Florence tapped her chin thoughtfully, waiting to hear more. “Some of them have done great harm,” she said. “What about them?”

“I’m not sure yet,” Fifer admitted. “But Thisbe, being part dragon, has a new sense that I think will help us understand their hearts. Maybe, if she’s willing, she can help us decide if we can believe what the dissenters say.”

Florence nodded. “That’s the beginning of a sound plan,” she said. “Very fair and kind, I think. Maybe a little too kind, but I admire that in you. I think even though we’re in the minority, we have such a great, strong team who already trusts you. I feel certain they’ll buy into this idea.”

“We don’t actually have a lot of other options. What else are we supposed to do? Banish them?”

“Maybe.”

“To where? The Island of Graves to get eaten by the saber-toothed gorillas? Or to live in the underwater Island of Fire? None of our other island friends would want them.” Fifer gave a grim smile. “Besides, it’s the way things should be around here. Compassionate. I’m going to show them what they never showed Thisbe and me. Maybe we can turn this around if it’s not too late.”

“You’ve always been good-hearted,” Florence said carefully. “But don’t fall over backward trying to make them all comfortable. They need to feel some shame. And some need to pay for what they’ve done.”

Fifer nodded, but she wasn’t sure about that. What about herself? Did she deserve to be banished after what she’d done? She was certain some of the dissenters would think so. “I hear you, Florence,” Fifer said, but she was still conflicted.

She took a step toward the mansion, then hesitated. She wanted desperately to talk to someone about everything, and Florence had always been there for Fifer. But now wasn’t the time to be selfish when people were in pain. “Thanks,” she said instead. “I’ll go assign duties, then check on the hospital ward.” She wrinkled her nose. “I hope everything inside the mansion was magically restored to its usual splendor. But somehow I fear it won’t be.”

“Henry said the hospital ward is in good shape,” Florence said. “He’d made it small when things started to ramp up with Frieda. So hopefully if you extend it to its largest size, most of the things inside it will be intact.”

“Good,” said Fifer. “Keep things under control out here. We’ll talk later once we get everyone settled. I’ll let you know when the hospital ward is ready for patients.”

Fifer walked briskly to the mansion, her new robe swishing around her ankles. She opened the main door a crack, then cringed. She pushed the door farther and saw the entirety of the mansion’s enormous entryway. It was as she’d feared: just as destroyed as they’d left it. They’d have a lot of work to do on the structure and the people before things would be back to normal. It was clear that bringing the world of Artimé back was just the first step in a huge process, which was revealing itself little by little as an enormous never-ending task. And Fifer, finding herself in a very sticky situation, wanted desperately to stay focused, reestablish Artimé’s policies, and show the people how things were going to be from now on. Somewhere in there she would have to find a friend she could confide in. But without Thisbe at her side, she felt isolated and lonely amid a sea of friends. It seemed like things were growing more difficult by the minute.