Speaking of Women

“Then let the culling begin.” Shanka tipped her helm back down and signaled to her soldiers. The ranks of women advanced, weapons poised to kill.

Rastaban felt a thousand gazes on him, terrified but too proud to plead. “Wait!”

Shanka twitched her sword, and the women snapped back into battle lines as one. “You wish to turn back? We cannot keep all of your men as hostages, so we will kill the weak and keep the strong for work and breeding.”

Rastaban was shocked at her words. She spoke of his men...the same way his men spoke of women.