Amidst the Ashes

Barch, after conducting an exhaustive search of the assassin's belongings and body, rose to his feet with a disappointed expression etched on his face. He addressed Prince Nathan with a sense of frustration in his voice.

"Prince, there is nothing on the body of the assassin that could prove his identity or which organization he belonged to," Barch reported, his tone heavy with disappointment. "But I did find a parchment. It contains a date and instructions for attacking you, timed to occur after the soldiers and the king leave the castle to address the diversionary attack and in the back of it there is a flower drawn on it."

Nathan accepted the parchment from Barch's outstretched hand and began to read its contents. After a moment, he let out a sigh of mixed relief and frustration. "This is good, at least we know that the same person is behind both the attack on the city square and this assassination attempt and this flower symbol is a mystery right now. But you're right; we still can't determine anything substantial with this information. For now, let's focus on the matters at hand. The battle should probably be over by now. Order the healers to prepare to leave with us."

Barch, showing his unwavering concern for the prince's safety, bowed respectfully before voicing his concerns. "I will inform the healers, but I believe, Prince, that you shouldn't go to the city square. The battle, with soldiers laying their lives on the line and citizens caught in the brutality, is different. Your safety here in the castle is paramount."

Nathan considered Barch's words carefully. The safety of the citizens and their kingdom weighed heavily on his mind but so did his desire to be with his father and offer his support in the aftermath of the battle. After a moment of contemplation, he replied with determination.

"Barch, I understand your concerns, and I appreciate your loyalty. But as a prince and a member of this royal family, it's my duty to be with our people during their time of need. I need to ensure that the wounded are tended to and that our citizens are provided for. I can't stay hidden within the castle walls while they suffer. We'll proceed with caution, and I'll take all necessary precautions to stay safe. The healers will accompany us, and together, we'll make a difference."

Nathan's resolve was unwavering, and he was determined to fulfill his responsibilities as both a leader and a protector of his people. With their plans in motion, they would soon head to the city square to face the aftermath of the battle and offer their support to the wounded and the grieving.

As Nathan rode on horseback with a team of healers, Nathan couldn't bear the heart-wrenching scenes of destruction and suffering as he rode closer to the city center. The once-thriving buildings now lay in ruins, the cobalt roads marred by the devastating effects of fire spells.

The city was painted with the blood and mud of its fallen citizens, and the air was thick with the stench of death and despair.

His heart weighed heavily with the responsibility that came with leadership. Nathan's thoughts raced as he considered the scope of the disaster before him. The suffering of his people, especially the innocent children who had lost their loved ones, fueled his determination to rebuild and heal their wounded city.

With every step closer to the city square, his thoughts grew more resolute. He knew that his presence there was a symbol of hope for his people, a reminder that their prince stood with them in their darkest hour. Nathan was determined to offer comfort, support, and reassurance to those who had lost so much.

As they ventured further, the sight that greeted him was almost too much to bear, one that ignited a fiery rage within him. The streets were littered with the lifeless bodies of those who had fallen victim to the chaos of battle.

Some corpses were missing limbs, torn apart by the violence of the conflict, while others had been crushed beyond recognition. The buzzing of flies filled the air, a grim testament to the suffering that had taken place.

Amidst this macabre scene, Nathan's eyes fell upon a small, frail figure—a 7-year-old boy with a brown complexion. The child's emaciated body trembled with sobs as he sat in front of a crushed corpse. His cries pierced the air, and the words he spoke between his tears were heartbreaking to the lifeless figure before him.

"Mom, Mom, please wake up," the child pleaded, his tiny hands shaking as he gently tried to rouse the lifeless figure before him. "I know you are teasing me. Please wake up. You promised we would have a good dinner today when we got home. Mom, mom."

Nathan's heart ached as he watched the child's desperate attempts to wake his mother, the innocence of youth clashing with the harsh reality of death. Even the healers and the soldiers accompanying Nathan had tears in their eyes as they witnessed the poignant scene.

Unable to stand by and do nothing, Nathan dismounted from his horse and approached the grieving child. As he drew nearer, he could hear the child's anguished pleas and see the tears that streamed down his dirt-streaked face. The boy continued to speak to his mother, his voice filled with hope against all odds.

"Mom, wake up," the child implored, his voice a poignant lament. "I'll be a good boy. I'll stay home and not disturb you. Just come with me."

Nathan, deeply affected by the heartrending scene, knelt beside the child and gently placed his hand on the boy's trembling shoulder.

"Hey there," Nathan said softly, His voice was filled with empathy and compassion as he spoke softly to the young boy. "I'm here, little one. I'm here to help. Your mother... she's at peace now. You don't have to be alone. We'll take care of you.".

The child turned to Nathan with tear-filled eyes, his face streaked with dirt and tears. "She promised we'd have a good dinner tonight," the boy choked out between sobs. "She said we'd be together."

Nathan's heart ached, and he felt a profound sadness for the boy's loss. He reached out and hugged the child gently, offering what little comfort he could. "I know, little one," he said, his voice filled with compassion. "I know it hurts right now, but you're not alone. We'll take care of you, and you won't have to go through this alone."

Nathan signaled to one of the healers in his entourage, silently requesting their assistance. The healer approached, carrying a small vial of soothing medicine to help calm the boy's nerves.

"We're here to help," Nathan assured the child, his voice steady. "We'll make sure you're safe, and we'll find someone who can take care of you, just like your mother would want."

The healer administered the soothing medicine to the child, helping to ease his distress. Nathan continued to hold the boy close, offering a reassuring presence in the midst of the chaos and devastation.

As they remained there, surrounded by the harrowing aftermath of the battle, Nathan couldn't help but reflect on the weight of his responsibilities as a prince. The suffering of his people, especially the innocent children who had lost their loved ones, fueled his determination to rebuild and heal their wounded city.

With the child in his arms and the healers by his side, Nathan was resolute in his commitment to lead his kingdom toward recovery, to bring hope to those who had lost so much, and to ensure that such devastation would never happen again.