Much had to be accomplished before the ships could all leave. Room for so many had to be accounted for. Space used for other things had to be repurposed into living space for 1000 treekin. Foodstuffs were loaded, treasures were loaded, and the living marched aboard. As all this was being finished, a few last survivors arrived, farming families from remote areas, and, last, a small group from the Treekin University with two wagons of scrolls and books.
Caelan pulled Jiemba aside when the small group of scholars arrived. "Jiemba, I would like you to meet an old friend of mine, Oenel, who is the author of your treekin scroll on magic." Oenel smiled at the young woman, and they began discussing magic and their shared interest in it. He was surprised by the girl's fluency in Treekin, and her interest in his work buoyed his mood after so much sorrow. Oenel turned to Caelan and said solemnly, "The fires are but a day behind us."
Many meetings had been held to decide on a course of action. These were tempered by the revelations the Lieutenant had spilled under the sway of a potion from the older Mangana. It had been learned that the main focus of the attacks on the treekin homeland was the carrying off of slaves; some 2500 had already been shipped north to the Zon's southern generals' city. The secondary focus, of course, was the utter destruction of the treekin homeland. These captives were to be put to work on the castle walls at Jiankang. The home base of General Chuyn and the port from which his navy spread.
In meetings with Elanor, it was decided to head to the Thrain city of Xi'an, where Elanor had many friends in high places among the Thrain government. They could rest there and decide their next actions. In a closed-off meeting with Arya, Calancy, and Caelan. Elanor asked Arya, "Is there any room in your homeland for several thousand treekin to start their lives again?" Arya looked deeply at her and responded, "There once was a home for the First Children deep in the forests of northern Westeros. I am aware of who holds those lands now, but I do not know if my brother, the king, would make such a thing possible. I would press him to make it possible. A great many ships with wind power will be needed to carry that many across the becalmed place in the sea, though. Perhaps with enough convincing, my sister Sansa would grant such a homeland in the north. It does get very cold there, though." Arya giggled to herself at the thought of Sansa and the treekin interacting. Now that would be a sight worth living to see.
The journey north-west to Xi'an went fairly smoothly, though Elanor's people did have some hiccups getting used to handling their new ships' wind power. Oenel and the other scholars had come aboard the Sovereign for the trip, and they were in deep meetings with Beth, Calancy, Belaletrix, and Caelan, attempting to learn the language of Westeros. During the three-week journey, they learned to be functional at it. All of the group from the Sovereign was also learning the Thrain language. No one got proficient, really, but they could get by. Jiemba was the only one among them who could really speak it well. The treekin scholars were amazed at the technology and sciences of the Westeros peoples. They understood at last what the mission of the Easterners was, and they nodded agreement that the Zon represented a threat to everyone in the west and the east. Thomas copied down what information he could glean from their wisdom about the Zon for Bran.
On the morning of the 20th day, the great port of the trade capital appeared before them. After communications with port authorities that came on board and spoke with Elanor, their entire fleet was directed to a reserved royal dock area. Elanor spoke with government dignitaries when they were all docked. She told them, "Tell your king Wen that Elanor, his old friend, has come. Much beleaguered and saddened by loss, to ask his aid for my people."
The next day, several royal carriages came to the docks, and Elanor's stretcher was loaded onto one with one of her healers. The others carried the three captains, Caelan, Calancy, Jiemba Arya, and Brienne, to the government buildings. Inside the massive throne room sat Wen, obviously mortified by the state of his dear friend Elanor and her people. He was also amazed by the easterners from a land he had never heard of. At last, he said, "It is my pronouncement that these people should be given full run of the massive estate that lies less than a mile to the south. It has a hidden harbor, guarded walls, and a full complement of serving people. More than 5,000 could easily stay there, safe and protected! Heal your wounds, and later we will discuss how the Thrain kingdom might aid you all."
So very early the next morning, the 5 ships sailed into a very well-hidden safe harbor by the estate and unloaded. They walked around, amazed by the place's luxury, and Bart's shouts of glee came from the huge kitchens.