Stone cracked under calloused hands. The people of Ironhold moved in silence, lifting what was left of their homes. Some clawed through rubble in desperate hope. Others pulled out lifeless limbs and covered them with what cloth remained. Ashes still floated in the wind.
Some knelt, staring at nothing. Others wept beside what they found.
Smoke rose from wrapped bodies laid in rows. No prayers. Just fire.
Ash stood on the shattered wall, watching it all from above. Ironhold had become a graveyard. Buildings lay broken in the distance, splintered like rotted bones. He searched the horizon, his gaze dragging over what was lost.
Guz.
His family.
Ash exhaled, slow.
They weren't in danger when he checked. If he'd known, he would have save them but he needed to save his strength for his brothers.
He lowered his head.
"You didn't make it out after all. I hope you rest easy."
The wind didn't answer.
