Everyone was restless that night. Darkness only served to make the cries of soldiers and outline of rising embers clearer, leaving the onlooking citizens unsettled and anxious. Huddling together, people wept in fear and lamentation at that distant sounds of what was left of their homes going up in flames.
Perturbed as well, Aribelle had slept, or rather attempted sleep, on the floor beside the kitchen hearth that night with the children. Forfeiting their communal living space, they crowded together next to the heat of its gradually fading embers clinging to her. Inconsolably they had sobbed, until eventually exhaustingly themselves enough to close their eyes.
Aribelle's heart felt heavy in her chest recalling the terror and uncertainty of the displaced people and her family inside of the Abbey. She knew that the dragon's appearance had not been her fault, but the knowledge of who was actually responsible caused resentment and helplessness to manifest. Writhing violently like an aggravated serpent inside of her, Aribelle's weak frame shook with frustration. Still trembling, she vacated her place near the fireplace, which was now only filled with ashes.
Gifting her ragged cloak at some point during the evacuation from the slums, to a frail woman and her grandson, Aribelle crossed her arms in front of her against the wind. Wandered into the square, she was greeted by the lingering smell of smoke on the cold morning air. The sun, not yet risen, cast an eerie haze onto the silent stillness of the streets no one seemed to dare disturb.
The sleeping forms of those camping in the square did not stir. Nor, did those who had awakened to stoke their fires turn their grey grief-stricken faces in her direction as she passed. Sore and blistered her feet carried further. Wobbling for a time on the unevenness of the cobblestones; she walked until she reached the desolate dirt streets of the lower town.
No one around to break the spell cast by the quiet haze, Aribelle had strayed through the alleys gradually becoming less aware of her surroundings. Jumped once a thick coat was pulled around her abruptly. Glaring warily at first, she then relaxed visibly. Recovering from her daze, she was met directly with a pair of familiar dark eyes. Red from exhaustion and exposure to grit from the smoke, they were still kind and clever as they peered at her.
Aribelle too looked back at her childhood friend Mikel with bewilderment. Occupying a position on the City Guard, his ebony skin and grey uniform where covered in soot and dried mud. Suddenly feeling apologetic towards him, she was unable to maintain eye contact. Averting her gaze, he bent his hulking build in order to scrutinize her expression.
"Ari, what are you doing out here?" he said, fussing to fasten the buttons of the coat. "I was just coming to check on you and the Sisters, when I saw you looking like a ghost."
Aribelle managed a playful smirk before replying "Scared I'd come to haunt you Mikel?"
Mikel snorted, "You bet! I don't need trouble like you following me around!" he retorted with a handsome broad smile. In truth, Mikel knew Aribelle like a sibling. He was used to her getting him into trouble. Both growing up under the Church's care, he would get into all sorts of mischief with Barnibus and Aribelle as his reliable accomplices. However, as they grew older Aribelle's draw towards disastrous situations became even more concerning for those that cared for her.
Still smiling faintly, he read the emotions of worry and regret cross her face better than any book. Flinging an arm around Aribelle's small shoulders, he decided not to inquire what was bothering her for the time being. Mikel shepherded her away without further questions, distancing her from the scorched ruins of the lower town as quickly as possible.