Chapter 245

 As evening fell and the sky darkened, thoughts turned to viable shelter. There was some reluctance, but ultimately the priests of the cathedral allowed as many as would fit to take shelter within the building. The rest were temporarily placed in buildings that the strange pint-sized golems that came with Broddy and his family had managed to make habital for the night. As the Gnome had avidly stated, the repairs were short term and meant exclusively to get the people through a night or two. 

 As everyone worked to get displaced citizens comfortably settled for the night, Emerick stood apart alongside Ace. The duke was visibly worn out, though he maintained as pleasant an expression as he could manage under the circumstances. 

 "Well, this is certainly one way to celebrate the holiday," Emerick remarked. 

 "Indeed," Ace sighed and shot a whistful glance in Kiara's direction. "It definately wasn't what any of us were expecting, that's for sure."