The trio returned with the old man to Vila Velha, where he had two wives and many children.
They dined with the family, who thanked them for bringing the patriarch back.
Sometimes, the old man would wander off and fall into deep places, getting stuck for days, but this time he came back almost unscathed, except for the broken leg.
BEACH
Said one of the old man's youngest sons:
— Did you know the Ēaganingas have a talking bird? — Everyone ate in silence, annoyed by the boy talking. He was a child, and everyone hated his nonsense. — It's been speaking prophecies, it's a huge bird. It stays on top of the wardrobe. Difool Ēaganingas said the bird told them to plant in the sand. And it was a mess. Oxcarts loaded with saplings and seeds. And the Ēaganingas farm was almost completely moved to the beach sand over three days.
— Shut up, child. — Æthelflæd complained, and they finished eating, leaving the house.
It was a small village.
Just twelve streets, with houses side by side leading to wooden docks above the water, where small fishing boats were moored side by side.
— I still think you could have fought the Demon King better. — Æthelflæd recalled the epic fight against the giant serpent, and the three left footprints in the sand, moving away from the silent village.
— Æthelflæd, he was immune to fire! Drop it. And there's another simple reason. In case you haven't noticed, I can't control the flames. If it weren't for the rain and the ocean, you and Cwenburg would have turned to ashes. The seven seals exist to protect the cities. Imagine a world where people go around melting houses and streets, think a little!
— You should've just killed us and defeated him! — Æthelflæd insisted.
She had no alchemy prepared, having lost everything on the boat, and without drinking, smoking, injecting, or snorting anything, the human's mood turned terrible.
— I wouldn't mind killing you, but I wouldn't sacrifice Cwenburg for anything.
— Not even to kill the Demon King?
— Not even for that.
— You just want to be Cwenburg's girlfriend! — Æthelflæd accused, but Leofwynn, blushing, did not deny it. — Screw you both, I'm going on alone. — The less alchemy in her blood, the more curses emanated from the human.
At that moment, the curse marks glowed.
And the Demon King's voice sounded, from Æthelflæd's back, from Leofwynn's butt, and from the roof of Cwenburg's mouth:
— I haven't received anything from the three of you for a while. What are you doing?
— Not many people want to work in your castle, besides, one of your enemies attacked us! It was a giant snake.
— What was his name? — The Demon King wanted to know.
— What was it again? — Æthelflæd looked at the other two, but even if they remembered, both were afraid to speak to the Demon King.
— I don't know, he had a Kraken, it was his friend, and many dolphins.
— Dolphins or river dolphins?
— What's the difference?
— River dolphins can be pink.
— Then they were river dolphins.
— What an unpredictable fate, you faced Līeget, the Great. Well, it seems you're in trouble.
— Not really, things are pretty calm.
— For now, listen, human. There are many groups, and there used to be many more. They long to sit on my throne and rule the world in my place, however, not all are as easygoing as I am.
— Easygoing? — Æthelflæd watched the asteroid ring beyond the clouds in the clear night.
— It may not seem like it, but there are many contenders for the Demon King's throne. Probably, you will be attacked by them. Great warriors of ancient lineages. The three most powerful opposing groups are, the Entrail-Devouring Bloody Butchers, the Revelry of Those Who Set the World on Fire, and the worst of all, the Waltz Upon the Corpses of the Children of My Enemies. Well, good luck, and never forget, I still need a cook!
— Wait, you called to warn us about the danger? That was cuter than I expected. — Æthelflæd would have been pleased if it weren't for the withdrawal.
— No! — the Demon King roared, getting lost in his own words until he threatened. — Ten days for the cook, or the three of you will be cooked.
And the message ended.
— Well, it could be worse. — Cwenburg breathed a sigh of relief. Ten days was a long time. — Do you want to go see that talking bird?
— Do you want to go see it, Æthelflæd? — Leofwynn didn't like to fight and tried, in her own way, to get closer to the human.
Godwyna approached from the sky.
— Screw this damn bird.
— Alright, let's stop somewhere so Æthelflæd can make her alchemy, and then the cook.
And so it was. They flew on over the sand.
And for five days, Æthelflæd delved into the forest, with Leofwynn training with the fire sword, since the other one had melted in the conflict against the giant.
Meanwhile, Cwenburg in a bikini sunbathed on the beaches.