Catherine, indignant, berated the cavalry officer, whose expression grew even more irate.
Just as Howard feared the officer might resort to his whip again, the impoverished residents of the nearby slums suddenly began hurling pebbles and chunks of stone.
The projectiles hit both the horse and the officer.
Howard promptly intervened to prevent further escalation, summoning Cotler, who was responsible for maintaining order in Pist.
He sternly reprimanded Cotler for his lack of discipline.
Cotler, not daring to retort, turned his frustration towards his subordinate, striking him across the face with a slap.
However, Howard was concerned about the repercussions of this incident.
He worried whether the humiliated officer might later vent his anger on someone weaker.
Howard gestured to Cotler, signaling him to refrain from violence and to resolve matters through dialogue instead of physical action.
