The small parish located to the east of the duchy still bore visible traces of the attack. Part of the roof had collapsed, the side walls had been reinforced with temporary beams. Yet the inner courtyard was packed with people.
Entire families had come. Some from the poorest neighborhoods of the duchy, others had traveled several days by road. There were the injured, the elderly, children carried in their parents' arms.
In the center, on an improvised platform, Scarlet was seated.
She wore a green dress with golden embroidery, elegant but sober, which recalled a noble more than a religious icon. Her short green hair framed her face lightly, and her golden gaze was calm.
When she spoke, the crowd fell almost immediately silent.
"Many of you have suffered in recent days. Some have lost their homes. Others have lost loved ones."
Her voice was strong...
"I do not claim to understand all your pain. But I know one thing. Misfortune is not inevitable."
