Retreat

Feia, Iyora, Vown and Alora fled, avoiding the feet of the giant which attempted to crush them. Vown was dripping water from his tumble into the sea, the others were fairly uninjured but drained of energy. Feia had hardly ever battled before and it clearly was wearing on her.

They knew Balyn was letting them go in favour of those under the sea.

Tears had gathered in Alora's eyes as she treaded away from her sister Serse. It was Iyora who offered the most words to them.

"They won't hurt them if they think they can use them." She told them smartly. "Farren will be a valuable hostage to them, as will Serse, and I can't see they'd hurt Lyris, she is Epis's daughter."

Alora tried to let that comfort her, but her sister was so peaceful and kind, how could she get wrapped into such cruelty and evil. She feared her sister would wither under it. What would they tell her son Neonee, who would be waiting at the village. What would they tell Serse's people, whom she protected.

Feia was dragging her feet as they walked muttering about how much she hated spiders. Vown was very quiet himself. Alora understood that, seeing his sister had been fighting against them.

"You are welcome with us Vown," Alora told him. The other two glanced there way and said nothing.

He gave her a curt nod. Alora could not be completely sure even what kept him with them, something it seemed, but what that was she could not be sure. He had been a quiet boy, very attached to his mother.

They reached Serse's village quickly enough. It seemed largely unharmed, though some wear was showing.

Perhaps Neonee had a second sense for their worry for he was waiting for them at the gates with a tight expression.

"Where is Serse?" He asked them.

Hermyra had also walked up and stood loosely at his side.

"Where is my sister." She demanded a bit more sharply then they'd ever heard her speak.

Slowly Alora and Iyora explained the story.

Farren, Serse, Lyris and Piyipin had been taken hostage by the Enderdragon, they did not know what had become of Dauntice or the twins.

The others had mournful expressions as they listened. Hermyra looked like she would start crying but held it together as best she could.

Neonee had a lost look on his face when he heard about his mother, but he reeled it in, "they'll be coming here next." He said shortly, "we will have to be ready."

Everyone agreed with this grim sentiment. They would prepare as best they could and hope they could hold back the coming storm.