Minx nodded, "the only one being left behind right now is Serene. She isn't a warrior. She's a scientist. Our time here will be strengthened by what she creates."
She turned her attention to her father, "how long will it take to get her set up with a place she can work? Is Mom's lab big enough for both of us? I'd like to go down and grow some plants so she can get to work after breakfast while we get to work outside of the castle."
Cyrus nodded sadly, "we have lost…many… There are also rooms your mother had to grow in, but our females are not as talented as she was."
Minx nodded, "so I need to train them. I'll take that for action as well."
She rose so the others did as she did. Cyrus' eyes twinkled between pride and sadness.
"Father, can you take us to where they grow the food and one of mom's rooms for plants?"
He nodded with a sad smile, "yes but then we sleep. It's getting late."
Minx nodded and they all left. The first place they went was a room attached to the lab down the hall. The room was large and she could identify a lot of the dead plants. She noticed there was a tube like in the lab back on her planet. Minx activated the tube then left before any message could play for her. It had been an … interesting day.
The king led them to the inner courtyard. It was protected by four walls as the castle was literally built around the area. The plants weren't dead and had water. They lacked nourishment. She supplied them via her Qi and her plant powers. Now that she knew it wasn't an ability, she needed to start thinking of it that way.
Cyrus, Midas, Owen and the mccavities all watched as the color of all the plants became vibrant. It was like the entire area was redone in technicolor.
Minx smiled, "now that we'll have nourishing food in the morning, where would you like Serene to work? Is there a growing room for her or do you want her in the lab we were just in?"
"Let's give her the room next to your lab… You mother would want it that way," Cyrus said.
After ensuring Serene had what she needed, they retired for the evening. The twins soon found their room was set up as a nursery but there were other beds as well. At the time, they had their own dedicated staff to tend them while their mother was out, not that it worked out the way they planned.
It didn't take long to work out the sleeping situation. Midas had his own bed and Owen shared with his mother. The macavities lay on the rugs on the floor near Minx and Owen.
While breakfast was being cooked the next morning, the friends were looking over a map of the area. Their watches still worked, they just couldn't call anyone back home. They hadn't tried calling each other, but they figured it should still work at least short range.
Either way, everyone scanned all the maps they were presented with. They might come in handy. Even Serene did even though she had been told she had a new lab. She was bubbling with excitement over breakfast.
Only Shalt and Jaykon had special diets though Serene could drink blood if there was nothing else around. She preferred a vegan diet like Minx.
Minx looked at Yuri, "do you want to come with us, or do you stick around the castle?"
Yuri smiled, "thank you for the invitation but I need to be here in case the king needs me. My son Yenthar will accompany you. He's second in command behind Zaltan."
Minx smiled, feeling quite relaxed despite being in a whole new world with people she barely knew. she looked at Yenthar. He had purple hair and his wings had a similar tinge. His eye lashes had more sparkle than hers. He appeared to be just a bit older than her. She noticed Yuri looked just like him but older and his color appeared to be red.
She was curious, "may I ask what element you use, Yuri?"
He smiled politely at her question, "I use fire. It's quite handy to heat up the King's meals after the late sessions he has where he leaves his meals and tea untouched."
"And Yenthar?" she asked.
He responded with a smile, "acid, My Princess."
Minx giggled at that title.
"And you, Dad?" Minx asked, trying to see if she was correct.
"I'm earth, like your brother," he nodded toward him with a smile.
"Is it…brown hair on men is earth, red is fire, purple is acid?" she said.
Zaltan added in, "blue is water, yellow is lightning, and air is silver."
"So, you're lightning, Zaltan? Why can't you hurt the beasts then?"
He sighed, "it depends but my powers aren't strong enough to kill them. "
Minx thought for a moment, "I know that would be true if they're earth-based beasts… Have you been keeping detailed reports on what attacks and where? How frequent?"
"I'll give you the files when you get back," Cyrus said with a soft smile.
"Actually, give them to Shalt. Once he's done reviewing the data, he can talk it over with Zaltan," she said with finality.
Yenthar announced, "we should be going. If you want to visit all four villages, we may not get back tonight."
As they headed outside, Minx asked, "where to first?"
"West. We go to Verde first. Reports say they are in great strife. We need to see what they need exactly and see if we can help them."
Minx nodded, "Jaykon, Midas, take to the air. The rest, on the back of our friends. We ride swiftly."
She climbed on Caser's back and offered a hand to Yenthar and Shalt. Biff and Aqua rode Griddle bone. Duff rode Alice while Adam continued to be adamant that only Owen ride him. Minx had no intention of interfering with their bond.
The thought crossed her mind for her to take to the air as well. It would have been prudent, but she couldn't hear the pants from up there. She allowed Yenthar to give directions to Caser while she closed her eyes and tuned into what the plants were willing to share.