The bell rang again.
It kept ringing, sharp and insistent, its sound carrying through the guildhall and out into the streets beyond, stripping away any remaining doubt about what was happening.
Hanitz was already moving.
"Listen up," he said, voice cutting through the noise.
The room quieted around him without effort. "Civilians go first. Get them out of the streets and into the barracks and the church."
He turned slowly, eyes sweeping the hall.
"If you can fight, you form up, and you hold ground. If you can't, you don't play hero. You escort, and you live."
"No unnecessary risks," Hanitz added, lower now. "Not tonight. Anyone who wants to survive does it my way."
Weapons were adjusted. Cloaks thrown aside. Groups formed with purpose instead of panic.
The bell kept ringing.
Hanitz turned, his gaze finding Gabriel without searching for him.
