle said, his voice clear, steady.
A ripple of unease ran through the crowd. Some villagers exchanged wary glances; others frowned outright.
Their worry was not about Bruce's competence—they trusted him well enough—but rather about Kyle leaving with her.
Kyle caught the shift in mood immediately and offered a small smile.
"I know you're concerned, but I'm not leaving to entertain noble tempers. I plan to bring back more trained soldiers. We need them if we're to hold our ground here. The army is large, and we can use it to our benefit."