Logan had found a map on the unidentified man's sleeping body. It didn't have a route on it unfortunately, no, things couldn't be that easy. But it did have circles over several different spots which Virgil had claimed were cities, villages, or towns. Considering the place where the castle should be had a circle on, they had assumed it meant that any place with a circle had been attacked. That had terrified Virgil because nearly every place with a population higher than a hundred had a circle on it.

"...We should split up and check how bad the destruction is," Roman said. Virgil nodded his agreement.

Patton shook his head though, "I don't like the idea of my kiddo's being alone. That mean guy nearly hurt Ann really bad. We have to use the buddy system"

"That'll take twice as long. Four groups are better than two" Roman argued

"I agree with Patton," Logan said as he wiped his glasses

"Of course you agree with Patton" Roman said, he threw his hands up in the air before leaning back against the wall of where they had sat down.

Logan just sighed at Roman's dramatics before continuing on, "Ann knows his way around his kingdom far better than any of us could ever, and I know how to read a map. Neither of you can do that. Not to mention that Ann has already said people are not very fond of you Roman. You should go with Ann so he can help keep you safe."

"People are in danger Calculator Watch, if we go alone we can check on more people and get more information" Roman turned towards Ann swiftly "Two groups or four?" he asked him.

Virgil thought about it for a moment, taking in both arguments before raising two fingers. Patton and Logan nodded, and Roman sighed but it had been decided. "Alright, Ann would you like to go to the city or the village?" Logan asked him. Virgil pointed to the city and Logan once again nodded before folding the paper and putting it away. "Patton and I will survey the damage of the local village and then find you two in the center of the city at sundown"

"Fine, we'll go with your plan," Roman said, reluctantly agreeing and standing up. Virgil watched Roman walk over to the horses before turning back to the others.

"Ann, are you gonna be okay with Roman?" Patton asked him as Logan walked away. Virgil shrugged and gave no other answer. Patton hummed and held a hand out to him to help him stand, Virgil took it not hesitating as much as he would have if it had been someone else. "You're gonna be okay kiddo." Virgil gave a weak nod as Patton and he made their way to where the others stood by the horses. "Lo, and I will see you two in a few hours, okay?" Virgil nodded and Patton climbed onto Molly and Logan on Poe. The shortest of the group turned to Roman and gave a friendly smile, "Roman, be nice to Ann okay? Remember; ask before you touch and-"

"I got it, Padre. We'll be okay, right Ann?" Roman asked him, Virgil nodded and a few minutes later they watched Logan and Patton make their way to the village. It was farther than the city was so they had to leave before the two princes did in order to get there and back before the sunset. Roman and Virgil explored the perimeter of the castle for a few more minutes before heading towards the city, "So Ann, can I ask you about Remus?"

Virgil nodded and moved his arms through the reigns so he could sign while still holding onto Lucy. Roman smiled appreciatively, "Okay um... does he still have that stupid mustache?" Virgil smiled and nodded "And you said he's dating your brother right? And that you're friends?" Virgil nodded again "So he's happy? Or he was happy?" Roman looked at Virgil hopefully.

Virgil nodded, 'What's wrong?'

Roman shrugged, "Nothing. As long as he was happy and safe there's nothing wrong. I just wish he hadn't runoff. We were so worried"

'He was mad' Virgil signed 'What happened?'

Roman looked at him, ready to answer and explain when a voice suddenly called out to them from the trees. "Prince Virgil! Prince Virgil!" They called loudly, the sound of laughter and footsteps came closer to them and Virgil pulled back on Lucy, "You're alive! You're alive!" a little girl suddenly came out of the trees a stuffed bunny tucked under her arm as she laughed and ran towards them. He looked over to Roman, pointing at his head and then to the ground. Roman nodded to show he understood, he needed to keep his head down.

Virgil climbed off of Lucy and smiled as the little girl wrapped her arms around his legs. "Ronnie!" a boy's voice called. He too came out of the trees and pulled the girl from Virgil quickly. He pulled the girl behind him before finally looking up at Virgil. "Vee!" the boy said loudly and he to hugged Virgil. Virgil flinched at the children's touch but that was it

Virgil pulled away from the boy and smiled at the two children. "We thought you were dead." the little girl said to him.

"Ann, who are these kids?" Roman asked him, the hood form his red cape pulled over his head and keeping him hidden.

"I'm Ronnie, I'm six," the little girl said, holding out six fingers, "And this is Mr. Carrot. He's a mute, like Virgil!" Roman looked to the boy who stayed quiet and stared at Roman with suspicion, "That's River, he's thirteen and Remy's says he thinks he's all that and a bag of coffee. But that's only because he got a positive trait name."

"What?" Roman asked, his confusion obvious in his voice.

"Yeah! His name is Protective"

River sighed and picked his sister off the ground. She giggled and waved her bunny in the air. "Virgil, the city, it's- it's gone."

'I know. We're here to help.' Virgil signed, he turned to Roman and signed again 'These are Remy's siblings. My friends'

Roman relaxed a little and held out his hand to the children, "Then let's get you guys home. Ann and I will check out the city"

Ronnie nodded and climbed away from River, "I wanna ride with Virgil! You can go with Red Riding Hood" And with that Ronnie ran to take Virgil's hand and the two older boys helped the younger children onto the horses and continued to the city.

Virgil smiled at little Ronnie. Remy's family was a large one, he was the oldest at seventeen. Then the second oldest was Rachel she was fifteen and had accompanied Remy and his father on their trip. River was the third oldest than there were Ryder and Ryker, they were both twelve. Raelynn was ten, Raja was eight, Ronnie six, and then the youngest two were Randi who had just turned two and four-month-old baby, Mike. With eight younger siblings, it was no wonder why Remy always had a coffee in his hand. They had the same chaotic attitude the Weasly's had.

Virgil had always liked how chaotic his family was, there was never a quiet moment in the Somnum family. Plus, all of them were fairies so all of them over twelve had wings which only made everything even more chaotic. Even though loud noises and chaotic places often triggered his anxiety the chances of it happening at Remy's house were rare, and when they did happen everyone was super respectful and instantly calmed down. There had been several moments when Remy's mother had asked them why it couldn't always be that calm.

"... wow, you have a lot of siblings" Roman said to Ronnie.

River glared at the ground, "Not anymore. The men took Ryker, Raja, and Raelynn. And Ryder got really hurt trying to get Randi away from them."

"What happened to them?" Roman asked River

"The men ripped her wings, and they raided the shop so we can't get any medicine for her. Virgil, if we don't get her medicine soon Ryder will never be able to fly again. She could die! You have to help her! Use your magic or something!"

'River, you know I'm not good with magic'

Roman frowned and placed a hand on River's shoulder "Our friend Logan has magic too, he might be able to help her when he gets here"

River nodded, his glare and anger falling as they entered the city. Ronnie smiled and moved to jump off of the horse, Virgil barely caught her by her jacket and lowered her to the ground before he came down next to her. Ronnie started running down the streets, smiling widely as they yelled, "The prince is home! The prince is home everyone! Prince Virgil is back!" River ran to follow her and soon joined his sister in the yelling.

Virgil watched apprehensively as the children continued to run and shout. Slowly people began to climb out of half-destroyed buildings. It was mostly children and that fact sent a pang of guilt through him. Virgil blinked than winced as a vision flashed through his head. He turned around quickly, his hand shot out at Roman and a blast of magic forced the sword out of his hand. Roman jumped and glared at him, "Ann! What was that for?"

'Don't hurt them' Virgil signed quickly before repeating his earlier command to keep his head down. Roman hesitated before fixing the hood on his cape again and putting his sword away.

The crowd of people had finally gathered in front of them and Virgil turned back to them. He frowned, the city used to be filled with over a thousand people, now less than a hundred stood before him. A man pushed out of the crowd, he gasped at the sight of Virgil and started running to him. Roman took a step closer to Virgil but continued to keep his head lowered. "Virgil your- oh my-" the man stuttered over his words. It looked like he wanted to hug Virgil but was restraining himself

Virgil smiled lightly and stuck his hand out for the man to shake, 'Hello uncle'

The man smiled at him before taking Virgil's hand, "Who do you have with you?"

Virgil glanced back at Roman nervously Roman gave him a questioning look but said nothing, knowing it would be best for Virgil to handle this, 'later' The man gave both of them odd looks but nodded.

"Virgil, we have to talk," the man said

'I know.'

The man turned back to the crowd, "The prince has returned!" the man yelled loudly. The crowd cheered loudly "There is much to discuss with him. The attack has hit us hard, his magesty's death will not go unpunished" Virgil's eyes moved away from the crowd at the words, "But until we know a plan, you are dismissed. Stay safe, remember the schoolhouse and the churches were remained mostly untouched, you can go there for food or shelter" The people moved away quickly, they wanted the princes meeting to conclude quickly so they could know what to do again.

A few minutes later the people were gone. The man began leading Virgil and Roman through the destroyed city streets but was interrupted by Ronnie's shouts. Virgil turned to them again before starting to sprint to them at the sight of one of Remy's little siblings, Ryder. River was struggling immensely under his sister's weight but it didn't stop him from running as fast as he could towards them. Ronnie was behind them, holding the baby with both hands while Randi struggled to keep up on his toddler legs.

Virgil took Ryder from River before swiftly turning and handing her to Roman. "What happened to her?" Roman asked her quietly as he examined the girls purple and blue wings. Unlike River she was unable to put them away.

"I told you. One of the men ripped her wings when they tried to take Randi. She got him back but she's really hurt." River said loudly as Virgil took Mike and Randi into his arms and turned back to the man. They began moving forward again

"She has a really bad fever Ann." Roman told him, the girl whimpered when Roman tried to adjust how he held her.

River nodded and took Ronnie's hand and walking alongside Roman. He placed his hand on his sister's foot as it dangled from Romans arms "That's why we need magic. Fairies can die from a ripped wing. But our stores were destroyed when they came They burned them to the ground. And there are only two people who know real magic but they're too young to be able to heal something this bad. Ronnie and I were out collecting the ingredients to try and make a healing powder when we found you"

The man nodded "She's not the only injured one either. Young Somnum here is being very brave Virgil. He wrote the recipe down and gave it out to more groups so we can make as many batches as possible."

'How many' he signed as best he could with two children in his arms.

The man frowned and took Randi from him as he spoke, "We have at least two classrooms filled with injured citizens. But River I thought I told you to leave your sister there, they may not be able to heal her wing just yet but they may be able to fix her fever"

"They won't let me near her when she's in there and I'm the only one who knows how to use the twin separation powder," River said.

"Ryker?" Ryder asked at the mention of her twin. River shook his head. Fairies twins couldn't be apart from each other for more than a few days unless one of them either died or at least one of them was given a special powder created by Remy's family. Otherwise both twins would become sick, and could die. Ryder looked up at Roman, she squinted her eyes at him. "Prince Remus"

The man looked back at them with confusion but Virgil showed no signs of hearing, "Shh" Roman whispered to her, "You need sleep"

Finally, the man led them into a house. He showed Roman into a room where he could set down Ryder and carefully instructed River that all his siblings needed to stay in this room until he and the prince were done talking. Roman, Virgil, and the man-made their way down to a dining room like space. The man locked the door before walking behind Roman, suddenly he grabbed Romans sword out of its sheath and used the flat edge to push Roman against the wall, "Welcome to the Dark Realm Prince Roman"