We came in sight of the gate to the palace wall, the rebels turning and bristling with spears. Their eyes were wild before our inevitable approach. Rallying cries swept through the rebel group, the elderly standing beside the youth. Every able-bodied citizen that could be spared was engaged trying to breach the wall to the palace. Four soldiers stayed at the front of the procession as the rest formed a wall to either side of us. The Ubilaz surrounded us in an additional shield, still maintaining the protection of the Power in response to the missiles still lobbed by the crowd. I could see the fear of the citizens directly in our path, and admired their bravery in the face of almost certain demise. I remember them now with pity.
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from the waters 