Word spread quickly through the city that the orcs were coming. A force greater than any we had faced. They were changed as well. As if they had become part of the fel magicks they turned on us. The scouts reported that they were like man’ari. Something so evil as to be nothing like they once were.
 
We did not have to be told we had no chance against them. The decision that Velen made we all accepted with resignation. We could not all flee. They would hunt us and wipe out our entire race. Some of us would have to remain. Not to fight, though. To give the appearance that the city was fully occupied. That those left were all that remained of our people.
 
One could see the decision broke Velen’s heart. Each person, each family, that he chose to remain behind left yet another line of pain etched forever upon his face. They accepted it, those chosen to die. They would give their lives for the chance that some of our people would still live. They would fight, but we all knew it was a fight that could not be won.

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