[14]

Geordo chuckled as he wiped a cool rag across River's forehead, dirt, and sweat being washed away as he focused on the well he was forming. "Love, after this you should rest, the twins will also need to be fed again quite soon," He said as he held his waist, a loving smile on his face as he watched his work. "I know, I will my love, is Astra and Elios almost done with clearing the river?" He asked as he twisted his hands, stone pillars formed with a hole in them for a rod, now the top was being placed by two knights. "They finished a bit ago, then Astra got to work tilling the farming plots, and Elios was removing rubble from the land where houses will go, Pyro should be getting them for lunch, you three have been a great help, but we don't want anyone to overdo it," He said as he peppered kisses along his neck, River chuckled as he swatted him away gently. "alright, let's go eat then, how has it been calling to the other Kingdoms?" He asked as they walked toward the small home they shared, they all lived in temporary homes as they worked to rebuild. "Tiring, but fruitful, they are both sending supplies and people to assist in our rebuild, and our people who survived and escaped to them are sending those strong and able to come to rebuild with us, though the Kingdom leaders still think it is strange how we are all so happy to be hands-on with the rebuild," He sighed, River hummed as he held his hand tightly.

Castor silently nursed, eyes open and scanning his surroundings while his sister grumbled and kicked as she ate. "Papa, look what i made, these four stones, i engraved a communication spell, and each one has its own number on the back, but surrounding the spell has the other stones' numbers, so when you focus magic into the spell you also cover the number you wish to communicate with," Elios hands me one stone before running off, and soon the stone lightly glowed as his voice came through. "Papa, can you hear me?" he asked before the glowing stopped, so he tried it out for himself. As the stone glowed, he spoke into it. "This is brilliant, now return for lunch," He chuckled, Elios returned with a grin. "Dad, what do you think?" He asked Geordo, he grinned as he ruffled the boy's hair. "A useful tool, such a bright young man," Philo hummed in agreement, a smile on his face as he held Rowan. "Elios, with your blessing i would like to give one of these to each leader of the rebuilding, One for the head Knight, one for River, one for Pyro, and one for myself, so we may speak to each other easily while so far apart," Elios happily agreed, Astra smiled as she sipped her water.

"Papa, Dad, I have carrots and leafy greens planted, along with potatoes in the smaller field, knights are planting the larger fields, and i caught eight wild hens and two males, four hens for each of them, and i caught five does who already had kits, and one bore, so not only will we have rabbit meat but their fur as well," Geordo congratulated her, River smiled brightly. "Well done, tomorrow could you and Cleo try to collect herb plants? Are roots intact for replanting? you are all being such good help," He said as he laid the twins down, Sophia giggled as she showed her father her newest sketch. "Is what you want the castle to look like?" She hummed as she nodded, Philo chuckled as he showed Hannah, who then showed the family. The castle had three towers, the center one being the largest and tallest, with colorful flowers growing along the walls. "It is very beautiful, you have a great talent," River said, Geordo and the others agreed.

A year passed before the Kingdom was liveable again, but everyone had finally returned-and then some. Hannah had another child, a girl they named Anne, and Pyro had just begun seeing a young woman named Kira, the daughter of well-traveled Adventurers from the dunes.

"Dad, I am going out to help in the fields," Astra said as she fixed the strap of her bag. Geordo looked up from his papers with a tired smile. Alright, be safe, star. If you see your brother, could you send him home? i have to fill a report on his new tools," She agreed before running out, River entered the room with the twins holding onto his hands. "Darling, you should take a moment away from work, join us in the garden," He said, and Geordo smiled as he accepted. River laughed as he watched Lyra try to remove her dress, failing, and getting it stuck. "oh my," Geordo chuckled, Castor toddled over to his sister to help her pull the dress back down. "How have your classes been going?" He asked RIver, the ma hummed with a soft smile. "we have talented people here, and with proper training, they will grow powerful, and I have found eight Knights that have some level of magical ability, Philo has instructed them to train daily, and once a turn I will teach them how to use magical tools and symbols," the twins toddled back to them, Lyra fussing about her clothes and her brother fussing about getting smacked for trying to help. "How about next turn we go on a family camping trip? or you and I go on a hunting trip," He suggested, River smiled as he leaned up to kiss his jaw. "A camping trip sounds lovely, get Astra and Elios away from work for a bit,"

Rowan ran into the library with a giggle. Elios and Sophia giggled as they stopped him. "Silly Rowan, do you want us to read you a story?" Sophia asked as Elios lifted him onto the chair with them. The boy clapped his hands happily. Sophia continued to read the book they were working on, Elios held him as he waited for his turn to read.

END-