"I want to stay."
Marzana spoke before Regis could ask whether she had finished packing. She stood beside the courtyard wall, with Aeola and Raxon behind her, watching the people carrying supplies towards the Ancient Tree.
"There are still people arriving from the villages. Some of them don't even know where their families are." Her fingers tightened around her sleeve. "And Flona…"
Regis followed her gaze. Fresh cloth covered several of the tree's wounds, though its damaged branches remained bare.
"Have you told the Pope?"
She nodded. "He said there are things I can help with once I've rested."
"We're staying too," Aeola added, her tails shifting behind her. "Someone needs to make sure she actually does that."
Raxon nodded firmly, earning a helpless look from Marzana.
Regis smiled a little. "Then write to us. Even if it's just to complain about them."
"I heard that," Aeola muttered.
"That was the point."
