Zach sat inside the carriage, his small frame tucked comfortably between his mother, Vivian, and his sister, Miya. The gentle rocking of the carriage as it rolled through the streets of Ravennest filled him with a quiet excitement he was finally going outside again. Today marked the first day of the medical assistance program his mother had initiated, and he was eager to witness it firsthand.
As he glanced up, he noticed his mother wasn't paying attention to him or Miya. Instead, she was counting something, her delicate fingers subtly tapping against her palm, her brows furrowed in deep concentration. Zach tilted his head in curiosity. What was she counting?
His gaze followed hers, shifting to the scenery beyond the carriage window. At first, all he saw were the familiar streets the same town he had ridden through before, filled with lively chatter and the hum of daily life. But as he observed more closely, a realization struck him like a splash of cold water.
The number of beggars had increased.
The once bustling and joyous atmosphere of Ravennest was now tainted with a somber air. People sat slumped against walls, their clothes tattered, their expressions weary and hollow. More than before. Much more.
His small hands clenched into fists on his lap. He remembered his previous outing, how the town had been full of smiles and energy, yet now, desperation clouded the streets. He turned to look at his mother once more and understood why she was counting so seriously. She wasn't merely observing she was calculating the depth of the problem.
The carriage slowed, and the rhythmic clatter of hooves on cobblestone came to a halt. A guard outside called out, signaling their arrival. Vivian inhaled deeply, straightened her posture, and gracefully stepped out of the carriage. Zach followed, adjusting his steps to keep up with her as she moved towards the stage that had been prepared for her announcement.
A large crowd had gathered, many sick or injured citizens standing alongside hopeful families.
Vivian stood before the gathered citizens, her expression poised and commanding. The early morning sun cast a golden hue over the town square, where hundreds had assembled in anticipation of the medical assistance program's launch. The weight of their gazes pressed upon her, yet she remained unwavering. This was her moment to earn their trust and solidify her place as their leader.
She took a deep breath and spoke, her voice carrying across the square.
"Thank you. Thank you for hearing my call and coming here today. This project was born from your voices, from the struggles and hardships you have endured. I have heard your concerns, your pleas for help, and today, I stand before you to ensure that no one in this town will be denied medical aid due to their status or wealth."
A murmur spread through the crowd, a mix of gratitude, skepticism, and cautious hope. Vivian let it settle before continuing.
"However, I must ask for your understanding and cooperation. This will be a long process. There are many among you who need assistance, and we cannot tend to everyone at once. Discipline will be necessary for this to succeed. I ask you to remain orderly and patient, so that everyone may receive the care they require."
She gestured toward the soldiers stationed around the area, their disciplined stances a stark contrast to the uncertainty among the people.
"I am aware that some of you may feel uneasy seeing the army present today. Let me be clear: they are not here to intimidate you. They are here to ensure that this program proceeds smoothly. There are always those who seek to exploit moments of goodwill for their own gain. I will not allow that to happen. Those who cause trouble, who attempt to disrupt this initiative, will be swiftly dealt with. This is for your protection."
Some citizens glanced at the guards warily, but others nodded in understanding. A few even relaxed, reassured by her words.
Vivian's gaze swept across the crowd before she delivered the most crucial part of her speech.
"I also ask you to trust in the doctors who have come here to help you. For too long, rumors and misinformation have discouraged many from seeking medical treatment. Do not let fear dictate your health. The doctors are not your enemies they are your allies. They have sworn to heal, not harm. If there are those who claim otherwise, who spread falsehoods to turn you against this program, then know this: they are nothing more than demons in disguise, preying on your suffering."
A ripple of murmurs turned into scattered applause. Some people visibly straightened, emboldened by her words. Others, still hesitant, found a sliver of hope in her conviction.
The merchants who had tried to tarnish her image, who had whispered doubts into the ears of the people, would find themselves without an audience soon enough. Vivian had turned the tide.
As she finished her speech, she met the eyes of the crowd, silently urging them to believe in her. Today was only the beginning. She would prove herself not through words alone, but through action.
And with that, the medical assistance program officially began.
The medical assistance program was in full swing, and Vivian moved through the large gathering with calm authority. She had already given her speech, but her presence among the people was just as important. She could not simply sit back and wait for the results she had to see the reality of her project firsthand.
As she walked through the various tents and makeshift medical stations, she saw a mix of expressions pain, hope, exhaustion, and gratitude. Mothers sat by their sick children, holding their small hands as doctors carefully examined them. Some men had come to support their wives or injured family members, whispering words of encouragement as treatments were administered.
A frail-looking woman, clutching the hand of her coughing daughter, noticed Vivian approaching. With teary eyes, she tried to rise from her seat, but Vivian gently placed a hand on her shoulder, urging her to remain seated.
"Please, my lady, allow me to thank you properly," the woman said, her voice thick with emotion. "My daughter has been ill for months, but we had no coin for medicine. If not for you... I don't know what would have happened. We are forever in your debt."
Vivian smiled, kneeling slightly to meet the child's eyes. "There is no debt. This is what should have been done long ago. You only need to focus on getting better." She reached out and lightly brushed the child's forehead, feeling the warmth of fever but seeing a flicker of hope in the girl's gaze.
As she moved further inside, more people called out to her, expressing their deep gratitude. Some were too weak to stand, their voices hoarse from sickness, yet they still tried to express their appreciation. Others bowed their heads, murmuring prayers of thanks. The atmosphere was one of quiet reverence a trust being rebuilt before her very eyes.
One man, a laborer with bandaged hands, clenched his fists as he spoke. "We were told that the nobility only cared for themselves. That they see us as nothing more than tools." He looked up at Vivian, his eyes filled with sincerity. "But after today, I see that's not true. You... you truly care."
Vivian did not give a grand response. She simply nodded and continued forward, listening, observing, and making her presence known.
As the hours passed and evening fell, she remained at the site. She watched as the last patients received their treatments, ensuring that everyone had been seen. Many of the doctors and staff were visibly exhausted, but they wore expressions of pride. They had done something incredible today.
By the time the final patient was treated, word had already spread throughout the town Lady Vivian had personally stayed until the very end. People whispered about it in the streets, their admiration growing stronger.
For the first time since the merchants had attempted to destroy her reputation, the tide had turned. The people no longer doubted her intentions. The trust that had once been shaken was now stronger than ever.
Vivian took a final glance around the now-quiet medical site. The battle for trust had been won.
The rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels against the cobblestone streets filled the silence inside. Zach leaned against the cushioned seat, feeling a sense of accomplishment over the day's events. The medical program had been a success. People now trusted Vivian more, and the doubts surrounding her leadership were slowly fading away. That alone was a major step forward.
However, as he gazed out the small window, his sense of relief quickly faded. The streets, which had been bustling with joy earlier, now held a different atmosphere. The alleys and corners were filled with huddled figures beggars, refugees. The sheer number of them had increased drastically.
At first, he thought it was just his imagination, but as the carriage moved deeper into the town, the pattern became undeniable. The sick and injured weren't the only ones in need. Families sat against walls, children clutching at their parents' sleeves, hollow eyes searching for scraps of food. Some were whispering, some begging, and others simply staring at nothing, as if they had already lost hope.
His mother, seated across from him, had also noticed it. She held a small notebook, her fingers methodically flipping through pages, her eyes darting back and forth between the outside world and her calculations. He could tell she was counting. Counting the number of beggars.
That's when it truly sank in.
"This is different…" Zach muttered under his breath. His mind drifted back to his past life, memories of natural disasters and their aftermaths surfacing. Hurricane Katrina.
In his world, when disasters struck, relief shelters were set up. Gymnasiums, schools, and stadiums became emergency housing centers, stocked with food, water, and medical supplies. Yet, even then, the response was slow. Supplies were delayed, overcrowding led to conflicts, and people still suffered, despite modern advancements.
But here? This world had none of that.
No designated shelters. No food distribution. No system in place to handle mass displacement.
The refugees weren't just begging because they were lazy or unwilling to work they had nowhere to go.
Zach clenched his fists. If something wasn't done soon, this problem would spiral out of control. Hunger leads to desperation. Desperation leads to crime. Crime leads to riots.
He took a deep breath and broke the situation down logically:
Food Shortages: The town already had to manage its own food supply. Adding refugees into the equation would strain it further.Lack of Shelter: There were no government-designated shelters. The refugees had no official place to stay.Public Perception: The locals might start resenting the newcomers, seeing them as a burden rather than people in need.Security Threat: If left unchecked, some might turn to stealing, raiding, or even forming criminal groups just to survive.
This wasn't just a problem of morality it was a ticking time bomb.
Zach leaned back, tapping his fingers against the wooden armrest of the carriage. His mother was still calculating, still absorbed in her own thoughts. He could tell she was concerned, but she hadn't spoken about it yet.
He needed more information. What was Ravennest's current policy on refugees? Was there any existing system for handling migration? How did the town's food supply work? He couldn't propose a solution without understanding the full picture first.
Because if nothing was done, this crisis would soon be worse than any medical problem/ reputation of mother they had just solved.