Clara felt hollow at Raven's command. She wanted to shout in protest, but she barely managed to croak out, “Wait!” Raven did not hear. Commander Ballitor raised his staff in the air. “Soldiers of Silex, advance!” The stoic guards lowered their crackling staffs into attack position and started inching the tired, frightened elderly toward the edge of the quarry.
Ephemeral: Chapter 35
Very satisfying!