Sitting inside the well lit up Pen, somehow had a magical effect.
The tall trees and thick underbrush surrounded the almost perfectly clear circle with a still strong, old wooden gate all around it gave a scary but mystical feeling.
We made a large fire, Zephyr cut down a tree, and Carlos cut it into neat little stumps and sliced the rest for firewood.
It was very comfortable seeing the sun set over the mountain.
Food was hot ones spicy soup, roasted potatoes and meat with vegetables, and mothers new seasonings really changed the entire flavour of the meal.
Carlos enjoyed his soup with Mother while the rest of us talked about the upcoming plans.
" On Monday, talks should be done.. the delegation arrived, and now it's just about the details.."Carlos said, his back towards the stump with mother sitting across his lap. " ..just hope it's going smoothly. "
I was very comfortable letting Anna play with my hair as compensation for letting her take my preferred place in Zephyr lap.
" Even if those priests dared to betray me.. we can just go with the plan B. " Zephyr was thrown little sticks into the fire, watching it getting consumed almost immediately.
" War..? " asked Carlos.
" Annihilation... you said it yourself. The king will get involved once the wedding is over, and Dharma support forever secured. Summer is our time limit as it was..after that wedding, we be powerless against that kind of military might. "
" You think he would just...attack Emet, son? Right away? "
It was Carlos who answered granny.
" He would, Zephyr not only refused swearing allegiance multiple times now.. they constantly tried to keep him under surveillance. " he pointed at himself as the current spy. "..his power is needed, and if you can't secure his allegiance..then might as well get rid of him, and those around him. "
The atmosphere turned grim. Even Anna stopped playing with my hair, and Ciren hugged Cintia, who herself was deep in thought.
Zephyr lightened the mood with his musical laughter.
" Hahaha .. please. Dear Levitan is with us..and those who were against the inside the 10 are all with Ehlite now and have been replaced. My bet? " he picked up Anna and twirled her around in the air, returning her to her former happy self. " By the time, I'll return from Dharma Monday night, it will be done. "
His confidence was enough to erase the heavy mood, and everyone looked more relaxed.
" You know Gilly will want you to stay .. " laughed Carlos and took up his cup. " .. you promised her to let her take you shopping and all. "
" Ohh.. I want to meet her.. " mother perked up hearing her grand mother in laws? name.
" She demanded a meet, don't you worry about that." he reassured her the feeling was mutual.
Myself climbed on his left arm and rested my head.
" You won't stay.." I said.
" I won't stay.." he said.
I wish to go with him and some months ago, I would've demanded it but I changed and understood that sometimes.. a lot of times... I acted like a spoiled brat and demanded too much..he granted it all, but still..
Since we met, I wanted to be more useful, that was the entire reason for picking up martial arts, the rapier, and the bow and arrow.
I'm became a rich lady, a good mother, a good fighter, a useful person, and a strong woman.
But my goal was to be the perfect wife.. and that was shockingly hard.
" What about the tournament, big brother? Are there any predictions about winners? " Lucian asked from right next to us.
" Well.. it depends. The one on one could be anybody. We have plenty of strong fighters, not to mention all the people who arrived and have time to catch up. " he looked at me and Demelza. " The two on two's however..the best synergy will win. "
Demelza and I shared some looks but also Lucian and Alexander. Teamwork is essential, but Demelza needed work on her martial arts..
" HOWEVER.." he made everyone jump a little and put up his finger. "..no one!..Not on of you, can team up with one another..as leader and founder of the tournament, I have spoken. "
He leaned back and was hugged by an approving six year old with the exact same smile..
" Why? " - asked Demelza.
" Is that fair? " asked Alexander
" Are we supposed to carry people on our back, Zeph, or what? " Carlos was just as outraged as the rest of us.
" You participating? " asked Zephyr with a little surprise.
" There is no rule against it..and it sounds like fun.." answered Carlos with a big smile.
Zephyr shook his head with an amused smile.
" They will kick your ass..some of these folks been training with me since the start. " he nodded towards Lucian and Alexander, who looked around proudly to see if anyone cared.
" You, however, only received ..the novice training...like this one. "
He pointed down at me.
" I want a bet !! " Carlos was fired up.
" How dare you underestimate me!? " I was just as pissed off.
He hid behind his daughter, who was happy to protect him.
" You tell them, I'm right, princess. "
" Dad is right! Get away.." she pushed my pouting face away with her tiny hands and looked menacingly towards Carlos.
Other than me and Carlos, everyone had good fun watching us intimidated by a six year old.
Zephyr soon took back his courage and put down the challenge.
" Fine..do as you like..and I'll take that bet, water boy.. " he looked sure of himself.
" It's water MAN..you know, you're cheeky, little brat sometimes. " Carlos corrected him, then said an absolute fact.
" Hmm,Hmm.."I nodded along finally, and someone noticed it.
" The bet..? ..Water man? " he offered his ear, Anna imitated him.
My daughter will grow up exactly like her father.
Carlos had to think a little first, stroking his thin moustache.
" How about, if I win..any of the games.. you will have .." his eyes darted around, still searching, and then.. " ..change your hair colour of my choosing for the whole year... "
Whoa.. good one Carlos. Nifa, who was essential in that plan, sat up and paid closer attention.
" I'll accept..you cannot use your ability whatsoever...and if I win, we shave your head bald..for the same duration. " he gave him an evil smile.
" NO.. CANCELLED! " Mother voice scared even the damn birds of the trees.
" I'm sorry, my love.." Carlor ignored Mother and leaned over, offering his hand. " A bet is a bet is as bet...I accept. "
Zephyr quickly took it and looked at Anna, who nodded fiercely.
" HIYYAA! " she severed their hands with a downward chop.
"" DONE! ""
They both looked satisfied.. even if Mother kept shaking Carlos' hair for the next few minutes for ignoring her.