"Mistress Nyrielle sent her progeny deep into human territory, intending to strike at their homes and force the human armies to turn back to protect their homes," Ashlynn continued. "This is how Mistress Nyrielle's progeny fight. If five of her progeny can turn around an army of five thousand, then hundreds of others will live."
"Everyone at this table, stand up," she said, repeating Paulus' activity. "There are thirty people standing here. Which one of you would leave the table, risking your life if you knew it would save the life of everyone else at the table? Raise your hands," she said, holding up her hand.
Several hands shot into the air without a moment of hesitation as every experienced soldier and hunter volunteered. A number of other people held up their hands, including two mothers holding small children.
