Changing times

As Adil walked out of the mansion's gate the dim stares of the people were focused on him. The grieving which had stopped a long time ago was no more than a burden on their shoulder waiting to be taken off. Adil's appearance gave a sense of relief to the people as they waited for his command to begin the burial. 

Adil walked down the narrow path between the columns of the dead bodies navigating his way to the center of the few soldiers who had stood up to bury the bodies. He walked with a diminishing demeanor his hands folded back above his waist; his head slightly tilted downwards, and his eyes fixed on his heavy steps. 

After the fall the weather had turned quite cold, dry cold winds were a regular and sometimes rain added to the melancholy.

So was the weather today, wind blew as Adil walked slowly among the corpses, swaying away the bloody blankets reveling the disfigured faces of his people. The people on standby quickly restored the former but for Adil it was if he could feel their gaze through the rough sheets which had been put together from old, rugged clothes.

By the time Adil had stopped in his path and took a deep sigh, rest of the elders had come out of the mansion and stood near the crowd to back Adil up.

"My comrades", said Adil with all strength he could gather, "many have fallen, many more will!!, we live aware of the fact that we might not see tomorrow, this could very well be our last gathering. The nights are dreadful and so are the creatures it brings along, survival is arduous and living feels worthless. Our efforts for all these years looks as if they were in vain. I am well aware of the pain that we've been through".

Hearing his own words, Adil lifted his gaze to meet his people, only to be greeted by a sea of horrified faces. The corpses that lied on the ground seemed no different. The motionless statues stood frozen, their hollow eyes fixed on Adil, as if silently pleading for him to end it all. Adil was aware of the of the situation, yet he continues, "Last night was in evidently atrocious than any other we have faced, we had to cross swords with our own men who had once fought alongside us.[sighs] So I along with the other elders have decided to burn our dead ones from now on, if anyone have second thoughts about the same please speak up now."

Haldem was quietly observing it all along with the other elders, ready to speak up if opposition arises.

There was a little buzz among the crowd but none of them came forward. 

"It's decided then we'll be burning them," said Adil.

"[In a low voice] Put them all together" said Adil to the soldier who was next to him. [walks away]

Taking Adl's command, the soldier yelled, "Lift them up and bring them here, we'll burn them all up together."

Upon hearing this, the few remaining soldiers began to gather the fallen. Nord, Heath, and Lark joined them, their movements heavy with grief and duty.