The canyon

Joseph's group joined up with the civilians leaving through the back doors of the city. They were planning to venture forth through the canyon and go to the other side of the mountains.

The agitated crowd took hours to get through the gates on the southern part of the city. Because of the danger from the siege, only a small amount of guards were present and they didn't check anyone going out.

After half of the day passed Joseph's group finally got through the gate.

The giant walls of stone enclosed the people on the road into a big line as they left that place. From their perspective, it was a never-ending mass of dwarves and humans leaving the city.

The cries of children and shouting of people were almost deafening but it still couldn't overtake the sound of explosions that started not much later than they left the city.

It seemed like the siege has begun. A lot of people were looking back frequently at the city like they were expecting the walls to crumble and the demons rush out attacking them.

After a few more hours of walking the road took a left turn and it continued towards the inner parts of the mountain.

Later they got to a new wall that looked like the second wall of the city. It seemed like this was a rear defense in case of the city falling.

As they were passing by Joseph looked around the post.

"The people on the walls didn't seem like they cared much about what was happening. They must be very positive in the defensive capability of the city."

Catherine shrugged at his comment.

"This is not the first time a siege is happening. Just look at the people. They are to arranged. It seems like this is just regular training for them."

"I guess you are right. This might happen regularly."

They passed through the wall without a problem, though it took so much time, that it was dark when they got through.

On the other side, there were houses carved into the side of the mountains. The number of them was in the hundreds.

In the middle of the canyon, there was a stage, where an old man was standing. He held up his left hand and started speaking.

"Greetings everyone! This place is a safeguard for civilians in times of need. Every building on the sides is prepared for use for a week. Everyone on the left side of me please get closer to the left side of the wall and everyone on the right side please get close to the right side. There will be more instructions once you get there. Thank you for listening."

His voice was strengthened up. It seemed like he was talking to them through speakers.

Joseph's group went to the left side of the canyon and found another man standing on a stage near to the wall.

"Greetings everyone! I'm here to educate all of you. Everyone who is close to me while I'm speaking will be given a number. The houses also have numbers on them. You all will stay in your designated houses. Don't worry! Only you can enter your house, so no one will sneak in. No, we can't give one house to 2 different people, except if they are too young to be alone. Please take your place and wait until morning, when there will be more announcements."

After the speech, a number appeared on the front hand of everyone on the left side. Joseph had 1240, Catherine had 1241 and Arborus had 1242.

The crowd started to walk up to the wall and after a while, the party also got close to it. There were stairs leading up and next to the stairs there were numbers indicating the number of houses above it.

They walked up the stairs and they got to their houses. They were placed right next to each other.

The house was simple. It had a stone door with a handle and a small hole next to it serving as a window.

As Joseph opened the door he saw what the "house" actually was as the smell of dirt hit his nose.

It was a hole with a bed in it. It didn't have any luxury equipment.

As he walked in a small crystal on top of the room lit up. It gave the room a yellow color.

"Good enough."

He layed down to sleep.