The front door creaked open, and Leo stepped inside. "I'm here to see Thorne," he announced. The clerk at the front desk glanced up at him; she was a young woman in her mid-twenties with brown hair and soft, fair skin.
"He will be with you in just a moment," she replied. "Another survivor has shown up, and he's been asking her questions."
Leo's eyes widened in surprise. Could it be? Did his mother make it after all? Hope surged within him as he strolled to the side. When he caught a glimpse down the hall toward the chief's office, he suddenly took off, sprinting toward the door.
"Mom! Mom!" Leo yelled, his heart racing with anticipation.
As he reached the door, it swung open abruptly, revealing the shocked faces of Chief Thorne and Mrs. Hargrove. The sight of them made Leo stop in his tracks, and he fell to his knees.
"I'm sorry! I ran in when I heard that another survivor had shown up. I thought my mom made it!" Leo exclaimed, panic and hope mingling in his voice.
Mrs. Hargrove quickly moved to his side and knelt beside him, pulling him into a warm embrace. She was taken aback, not only by the sight of Leo but also by the fact that he had made it on his own through such perilous circumstances.
After a moment, as everyone settled down, Chief Thorne motioned for Leo to sit with them. Mrs. Hargrove remained close, her expression a mix of concern and pride. Leo took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions within him, eager to hear the news about his mother and the other survivor.
"Well, where was I? After the initial attack, we lost a significant number of people—I'm not entirely sure of the exact number, but I would estimate around thirty percent of our population. It was astonishing how quickly the chaos erupted, but just as swiftly as it started, it ended. During the assault, Mrs. Wildehart—Elowen, your mother—and Mr. Wildehart emerged to fight back.
However, something unexpected happened: Mrs. Wildehart suddenly ran into the forest, while Mr. Wildehart held his ground and pushed back the creatures. He chased after them but hasn't returned since, and neither has Mrs. Wildehart.
In the aftermath, we've been focused on rebuilding. Thankfully, not much was destroyed—just some damage to our homes and infrastructure. With dawn, we began tending to the deceased. I rode here as quickly as I could to request aid for repairs and support for the lives we lost.
Baron Alaric Blackwood has asked for a meeting in a few days. He would like you to be present, and Count Victor Greycastle is expected to attend as well. They aim to offer their support and guidance to help us strengthen our defenses against any future attacks."
Thorne looked at Mrs. Hargrove and smiled. "I'm glad to hear that your village still stands. I will get in touch with the Count regarding your request. We've been slow to respond, so this matter should be pushed to the front. Mr. Blackwood will hear from us by tomorrow. Is there anything else I can assist you with at the moment, or is that all?"
Leo listened intently, feeling a sense of relief that his home was safe, but the uncertainty surrounding his parents weighed heavily on his heart. He turned to Mrs. Hargrove with a hopeful expression. "Mrs. Hargrove, could I make a request? Since my parents haven't shown up, would it be possible for me to stay in this town? When they arrive, can you have them come to get me? This place has a lot of magic, and I want to get stronger to help fight next time."
Mrs. Hargrove looked at Leo, noticing how much he had changed from the young boy he once was. A thought crossed her mind about all he must have done to survive and make it here. She gently rubbed the top of his head and smiled. "Of course, Leo. I'm sure Thorne wouldn't mind having another spell-weaver around to help."
Thorne looked up, surprised. "Wait, you're able to use magic? How old are you, boy?"
Leo's eyes brightened with excitement as he replied, "I'm ten, and I'll be eleven in two months. Yes, my family are great casters, and they taught me. But I need to practice more to get stronger and learn to fight with my magic."
Thorne's expression shifted to one of amazement. "Well, of course! If you want to stay and learn, we have a class you can join that will help you grow. It might even lead to opportunities in a city for further teachings. However, you'll need to show me your current skill level, and you'll have to help out around here to contribute a bit. We have programs that can assist you, but you'll need some resources for yourself and supplies."
Leo nodded enthusiastically, eager for the chance to train and improve his magical abilities.
"Tomorrow, I want you to show me what you can do," Thorne said as the meeting came to a close. "For today, I'd like you to rest and take some time to explore. This town is large, and there are plenty of kids you can make friends with while you're here."
Thorne waved goodbye to Leo and Mrs. Hargrove as they left the station. Once outside, Mrs. Hargrove turned to Leo with a smile. "Let me show you around. I used to come here when I was younger, so I know all the best spots. The Baron gave me some coin to use while I'm here, so it's my treat."
Leo looked up at her, his face lighting up with excitement. "Thank you! I've been smelling the sweets from the bakeries and have been wanting to try them."
"Great choice! The pastries here are delightful," Mrs. Hargrove replied, leading the way. "There's a little bakery just around the corner that serves the best honey cakes. And if you like pies, you must try the berry tarts from the shop near the market square. You'll love it."
As they walked, Leo took in the sights and sounds of the bustling town. The streets were alive with people, and the laughter of children echoed around him. He felt a growing sense of hope and excitement, eager to experience everything this vibrant place had to offer.