The news had come only a day after the Senate had convened and made their decisions on the matter of Persephone and the Stravos family. The news that Aetaea had been ravaged by a storm and many of their beloved people had been injured, their timber uprooted, and chaos essentially breaking out. Takis had thrown himself into one of his fits, seemingly gaining a second wind of strength in his frail state. The man had been absolutely intent on returning to Aetaea. To care for his people. To oversee the disaster that had become his beloved home and cherished province.

Knowing her father's ailing health, the Lady of Aetaea had fallen into a panic, unable to curb her father's vehement enthusiasm to return to the province. With the Senate meet at a conclusion, there was no other reason for him to remain in the Capitol while his lands were facing blatant strain and strife. At least that was Takis' conclusion as he moved about his room, hobbled really, leaning heavily on his cane while he packed what little he had brought with him to Athenia.

Iris' only saving grace was that he encouraged her father to wait until the morning to set out for Aetaea. Wait until the city was alight with the sun so that navigation wouldn't be so difficult. He conceded that much to her and she set about her own packing and preparing for the trip home. Of course, her father was adamant that she would not return with him, but Iris flat out refused to be left behind when she had put just as much work into running the barony as he had over the years. Besides, she would not leave him to this feat of political and economic maneuvering by himself.

Clearly, the news hadn't only reached her father, however, because before Iris could even finish her packing, Aimias had shown up to speak with her. How the man knew that she was addled with worry and uncertainty was beyond her, but he seemed to suddenly pick up the habit of being there when she needed him. It was refreshing to see an understanding face after the whirlwind of politics and courtly encounters Iris had endured.

Iris herself wasn't entirely sure how Aimias had hitched both himself and his little girl onto the trip to Aetaea, but she knew that her father would not discredit the extra set of hands and brainpower that would be needed to set the province right. Natural disasters were known to throw citizens into an uproar, especially when livelihoods were jeopardized. It helped a little more that Takis seemed absolutely enamored with Phillipa, keeping her completely entertained over the day-long ride back into the province.

Her gaze had wandered to Aimias once or twice out of sheer curiosity, her mind running with everything that needed to be done once they reached the manor. The scouting parties she'd need to organize. The loggers she would need to assemble to clear away fallen trees and debris... She was prepared for the long nights the next few days would bring. With little time for rest and relaxation, she could only hope that her lady in waiting, riding between her and Zoe on her side of the carriage, could keep the three-year-old nestled between her father and Takis busy. She was wonderful with children, though Iris felt a small tang of sadness that she could not be the one to tote the child around for the next few days.

They arrived in Aetaea a little after dark. Mercifully, Phillipa had dozed off against her father's side. Turning to her lady-in-waiting, Iris gave a soft smile. "Will you prepare the guest quarters for Aimias and his daughter and make sure that the little one makes it to bed safely?" she asked quietly, putting out a hand when she noted one of the estate's dog trainers approaching. Iris put a finger to her mouth in order to feign quiet, an order to keep the dogs kenneled so as to now wake the sleeping child who was being tenderly extracted from beside Aimias and carried slowly, carefully toward the estate. Iris slowly slipped out of the carriage, offering her hand to her father to help him down as one of the servants rushed over.

Iris paused to watch her father with a quiet expression, "In the morning we will sort things out, alright?" she asked quietly, "Please," she pleaded with her father then when his expression changed to one of argumentative intent. "You won't be any good to the men if you're exhausted, papa," Iris coaxed quietly, "None of us will be and its been a long ride."

Takis seemed to consider it, "Alright," he murmured, "Bright and early, Iris," he commended quietly, touching her cheek. He pressed a kiss to his daughter's forehead, leaning heavily on the cane in hand as the servant guided him inside.

When he was finally gone, Iris stepped away from the carriage, breathing out slowly with her hand pressed against her mouth. A servant with a torch approached, giving a deep bow and glancing behind her toward Aimias, giving a bow of greeting to Zoe as well. "This is Aimias. He'll be assisting us," she said quietly, nodding her head toward the forest, "Can you show me some of the damage?" she asked. When the man nodded, Iris straightened her spine, brushing her hands down the front of her gown. "I'll need three dogs, my quiver, and my bow, then," Iris hummed.

If the forest was in shambles, it meant that the wildlife would be stressed, hostile. Even the smallest of stags would not run and none of them needed to end up gored in the middle of fallen trees and unstable brush.

The servant nodded sharply, turning on his heel and rushing off toward the stables. Iris silently hoped that he would be smart and bring a second torch. Keeping her chin high, she turned to Aimias and her cousin with an impassive, unreadable expression. "You should find your rest, Aimias, Zoe," she said quietly, "I still have some work to do before the moon reaches its zenith."