The guards hurried through the flooded streets, rescuing survivors from their waterlogged homes and guiding them to the cathedral with urgency and determination. The water reached up to their knees, and the sound of splashing boots mixed with the murmurs of gratitude from those rescued.
"Come on, quickly, the cathedral is safe," said one of the guards, helping an elderly woman cross a flooded street.
Meanwhile, another group of guards went to the main warehouse. Efficiently, they gathered a large number of linen cloths. With meticulous dedication, they wrapped the bodies of those who had perished in the floods, preventing them from decomposing further.
"Take good care of this one," said a guard to his companion as he handed over a wrapped body. "We don't want it to get damaged more."
Once wrapped, the guards carefully loaded the bodies onto carts. The carts moved slowly towards the outskirts of the city, where the mayor personally supervised the serfs who were digging a huge hole intended to receive the deceased.
"Make sure the hole is deep enough," ordered the mayor, observing the progress with crossed arms.
The serfs, shovels in hand, worked tirelessly, their faces showing a mixture of fatigue and resignation. The guards placed the bodies one by one next to the burial site, repeating this process meticulously until all the deceased were gathered near the site of the pit.
"All done, last body," said a guard, placing the last wrapped body next to the others.
The mayor approached, his face reflecting the weight of responsibility. "Well done, everyone. May they rest in peace."
Meanwhile, at the cathedral, the clerics hurried to provide aid to the rescued. First, they took them to shower to clean off the mud and dry off. Then, they offered them linen cloths large enough to wrap their bodies several times, and finally, they provided a comforting bowl of chicken soup.
"Please, take your time," said a cleric to an elderly woman as he handed her a clean towel. "The shower is ready for you."
Amid this hustle, a cleric approached the captain of the guard, who was also present, and asked with concern what had happened.
"Captain, what exactly happened?" asked the cleric, his face reflecting a mix of anxiety and compassion.
The captain of the guard responded seriously, "An area of the city was flooded up to four people high. There are more than a hundred dead. You should inform the Archbishop so he can prepare for the burials."
The cleric nodded gravely and hurried away to carry out the assigned task, aware of the importance of the funeral rites. As he made his way to the Archbishop's quarters, he murmured a prayer for the souls of the deceased.
"May they find peace in the afterlife," he whispered, clutching a rosary between his fingers.
Back at the cathedral, the rescued began to feel a bit more comfortable. A group of children, still trembling from the cold and fear, huddled near a stove while a cleric offered them blankets.
"Everything will be alright, little ones," the cleric assured them with a reassuring smile. "You are safe now."
The captain of the guard, observing the scene, approached one of his men.
"Any news from the other areas?" he asked.
"Yes, captain," replied the guard. "The waters are beginning to recede, but the damage is extensive. We will need more hands for rescue and reconstruction efforts."
The captain nodded, his mind already working on the next steps. "Organize the men. We need to ensure all survivors are safe and accounted for. Then, tomorrow we can begin the cleanup and reconstruction."
"Understood, captain," said the guard, and hurried to carry out the orders.
Meanwhile, the cleric arrived at the Archbishop's quarters and gently knocked on the door.
"Come in," came the voice of Archbishop García from inside.
"Your Excellency," said the cleric upon entering, "the captain of the guard has informed me that there are more than a hundred dead. We need to prepare the funeral rites."
Archbishop García nodded slowly. "So be it. I will inform the other clerics. May God have mercy on their souls."
The cleric bowed and left the room, ready to coordinate the preparations.
Half an hour later, the mayor had finally dug a hole large enough to receive the bodies. A ramp of earth allowed easier access for the burial. The Archbishop arrived with a group of clerics, all solemnly dressed in their robes. Their faces reflected the gravity of the moment, and their steps were slow and measured.
Archbishop García approached the bodies and silently began to pray to himself, his gaze reflecting sadness and devotion for the souls departing. Urraca arrived shortly after, accompanied by all the city's guild masters, who gathered in respectful silence around the prepared site.
Once everyone was present, Archbishop García stood in front of the crowd and waited in silence. The sun was beginning to set on the horizon, bathing everything in a golden light as the shadows slowly lengthened. The cathedral bells began to toll solemnly, their reverberations filling the air with a solemn and sacred echo.
The Archbishop raised a hand, calling for absolute silence. The crowd, composed of citizens, guards, and clerics, remained still, waiting for his words.
"Dear brothers and sisters," began the Archbishop with a voice firm yet laden with emotion, "today we gather to bid farewell to those who have been taken from us by this tragic flood. May their souls find peace in the afterlife."
The clerics began to chant a solemn hymn, their voices rising in harmony as the Archbishop continued with the prayers. "Oh Lord, receive in your bosom these children of yours who have departed from this world. Grant them eternal rest and let perpetual light shine upon them."
Archbishop García raised a hand to bless the bodies. "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I bless these bodies and ask God to grant them eternal rest."
The clerics began to lower the bodies into the mass grave, one by one, while the crowd watched in silence. Each body was placed with the utmost respect, and once they were all in place, the Archbishop sprinkled holy water over the grave.
"May they rest in peace," said Archbishop García, and the crowd responded in unison, "Amen."
The cathedral bells continued to toll as the grave was slowly covered. The golden light of the sunset illuminated the faces of those present, and though the pain was palpable, so was the hope for a new beginning.