A City

The gray outcropping we saw in the distance is now recognizable as a walled city with a castle in the center. The entrance into the walls is crowded with what looks like people and carts. I look over at Erica, and she seems like she wants to say something,

 "Whats the matter?"

"Well, I have a question if you don't mind."

"Sure, hit me."

"You seem well for this whole thing just happening. Don't you have anyone or anything you want to return for?"

"Nah, Although there is a game coming out that I want to play, but that's in a couple of years, so I've got time."

She chuckles and says, 

"Yeah, that's about the same for me. I'm not close to anyone. But I'm glad that I'm stuck here with you."

I feel myself blushing. I turn away quickly and ask, 

"Why do you say that?"

"That's a secret,"

 and she sticks her tongue at me.

As the people at the gate grow closer, I can hear shouting between what looks to be the guards and a horse-drawn wagon full of people in torn, ragged clothes. I put my helmet on, and a robust, sickening smell hits me like a punch, and I stagger back.

 I feel a hand grab mine and steady me. Through the slits of the helmet, I see Erica holding my hand and the dizziness from the smell going away. I steady myself as we get closer to the guards at the gate. There appear to be three guards holding spears and wearing minimal iron armor around the carriage of people.

In the back are three more, two holding worn swords with the same armor and one with a giant sword and full iron armor from head to toe. I see a guard notice us and jog over to the heavy guard. I hear muffled speech, and then the big guard slaps the other one and points to the other guards.

In a panic, he rushes off to the other guards and tells them something, and they all look toward us. As we kept walking towards the gate, the guards all stopped what they were doing and formed a guard of honor position. The large guard walks up to us and salutes strongly, his metal greave clanging against his helmet.

"Sirs and Madam, I humbly apologize for your disgrace. For I have not been able to remove these refugees, and we have not been able to prepare for your return properly."

The giant knight bowed before us, and all the others behind him followed suit. We pass under the portcullis. There is an heir of despair floating in the air. The city's people are walking around with hunched backs and only live for one thing after another.