[i]As if in sorrow, tear-drops rained down the azure cheeks of the sun in irregular showers, bursting forth atop earth and flesh and stone with fiery anguish. Amok and wild with desperation, the denizens of the colossus flung themselves further and furthermore into the very heart of Yvindel, bucking and baying as the roaring blaze corralled them in for the slaughter. Like a beast mad with the scent of the hunt did that same enraged, unnatural fire slowly continue its greedy consumption of the city, swallowing beast, man and stone alike in its insatiable hunger...leaving only scorched ash in its wake.

A tribute to its destructive prowess, or perhaps a compliment to the vile creators of such a demonic force; Whatever the case, the outcome of the billowing wall seemed presaged by the violent shade it cast over the lands -- endearingly illuminated as it was by the procession of the sky into Evening's violet splendor. 

Keenly aware of this terror, and with his heart threatening to escape its confinement within his chest, the bloodied tramp plodded heavily beneath the specter of their demise. The masses were long behind him now, giving him a while yet to recuperate from his over-exertion. Of course, this was all easier said than done, especially given that he could barely see, his skull was throbbing, his heart was on the verge of collapsing and his stomach seemed to be swaying every way that the wind blew. If he'd had the energy to titter, it'd be appropriate given the sudden focus one gained towards all the nitpicks of a disastrous scenario such as theirs.

A chill ran through his ragged frame, once more alerting Feraen to his senses, to that aged-old instinct: Danger

For a moment, he paused, but nothing came to mind. His arms swung loosely by his side, smashing into his hips with every weary step forward. The wall of the inner-most district appeared to only peak cravenly over the road, shivering in the haze that encompassed the lengthy distance towards it. The sweat that'd stung the beggar's eyes with salt had long since passed, leaving only irritated, reddening skin to bake in the unrelenting heat. The distant roars seemed to resurface arbitrarily, leaving him befuddled as to how close he was to that torturous fate...

Drearily, the swollen lids gave in to their own crushing weight, as did the rest of the figure. He felt an abrasive impact, dust racing past his face and into his lungs...and then sweet, comforting slumber.

Iraasnej observed the brazen posture of the guardsman from where he stood, contemplating the report with collected scrutiny...but he refrained from responding. Instead, he remained yet neutral in the argument, opting to muse over this newfound information. In the meanwhile, the guard resumed: "Even as we speak, our riders are sweeping the eastern thickets for the enemy -- provided they reach them in time, we expect only the outer-district will have been afflicted."

At this, the young queen interrupted, raising a slender hand in preparation for her query: "--And the outer-district and those attached to it?"
Hammond shifted nervously --standing as upright as his figure would allow it-- as he responded in earnest: "While many made it into the second district, those gates and inner walls have been closed and abandoned in preparation for the flame; Those unfortunates who couldn't make it within will perish, but the fires will subside against the heights given time, my lady." With this he bowed, nodding towards the two of them as he made his exit.

Jalani dropped to her knees, her head in her hands, and the entire state of her frame a broken mess. Again, she felt the strength of her mentor's embrace as she pressed her face into his breast, soiling his garments with her sputtering, choking sobs. He rested the staff beside them, holding the girl close as she shivered against his old corpse. No words in the world could've eased her dismal state -- so instead, he let her lie. 

"Rest now, Jalani, for I fear the greatest of our sorrows are yet to come."[/i]