" Lady Astoria, thank you for letting us inside your walls. "
The tavern quieted down all watching like hawks.
" Hello.. and welcome. Please take a seat and drink something while you tell us about your act."
" Thank you..um is the tavern hold any tea? " the man asked politely.
" Hmm.." looked to Setil, who in turn went and looked at her husband, who brought them and stayed by her side listening.
They reached for coins but, It was refused.
" You're very generous. Umm.. it's delicious. " - he tasted a little and nodded to the other two who took a sip as well.
" I'm Ceron, and those two are my sons, Hectos and Neily. The people outside are mostly family..our troupe are well trained in acting, singing, dancing and reading the future! "
We were all on the same page until the last bit.
But then Alexander came inside with two of our soldiers.
I suppose he got his wish. They actually had well trained soldiers now.
" Leader Zephyr returned..he will arrive in a minute..he needs some time, to.. clean up. "
I see...first acolyte Levitan is with Ehlite, then?
" Please continue. My husband not much for formalities. Go on..what future reading entails? " I hurried them along, my curiosity getting the better of me.
" O-oh right..my niece Veila, can read ones future her predictions what led us here. You see, we were on our way to Malai city when she turned us around and towards your little town."
She can tell the future..must be blessed. The doors swung open.
" Sorry for being late.. but peace requires time. "
My husband in fresh clothes and with damp hair arrived with a large smile.
The Monroe man stood up, but they were wholly ignored.
He picked up a running blue bolt and kissed me, letting his wet hair wet mine.. he smelled metallic. Like blood.
Clean as he was the smell was another thing. Yet he was happy so it must be good news.
" Hello.. I'm Zephyr Astoria. Please forgive my interruption.. Carlos! Come, hear my tale.. "
He let me go and waived to the still standing man to sit after a quick hand shake.
Then, he walked outside, holding Anna as Carlos quickly ran after him with Ciren, Alexander, Lucian and...well almost everyone.
They heard him saying Carlos! Right!?
It was only the patrons, my sisters, and Setil remains. But even Eli and Demelza wanted to go with them, I could tell. Their solidarity was felt.
The man and his sons were shocked. Meeting a more aloof leader like my husband is hard.
" See..not much for formalities at all.. I would love to meet your niece, Veila. " I tried to regain the conversation.
He didn't understand what was happening, but we all mostly knew what happened.
He promised peace, and he probably already delivered.
" A-absolutely..your husband my lady..if you don't mind me, is quite intimidating. " Ceron woke up.
He came in smiling and kissed a little girl and his wife..what's so intimidating about that?
" Oh, he is..harmless.. mostly. Let us go, Uhh.. Menir! Look after the tavern, will you? "
" What? Oh yeah, sure.." poor man enjoyed some time with his wife in peace but paid attention.
With his agreement confirmed, he turned towards the already standing trio. " Let's go.."
We left quickly, and the tavern was left with capable of slightly confused hands.
——
Inside the hall about 20 or so already enjoying mothers food and sharing some hot beverages.
I saw the child from before.
A little girl about Anna's age eating some chocolates with the other four children around her, all a little older and enjoying the taste of the sweets.
" Family..this is our benefactor and the Lady of the village. Her name is Lylly Astoria . "
I returned their waves, and this 'troupe' looked awfully happy people. They all looked..colourful and full of life, if somewhat hungry and cold.
Soon, Ceron's own sons joined the others and ate happy as the man himself went and returned with a shy little girl.
She looked..11.. or..15? Skinny, tall, light brown hair and adorable dimples on her cheeks.
" Veila introduced yourself. "
She bowed a little. " Veila Monroe, please meet your Ladyship. "
She was more nervous than the others. Didn't look as happy and bubbly like a performer would.
Her uncle nudged her a little.
" ..I can peek into some futures if Ehlite allows me. " She kept it short.
Yeah.. she didn't look like someone who was very willing.
" I see..please Mr Monroe, may I borrow your niece for a little. I promise to return her soon and unharmed. " I joked.
He was surprised but quickly agreed. " Of course, absolutely..." he turned his nieces around. " Veila, be a good girl and be nice to the Lady. We are guests here. "
She looked a bit scared but just nodded slightly and followed us outside.
We didn't talk much and went towards mothers house, which was empty.
" Please take a seat. Eli, bring something hot for her, please. "
She took a seat and I started on the fire.
By the time the tea was ready, the place started to lose its chill.
We sat around her, the others didn't understand why to bring her alone.
" First of all..tell me your power..don't like to use it?"
She shook her and had a little panicky. " N-no no..it's and honour to..
" Please..be honest dear. "
She calmed once, and we understood we didn't bring her to exploit her.. I'm pretty sure... blessing.
Veila still shook her head. " It's not as if it's painful..it's just, sometimes ..I see bad futures and people dislike to hear bad news. Uncle tells me to make something good up, but I'm not a performer like my family. "
That was understandable.. People paid in hopes of good news. Coins, land, good health, a son to be born, that sort of things.
" But it's not something you can control.." Demelza patted her hand gently calming her. " ..Those people should accept that... even if I know they won't. "
" But here you don't have to worry about such things..oh.. I'm Eleanor Wold. Lylly's sister and she is Demelza Jartok. " My sister filled the gaps for her.
She visibly calmed. Her shoulders slumped a little, and her breathing slowed down.
" Thank you..sincerely. " She sighed.
After that, we got to talk in a much lighter atmosphere about her life on the road.
.." We usually stay for a week, more if there's interest. "
.." Unfortunately, no. We never left Insatel. "
.." No..it's hard to meet anyone and settle down. Hopefully.. one day. "
She opened up the more we talked, so I asked the most important one.
" Your uncle told us..you redirected your people from Malai towards here because you saw something..what exactly? "
I didn't want to ask immediately since she was frightened enough.
Even now, she was shy and didn't answer right away.
" Don't worry..as we said it won't..
" I was told to read a mans future it was as few days ago. He was a strange one. Tall, two daggers he was..scary but, paid 2 gold for my uncle. " she reached inside her boots and pulled out a gold coin.
" He didn't even let me read him in the end...handed me an extra gold to head here towards Emet and to lie my uncle about it. "
The coin she pulled out had Chensler unlikeness edged onto.
But what froze me and Demelza is her description of the man responsible for their arrival. He sounded like.. Marcus.