" This will do nicely. "
I was playing around the new arrow head looking even more deadlier than the one in the drawings.
" I made a few hundred but will work on it while you're away. " - said Olaf wiping his sweat off as he was tempering some iron.
" It looks a whole lot of work to me .. maybe we can ask Zephyr to order some others to help with the arrows? "
Demeleza's idea was well received by all of us but the actually ask will fall to me of course.
We thanked Olaf and left taking with us several boxes of arrow heads and made a pit stop in the Princess tavern. Inside was lively as ever as the people came in for morning tea or breakfast or just to talk to one another, it became a hub of our village in just few short months.
" Hey warriors, anything to eat or .. what are those? "
Setil noticed us and her bright expression turned confused for a second watching us with those wooden boxes. " They're arrow heads .. get us some tea Setil please .. "
We sat down taking a breath, placed the 6 box down neatly next to our table.
" 30 out of 40 is the goal .. " - said Demelza looking right at me. " I will use those metrics for myself as well for a passing mark. "
She looked determined but with our previous results it might be a pipe dream. I could avoid 10 .. 20 even but, never went over those numbers, my words sounded silly now.
For what reason I have this useless confidence? Sometimes we do things like that .. for no other reason than getting swepped up in the moment.
" Mhh .. "
" What's wrong? " - asked Eli after my lackluster answer.
" Nothing .. just those numbers are a little .. well let's just do our best. " - I said finished a little awkward.
Setil brought us some cold tea and some snacks, took a seat herself. " I bet by the time you return Petra will gave birth .. she is really close or so says Vistellia. "
" Ohh .. I didn't wanna miss that. Hopefully we be back before that. "
It wasn't just Eli who wanted to be here for the birth of little Blaze or Amanda, it was also a great opportunity to see one in real life and not as a horror story from mother and granny.
" She must have it rough .. I remember how uncomfortable and annoyed, I was before the birth .. and the pain .. oufff. " - said Demelza thinking back with a horrified expression.
" She is .. irritable for sure, big brother Moritz can't do anything right but has a patient of a Saint. "
We smiled at Setil words and I was thinking, how I'll be when my time arrives .. altogether we wanted to wait and I was a little glad. I wanted to live a little, fight a little more before taking myself out for almost a year possibly more in these times of sweet desires.
We as a village .. as a continent will undergo an immense change in the coming years, would be nice to choose a less turbulent and dangerous time to gave birth.
" .. You guys are sure something. " - said Setil examining our blue and green bruises all over our visible skin. " Zephyr came up with a brutal training from the looks of it but still you guys sticking with it .. good for you. "
She sounded impressed with our determination and it was just the thing to motivate us further and frankly we needed it.
" They're are an admirable bunch. " - I felt my husband breath on the neck as he sneaked up on us and took a seat. " I need to be careful where to touch you .. this here .. and this .. looks particularly blue. "
He kissed my two newest bruise on my shoulder and my left hand, with an amused expression.
" This afternoon we will do better.. " - said Demelza with confidence.
He nodded along .. " And the final test being tomorrow afternoon.. you sort of out of time. "
""" Why tomorrow? """
" They're got to rehearse these, right? " - Setil asked my husband.
" Of course they do .. and to answer you lot, it's because we need that final day for resting, spending time with family and plenty of others .. to much to talk about now ..and besides there is no winner or looser in this, it was just a test. "
" You could told us that instead of egging us on .. "
Demelza and Eli who know about it nodded agreeing while Zephyr lifted a finger shaking it.
" Don't blame me for that .. wasn't it you, who took my friendly suggestion .. and innocent bet with our family as some sort of declaration of me not believed in you? "
I was mad a little .. even if he was somewhat right. After seeing if there was anything we wanted to add and after our silence confirmed it he went on.
" Now that this is out of the way .. you two go find your other halfs, who want to show off their new armour .. they're in the field recreating our little test on the 25 choosen .. you go as well. "
He turned to me and didn't let me ask why ..
" You can compare yourself with some of the others and see how you stack up, also gain some confidence back because they're are terrible. " - he said placing a quick kiss on my lips.
It was a great idea.
" Lylly he is right let's go .. brother would you mind taking care of these things? "
Demelza took my arm and pulled me on my feet while pointing at the six boxes on the ground asking Zephyr .
He opened one up and took one out. " .. Turn these into arrow huh? No problem, I'll talk to some people .. Go. "
I leaned down for a grateful kiss and left with the girls.
" It's very much like him .. you know putting the mood down and to encourage us in the same time. "
Demelza said once we were outside in the warm breeze.
" My bet he has already have like a 100 plans in his head and this is just as he said .. a little test but, you're right my husband is a multi talented person. "
And if they're knew how talented he was in other areas .. although I do keep them up to date on that.
I shook my head and emptied from useless thought .. let's see how we stack up against those who would ' protect ' us.