Luke gave a short nod. He could guess part of their story: they were likely watchers from some clandestine order, assigned to guard Hazel because of her father's identity.
For now, it seemed they weren't an immediate threat; they had, after all, helped defend the students. That was enough reason to set aside deeper questions until Hazel woke.
Not far off, the Totem Serpent coiled in a half-circle, apparently deciding to rest. Luke took in the scene: the quiet lake, the smoldering horizon, the battered arcs of broken snail shell, and the handful of battered survivors he'd gathered.
The carnage from the prior day's chaos made it surreal how tranquil this morning felt.
A rustling of leaves signaled someone else approaching.