"Are they going to go back and see if anyone is still alive under things, Mama?" There were a few of her friends she had not seen yet, but then their parents may have gone to Portside.

"They have brought back a few more survivors." Liadan realized her daughter had not been told yet. "Uncle Shawn survived, and your cousin Olivia."

Ertzel cheered up at that. Despite the knowledge that her mother didn't like Shawn for whatever reason, Ertzel loved him. And at least one of the babes had survived. But then her face fell again. "But not Aunt Brie, Sarah or the other two babes?"

Liadan's eyes teared up. Apart from Aislyn, Brighid had been her closest friend. She hugged Ertzel close.

"No." Liadan said in a choked voice.

Ertzel began to cry. "I feel bad for Uncle Shawn and Sileas. What can we do for them?" she said, hiccuping.

"Be there for them." Liadan said, thinking she would have to do more for Sileas. The girl had lost her mother and Aislyn was too deep in her own grief to mother Sileas. Liadan rubbed Ertzel's back. The younger children did not understand what had happened but they were all crying too.

Ertzel nodded. "Whatever they need. I can help them watch Olivia while they do whatever they need to do."

Liadan was so grateful her husband and children had all survived. She did not think she could live if she had lost any of her children, she loved all her babes so much.

"Are they going to go back to the village to see if there are supplies that can be used? Like food and fabrics for clothing and the like? Or do you think he'll just send men to Portside to buy what we need?"

"I don't know, but they will probably go back to the village and look." Liadan said.

Ertzel nodded and nuzzled against her mother.

Ertzel was so anxious that they go back to the village, Liadan hoped her daughter would not be too disappointed if there were no other survivors. Liadan kissed the top of Ertzel's head.

Ertzel slipped her arm around her mother's waist and tried to relax.

"We should find a room for our family to live in so we can have some privacy." Liadan said to Ertzel. "Do you want to help me find one?"

"All right, Mama." Ertzel got to her feet and wiped at her eyes with a scrap of fabric hanging from her sleeve.

Liadan winced. Her children in rags. "Aunt Aislyn is staying this way, we should stay nearby."

"Should we somehow claim a room for Uncle Shawn? He's not so badly injured that he will have to stay in the healing area long is he?"

"I don't know, it didn't look too serious." Liadan said.

"Then we need to reserve them a room. I'm sure they will want their privacy."

"We can look for a room for them too." Liadan said, though she was more concerned about finding a room big enough for her own large family.

Ertzel nodded and followed her mother.

Liadan tried the first door they came upon. It was much too small for a family of eight. But it might do for Sileas, Shawn and Olivia.

Ertzel peeked in the room over her mother's shoulder.

"It's too small for us." Liadan said regretfully, there was furniture that looked to be in good shape in the room.

"It is a little cozy," Ertzel said.