As Solvi walks back into the village after watching the ships leave, she sees elves running all around. Rushing to help put out the fires around her. She heads toward her house to make sure her family is safe. Her progress is slow, and she sees how much damage the Vikings caused. Folen’s fruit stall has turned to embers, crackling quietly. The rest of the stalls are burning down to nothing but ash. Everyone had hoped it would be different this time around, having warriors would stop them before they could get close enough to do damage. But they couldn't be more wrong.

Back home, she finds her dad and siblings safe inside. The fire had been stopped before reaching their house in the back of the village. The Vikings never made it that far.

Outside, neighbors were running back and forth carrying buckets of water to put out the rest of the fires. Shouting to try and find their loved ones.

Near the back of the village stands the barn which hadn't been touched at all by the fires and is a safe palace for all the injured to rest. It isn't as big as the Meeting Hall, so it’s cramped, but it’s the best option. It has a solid roof, and there’s no structural damage to the building. It's better than being outside at night. Dangerous things happen when you go out at night, especially this close to the forest.

There have been ghost stories told about the things that live in the forest. A few too many close encounters can tell you that it's very likely to be true. Everyone in the village knows someone that's been a little too close to the monsters out there.

Inside the barn, makeshift beds have been put down for the injured to rest. Solvi joins them with the help of her dad to walk over. She finds an empty spot to sit down and an older looking elf comes to check on her.

“Where are you hurt, Solvi?” Zenoi asks, looking over her.

“My legs, I got caught in the Meeting Hall and a beam fell on them.”

“Oh my, well I am glad you were able to make it out safely.” Wrinkles in her face scrunch up in concern and then relax as she continues.

“I think one of them has a break in it, the other one just feels like some bad bruising.” She grumbles under her breath telling the healer what the Viking had already told her. She moves to examine her legs and presses a few spots to confirm the injuries. Solvi winces in pain at the pressure.

“You’re right about the break. It isn't too bad, have you been walking on it after it broke?”

“I tried to chase after them when they were leaving, but I couldn't make it in time.”

“I see, well that could cause some problems, but you should still be okay. It will take time to heal it though, and no more putting pressure on it, it will only make it worse.”

“But I need to help with putting the village back together, it isn't that bad,” Solvi tries to sit up and gets pushed back to the bed.

“Yes it is, now do not make me put a guard next to you to make sure you do not walk,” Zenoi says sternly.

“Okay, I'll rest. But at least let me help with something. I'm sure there's something I can do while sitting too.”

“We will let you know if there is anything to help with, for now, Darun is going to put a splint on your leg so it does not move, and you will stay here tonight to make sure nothing else is going on. You can go home tomorrow with your dad's help.” Zenoi walks away to go check on another injured elf. The village isn't large, but they're lucky to have such an experienced healer.

Scattered around the room, most of the beds are full. Some elves have minor injuries while others have some that could leave lasting damage. Beside her, an elf cries in pain.

“Caeda, are you alright? “ Solvi tries to reach for her, but she’s curled into herself just out of reach. Scooting over on her bed a bit more, Solvi stretches and puts a hand on her shoulder. Caeda recoils, then slowly releases some of the tension in her body.

“Solvi, it’s gone, they took it,” Caeda says in nothing more than a whisper. Solvi has to strain herself to hear all of it.

“What did they take?” She reaches farther and tries to get a response from her. “What is it, Caeda?” But she gets nothing, only silence.

She turns over and tries to think of what they could’ve taken to get such a reaction from Caeda. She isn’t one to give up easily. Nothing comes to mind, but she’s determined to find out what they took.

Days pass by and those who were injured are slowly recovering, Solvi included. She found some things that she can do to help the village, even while sitting at home. Most days she repairs broken weaponry, burnt in the fires. Binding them back together, and polishing them to look like new again. It can be tedious, but it’s one thing that can always help to take her mind off things. Although today it seems to not be working.