Halt

“Halt.” He ordered instantly. The Akojo instantly listened to the man's words as he should. He then turned his head towards Sorin above all the food supplies. flicker of recognition. “You're that hero I tried to murder for betraying the entire kingdom. I am not surprised to see you back since that purple-haired girl made quite a couple of show-ups in recent times. I even got to make a new division just for people like you.”

This must be the guy from that day when we raided the carriage of supplies. Ino said he had red hair, and this guy's magic capacity is immense. I can sense it from here: the one who burned down the entire family. The fact that he killed and still walks free sickens me.

Sorin stared back at him, his anger boiling up. “You killed a whole family. Destroying two buildings and didn't even graze me. You are a murderer.” The entire crowd went silent; those details were omitted, but the accusation was warranted.

“I do not murder innocents. I am the head of internal security. My name is Boyle; do not put such words on my name.” he took a small bow; his manners were almost impeccable.

“Likewise. I am Sorin, so-called hero or traitor, depending who you ask. I'm getting these supplies out, and I won't allow you or any of your men to stop me.” He twists his staff down before scanning out twenty men; he makes a small flame directly near the food supply. The message was clear.

Boyle didn’t show any anger or distress; however, he looked around at everyone, then he looked at his own men. Then he stretched his hand up. “Let's escort them. Why not help some people starving?”

I never expected this option. What does he mean by escorting us? And also willing to help us, this is a load of crap he's talking about. Damn it, I can't risk any of their lives. I won't do that, especially after just gaining their trust.

He turned to Ixul, who knew the situation as much as Sorin did, but he didn't give any input; he left it all to Sorin's judgement. “I have some conditions.”

“That is fine, I'm in no rush after all.” Boyle shoved everyone aside, the gate being completely free for them to leave.

“You will always walk ahead of us, all of you. And even one mishap and all the supplies are gone.”

“So be it then, hero.” Boyle waved at the men near him; they all formed a marching squad of rows of four in five columns as Boyle positioned himself at the front. “Let us not waste time. The poor people are waiting.”

Sorin gave a firm nod as Ixul tapped the Akojo to start moving again. “Sorin, I don't like how this is going. There is definitely some intent, but I think your threat is too great as predicted. So until this food is gone, we are safe like you wanted.”

Leaning down next to Ixul, Sorin began to whisper, “When the food is gone, tell everyone to run immediately, spread the word before we get to the main street. I will then fight all of these men or try to.”

Ixul immediately backed off, one by one, telling them as they moved from the industrial sector towards a byroad and eventually towards the main street. The marching of the men in front was intimidating; they were all hooded. It was almost cult-like.

People from all around the streets began hearing the march and started to peek out their windows in interest; however, they seemed to be hidden. Afraid of the thunder coming towards them.

I need to prepare myself. I know that this is a fragile situation; I must somehow fight these twenty mages, of which I don't know what they have, and a powerful leader of internal security whose fire blasted through concrete buildings.

The carriage got onto the main street. They rolled the carriage forward until it sat in the center of the street. Many more people were now interested; there were at least two hundred bags of pure hersh. The next month's supply was just right in front of starving people.

Sorin took charge, stepping himself higher. “Everyone! Come and grab some food for you and your families. I, Sorin, give you all of this!"

However, Nobody dared to move; there was a whole mage army in front of him after all. Nobody was desperate enough to see Boyle himself standing there with a neutral expression as his men stood silently like bystanders. A minute passed; nobody stepped up. Ixul took it upon himself; he grabbed a bag of fresh grain and threw it out on the floor. Away from the men, towards the back. “Grab it if you want it!”

Another minute passed. Just one person, bones popping out, almost dishevelled to the core. He was tired. Almost like a zombie rather than human, he seemed to be barely holding on. He slowly made his way towards the bag. Nobody spoke.

But once he did manage to pick it up, a burst of energy overtook him. “Food food! I have food!” He yelled across before disappearing into an alleyway. Then another person came out, grabbed a bag, and left in peace. Over time, it increased; now a whole group formed, grabbing a bag each before running off.

Ixul and every member of the refinery said two words: “Sorin’s gift”. What followed was a multitude of “Thank you, Sorin!” or “I always believed in you.”

He shifted himself towards Boyle. He now turned around with his men towards the carriage as it was nearing its empty state. Sorin's staff was planted. It was nearly the moment.

One young girl came to the carriage dressed in an oversized shirt. Grabbing the final bag of fresh bread from the carriage, but her body could barely carry it, Sorin could only say one thing: “Ixul, help the girl out. We won't have time to do that in a second.” Her steps got further and further towards an alleyway until the shadow finally disappeared.

“Arrest these criminals." Boyle slammed down his staff as his men immediately began running towards the carriage. They didn't even waste a single moment once the food was gone. It's just a hunting game for them now.