Evelyn nodded, knowing that their victory today was just the first step in a much larger struggle. The battle had been hard-fought, but the threat of retaliation from the king's forces loomed over them like a dark cloud.
"Gather the wounded and secure the perimeter," she instructed, her voice firm but filled with compassion for those who had fought bravely. "We need to assess our losses and prepare for what's next. We can't let our guard down."
As the villagers began to tend to the injured and gather their fallen comrades, Evelyn felt a mix of pride and sorrow. They had stood together against a formidable foe, but the cost of victory was evident. She knelt beside a young villager who had been struck in the arm, applying pressure to the wound with a bandage torn from her own cloak.
"Stay strong," she said softly. "Help is on the way."
