It was a moonlit night, and in this familiar scene, the little girl Luna Baumgartner, with her golden hair and seven years of age, was having dinner with her father, Enstern Baumgartner, a strong man with prominent scars on the right side of his face, which extended down to his mouth. Her older brother, Nengott Baumgartner, pale and with dark circles under his eyes, at the age of fourteen, was also at the table.
As they savored their meal, Luna couldn't hold back her frustration. "Dad, Neno was kissing Lydia again instead of helping me study," she complained indignantly.
Nengott angrily replied, "Shut up! I paid you 50 Aurar not to tell these things to Dad."
Luna retorted arrogantly, "I told you that 50 is barely enough to buy a Kropp, you cheapskate!"
Enstern intervened to calm the situation. "Kids, no fighting at the dinner table. Neno, you should have taught your sister. She doesn't know math properly yet. It wasn't like this when Helena taught you at her age. I remember she didn't go out to kiss any boyfriends."
Nengott, furious, denied the accusation. "I wasn't kissing anyone."
Luna provoked, intrigued, "YES, YOU WERE!"
Nengott, in anger, threatened, "You're old enough to get a beating, you foolish girl."
Luna challenged defiantly, "With those little arms, I doubt it."
Enstern laughed and tried to ease the situation. "Both of you, enough arguing at dinnertime."
Then, knocks on the door interrupted the conversation. Enstern got up quickly to answer it. "Just a moment."
At the door, a tall and strong woman in her fifties held a basket. "Ah, Helena, everything alright? What do you need?"
Helena replied in her usual tone, "I owe you for helping with the fireplace, you imbecile! Or do you think I'm obligated, Einz?"
Enstern laughed, "Stop making excuses to get drunk with me again, Helly. What did you bring this time? The last mead tasted like vinegar. Your cousin never learns to make a good drink!"
Curious, Luna shouted, "Dad, how long are you going to stay there? Did Aunt Leli bring something for us or not?"
Nengott teased, "See, at her age, she's already a big opportunist!"
Helena entered the house, and the three continued to chat until nightfall. Luna finally fell asleep from exhaustion after dinner.
Enstern looked at Nengott and gave him an order. "Neno, pick her up and put her to bed. Be helpful. Tomorrow, I'll let you train more with your crossbow."
Nengott grumbled, "Alright, but you should stop letting her sleep anywhere like this, Dad. It's a pain to carry her around. Oh well, whatever."
Enstern and Helena climbed onto the rooftop and drank outside the window. Helena, nonchalantly, grabbed a bottle of wine and took a big sip, without bothering with formalities.
Enstern commented, "When will you have the decency to bring a glass?"
Helena replied with a smile, "When you have the decency to care enough to help me get rid of the junk behind my house."
Enstern sighed, "Oh, you never change." and commented in a sober tone, "You know, how many years have I been here?"
With a lighter tone, Helena replied, "It's been about six years, I think. It's ironic, isn't it? A peaceful place like this doesn't suit you."
Enstern reflected, "But I can live here. It's not like before. Neno saw that. He remembers how it used to be. Luna doesn't need to see it."
Helena expressed her concern, "But I don't know how long you'll be stuck in this utopia. I've heard the Bregos are trying to take over the southern islands. They've become quite expansionist after controlling the north."
Enstern countered confidently, "We're in the northwest of Dautt Land; they don't have a reason."
Helena ended the conversation with a biting observation, "I hope you're right, you little coward."
Both of them fell asleep on the rooftop, sharing the silent concern of what the future might hold.