The Sanctuary
Gavotte realized Jen probably had some retrograde amnesia, judging by her loss of memory and the ice-pack on her head. He didn't know what exactly had caused the blow to the head. Most likely it was a basilisk. They were all dead now, which was good. The six fiery warriors had fended off an entire invasion. Hundreds of gigantic snakes with deadly-poisonous fangs, and they had all been defeated. Gavotte was intensely proud of everyone who helped, but especially Jen.
"We were attacked by hundreds of basilisks," The boy explained with a gentle smile. "You were one of the front-line fighters, because the fire elements are immune to basilisks' deadly eyes. You also started the fire that kept the basilisks from advancing too far. When the battle was almost over, you hit your head- I could hear it. I think you lost your memory of the fight, but I'm just glad there's no other damage."
He smiled when she mentioned dinner. "I'm definitely hungry. Want to get something to eat?"
Timpani wondered if the smoke from the fire was affecting Mayne.
"That's fine. But none of us brought clothes." Timpani herself hadn't brought anything to the Sanctuary, and nobody else had. Almost everything was destroyed when Windwoods was ruined.
"You must have burned the Adamsons' clothes," She concluded. Luno and Cedar had lived at the Sanctuary, probably with other refugees of the family too. The others were probably dead, and Luno and Cedar would definitely understand.
Of course I understand! It's all good, my friends! A cheerful soprano voice exclained in Timpani's head.
Why say this to me, and not Mayne?
Oh, sweetie... I'm saying this to both of you! Mayne can hear me too!
She shook her head and held Mayne closer. He fit perfectly in her arms, and she did not want to let go. It was like holding a baby kitten or a small puppy. She could stay like this forever.
The cabin door had actually been broken off its hinges by the teenagers stampeding inside for food. Timpani chuckled and walked up the porch, then entered the wooden cabin. Food smells were heavy in the air.
Reluctantly, she set Mayne down on the carpet floor. He was capable of walking. If Timpani went into the kitchen carrying him, people might think he was hurt or something. And then there would be a fuss, and she would probably get ticked off because the healer would be too touchy.
"You hungry?" She asked, taking his hand firmly but gently, a gesture of reassurance she would always stand by him. "I'll come with you."
---
Birvale Beach
Solara listened to Amber's words carefully. The first time, she was very confused. The second time she understood better; well more specifically, she understood about her own lack of understanding when it came to jokes. Solara was a very literal person. All jokes were just statements to her. They made other people laugh, but Solara didn't laugh because a statement was a statement. She didn't understand why people laughed.
"... Thank you. I understand now," She said, nodding observantly. She wondered why Amber was not asleep yet. It would be safe here, and she would be warm.
They had just reached the sand when Amber asked if they had almost arrived.
"... We are still far."
As she walked through the beach, she took precautions to avoid melting the sand into glass. They were slowly making their way towards the bridge. The sky overhead was still darkened with the curse.
It seemed to be a little darker and colder than before.
"Do you feel that?" Samuel said irritably. "It's like the breeze picked up again. Weird. I haven't felt wind since the sun went away, but this wind..."
Ivana shook her head and stopped in her tracks. Sparks were coming off her uncontrollably. "I can feel the tension in the air. I don't think this is wind..."
Solara turned around and focused. Luno, can you-
Everyone, Agatha is coming! Luno's voice exclaimed in Solara's mind, and she knew all the others heard him too. Vivien, douse her with as much water as possible. Amber and Ivana, use that conductor and zap her with all your might. But all of you, stay behind Solara and don't engage directly!
Good Luno. He always knew how to co-ordinate the team's attacks.
Solara put Amber down behind her, and stepped forward so she was standing defensively between everyone and the incoming wind. "... Stay behind me," She reminded them. "... Vivien, Amber, Ivana. Be ready to strike."
They would have to aim their arcs of water and electricity around her, but she was putting trust in their abilities. They could kill Agatha, just not permanently. Fortunately, she rarely attacked the same place twice in the same day. She was too fickle, Solara knew that. She was spontaneous, unpredictable.
Spontaenity and unpredictability won battles. It had before. It was why Agatha was the terror of Hesenia.
But steadfastness and perseverance would win the war. And that was why Solara was the protector of Hesenia.