The group that surrounded the princess must have had between ten and fifteen people, including men, women, and children. The dirty, miserable and hardened appearance of everyone left no doubt that they were a group of inhabitants of the forest. Perhaps robbers.
'Think fast, Lex!' she seldom had contact with this type of person, who despite the particularities of each region and culture, had something in common: they had nothing to lose but their lives. They could be violent, cruel, and petty, but they could also demonstrate the generosity and piety that only shortage taught. She just knew that her chances of converting that highly unfavorable situation into something good were very slim, and she wouldn't have a second chance if she missed.
