Lyara looked around. "It does. People are settling in well. They're remembering what it means to be part of this place."
Jude glanced at a group of men repairing an old wooden cart. Their hands moved with practiced ease, working together as if they had never stopped. "They're rebuilding," he said. "Not just the city, but their lives."
Lyara's expression softened. "That's what we hoped for, isn't it?"
Jude nodded. "It is."
They continued walking through the streets, observing the small details of daily life returning. A baker arranged fresh loaves of bread on a wooden table outside his shop. The smell of warm dough filled the air, inviting passersby to stop for a moment and enjoy the simple pleasure of freshly baked food. A tailor sat by her window, sewing fabric with delicate precision, her fingers moving skillfully with each stitch.
