Tavin loaded another bag full of belongings onto the cart, then wiped his brow. He turned to the small family that he was helping, and they smiled sadly at him in reply. Apparently not everyone felt anger or resentment toward him, though plenty certainly did.

Three days had passed, and most of Varenwald’s residents had moved on to Astelworth, though some holdouts had stubbornly refused to do anything, insisting on living their everyday life as if there was no danger.

Every ...