He waved a hand around. "You see the work the people have done to rebuild. You will see the destruction closer to the water. And you will see us--hostages, or Visitors, whichever you prefer, and you will see the citizens." His hands bunched into fists like he'd love to punch something but there were no good targets.

"And you see that our faction leaders, the nobles, are safe in their little compounds. They lift no fingers to help. They did not even share food in the worst of it."