With the ration of the orphanage dwindling and the specter of hunger looming ever closer, desperation began to grip our hearts. The recent invasion by the troops of the Kingdom of South Franc had left many villages pillaged and ravaged, their resources plundered and their people destitute. Even here, in the safety of the orphanage, we were not immune to the threat that loomed on the horizon.
As I watched Joshua playing in the field, a plan began to form in my mind. With a sense of urgency driving me forward, I approached him, excitement bubbling beneath the surface as I feigned discovery.
"Joshua! Come quickly, I've found something!" I called out, my voice carrying across the open space with a sense of urgency.
With wide eyes and eager curiosity, Joshua bounded towards me, his youthful energy palpable in the air. As he drew near, I gestured towards the edge of the forest, where the apple trees stood in silent sentinel.
"Look, Joshua! It's a grove of apple trees, just waiting to be picked!" I exclaimed, my excitement contagious as I painted a picture of abundance and possibility.
With a sense of purpose, Joshua nodded eagerly, his eyes shining with determination. Together, we hastened to Sister Mary, our footsteps quickening with each passing moment as we sought to share our discovery with her.
Breathless with anticipation, we arrived at Sister Mary's side, our voices tumbling over one another as we relayed the news of our find. With a mixture of astonishment and gratitude, Sister Mary listened as we described the bountiful orchard that awaited us, its branches heavy with fruit ripe for the picking.
With a nod of approval, Sister Mary gave her blessing, her faith in our resourcefulness evident as she agreed to allow us to gather apples from the trees to supplement the dwindling ration of the orphanage.
And so, fueled by hope and determination, we set out once more, our hearts filled with a renewed sense of purpose as we gathered the fruit that would sustain us in the days to come. In the face of adversity, we had found a glimmer of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the seeds of resilience and community could flourish and grow.
As we diligently gathered apples, a sense of tranquility enveloped us amidst the bountiful orchard. However, our peace was abruptly shattered when Isaac, the monk dedicated to serving the orphanage, arrived with urgent news for Sister Mary. Concern etched across her features, Sister Mary swiftly gathered all the residents of the orphanage, signaling that it was time to abandon our sanctuary. With a heavy heart, she revealed Isaac's warning: it was no longer safe to remain here. We were to leave behind the familiarity of our home and embark on a perilous journey to the fortified city of West Fort, seeking refuge from the encroaching dangers of war.