Leander cleared his throat. “We helped as many as we could. They are resilient, and will rise from the ashes.”
Aerilyn nodded, fiddling with a lock of her hair. “I’m glad. Any thoughts on the attack?”
Both men shook their heads, and Leander said, “I think this is the exception to the rule. No indication of anything nefarious at work.”
That was what all four travellers had agreed to tell the king on their journey back to Saeren. They could not prove anything else.
“It is just one of those horrific, yet unavoidable things, something that happens without recourse.” Leander drummed his fingers on the edge of the armrest. “Let’s just hope this was an isolated incident.”
“Lucien decided to leave some soldiers behind in Green Tryst, ostensibly to help with rebuilding,” Verin continued and the three adults shared a significant look. “But Leander overheard talk of military activity in the area. Likely unrelated from the wyvern attack, but I don’t like it all the same.”
“What’s a wyvern, Papa?” Everly finally looked up to ask. Apparently she had been listening.
“A wyvern... is like a little dragon, sweetpea,” Verin said, clearly not sure how to describe the biological differences in a bestiary of flying creatures. “But it only has two legs.”
“Do they breathe fire too?”
“This one did…”
“Cool!”
“Did the wyvern hurt people?” Alix asked.
“Yes, Alix. Many people got hurt… We went to the village to help them,” Verin explained. “Sometimes they cause harm to people and this time some people died. And those who survived, well they felt sad and scared so your uncle Leo and I went to help them feel better. Remember, we must do everything we can to keep each other feeling safe and happy.”
Alix looked for a moment like he was considering his father’s words, then he nodded his agreement. “Were you scared too, Father?”
Verin, who was stroking Everly’s hair with one hand while the other held Aerilyn’s free one, shook his head. “I was sad for the villagers, though.”
“Why?”
Leander hid his smile. Alix was a never-ending pit of questions:who,what,where,when,howand above all,why?
“Because they have experienced something terrible. Some people watched people they loved get hurt. You would be sad if anything happened to me or to your mother or sisters.”
Alix looked truly stricken by the thought. Leander watched as Aerilyn nudged Verin with their entwined hands in a clear warning.
“But we are far away from any wyvern nests, they prefer warmer climates, so we are all safe,” Verin hastily said, which seemed to soothe Alix.
The room fell silent in a lull of conversation. Leander considered leaving Verin to enjoy some time alone with his family, but he was inherently selfish and enjoyed the sense of belonging he felt around his brother, Aerilyn, and their children.
The adults glanced up as they heard the distant chime of the front gates, though none of them made an effort to move, knowing the slaves would see to it.
“I’m starving,” Verin said eventually.
“Good, I ordered duck for dinner.” Aerilyn smiled. “It should be ready imminently. In fact, we should probably make our way through…” Standing, Aerilyn yanked on her husband’s hand to make him follow suit.
Leander also stood and went through with the rest of the group to the dining hall. As always, Everly sat to his side.
The family left the seat at the head of the table vacant for the patriarch of the family, who was late: the food was being served. Quiet and light conversation passed over the table as they ate their starter, only to be interrupted by the late arrival of Flavian while the plates for the first course were removed from the table.
“Apologies for my delay. I was held up by a missive from the palace.”
Flavian was not normally one for excuses, so evidently he wanted to talk further about the message he had received. Leander waited patiently, as did Verin and Aerilyn, who were clearly of a similar thought process as Leander.
Kira was not so subtle. “What did the message say, Grandfather?”
Flavian glanced at Kira as he took his seat. He had an expression on his face that would never have been present were he looking at Leander. “It seems the king is struggling to maintain control over his lords. Factions are forming and are becoming more and more vocal about Prince Jarryn’s presence in the city. There is unrest across the kingdom.”
