I don’t have my typewriter. I don’t even have pen and paper. But I have my thoughts, my words. They once connected me to you, and I pray that they’ll reach you now. Somehow, someway. An old trace of magic in the wind. I’ll find you whenever I can.
Intentionally staying behind was so illogical. Iris only did so to possibly maybe see her brother, which realistically she wouldn't have in all the chaos.
The author should have written the town being blindsided by quick advances. Like, our protagonist and company only intending to stay long enough to help evacuate civilians. Then, before they could be on their way too, Dacre's forces moved in lightning speed.
It's harder to feel emotionally for characters when things happen in a way that was too obviously constructed for plot. It breaks immersion, and sympathy becomes "You did this to yourself, acting stupidly because the author couldn't think of a better way to move the plot forward".
