A bed was pulled out from the room and made up close to the fireplace where Anna rested but, not isolated from us like she would've been up in her room.
Zephyr was siting on the bed with his back to wall while Anna enjoyed some jam buns, listening to his father explanation of her newest doll.
" ..See? You can change the dresses on her. Like this one...I suppose.. it's a ..night dress? And this one..is the exact same just in red? " - he said holding up tiny but well made dresses.
She had enough of the clumsy explanation and turned to Ciren.
" The white one is a tunic and the red...called a kirtle maybe? " - she said half sure.
She give some accurate names to these miniatures but very adorable little dresses.
Zephyr left them to undress and redress them.
" Dropped him off at his house. He report to Mai and do some of his work, if needed. " - he said.
Mother was silent sitting looking at me. " That snake doesn't trust him, never did. "
" Aye..he couldn't get close enough, the cockroach is smarter than he looks. " - Zephyr tapped his knees with an inviting smile.
Thank you very much. It was always more comfortable in his arms.
" Tell me son, he is not in danger there is he?" - mother asked looking worried.
"..He is careful Seline. " - he answered.
I understood, he didn't wanted to lie but mother turned visible pale.
" Don't forget Seline, Mai needs him more than Carlos needs him. Blessed with combat oriented abilities are rare...much more than, I initially thought. " - he said with a reassuring smile.
We all knew that. In my 20 years on his earth never seen one in person until Zephyr.
They mostly lived in luxury as some Lord or King bodyguards or generals. Imagine being a regular soldier and seeing Carlos mowing people down slicing and dicing them with water or some fellow with fire, or lightning..it's terrifying.
" What I mean is .. there's no need to worry. He should be back by the time our new residents arrive. "
He patted mother's hand and nudged me a little asking for a kiss.
" I'm going now..talk to Ceron. Want to come with me?"
I looked back at Anna. She was busy resting while Ciren read to her and Nifa and Cintia were close by.
Mother was too distracted.
" Yes.."
We left for the main hall passing some running soliders along the way lead by Lucian doing their own training.
" You miss it..martial arts training? " - he asked.
"..I do. It was much more demanding. Archery and knives are an entire different game..
" Stop the games.. focus on one thing, love.. " - he bumped me with his hips ."..You're spreading yourself too thin. Pick one and stick to it. "
Couldn't respond. He was right. In a short time..
I learned, martial arts, sword, archery and now my new obsession were those throwing knives.
I wasn't particularly outstanding in any of them. Did alright but cannot say, I mastered or even achieved advance stage in them.
" ..look at you. You can't decide on anything.." - he shook his head in disbelief.
" Enough with witty banter idiot..we're here. "
Some performers saw us from the far and went inside to inform Ceron.
" Do you going to personally build their houses as well..ohh great builder? " - I asked teasing him.
" Hush you..hope I never have another title. The answer is..I'll help them like been doing it now. " - he had an air of self righteousness around him like all those helping others for nothing in return.
I both hated it and was very attracted to it.
He was back to his exhausted self from autumn. Working from dawn to dusk. Being named our leader changed nothing, he still done the work of 12.
Inside the hall most actual Monroe's were present.
" Lord Zephyr, how was your trip? " - Ceron asked.
He shook my husband hand bowed a little.
" I'm...undecided. " - he said after glancing at me first.
He was willing to confuse these poor people just take another stab at me.
" Oh..w-well, I hope it will sort itself out very soon. " - he said sounding unsure.
" You and me both...now please tell us the reason you wanted to meet. "
The hall served as home for the almost twenty members so only two chairs were there ..the rest sat on the floor.
My awkwardness was for nothing, since Zephyr sat down as well and pulled me to the ground placing me in his lap.
They just smiled, it took some time understanding he wasn't much for decorum, he was more down to earth than others in his position.
After we all disregarded the chairs they settled in a circle.
Veila and her sisters were smiling happily..maybe it's time?
" Lord..my Lady we
" Can we drop the...title shite? ..I'm just Zephyr. " - he said quickly cutting him off.
He kept repeating it without losing his temper. Myself I barely even noticed it. My Lady, Lylly, Sissi, Love, Sweetheart, I had a multitude of names and nicknames.
" Apologise. The reason for today is to ask you formally and request a longer stay. " - Ceron said exchanging some looks with his family.
" How much longer? " - he asked.
Ceron checked with his family first and after some approving nods. " We would like stay for good... if that's okay wi..
" Excellent! " - Zephyr extended his hands .
" You're welcome to stay as long as you wish of course. "
They waited until my little nodding before let out a long nervous sigh.
Ceron shook his hand. " You won't regret it Zephyr."
" Well said...we have something to celebrate but let us hold on. Soon enough, Emet village newest resident arrive. May, I suggest to talk to Metil Emil..he is charge of overseeing our building efforts. "
I had to help...
His explanation was lacking . " ..pick a piece of land and build upon it. Metill will know the smaller details and of course...my builder of a husband will help. "
" Ahh..thank you. Zephyr, my sons and some of the others also wanted to ask about your demonstration last night and wishes to learn more of it. " - he said looking at his sons mostly.
" Absolutely..my brother and sister in law are master and assistant master respectively. " - he looked at directly at Hectos and Neily who were ready to start today if needed from the looks. " Talk to them..you'll be in good hands i promise. "
The other man who heard the good news and came inside to personally thank us.
I sat beside the Monroe girls. " I'm glad you decided to stay..with your lifestyle it must be hard."
" Thanks Lylly..a lot of people wouldn't understand. We love the life we lived and it's hard to just give it up. " - said Aim with a sad smile.
" So..why did you? " - I asked them.
" Because both father and my uncle believes war is coming.. besides this place is special. Not one but 4 blessed living here. Lead by a charismatic and powerful man who cares..that's special. "
We did have four...well now with Viela five blessed. Even the king only had two but to be fair, it was only because he found them the most useful.
Some had blessing simple useless to him. My guess was, some just prefer to stay hidden far removed from the court intrigues.
I believed all those powers given to normal humans one day will show its worth...one way or another.
Looking at my love..his perfect figure the light from the fireplace casting his long shadow on the wall...wait..did it just move?
I shook my head and returned to the girls.
How could his shadow move on his own?..its absurd .. or is it?