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"Nobody knows how many followers he has. But he surely has enough as to waste some thousands in this very city. If he can do such a thing in a half-hearted attempt such as this, who knows how many he has in his power?
"But, now, we must retaliate. That is the reason I have brought you all to Istin square. I – no, we – need an army bigger than the one we have already. The army is much, much smaller now we're fifty years into the ceasefire between the Elemental Magi; we need to build it back up again. I'm asking you, as your leader, to help us in our quest to defeat the Magi Nigri! Wives and husbands, brothers and sisters: if you can fight, then fight for us!" the crowd was split for a minute as half murmured in indecision and half cheered vehemently.
Jakkor and Jeralis – who was a very headstrong boy, the same age as Jakkor, but not as competent as him – were on the cheering side. Mak looked indecisive. After a small, pensive time, he was joining in with the cheering too; he must have realised the futility of staying at Aeronaea without a family. Gnost looked scared. She still had a family at Aeronaea. They were in the crowd somewhere. She'd seen them for a brief moment while walking around the poor sector. She clapped uncertainly.
The Magus spoke again, and the cheering died down almost instantly. "Those who are willing to give back to the country that has given so much to them, we will meet in this square at six of the clock this evening, in but three hours' time. As for the rest... stay home and live your useless, futile lives." He stepped softly from the makeshift pedestal and made his silent way between the solemn faces of the crowd. They all turned to watch him go. His dazzling cape flew about impressively, carried by the wind that radiated from him. Once he was out of sight, the crowd started to depart and talk between themselves. Being near the middle, Jakkor and his friends had to stay put for the time being. Jakkor looked at them. Gnost looked both relieved that she didn't have to make a decision now, and very understandably worried.
"I'm in," said Jeralis, whose father and mother had survived.
"Me too," said Jakkor.
"And me, I guess," Mak said.
"I'll decide once my family tells me what they want me to do," said Gnost, screwing her hands into nervous fists.
"You know, you don't have to do what your family want," said Jakkor. He'd always felt a strange affection for the neurotic girl since they met when they were twelve. "You choose what you want to do. You're an adult now, no longer a child who cannot think for itself."
"You're right. I won't let them decide for me," she said, stronger. Then, more softly; "but I'll still get their advice." The others nodded. Their part of the crowd still wasn't moving.
"We'll meet at the end of my street," said Jakkor. Then, as a second thought, "Actually, no; we'll meet by the baker's, Yarun's. You know where that is, don't you? Five of the clock." He didn't have any idea why he said this; he didn't even particularly want to meet there.
"Why there?" asked Jeralis.
"I don't know," said Jakkor.
"Just a feeling?" Gnost asked.
"Not even a feeling.