Out of Funding

Nobody really paid attention to the slow footsteps as he dragged himself up the stairs. It was only when he stopped by the column, wordlessly staring into empty space, that the animate discussions died and all eyes turned to him.
Dalin was the first to voice the question that lay on everyone's tongue. "What's wrong?" A disheartened sigh was the answer, while their mentor struggled to find the right words. "I received a letter from the Duke's treasury today", he eventually began. Another pause followed. "So... they are not funding the new lens?" Girrénas asked, trying to keep the conversation flowing. "No," Niphéron sighed again. The astronomers turned to each other, disappointment written all across their faces. "Oh well...", Dalin finally spoke up. "I'm sure we can manage with our existing equipment, we just..." - "They are not funding anything."
You could have heard a fly walk across the floor. "Come again?" Iphéla squeaked. Niphéron audibly swallowed, turning the letter over in his trembling hand. No, the writing still said the same as the first 27 times he had read it. "Starting next month, the Duchy of Lavéma will discontinue its investment in the Ondalin Observatory", he recited the message, trying hard to keep his voice steady. "What? Why? We are the second largest observatory in the whole kingdom!", Dalin blurted out, while Girrénas started listing every research project they had been involved in. Iphéla and Menvios chimed in with incredulous ranting from the other side of the room, and within seconds the air was filled with confused chattering, swear words and frantic suggestions.
Calyrra couldn't remember when she had dropped the drawing compass. She just sat there amidst the noise, her hands clasped over her mouth as she numbly stared at the calculations in front of her. All of a sudden, all meaning had been sucked out of them. A thousand questions were swirling around in her head. Why were they snapped off like a dead branch? Why so suddenly? Why now, when they were on the brink of this amazing discovery? What would happen to them? What would she do? Where would she go?