"Right. Help." Albel shook his head. "Really -- look at them. Do you think they can?"

He watched the retreating back of another refugee, disappointment obvious on his face.

"The sentiment is understandable, but with no training, no direction, I don't see how they can." He sighed. "At least not with actual fighting -- they'd simply be in the way."

He did wish he could put them to use if he could, truly, but what else could they do besides what they were already doing? Boarding up their homes and leaving, so that the real fighters wouldn't be distracted? Albel wasn't sure, but if this woman had any ideas, he supposed he might as well listen.