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“Okay, I wonder if some of the older generation would be willing to help teach,” I say to myself.

“We have a heap of elderly people who stop by, they mainly help with cleaning, but most are trained in different areas and have skills that could be helpful to learn and to teach us. I will ask around,” Patricia says, blowing me away yet again with how willing to help she is.

“You should start a committee, you seem to know what you’re doing more so than me and know a lot of people,” I tell her. She blushes. “I wasn’t joking, we will eventually need to come up with some governing body, this place is going to take a lot of people to get this city going, and we need those with a voice and willing to speak up around here for the people. A government is only as strong as the legs it stands on, without people there would be no one to govern, to fix this city we will need others to stand up and help. A lot of trust has been lost over the decades and it’s about time we find ways to build it back up. This kingdom once flourished under the Dragons it can again. Something to think about if you’re interested, you are part of this kingdom and if you can run an orphanage with over a hundred kids, I would be interested to see exactly what you’re capable of, if given the opportunity to do something great,” I tell her.

She seems stunned, and I let her think about it as I turn to Dakari.

“We need to head back, can you come back and pick up the list tonight from Patricia?” he nods once.

“Dakari will be back to grab your supplies list and anything else you may want or need make sure you put it on the list. Also, anyone that wants to work here full-time take their names and we will start doing interviews just to be safe. I don’t want just anyone working with the children, only those that can be trusted.”

“Yes ma’am,” Patricia says.

“Elora, not highness, not ma’am, we are the same. I have been where you are, and the streets of this city will always be home to me. I am not your superior you have seen as much as I have so, please call me by my name,” I tell her. She nods and I give her a hug. She freezes momentarily before hugging me back.

We say our goodbyes and I promise to come back and see her in a couple of days to interview potential people to help her, a girl her age shouldn’t be expected to run this on her own. Even though she said there were five of them, Marian assured me she mainly works here because the others have homes to go back to, while she takes on everything including rationing of food and clothes etc. One girl looking after 105 children and still willing to take on more, she is truly remarkable. The people of this city are really rallying together, and it is beginning to really show.

Walking toward the castle gates I notice a large line all the way to the road out the front. As I enter the towering gates, I walk toward the start of the line and find Victor taking people’s names.

“You did it Elora,” Victor states. I look along the line that is growing bigger. “At this rate we are going to have to start turning people away.”

“Are all these people here to donate blood?” I ask. Victor nods excitedly.

“Yes, and we will also have enough to stock the medical practise,” he says, making me look at him. “The underground one, which I have been meaning to ask the Kings about moving it above ground.”

“I thought that place shut down years ago?” I ask him.

“It did, Seamus has decided to open another, but hopefully above ground. He is getting too old to travel the tunnels,” Victor states. Seamus was Victor’s older brother. The man is wheelchair bound but used to be a doctor. I haven’t seen him in years and assumed he died. It appears with everything going on in the city, people are really willing to step out of the shadows to improve things.

“I will tell Silas; you will have your practice Victor, tell Seamus I am happy to learn he is still alive,” I chuckle. Victor laughs.

“Fussy old fool, but with all the apprentices willing to learn medicine he has decided to come out of hiding and retirement to teach them,” Victor says. Seamus is also in his seventies like Victor a little older and would be an asset to the city especially with Victor and his help, we could have some doctors in training which would be a great help.

I have been chatting away to Victor helping take people’s names when I feel arms wrap around my waist. “You are in some serious trouble,” I hear him growl below my ear. Silas’s warm breath moves across my neck.

“And why is that?” I ask him as Dragus moves me over and starts helping Victor write people’s names down and get their blood type, of those that actually knew theirs.

“Because you snuck out.”

“Seems like Dragus had you pretty distracted though,” I tell him, turning in his arms. Silas stares down at me before looking at all the crowd lined up.

“So many people,” he mutters under his breath.

“Yes, and I have been thinking, I want to start a committee, or board some governing body where everyone can have a say and pitch in.”

“Are you asking or telling me,” he says, a smile playing on his lips.

“Hmm… telling you. We have a lot of people here, people who are willing to help if you let them, a lot of people capable of doing good things for this city,” I say.

“Fine, but I will leave that for you to organize. I am doing something else. Whatever you need just see Matitus and Dakari,” Silas says.

“Why not Dragus?” I ask, wondering what he is going to be doing that is going to have him so willing to let me have control.

“I need Dragus. Also, we have come up with a plan for the Dragons. I will be going out tonight with a few Vampires to catch one,” he tells me. I feel fear bubble up in me, not liking the idea of him putting himself in danger yet I know we have no other choice.

“Hey Aldrin,” Silas calls, making me look over my shoulder to see Aldrin carrying a bag of medicinal herbs to the storage sheds behind the castle. Aldrin stops when he hears his name being called. His eyes dart to me before going to Silas who has taken off to speak to him. I go to follow him when Dragus stops me.

“Leave him Lora, he means your friend no harm, just wants his help with something.”

I nod wondering what it is Silas would want with him. Though, by the looks of their body language they seem to be having a discussion in which Aldrin seems quite interested. They walk off, like old buddies. I shake my head at the strange situation not giving it much thought and turning back to help Dragus.