Silence greeted Julius as he walked the streets of Oakwood, escorted by the chief's son, Anthony. Much like the walls, some of the houses in close proximity were riddled with holes, and inside them, sorrowful voices could be heard, grieving. Wherever the chief set his foot on, the townsfolk hid and shuttered themselves inside their homes, fearful their homes would be first to be visited by the invaders.
Julius knew the game too well, looking at the white of the eyes of those who lurk in the dark. In truth, he had no desire to steal from these people, as their residences looked too unappealing for him and his generals. What he found appealing was the population of the town, consisting of pubescent boys and women in hiding. He asked Anthony about it, and the fellow only confirmed his observation. The town's workforce was ripe for his picking, which he thought would supply the newly minted Solusian industries enough labor to fuel its growth.
