Even from above, Lear could see that the town was well-lit, which kind of surprised him. Then he recalled that Jedda had said the firebugs had been alerted, and were going to help as well. Their light alone would be a tremendous help, though they’d be able to do more than just act as sentient lamps. They might be able to get into small places and reassure anyone trapped that help was on the way. Not to mention that their usually cheerful demeanors would help boost morale. They'd also be able to help everyone stay warm, whether that was those being rescued, or the rescuers themselves.

The fey man wheeled above the village, searching for Winna.

As he looked, he saw the fey folk he’d sent ahead of him. They were all helping as best as they could.

Pima and Tip had come, of course, they’d brought as many of their kin as they could gather in a short amount of time. There were only five or six other fauns in total, but that was more than none. One of their number even had a slight healing ability as well. It was actually even weaker than Winna’s, from what he understood, but would still be at least a little helpful.

A few nymphs and dryads had come along as well. He’d stopped by the Tinna’s farm very briefly to talk to Rina, and she’d said she’d try to gather the few of her kind that she knew. Clearly she’d kept her word. Indeed she was there herself, working alongside a very grim-looking Wulf, and a much older man who Lear judged to be Wulf’s father, given their likeness. Of course, the mother was nowhere to be seen, but that was really no surprise.

The nymphs and dryads weren’t particularly strong or clever, but they were doing what they could by using their nature-based powers to control the trees and vegetation to lift or shift areas of mud and debris, under the careful direction of Wulf and his father. As Lear watched, Rina caused a tree to sprout quickly beneath a piece of fallen wall. Wulf kept a hand on the wall so it wouldn't shift off the growing tree, and it rose just enough for a small girl to scramble out from where she'd been trapped.

Several brownies darted back and forth, their appropriately brown ears flapping as they hurried along, carrying supplies to the larger, stronger helpers. There were a few pixies fluttering around the healing area, doing their best to help. Given their small size and delicate nature, they could do little more than help bandage the injured, dispense medicine, or carry messages, but they were doing what they could, and some were very courageously slipping into very small cracks and crevices, smaller than even the firebugs could fit into, in order to see if anyone was trapped anywhere beneath rubble or mud.

There was even an intelligent, mid-sized dragon, Windscale, who lived deep within the forest, and was moving large boulders away from destroyed houses so smaller searchers could carefully creep inside to see if there was anyone that could still be helped. Dern’s friend, Silver, prowled around nearby his larger relative, seemingly eating anything and everything he could that he thought might lend aid in some way.

Dern himself was doing what dwarves did best. He was moving earth. Though he was a smith and a craftsman, dwarves, as a people-group, were primarily miners, and Dern was, therefore, by long-held custom, good at digging. He was busy coordinating excavation efforts, and between giving orders, he was wielding a shovel to great effect.

Finally, the fey man's sharp eyes caught a flash of Winna's familiar curls. He tucked his wings and plunged through the air, snapping them out to catch himself and land lightly, then immediately stowing them away with a brief burst of magic.

Someone gave a cry of dismay, but he ignored it, darting forward to Winna’s side.

“I’m here.” he murmured, reaching out to put a comforting hand on her back.

“Thank goodness.” The woman he loved shot a small, tired smile at him over her shoulder.

“I’m going to go help.”

“Okay.” she nodded. Not only did she look exhausted, but she also seemed emotionally drained as well. Having to do what she was doing would do a number on a person’s emotional and mental health. He’d have to check in with her about how she was holding up later, right now he needed to get to helping.

Not giving two shits if anyone saw, he bent and gently kissed her forehead, then strode off to see what he could do to help.

Something told him Jedda would have a good idea of what he could do to help, so he searched for Winna’s surrogate uncle.

The sun began to peek up around the mountains that encircled the entire area for miles as Lear finally spotted his quarry, and called, “Jedda!”

“Ah, you’re finally here!” Jedda tossed a large branch onto a pile of debris, and turned to smile tiredly at him. Despite the exhaustion that lined his face, he seemed genuinely pleased that the fey man had finally arrived. Understandably so, Lear knew he could do things no one else could, even amongst his own kin.

“I’m sorry it took so long, I flew pretty far afield. But I believe we’ll have even more help beyond the fey folk that are already here, before too long.”

“Oh?"

“Yes. After I’d stopped to send the fey folk that I knew would help this way, I flew to the next town over to ask for their help as well. Scared the hell out of them, I’m afraid, but after some pleading, and invoking Winna’s name, I was able to convince them that we really did need help here. They were going to gather supplies and then make their way here, but it will likely be a good while before they actually arrive, I think. It wasn’t a short distance if you can’t fly.”

“That’s the town where Winna’s brothers live, and it is a good way away.” Jedda nodded, “They’ll probably come with the other villagers.”

“Good. Oh, I also found a group of dwarven merchants as I was flying back. They were on their way here anyways, and said they’d pick up their pace once I’d told them what happened. I think they had some kobolds with them as well, so more diggers.” Kobolds and dwarves were often found together, since dwarves worked in mines, and kobolds lived underground, often in said mines.

“That’s good news.” Jedda wiped his face with an already filthy handkerchief. “We could use more diggers. And the dwarves will be able to help us get some temporary housing put up. Enough houses were destroyed that we’ll struggle to get everyone into the homes that are left.”

“Yes.” Lear nodded, “There's some space at the cottage. There are two empty bedrooms, but lots of space otherwise, between the loft and the living area. We could probably take a few on for a bit. I doubt Winna would mind me offering it."

“She wouldn't. We’ll be putting some of the dislocated folks up as well.” Jedda nodded.

There was a slight pause.

“Well, what can I do? I’m strong and I’m fast and I can fly. I can see heat with my second set of eyes, and hear very well. I can also do a good variety of magic, but I’m currently limited in how much of that magic I can use at once, since I’m still healing.”

“Don’t worry, lad, we’ll put you to work.” Jedda slapped his shoulder, “I think you’d best be a one-man retrieval squad.”

“How so?”

“We’ve not been able to get to that area at all, yet.” Jedda pointed at the largest part of the mudslide. “Because, of course, we’re having to start at the outside and work in. The firebugs and pixies flew over it, of course, but they couldn't see anything, and I don’t want them going into the dirt just blind.”

“Got it.” Lear pulled his wings out, then leapt into the air, opening his second set of eyes. “I’ll see if there are any survivors and do what I can to get them out on my own. Please have Dern send Silver my way, he’ll probably be incredibly useful in getting people out, now that I can direct him."

“Will do.” Jedda nodded, then hurried away as Lear turned mid-air, and flew towards the worst of the mudslide.

-

“Winna? Are you alright?” Bekka’s voice cut through my doze.

“Oh!” I gasped, straightening. “I-I fell asleep! Goodness!” I blinked, rubbing my eyes. “I’m so sorry!”

“No, it’s fine, honey.” She smiled reassuringly at me. My old school-mate looked as tired as I felt.

“You look exhausted too.” I yawned.

“I am.”

I started to stand, but she put a staying hand on my shoulder. “Go ahead and rest. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You look awfully pale.”

“I’ll be alright. But I should get back to it. I just meant to take a quick breather, but I guess I dozed off.” I grimaced. I’d been using a lamppost in the town square as a chair. It hadn’t been particularly comfortable, but it hadn’t mattered, I’d still dozed off. The low, rhythmic chanting of the dwarves as they worked must have lulled me right off the sleep.

It had only been a few hours, really, but I was exhausted from using my magic nearly constantly since I’d started.

Suddenly, Lear bolted down from the sky, landing beside us.

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Bekka jumped in surprise, “Oh goodness!”

“Sorry.” Lear grimaced.

“No, no, it’s fine! I guess I’m awake now!” she laughed.

“I just wanted to bring you some good news. Villagers from the next town over just rode in.” he motioned at the far side of the square.

Several carts were driving up, loaded with supplies and people armed with shovels.

“Oh!” I staggered to my feet, and Lear reached out to steady me. “My brothers will probably be with them.””

“Jedda said they’d probably come.” the fey man nodded.

Right on cue, two voices I knew very well called, “Winna!” in unison.

I looked in their direction, and waved tiredly, calling, “Hey hey!”

There was a flurry of blonde hair, and Pava threw himself on me in a hug, practically knocking me over.

“Careful!” Lear protested from beside me.

“Winnaaaaa!” Pava sang as he pulled away, then frowned, “You look awful, child!”

My eldest brother didn’t really look his forty years, and seemed to be only a little older than me, and I probably only looked just twenty or so. His luxuriously wavy, golden hair gleamed in the morning sun, normally his blue eyes sparkled with laughter at all times, but they were far more serious than usual, despite his lighthearted greeting.

“I feel awful.” I admitted, rubbing my eyes.

“You should rest.” Lear cut in, tone concerned, drawing Pava’s attention.

My brother’s crystal blue eyes widened almost imperceptibly as he took in my fey…companion? Boyfriend? Significant other? I still hadn’t decided quite what I wanted to call him. I’d go with significant other, I guess.

“I actually just woke up from an unintended nap.” I grimaced, shaking my head, “I was taking a break and just nodded off. I need to get back to helping.”

“You can’t help anyone if you’re too exhausted. You’ll only hurt yourself if you push too far.” Lear shook his head, tone stern, “Take a little while and rest more. And make sure you eat, someone took it upon themselves to make food.”

“If you don’t mind waiting, Vim was going to set up and start cooking as well.” Pava motioned at my other brother.

Where Pava was flamboyant and talkative, Vim was quiet and reserved.

“I might do that, then. I haven’t eaten your food in a long time, Vim.” I smiled at my other brother.

Vim nodded, “It’s been a while.” He had auburn hair and brown eyes, and was a little shorter and stockier than Pava, who was of a tall, slim sort of build, a little more like me. Vim favored our father, while Pava and I looked more like mom.

“So, who’s this tall fey drink of water?” Pava asked, grinning mischievously at me, despite the grim circumstances.

I was too tired to protest him teasing me. “This is Lear. Yes, we’re dating. He’s technically a patient too.”

Pava blinked, surprised at my bluntness. “You really are tired. No protesting, no squeaking in annoyance! Your boyfriend is right, sit down and I’ll get you some food.”

“See?” Lear smiled gently, then sat down, “Sit with me.”

“But I can-”

“No buts! Sit.” Pava shook his head sternly, crossing his arms as his big brother persona came to the surface. Although he was a father now too, so it was probably just as much that.

“Fine.” I sighed, resuming my seat.

“I’ll go find you some food, and Lear, I’m sure he’s hungry too.”

“Thank you.” Lear gratefully lowered his head in a slight bow.

“Be right back!” Pava bustled off.

“He’s very efficient.” Vim snorted, smiling a little. “I should go unpack my things and get started.”

“Alright, don’t let us keep you.” I nodded, leaning into Lear, which prompted him to put an arm around me, and pull me close.

“Are you hanging in there?”

“I’m just…tired.” I sighed.

“I know this is all very distressing.” he motioned at our grim surroundings. The injured and dead were laid out in the square, the living on one side, the recently departed on the other, waiting until arrangements could be made for their proper care when things were less urgent.

I sighed, “I’m managing.”

“But will you be okay?”

I took a deep breath, then smiled weakly, “Yes. This is my job. This is what I do. I have to handle it, no matter how I feel inside.” I’d managed to keep the worst of my grief, guilt, and sadness at bay so far by saying that mantra over and over.

There was a pause.

“I know…that you’re probably having to deal with people you know, and I…know some of them have already passed.” he motioned vaguely at where the dead townsfolk were. “Are you managing in spite of that?”

At his question, the emotions threatened to break through, and I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath before answering. “I’ve…I’ve done what I can, even though it’s not enough. People died before I could get to them. After I got to them, too. It’s hard, Lear. I-I…I can’t do enough. I can never do enough!”

“It’s not your fault, Winna.”

My voice broke, and tears leaked down my face, “B-but-”

“No, not your fault.” he cut me off, shaking his head. The fey man reached up and carefully wiped the tears off my face with his handkerchief. “None of this is your fault. This is a terrible, horrible situation that nothing could have stopped. Even if I were up to my full power, and knew this was about to happen, I couldn't have stopped it. Natural disasters are stronger than anyone’s magic. You are not to blame. You’re doing your best in a bad situation, and your best is enough. But please don’t be afraid to cry. Don't hold it in, it’s not healthy, alright?”

I forced myself to take a deep breath. He was right, of course. “A-alright.”

Lear squeezed me gently, and kissed my temple.

There was a slight pause.

Finally, he spoke again. “Jedda told me what happened when you first got here. I was worried they’d let their anger and fear get to them, but it sounds like Bekka set them straight.”

“Yes, bless her!” I sighed.

Lear took one of my hands, weaving his fingers through mine. “Has anyone else been rude to you since then?”

“No. No, they’ve been grateful that I’ve done what I could since then. You’re right, they were just scared, and thought I’d be able to make everything better, and then when I couldn't, it only made them even more scared, so they lashed out, even if only briefly.”

“It’s not fair of them.”

“No, but I do understand.” I shook my head.

“Well, as long as you’re not upset.” He switched topics, “So, tell me about your brothers.”

“Pava and his husband make clothes. Very, very nice clothes, actually. Vim runs a tavern. You’ll hear Pava fuss over my clothes while he’s here. Vim will do all the cooking, because even though his business is a tavern, he’s really more of a cook than anything. He’s good at it."

“I see. They seem nice.”

“They are. Good big brothers, too, even though I don’t get to see them very often.”

“Do they have kids?”

“Yes. Pava and Jiven have four, and Vim and Mina have two.”

Just then, Pava bustled up, carrying a platter with two steaming bowls of soup, a rustic loaf of bread, and some cheese. “It’s not much, but it’s warm! Smells good, too!”

“Thanks, Pav.” I smiled as Pava set the tray down in front of us.

“Thank you.” Lear murmured, gratefully lowering his head again.

“Now, we can catch up more later, but I should go help. Take a little while to rest. Vim and I might not have the gift, but we’re still fully-trained healers otherwise, and I think they’ve busted out your salves from the shop.”

“I told them to.” I nodded, “It’ll at least help a little.”

“Good.” Pava smiled, then took up what I’d been doing, bandaging and helping, which made me feel a little less bad for taking a break.

“They’re trained as healers too?”

“Yes. It is the family trade, even if they don’t have the magic to go with it.” I nodded. “Pava thought about going away to train as a proper doctor, but decided he wanted to make clothes instead. He’s good at it.” I shrugged.

It was quiet for a little while as we ate.

“What do they have you doing?”

“Retrieval in the biggest part of the mudslide.” Lear said quietly. “It’s…quite sad, really. Most of the people I’ve pulled out are already gone. Or have soon died.”

“I’m sorry, Lear.” I murmured, reaching out to squeeze his hand gently.

“It’s alright. I’m a soldier. I’ve seen plenty of death before now.” he sighed.

“That doesn't make it any easier.” I shook my head. “I’m glad you’re taking a break.”

“Silver needed it. I’ve been having him eat dirt as a way to help me clear it away whenever I find someone. I think he was starting to get a little sick. His preference is metal or ore, of course, but dirt will do in a pinch, though it’s not quite as tasty for him.”

I smiled, “Poor pumpkin. But I’m glad he’s helping.”

“He was happy to be able to have a set job.” Lear nodded, “Even if it was kind of a grim one. But someone has to do it, and I don't really know the people I’m digging out, which makes it a little easier.”

“Thank you, Lear.” I said softly, “You took on a sad, thankless job.”

“Not thankless. Every time I’ve gotten someone out, a family member or friend has thanked me for retrieving the body.” Lear shook his head, “They’ve shown me more gratitude than you.”

“Well, that’s alright. I think it’s more important that they show gratitude to the fey helpers than me. You and your kin have no compunction to be here, and only came out of the kindness of your hearts.”

“No, you deserve their thanks too.” he frowned.

“That’s not why I do it.” I shook my head, “Not that it’s why all you fey folk are, but…well, of course I’m going to help, that’s my job. You lot don’t have to be here at all, but you are, just the same. I doubt anything quite like this has happened before, fey folk and humans working side-by-side.”

“I’ll agree that it is…unusual.” he smiled a little. “It’s good, though. Proof that our races can get along, and quite well, when needed.”

“I just hope we don’t do anything to ruin it. Humans are good at that.” I muttered.

“We’re not bad at it either.” Lear snorted, amused.

“Lear?”

“Hm?”

“I love you.” I whispered.

“I love you too.” he grinned at me, then pulled his wings up around us, blocking out the world, and kissed me. It was a long kiss, and deeper than usual as well, but he finally broke away, muttering, “Fangs. Venomous fangs.”

I smiled, telling him, “It’s okay, I think. You’re always careful. I-I don’t mind a bit more intensity…just…keep your head.”

“I’m afraid I’ll lose my head and forget. That’s why I don’t.” he told me, grimacing a little.

“Well, that was fine, just now. So if you want to kiss like that, it’s alright.”

The dark-haired fey man smiled a little, reaching out to stroke my face with his finger, then letting it fall, and lowering his wings. “I’m glad you like kissing me.” he murmured.

“I think it would be impossible not to.” I mumbled, my face heating.

Lear laughed, then sighed, “I should get back to it.”

“Me too. That food really helped.”