"I suppose if push came to shove...but we're not far from the keep. We just need something for Nelek and Kadey."

"Rats might be all we can find." Liadan said, and her stomach growled. She was hungry herself.

"Let's hope for the best and then get going for the keep. I don't like being out in the open like this."

Liadan nodded. "I'll carry Kadey, you can help Nelek."

"If you can pry her off of Nelek's neck," Aron replied.

"I don't think Nelek is strong enough to carry her." Liadan pointed out.

"I don't either, but check out that grip. And she's been out here all this time, probably crying for him and Aislyn."

"C'mere Kadey, let me carry you." Liadan said gently, reaching for the child.

"I want Papa!" Kadey cried out.

"Your Papa will be coming with us." Liadan assured her. "He just needs me to carry you for a little while."

Kadelyn leaned her head back to stare up at her Papa. "Is true? You need Auntie Lia to carry me?"

Nelek sighed. "I'm a little weak. But she will take us to your mother."

Kadey pouted but relented. "Awright."

Liadan scooped up Kadelyn. "Let's find something to eat."

"I fink there's cawwots behind Unca Shawn's house," Kadelyn said. "I ated all the maters there were."

"Carrots huh? There's a start." Liadan lightly bounced Kadey as they began heading for the Spensers' home.

Aron draped Nelek's arm over his shoulders and moved to slowly follow her.

Liadan hated seeing so much destruction. Her hand slipped into Aron's when the remains of Brie's house came into view.

"I no see anyone when I hunt food. No Sara, no Auntie Brie, no Unca Shawn. No Leas."

Liadan gave Aron a quick look. It was hard breaking it to their own children about Sara. She rubbed Kadelyn's back. "Brie is at the keep, Sileas and Shawn should be there too."

She walked over to the garden. She could see root vegetables pushing out of the dirt.

"No Sara?" Kadelyn's face began to crumple. Who would she play with now if she didn't have Sara?

Nelek could feel himself tearing up again.

Kadelyn flopped her head on Lia's shoulder.

"Help me dig up some carrots." Liadan said, setting Kadey down.

"Okey," Kadelyn mumbled as her feet hit the ground. She remembered helping Unca Shawn's Mama in the garden when she was here. The child sniffled.