**
It had been two days now since the Calamity. Most of the fires had burned themselves out, but the land was permanently scarred. No one had dared return to the beach as the tide had still not fully gone out yet. The survivors stayed huddled in the cramped quarters cut into the cliff-side.
After the initial shock had worn down, it became apparent they could not stay there long. While they had always kept the alcove stocked with emergency rations in case the guards had returned, there was not enough to sustain them all for more than another day at best. People had begun to murmur.
"We can't stay here, we'll starve before long."
"We should make for the city."
"There's not enough supplies to last the journey."
"Someone needs to forage."
It was decided at length that those fit for labor should venture out and forage what they could along the ridge. While John took up a dusty bow and few arrows from the weapon rack to hunt for small game, Florence had a basket thrust into her hands and was bidden to search for berries or other low-hanging fruits. For the better part of three hours she found herself wandering around the valley beyond the ridge. More than half of it was now ash and desolation. Nophica smiled upon her though and a single apple tree was at last found. Filling her basket with what she could carry she made her way back to the alcove.
As she reached the wall that she just happened to look down towards the beach. There was the unexpected movement of figures by the shore's edge. Thinking to herself that some of the villagers had decided to try fishing, she turned and joined the group. John had already returned with what he could find. Two squirrels and a rabbit, at least enough meat for stew. She set the small basket down with the rest of the supplies and asked "Who's that as went down t'the beach?"
All eyes were on her now.
"Some'n's down at t'shore?", John asked.
"Aye, I saw 'em as I came in."
Within moments there was a huddle of them at the edge of the wall, all peering around trying to catch a glimpse. The men seemed to be searching through the debris for something. Kicking over wooden boards, bending down to occasionally pick up something shiny, then toss it aside. They were also armed, each with a sword at their side. Some were dressed in a type of black and red cloth, others in brown leather.
"Who are they?"
"What are they looking for?"
"They look like soldiers."
"Or brigands!"
"Some'n should go down and find out." The voice was John's. All eyes turned to him now.
"They may as be from th'city come t'look for survivors. I'm goin t'find out."
Florence grabbed his arm and held him back with a worried look. "No, John!", she protested with a worried look.
"We can't stay here, Flo. They may be able to 'elp us once they know we're survivors. I'm jus goin t'say hello."
"Let him go, girl."
"Think about more than y'erself fer once!"
"Aye, he has t'right o'it!"
The voices of the others behind her finally relaxed her grip as she looked to him with pleading eyes. "John... be careful." He smiled at her and turned, stepping casualy down the path. The rest of them gathered once more at the edge of the wall, watching.
**
It had been two days now since the Calamity. Most of the fires had burned themselves out, but the land was permanently scarred. No one had dared return to the beach as the tide had still not fully gone out yet. The survivors stayed huddled in the cramped quarters cut into the cliff-side.
After the initial shock had worn down, it became apparent they could not stay there long. While they had always kept the alcove stocked with emergency rations in case the guards had returned, there was not enough to sustain them all for more than another day at best. People had begun to murmur.
"We can't stay here, we'll starve before long."
"We should make for the city."
"There's not enough supplies to last the journey."
"Someone needs to forage."
It was decided at length that those fit for labor should venture out and forage what they could along the ridge. While John took up a dusty bow and few arrows from the weapon rack to hunt for small game, Florence had a basket thrust into her hands and was bidden to search for berries or other low-hanging fruits. For the better part of three hours she found herself wandering around the valley beyond the ridge. More than half of it was now ash and desolation. Nophica smiled upon her though and a single apple tree was at last found. Filling her basket with what she could carry she made her way back to the alcove.
As she reached the wall that she just happened to look down towards the beach. There was the unexpected movement of figures by the shore's edge. Thinking to herself that some of the villagers had decided to try fishing, she turned and joined the group. John had already returned with what he could find. Two squirrels and a rabbit, at least enough meat for stew. She set the small basket down with the rest of the supplies and asked "Who's that as went down t'the beach?"
All eyes were on her now.
"Some'n's down at t'shore?", John asked.
"Aye, I saw 'em as I came in."
Within moments there was a huddle of them at the edge of the wall, all peering around trying to catch a glimpse. The men seemed to be searching through the debris for something. Kicking over wooden boards, bending down to occasionally pick up something shiny, then toss it aside. They were also armed, each with a sword at their side. Some were dressed in a type of black and red cloth, others in brown leather.
"Who are they?"
"What are they looking for?"
"They look like soldiers."
"Or brigands!"
"Some'n should go down and find out." The voice was John's. All eyes turned to him now.
"They may as be from th'city come t'look for survivors. I'm goin t'find out."
Florence grabbed his arm and held him back with a worried look. "No, John!", she protested with a worried look.
"We can't stay here, Flo. They may be able to 'elp us once they know we're survivors. I'm jus goin t'say hello."
"Let him go, girl."
"Think about more than y'erself fer once!"
"Aye, he has t'right o'it!"
The voices of the others behind her finally relaxed her grip as she looked to him with pleading eyes. "John... be careful." He smiled at her and turned, stepping casualy down the path. The rest of them gathered once more at the edge of the wall, watching.
**
