Sileas nodded, "Yes," she said absently, her gaze fixed to the fresh graves. It was taking every last ounce of her remaining strength to not throw herself down in tears. Her body had other ideas as she found herself kneeling at a spot where each was accessible. Tears streaked down her cheeks as she said goodbye to her sisters and her betrothed.

Wulfsen crouched next to Sileas and put his arms around her.

Sileas leaned into him, even her shoulders shook with the force of her grief. This was what she had needed, no, wanted, all night. Someone to hold her and not expect her to be strong and brave.

Wulfsen rubbed Sileas's shoulder.

When her tears finally stopped, Sileas hiccuped and sniffled. She felt wrung out and drained but oddly much better. It was a cleansing she had very much needed. "Thank you," she whispered. "I needed that."

Wulfsen wanted to kiss her, but now would be a very bad time. Instead he helped Sileas back to her feet. "I care about you... You're my friend."

Sileas managed a small smile. Her hand moved as she nearly reached up to touch his cheek but stopped herself. "You are my friend as well. I just meant that every one expects me to be the strong one and sometimes, sometimes I person just needs to be allowed to break."

"You deserve a break." Wulfsen said, producing another handkerchief and offered it to Sileas. "I'm always here if you need me."

"I am grateful you're here, you arrived just when we needed you," Sileas wiped at her eyes with the soft fabric. "When I needed you."

Wulfsen gave her another hug. "We should go and find that wagon."

"Yes,  we need to get Mama to Difyr." Sileas was comforted to know that someone was here that would take care of her and let her not be strong when she needed it. Sileas wiped at her eyes and headed toward where the wagon was stored.

Wulfsen followed Sileas, trying to pay attention to the surroundings instead of the view.

Sileas paused in front of the outbuilding where they kept the wagon so it wouldn't be exposed to all sorts of weather when not in use. The building didn't seem as damaged as the rest, and she hoped that didn't mean the wagon had been destroyed or taken.  She took a deep breath and opened the door.

Wulfsen pulled his eyes from Sileas to look in the barn. Miraculously, the wagon was still there.

"There is half the battle," Sileas said. "Now we just need something, anything to pull the wagon. I doubt a war horse like Star would be appreciative of being hitched to a wagon."

"He won't be happy, but he'll do it." Wulfsen said. "But I think it's too heavy for even him to pull on his own."

Sileas sighed, wondering how they would ever get her mother and James to Difyr. "What should we do?"

"We need to find another horse." Wulfsen said. He ran a hand through his hair. "Maybe I can steal one from the raiders."

Sileas readied her bow. "I will have your back. Though I'm suspected all are dead except for...him." The last was said in a tone of voice with a facial expression that clearly revealed what Sileas thought of Jack. "And I will gladly take him out."

"I don't think he's alone." Wulfsen said. "Maybe I should go alone and you stay with your mother."

Sileas scowled at him. "I am not letting you go into that lion den without someone providing cover. And there's only myself and Yehudit here."

"All right." Wulfsen said and began heading back towards the raider's camp. He prayed Sileas was not hurt.

Sileas followed Wulfsen, mentally reviewing what weapons she had on her. Her main dagger she had left with Yehudit, but she bore three others of varying sizes and blade. Since shedding her cloak to wrap around her mother, all were easily accessible. She had no plans of getting as close to the raiders as Wulfsen would need to, she was only there to protect him.

Wulfsen spotted a black horse tethered to a tree. He looked strong, but upon closer inspection Wulfsen saw that the horse had been mercilessly flogged. The poor beast couldn't be strong enough to help pull a wagon.

The horse lifted his ears and looked directly at Sileas. He nickered.

Animals tended to like Sileas so at first she just smiled gently at the horse and stayed where she was. But then recognition dawned on her. "Lightning," she whispered. She wanted to cry when she saw his condition. She felt for one of the pouches she wore around her waist and found the cubes of sugar she always carried. Sileas listened intently for a moment then, keeping alert, she headed for the horse. "Wulfsen, it's Lightning."