Darion didn't interrupt.
"They tore through everyone." Caef's eyes were wet now, but his voice didn't waver. "My brother tried to fight. He tried to protect the village. And when it was over…" He paused. His eyes became red with rage. "You put his head on a spear."
The words hung between them. Darion didn't interrupt. He could explain. He could say why he attacked. He could explain that Gonnb had attacked first. That they had been a threat. That he had been protecting his people. But none of that came out. Because Caef wasn't telling him about a strategic decision. He was telling him about his brother.
Caef took another breath. "You know what happened after that?"
Darion remained silent.
"We left." Caef's voice was quieter now. "We came here. Months ago." He gestured toward Vrethka. "We came to Vrethka because we had nowhere else to go."
Darion's eyes narrowed slightly.
