She began to stand. “I’m sure there’s something we can do for you and your son.”
“And the others,” the woman said.
Annwyl again sat down. “Others?”
Pulling her boy with her, the woman stepped back and Annwyl let out a hard breath.
“Annwyl?” she heard Talaith whisper.
“By all reason,” Dagmar sighed out as what appeared to be about fifty families made their way into the courtyard, some of them clearly carrying all their belongings with them.
“All this time,” Keita said, “we thought that the twins and Rhi were the only ones.”
“Clearly, sister, we were wrong.” Morfyd shook her head. “Very, very wrong.”
Annwyl stood, the others following suit. She looked at the females of her family. “Dagmar, we need to find some place for these people to stay. Talaith, round up healers and make sure everyone is healthy. If any are sick, let’s find some place for them where they can get better. I don’t want anyone here getting ill as well. Morfyd, get your mother and the Elders—and manage them. Please. Keita, find out what you can. And call your brothers back here.”
With her orders given, Annwyl walked down the stairs and stopped by the woman and her son. “What’s your name?”
“Diana. And this is my son, Camden.”
“Well, Diana and Camden, why don’t you introduce me to your friends?”
“Of course, my lady.” Taking her son’s hand, Diana walked toward the growing crowd.
Annwyl watched them for a moment, noticing how around her everything looked the same but nothing really was.
“And so it begins . . .” the Southland Queen whispered before heading off to face this new future.