Urraca addressed the people in the room with a steady gaze and a voice that resonated with authority. "First, we will focus on the trenches; the sewers can wait. Speed is essential, but not at the expense of precision in our work," she stated clearly. Then, turning to the captain of the guard, she instructed in detail, "We will need 240 men, divided into groups of four. Organize them."
The captain nodded with determination, and Urraca continued, addressing everyone present, "If there are no further questions, it is time to begin the cleanup." She looked around, finding faces that reflected the gravity of the situation but also a willingness to act. One by one, the members of the room stood up, nodding silently, and left to carry out the task at hand.
The captain of the guard, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, hurried out towards the cathedral. The wooden doors closed behind him with an echo that resonated in the silence of the stormy night.
Upon arrival, he found the vice-captain and, without wasting a second, gave his orders. "Gather all the guards and tell them we need 240 young men, aged between 15 and 25. They must be ready to work."
The vice-captain, with the efficiency of someone accustomed to acting under pressure, summoned the guards and relayed the order. They, in turn, began to move among the servants, seeking those who met the required age range.
"Get up and follow me; you have work to do," they said with a firm voice, yet not devoid of compassion. The young men, though surprised, understood the urgency and stood up, leaving behind the temporary shelter the cathedral had provided.
When the guards returned with the selected men, the vice-captain began to count them one by one. "1, 2, 6, 20, 80, 200, 252..." He stopped upon realizing there were more than necessary. "You, you, and you," he pointed to 12 of them, "can go back. Thank you for your willingness."
With the 240 men ready, the vice-captain approached the captain and informed him, "Captain, the men are prepared for the task."
The captain of the guard nodded firmly, his gaze meeting that of the vice-captain, and with a nod of his head, he indicated that it was time to get moving. "Good," he said with a voice that cut through the air with urgency, "let's hurry to the central warehouse. We need to divide the men into groups of four. There should be 60 groups in total. One from each group will take a shovel, another wooden buckets, another will carry torches, and the last will go with empty hands in case something else is needed."
The vice-captain, with the discipline and speed characteristic of a man hardened by a thousand battles, nodded and turned to transmit the orders. "Listen up, everyone!" His voice echoed in the streets, overcoming the murmur of the servants and the sound of the wind that was beginning to pick up. "The captain has given his orders. Form lines of four and follow the guards. Quick, time is of the essence!"
The servants, roused from their lethargy by the commanding voice, organized themselves with surprising efficiency. The guards, familiar with every face and name, quickly chose the most suitable men and grouped them. "You, you, you, and you, come with me," they said, and thus, in a short time, the groups were formed.
Meanwhile, the captain and the vice-captain, along with the 40 guards who had stayed behind, followed at a more measured but steady pace. "Do not lose sight of the men," the captain instructed his subordinates. "Each one of them is crucial for the task ahead."
The sky, now tinged with a threatening dark gray, seemed to close in on them as the raindrops began to fall even faster. The men, with their clothes already clinging to their bodies from the moisture, quickened their pace towards the central warehouse.
Upon arrival, the captain spoke once more. "With order, but without delay!" he instructed. "The torches must be kept dry, cover them with whatever you have at hand. The shovels and buckets are at the back, next to the east wall. Let's go, we don't have all day!"
The servants, under the dim light of the candles, moved quickly, those carrying nothing helped by passing the implements to their companions.
A servant approached the captain, briefly interrupting the frantic activity. "Sir, we need to lower the fire to be able to light the torches," he requested with a mix of respect and urgency.
The captain, understanding the need, nodded without hesitation. He walked to the wall where a thick rope was tied to an iron nail. With practiced movements, he untied the rope and began to carefully lower the chandelier that hung from the high ceiling of the warehouse. The candles, protected from the wind by the design of the chandelier, still burned with a steady flame.
When the chandelier was low enough, almost touching the ground, the servants hurried to place their torches over the flames. The dry wood crackled, and soon the torches were lit, casting dancing shadows on the stone walls and the determined faces of the men.
Once all the torches were lit, the captain carefully raised the chandelier again, ensuring that the light spread evenly throughout the space. He tied the rope firmly, securing the chandelier in place, elevated and out of reach.
With the torches now lighting the way, the men moved with renewed purpose. The captain watched for a moment, making sure everything was in order before returning to his leadership position.
The vice-captain, always watchful, counted the groups and made sure each was complete and properly equipped. "That's the way, keep calm and carry on," he encouraged, while the captain, from his elevated position, assigned each group their work area.
Once everyone was ready, the captain stepped down from his makeshift platform and addressed the makeshift brigade. "Listen up, everyone! The storm won't wait, and neither will we. Take care of each other and work as one. For our city and for our families, we will clear the trenches and ensure that the water flows freely."
With a roar of assent, the men left the warehouse, determined to face the storm and restore hope to their city. The captain and the vice-captain followed them, proud of the determination they saw in each face. The night was far from over, but together, under the guidance of their leaders, they were ready to face what the storm had brought.