" ..So how rich are you? " - asked Demelza.
At training the next morning my sisters weren't as shocked as myself last night..in fact none of my family were.
They congratulated Zephyr and reaffirmed that its nothing wrong accepting money for his talent.
" ..No idea. But ..earl maybe? " - I said wondering how much money nobility had.
I took aim and..
( TWACK )
" FINALLY!!..but seriously..I have no idea. 20.000 thousand gold it's hard to even imagine it. "
We were rich...and that's all I needed to know. More coin that we could possibly spend.
After some great night both physically and mentally..I was in a great mood.
The boys already working on the two large buildings each with 50 compact one bedroom houses made for small families or soon to be ones.
" I bet the entire village is buzzing about yesterday. I can't wait to enter the tournament..two games at least. " - Demelza took her own shots and started to hit them as well.
" What is the other one? " - I asked.
I knew that archery must've been one.
" I want to enter the cooking as well..talk to brother about adding a sweets only category...don't wanna compete with Seline for the title. " - she said while concentrated on her target.
( SWISH )
" Damn it...3 out of 5. " - she left and gave way to Eleanor.
" I feel my arms being stronger. "
" You look more confident for sure. " - checked her muscles through the warm sweater twice her size, she wore Alexander clothes as well. " By the way good thinking..mother can be very competitive. "
Eleanor annoyed with her slow progress.
" By the way..shouldn't we invite the Monroe sisters? " - she asked.
" You wanna know your future? " - I asked surprised.
I was shocked how brave it was. I didn't wanna know mine..yesterday what he said made me rethink the entire situation... ugh.. Why pretend?
I was scared to hear something bad like everyone else.
" No..brother is right. Knowing what's coming is a slippery slope. Rather be surprised. I meant the knife throwers. " - she explained.
" We invite them for lunch..and take another look at those knives. " - offered Demelza.
It was cold so we finished early. With February well underway we weren't that far from spring.
" I can't believe how well they aimed with them yesterday.." - inside Demelza put her bow down and placed out arrows inside the large wooden chest made for them. " It's like seeing the Revel twins but with knives. "
Inside, Alexander who just returned with a large empty bag just sat down to warm up a little. " They want people to volunteer to be living targets... I wouldn't do it even for gold. They're skilled but, still."
" Did you hand out the gold darling? " - asked Demelza.
She warmed her husband looking at the bag.
" I did..the people off to find him and thank him personally..they have to wait. " - he answered.
I knew he decided to head towards Malai, ask about Catalina missing husband...at least maybe she can let his memory rest. It was a hour round trip tops.
" I'm telling you guys, everyone's talking about the tournament and the prizes. " - his eyes just as fired up as it was last night.
" I can't wait to enter the one on one's and CAPTURE. "
I bet most are feeling the same. It was a good opportunity to see which one of them learned the most, know each other the most and who want it more.
" What is your wish if you win? "
Asked Miranda who was most likely enter the cooking with mother was interested in the same thing.
What would the people ask for?
" ..General. " - he whispered.
We barely heard him but Demelza smile was all knowing and she explained. " He wants the title of General, his grandfather used to tell him stories about them."
Well..a soliders dream through and through.
But it was an easy fix for it..
" Why not just ask Ze..
" It's not the same Lylly. " - surprisingly it was Demelza who cut me off. "..he wants to earn it. "
Her proud smile and her husband embarrassed look was the perfect picture of marital harmony.
" Hmm..I wonder what would Lucian want..if he wins." - Eleanor asked no one in particular.
Probably a less emasculating girlfriend. Hehe..
" Well he have a chance..he sure thought of a lot different competitions. " - I said.
Five different types contest of strength, teamwork, pure talent..
I looked around..
" Where are the kids? " - I asked.
" Lucian took them to training. Little Ciren is improving and Anna taking it easy. " - Miranda answered.
Hmm..she took her deal with Zephyr extremely seriously. She walked slower and even trained less...I wonder..
" Maybe we can include something for the kids..some sort of contest for prizes they would love. " - I aksed suddenly having an epiphany.
I felt this was an idea only the best mothers would have.
" Perfect idea...we can talk to the troupe, the new residents, we have a lot more little ones running around. " - said Demelza.
Those around appreciated my genius.. and Demelza was right with all the new kids we could make it fun for them as well.
The door slammed open behind us.
" Morning family! Any breakfast Miranda dear? "
Nifa inside Zephyr's old clothes came out and a still tired Cintia followed.
" Hey..what a night. " - she said sitting down an empty chair.
We told them about my plan.
" Nice! I can help organize it." - Cintia was the perfect candidate since all the kids loved her and her illusions came handy in all situations.
In fact as far as entertainment goes..she was the apex of the craft.
Nifa was happy but made her feelings perfectly clear.
" Just don't expect me to colour everything for free..it's already a crime how much discount I gave to everyone. " - she said.
" Is that so? "
Zephyr arrived with perfect timing, as usual.
" I-I meant..for a reasonable price? " - she asked timidly.
I ignored her latest misstep and asked him the important question.
" So..what happened? "
He gave a grim expression. " Well he isn't dead..but not much better off. His squad is held in Karta with a bunch of others they captured. He is a prisoner of war. " - he explained sitting down himself.
Well..talk about mixed news. On the one hand he was alive and the other he is a prisoner.
" ..Poor wretches. Even if he is not dead, he probably wish it. " - Zephyr said shaking his head.
I could just tell how he imagined himself being in their place.
" Well..Karta is willing to make a trade of prisoner except they want some of their long captured nobles the King most likely already killed. So the proposal was rejected. " - he said.
I sat in his lap thinking. " Maybe we shouldn't tell the last part to Catalina? "
" I agree..in time we see how the coming months unfold and if, I can do something... I will. "
I give him an encouraging kiss. " You always do. "
" ..In any case. Now we just need to concentrate on building and allow the Monroe company to entertain us. " - he said with a lighted mood.
Indeed. Now we can just breathe and focus on what we can do. Which is working and enjoying ourselves.