The scene was worse in the morning light. Watching Vale storm the walls of the city was chilling, but this… a tear slid from my eye as I walked slowly through the gate. There were more bodies than I could count. My stomach rolled as my hand shot to my mouth. I wouldn’t throw up. I wouldn’t.

“Ellie,” someone called out behind me.

I inhaled through my nose slowly. The smell threatened to overwhelm my system, but I knew if I opened my mouth I wouldn’t be able to keep the bile down.

“Ellie! You don’t have to be out here!” the voice called again.

I turned around slowly, my stomach cooperating.

“I was a part of creating all these bodies. Being out here to help isn’t a question,” I said softly.

“You protected this city last night. Go rest up. There will be plenty to clean up and fix later if you are still determined to help.”

I nodded and walked back through the gate. The people of Prush were everywhere, cleaning up the mess Vale left behind. Erica was marching around giving orders and offering support. I was sure she hadn’t taken any time to rest.

“Ellie, aren’t you supposed to be back at your rooms getting some rest?” she asked me as I approached.

“You need the rest more than I do,” I replied softly.

“I’m all that’s left standing from the Committee. The cowards,” she spat. “The people need order and a leader. We need to be prepared for when Vale comes back.”

“Then let me help you. I can’t rest with everything going on out here.”

“I make you a deal,” she said, swiping the back of her wrist across her forehead. “You go rest up for a couple hours, then I’ll hand the reigns over to you for a bit while I rest.”

I thought about it for a second, then nodded. She returned the gesture and went back to the cleanup efforts. I stayed there, rooted in place, for several minutes before turning toward the rooms we’d been given.