The next morning, I walk into the kitchen to do some reconnaissance on the family of young Timmy with a couple of the elders that were working in the kitchen. If anyone might know of any family for him, they would know of it. I walk up to the giant island in the middle of the kitchen and take up a paring knife as one of the ladies push a pile of vegetables my way. I ask how they are to be cut and start chopping.
I start up a conversation with an older lady named Caroline, who looks to be about the same age as my grandmother. She tells me about her life in the village before the attack.
"We were a simple folk with simple values of hard work and family. With so many children orphaned, I dare say that this village will never recover." She says with a sad tone. "I know that the children will be well taken care of by the crown where ever they end up, but I will still miss them. I grew up here, married my husband and had five wonderful children. My husband is long gone from this world, even before the attack. I know I can go live with any of my children that have traveled far and wide, starting their own families and such, but here, is where all of my memories lie."
"I can only imagine how hard it will be for you to start all over again for someone with your years." I say as I start cutting up a second pile of vegetables after clearing the first pile. "I was only just recently chosen by Lilasia, but I will help in anyway that I can until I have to report to the capital."
"That is very kind of you, Melissa." Caroline replied. "My oldest son was chosen as a warrior about two decades ago. The first in the family. Scott and I were so proud. And his partner is quite the charmer. I am sure as soon as hears about the attack, my son and his partner will race over here to check on my well-being and assist me in finding new accommodations."
I knew that not everyone would have an easy time of it in finding new homes and families to start over with, but it sounded like that she would be in the know about the goings on with the different families in the area.
"Caroline, I wish to inquire about young Timothy. My father, Mark Berkshire, was just recently promoted to Master of the Leather Makers guild. He might be willing to take on Timothy as his apprentice since his father was one as well, if Timothy is interested. Do you happen to know if Timothy may have any other family? An older sibling or aunt or uncle perhaps?"
"Oh, no. As far as I know his parents were only children. You already know what happened to his older sister, the poor dear. She was the sweetheart of the village and many of the single men in the town had high hopes of courting her when she became of age. I know Timothy loved helping his father in the workshop and was going to start his apprenticeship this fall while still attending to his studies. They are never too young to start learning a trade, as my husband used to say."
"I never intended to work for my father or learn his trade, but I would still do things to help him in his workshop. For one, until recently, my father could not hear dragon speech. So he would have me help him communicate with any dragons that would sometimes show up alone for projects. He can hear them now with the help of a magical charm." I say, recounting the tale.
"That is amazing. It is my hope that Timothy and all of the other orphaned children find good homes if they cannot be placed with family." Caroline said with tears in her eyes. "If Timothy decides to reside with your family, he will be truly blessed."
I finish cutting up the vegetables and put them in the stock pot on the stove to be cooked into a stew for the survivors. I wish I could do more to help and bring relief to the people of this village, but it sounds like the village will be no more. It's history will live on with the children that will be dispersed throughout the quadrant with stories passed down through the generations.
An investigation will have to be instigated to determine how the enemy got over the border in a place where it was thought to be impassable. Knowing my mother, the investigation is already under way.
I go outside to find my mother talking with several of the dragon warriors that came with her. Probably receiving reports on the state of what is left of the village and its stores of food and supplies. Whatever is left will be dispersed to the survivors and help them make the journey to new homes and beginnings. In the distance, I can see a couple of dragons and their riders looking at the steep cliffs that mark the border of the kingdom with our enemies.
Suddenly, a dragon and rider land in the midst of all of the reports and debris. The rider looks a bit harried, as if they had been riding since before dawn to get here. He approaches my mother, salutes her and gives her some messages, then makes his way to the meeting house.
"Do you happen to know where my mother, Caroline, is?" He asks. "I am her oldest son and want to look after her and help her find her a new home."
"I just spoke to her in the kitchen a few minutes ago." I reply. "She had guessed that you and your partner would fly like the wind to get here once you received the news of the attack."
"I was in the capital when the news reached the king's ear." He says with a sad smile. "My name is Scott, but everyone used to call me Junior since my father's name was also Scott. I pleaded my case to the king to allow me to travel here with messages and to see to the welfare of my mother and the people that I grew up with. He had no qualms in sending me. And he will be sending more in the days to come."
"That is good news to hear. I am glad that the king sent someone who would know most of the elders here, to make the transition easier on them." I say as I lead him to the kitchen where his mother was helping to prepare a hearty meal.
"Junior!" Caroline shouts in surprise with suppressed tears.
"Mother, thank the fates that you are safe." Junior replies.
I leave mother and son alone to reacquaint themselves and head back outside. I see mother is busy with reading the messages from the capital and leave her to it.
"Papa Sol and Mark are almost here." Lilasia says. "We should go find Timothy and prepare him for the possibilities."
I agree and go off to find him. He wasn't hard to find since he was helping some of the older children keep an eye on the younger ones near what was probably the village's schoolhouse.