Krul strode down the newly ruined street. Hundreds of nobles followed, their boots crunching broken glass. “Go search for the livestock!”
A loose sign crashed beside Krul. CLANG! The nobles jumped, then hurried onward through the dust.
The nobles searched between hollow buildings and under cracked archways. Doors banged. Dust puffed into the air.
One noble returned carrying a squeaking cupboard handle. Krul pointed down another street. “Search again.”
Krul stepped over a split stone. Then she heard a tiny rustle below the street.
Krul brushed away the gray dust. A single flower pushed through the crack while footsteps rumbled behind her.
A wall groaned. Stones tumbled toward the flower, and Krul swept her black cloak over it.
The nobles stopped searching and stared at the bright petals. Even the broken street seemed to hold still.
Krul rose and pointed to the fallen stones. “Clear them gently. Search for the livestock.”
The nobles cleared stones with scraping hands and soft footsteps. The little flower stood tall in the quiet street.