These words hit home and many people began to tremble, including the villagers of Hellhound Village who had never been imprisoned. Some of them had even participated in their capture.
They, too, were in some ways at the mercy of the whims of Oxyxcrest Pride. Their lives were miserable because they were too weak.
If they were stronger they could easily pay the annual tribute and still eat their fill. If they were strong enough, they would not have to bow to anyone. If they were strong enough, they wouldn't have to live in fear of what tomorrow would bring.
In the end, it always came down to a matter of strength or intelligence. And right now, they had neither.
