Gasps erupted around me.
People were turning, shifting, whispering frantically.
Some even stood, wavering on unsteady legs, hope clashing hard with hunger and doubt.
I could hear it in their voices, murmurs and rising chatter like dry leaves caught in a storm.
I didn't even need to listen closely to know what they were saying.
"He escaped..."
"The portal worked..."
"Maybe we can too..."
I, on the other hand, kept my eyes on him.
Tharnok.
The Fifth Orc Lord.
He hadn't flinched.
He didn't glance back.
Didn't turn his head.
His heavy armored steps echoed through the cavern like rolling thunder.
His presence still bore down on everything around him like gravity itself obeyed his will, and yet...
He did nothing.
Not a growl.
Not a snarl.
Not even a raised hand.
A portal appeared, a man fled through it, and Tharnok... just kept walking.
And that was what scared me the most.
I could understand rage.
I could understand a violent reaction, orders shouted, weapons drawn.
