For a moment, nobody moved.
Then the street erupted into noise.
People scrambled away from the church. Someone shouted for help, while others rushed towards the tavern to pull the shaken patrons inside.
A few stared up at the damaged tower, seemingly unable to understand what had just happened.
Sonder slowly lowered her staff.
Her barrier remained in place for another moment before she let it fade.
She turned towards Vell.
"That was fortunate," he said.
They watched as people gathered around the damaged church.
Some were looking for anyone who might have been hurt, while others simply stared at the broken tower.
A few people had begun arguing about what had happened.
A woman approached them.
She looked fairly young, with a slightly round face and brown hair tucked beneath a headscarf that had been tied rather loosely.
A few strands had escaped and hung around her cheeks. She wore a plain dress beneath a work apron that looked worn from use.
There was nothing particularly remarkable about her appearance but there was something to her unlike the people around her.
She seemed uncertain at first, glancing between Sonder and Vell. It was clear that she found the two of them strange, but eventually, she settled her gaze on Sonder.
"Excuse me," she said. "Were you the one who just saved us?"
"Don't be shy," Vell said, nudging Sonder gently with his elbow.
"Yes. That was me," Sonder replied.
The woman looked relieved, though her expression quickly changed to one of astonishment.
"How did you do that?"
"I made a barrier."
"A barrier?"
Sonder nodded.
"I'm a sorceress."
She wasn't entirely sure how else to explain it. The woman continued to stare at her with wide eyes, so Sonder decided to show her a little of what she could do.
She raised her hand, and a small flame appeared above her palm.
It was pale, no brighter than a candle at first. Then it divided into several little flames that circled around her fingers.
She closed her hand, and they vanished.
It wasn't a particularly impressive display, but it seemed to be enough.
The woman's eyes widened further.
"You're really a sorceress."
"I am."
"I've never met one before."
The woman stared at them for a moment, but then seemed to remember herself.
"Oh, forgive me. I haven't even thanked you properly. Thank you. Truly. If you hadn't done that, I don't know what would have happened to us."
"I'm glad you're all right."
The woman looked back towards the tavern, where people were still moving about beneath the damaged roof.
"Is there anything I can do for you in return? Anything at all?" she asked enthusiastically.
Sonder hadn't thought about asking for anything. Saving people seemed like the obvious thing to do. She wouldn't expect a reward for it.
If she'd realized they were in danger herself, without Vell pointing it out, she would have acted anyway.
But then she remembered her situation, and Vell's.
"There is something."
The woman looked at her expectantly.
"Do you know somewhere we could stay? We don't have any money with us, but we were hoping to find somewhere to spend the night."
Vell gave a small sigh beside her.
"It is rather unfortunate," he added. "We have been traveling for days, and I would very much like to sleep somewhere that isn't beneath a tree."
The woman looked between them, and a small smile appeared on her face.
"Well, then, I think you may be in luck."
"I work at that very inn, the one whose roof was smashed in just now. I don't know how much of the place will be usable after this, but I can speak to the owner. He's a good man, even if he grumbles about everything. If I tell him what you did, I think I can convince him to give you a small room for a couple of days as thanks."
"Thank you. That would be wonderful," Sonder said, inclining her head.
"Don't thank me yet. I still have to convince him."