Amory sighed, readjusting Henry in his arms as he sat down on his trunk, eyes wide as Captain Adam sighed and looked down at Lyanna, “Why are you holding onto my leg child?”
“Up.”
“I can’t sweetheart. I got to help get the ship up properly and make sure it’s safe. Go wait by your uncle.”
Lyanna pouted, but walked to Amory, standing on her tiptoes to look at her baby brother, “Henwy?”
“Yup, that’s Henry. He’s asleep though, so we need to be quite alright?” Amory felt relief when Lyanna nodded, his niece choosing to sit by his feet. Destiny looked over from where she was watching the sailors with James in her arms, eyes gazing over them before looking back to the sailors.
Amory bit his lip as time passed, staring up at the sun to see how much time passed. Eventually, Destiny walked over, violet eyes tired and dull, “Papa said he sent a messenger to my mama, so someone should be here soon to lead us there. If not, then after he gets the ship to safety he’ll lead us and we’ll bring all our things then.”
“Wait, we’d have to leave it before?” Amory shifted Henry in his arms, “And where do we go? Where do I build a shelter for us?”
“Papa said that Mama knew we were coming, and that they made a cottage for us. And we wouldn’t be leaving our luggage for long, just until Papa and the crew could get it to us.”
“They what?” Amory almost went limp, already pale skin going almost ashen and for a second his arms lost their grip on Henry, “Dest…”
“I know it’s a foreign concept to you, but the people in my tribe are kind. They would never let you go without a home, especially since you have children with you.”
Amory sighed, staring down at his niece and nephew before looking at James. The three were surprisingly calm, except when the ships were separated by a storm. Destiny sat next to him on the trunk, rubbing James’ back to calm him.
The sun was directly overhead them when Adam walked over, “No ones come yet. So we’ll just walk there now.”
Amory stood up, giving an uncertain glance to his guardian. Adam smiled softly and nodded to his men, putting his arm around Amory’s shoulders to guide him.
The forest was dark and thick but was not as scary as most would believe. The trees were tall with dark green leaves, patches of wildflowers sprawling on the ground.
You could hear the animals moving about and although you could not see the sky, rays of sunlight broke through the trees and lit the area well.
“Adam, how long is the walk? And where exactly are we going?”
Amory’s voice was small and timid, his silver eyes wide and scared as Adam responded, “We’re going to my wife bud, it shouldn’t be too much farther. Seera will probably want us to stay for a couple of days with the tribe then we can go the winter camp and get you set up.”
Amory nodded and looked at Destiny, who smiled reassuringly. Her white-blonde hair was no longer in the bun she usually kept it in, instead falling free to her waist. She looked nothing like her father, who had dark hair and eyes with sun-tanned skin from being at sea most of the time.
Adam told him she looked like her mother, with her violet eyes and white hair. Amory liked that he would probably be able to spot the Morrigan from far away, giving him time to prepare or know who was approaching.
He was so deep in his thoughts he didn’t notice the trees giving way to a small clearing. Tents lined the edge with rings of rocks in-between a few, people walking around and laughing.
Someone spotted them, Amory wasn’t sure who, and many tribe members ran to the sailors. Adam led Amory and his daughter, along with the younger children, towards the back where a larger tent sat.
The tent was made of leather and inside there were fabric tapestries that depicted scenes of dark forests and what Amory could only assume was the stories of her people.
A white-haired woman sat in the center, eyes closed. Adam walked to her, kneeling in front of her, “Seera.”
Seera Ann Jewel opened her eyes, smiling softly at her husband, “Adam. You’re home.”
“Hello mama,” Destiny smiled and walked towards Seera, James still in her arms, “How have you been?”
“I’ve been well Destiny. And you? And tell your friend he can come in, I won’t bite.”
Amory blushed, walking a bit closer, “Hello ma’am.”
“You don’t need to call me ma’am sweetheart. You can just call me Seera.”
Lyanna began pulling on Amory’s arm, pointing at one of the tapestries, “Amor, pwetty.”
He couldn’t stop himself from letting her go, allowing Lyanna to walk over and look at the tapestry. All the while his heart was racing, an irrational fear filling him.
Destiny stood by him, whispering in his ear, “She’s alright. I promise you everything will be well now.”
His eyes filled with tears and he leaned into his friend, “I’m scared.”
“I know. But we’re safe now.”
—-----
Lyanna and James cuddled together under the blanket, and Henry slept soundly in the basket Seera had turned into a crib for him.
Amory sat up straight, eyes closed as he went through everything he needed to do.
“The house is taken care of thank goddess. We have clothes for winter, some food, and supplies to teach the little ones. Just need to hunt and gather. Nina knows how to hunt…. Nina…”
The thought of his soulmate made him cry, hating the fact he didn’t know where she and his older niece and nephew were. Adam walked over, gathering the young prince in his arms, “It’ll be alright Amory. We’ll make sure everything is alright.”
“It doesn’t feel like everything will be alright,” his voice shook, “It feels…”
“It’s scary isn’t it?” Amory nodded and Adam brushed his hair back, “I know. But we’ll get you guys moved into the cottage tomorrow, then I’m going to go with my son to find Nina. Then we can focus on getting everyone settled in, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Lay down and try to sleep. That’s what you need right now.”
Nodding, Amory laid down, closing his eyes as Seera began to hum, the lullaby slowly dragging him into a deep sleep.
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