The Flame Matron did not linger.
Soon, she directed her Archons and Vestal Guardians to secure the bound prisoners – Elian, the Deacon, and the complicit guards. The Dark Temple delegation watched the proceedings with impassive, calculating expressions before melting back into their shadowy portals as silently as they had arrived.
Lysaria watched them prepare the transport, her heart heavy. She approached the Flame Matron hesitantly. "Matron… must I go immediately? These children… and my companions…"
The Matron turned, her ancient eyes sharp. "The Herald's command was clear, Lysaria. Your duty lies in Luxia now. The Church will arrange for the children's temporary care here until matters are settled." Her tone left no room for argument. "Do not mistake divine providence for personal choice. Go."
Lysaria looked towards Lila and Sherry, who were comforting the children. A pang of regret hit her – leaving them, leaving Elowen, felt like abandoning something important. But the Matron's authority, reinforced by the Herald's decree, was absolute. With a final, lingering look at her friends, Lysaria bowed her head and joined the procession forming around the prisoners. Golden portals shimmered open, and one by one, the Church delegation, along with their captives and a reluctant Lysaria, vanished from the square.
Silence descended once more, broken only by the soft sniffles of the children.
"Come on," Lila said gently, taking Elara's hand. "Let's get you all back to the Sanctuary. It's safe there now."
Sherry nodded, helping Finn to his feet. Together, they guided the children through the now-quiet streets, away from the scene of their terror and miraculous rescue. The townsfolk watched them pass, their expressions a mixture of relief, lingering fear, and confusion.
Back within the familiar, worn walls of the Sanctuary of the Dawn orphanage, the children slowly began to relax. The lingering warmth of Thymia's blessing seemed to have eased not just their physical ailments but the sharpest edges of their trauma. They huddled together, sharing the remaining pieces of bread Lila had brought, their voices gradually returning.
Lila and Sherry watched them, relief washing over them. "They seem… okay," Lila murmured. "Considering…"
"Thymia's blessing runs deep," Sherry acknowledged quietly. "Hope is a powerful magic." She looked around the empty main room. "Now what? We should find Riku."
As if summoned by the thought, the front door creaked open, and Riku stepped inside, looking completely unfazed, dusting off his robes.
"Everything alright here?" he asked casually, glancing around. "Looked like quite the light show from the rooftops near the temple."
Lila immediately rounded on him. "Light show? Riku, where were you?! Elian nearly burned the children! And then the Maidens appeared! And the Herald!"
Sherry folded her arms, her gaze sharp. "Hmph, the only guy actually left us girls to handle the mess and ran away. Or perhaps… conveniently present nearby?"
Riku blinked, feigning mild surprise. "Really? Wow, sounds like I missed something spectacular. I was just trying to find more information about the plague. Then, I saw some bright lights and heard some pronouncements. Figured it was best to lay low until the important people left."
"Lay low?" Lila put her hands on her hips. "Riku, one of those 'important people' was Axia! The Maiden of Resurrection! The same one you summoned back in Elowen with those stones!"
Riku chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Axia? Really? Huh. Small world, I guess. Must be a popular figure."
"Riku!" Lila stamped her foot lightly. "Don't laugh it off! How do you explain summoning her before?"
"I mean, someone else might be using the stones similar to mine, right?" Riku offered with a wide, innocent smile. "Maybe the monk's stones somehow became widespread? Who can say, really?"
Lila stared at him, clearly unconvinced but seeing the familiar wall of deflection go up. She sighed, letting it drop for now. "Fine. Be mysterious."
Sherry watched the exchange with narrowed eyes but didn't press further. She had her own suspicions, but lacked proof.
"Well," Lila continued, her tone becoming somber again, "while you were 'laying low,' things got complicated. Lysaria… she's gone."
Riku's smile did not fade, as if he expected it. "Gone? Where?"
Lila quickly explained about the Flame Matron's arrival, the Herald's command, and Lysaria being forced to escort Elian and the others to Luxia for judgment.
Riku listened quietly, his expression thoughtful. When Lila finished, he nodded slowly. "Luxia, huh? Judgment by the Crown and Council, with the Herald attending… Well, I don't know if the herald would really attend, but it might like a fun stage". He paused, then a familiar, reassuring spark returned to his eyes.
"Well," he said, clapping his hands together lightly, "sounds like Lysaria's got herself a promotion and a front-row seat to some major political theatre. Good for her!"
Lila blinked. "Good for her? Riku, she was forced to go! And excommunicated earlier by the Vesratch!"
"Excommunicated by a disgraced Vestarch, then immediately given a divine task by the Herald of Judgment himself," Riku countered with a grin. "Trust me, by the time the dust settles in Luxia, she'll probably be running the Inner Flame."
"Besides," he added, crouching down to smile at the children, "we've got more important things to handle right now, don't we?"
He looked around at the now smiling kids, then back at Lila and Sherry. "We promised these guys a new home, fresh food, and endless buns. Luxia can wait. Elowen can't."
His simple confidence was infectious. Lila found herself smiling despite her worry. Sherry gave a small, almost imperceptible nod of agreement.
"Alright then," Riku said, standing up. "Let's gather everyone, find Sister Alia, and head back. Operation Orphanage Relocation is officially back on track!"