♬♪♪♬
The music was absolutely deafening. It hammered happily off the wooden beams of the tavern, now filled to bursting with the crowd of Emet and our guests. People danced wildly in the cleared-out space, stomping to the rhythm while enjoying the never-ending drink and food that flowed from the kitchens. The air was thick with the smell of roasting meat, mulled cider, and celebratory sweat.
My new husband and I sat at the large, hastily constructed main table, surrounded by our entire family. We were in the middle of a continuous stream of well-wishers and guests bringing forth their wedding gifts.
"This humble gift couldn't begin to thank for the warmth you've brought to Emet, Lord Zephyr, and Lady Lylly."
"I hope Ehlite will bless your new family with health and fortune."
"Master Zephyr, this is from all of us as thanks for your leadership."
"I pray for your happy children to bless this village soon with their smiles," offered Myma, Granny's friend and fellow council member, before waddling away, giving us a brief, welcome breather.
"Did you notice how almost all of them are giving us baby stuff?" Zephyr turned to me, holding up a ridiculously small onesie intended for our future child.
I took it and put it on top of the other dozen blankets, booties, and rattles. "It's tradition, love. They want to ensure the bloodline. Besides..."
"Besides what?" he prompted, his eyes glittering.
I leaned in close to his ear, dropping my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Mom told me that after a week of.. well, abstaining... the likelihood of conception is supposedly much higher. All that built-up..."
"I know," he finished, a low rumble of amusement in his chest.
I pulled back, genuinely surprised. "Wait, you knew? Was it.. one of the guys who told you to hold back?"
"Hmm. It came through the proper channels," he chuckled, tracing the outline of my hand on the table. "Demelza told Alex, and he told me. It was actually one of the reasons I was able to make it through the week without absolutely dissolving. That, and the knowledge that every minute was making tonight that much more... explosive."
"Still?.. you remembered, huh?"
He reached over and took my hand firmly. "I don't want us to hurry, my love. But, as we talked about it before, we are married, and it will be a blessing whenever it happens. Whether it's tonight, or next year, it is what it is."
I agreed with him wholeheartedly, though my body had an agenda all its own.
But further talks about our hopeful future were postponed when Zephyr was suddenly taken by his brothers and pulled towards a nearby table full of drinks and very eager friends determined to share a toast with the new husband. Similarly, I was quickly surrounded by kisses and hugs from the women, who plied me with wine and prayers for a healthy baby.
"Stop it! We just agreed... we are not in a hurry. Same as always, it will happen when it happens!"
"Still, Sisi... I'm impressed how you two are able to hold back considering the now eight-day hiatus."
"She is very right, Lylly. Tonight could be the night after so long a wait..." Mother piled on, blissfully ignoring my protests.
Whatever I said went into one ear and out the other, lost in the noise and the wine.
The sudden roar of the crowd stole our attention. Zephyr was being led outside by Alexander and Carlos, quickly followed by Lucian and the ominous guest, Marcus. We walked out with almost everyone else, pushing past the tavern doors.
The outside was cold as hell, the breath puffing from the crowd like steam, but at least there was no fresh snow. The skies were clear, and the stars were bright as ever, perfectly framing the impromptu arena.
I walked to Lucian, gripping his arm. "Did he challenge him? Marcus couldn't wait?"
"Hmm, he couldn't wait, Lady Lylly. Said he has to leave tomorrow morning, heading back to his homeland for a while. He wanted to test himself before he went."
The two men faced each other in a circle carved out of the snow-packed ground. Zephyr stood bare handed, he stretched a little, while his opponent was already spinning his two black daggers with unsettling efficiency, drawing the open admiration of the people, including our daughter, watching this from Alexander's broad shoulders.
Carlos walked in the middle and initiated the battle, clearly relishing the role of referee, laying down a few rules.
"As agreed, Zephyr can't use his Blessing in the first round. It's Martial arts versus Dagger Arts. No death blows allowed. Ready!?"
He waited until both nodded and then clapped once, signalling the start.
Marcus moved with purpose and speed. He stabbed the air repeatedly, but Zephyr avoided the strikes at the last second, a blur of motion. Zephyr locked one of his wrists, pulling it out the side, and kicked the man sharply in the ribs once before letting him go with a quick, amused smile. Zephyr was fighting with a casual indifference, as if he had to fight a child.
To his credit, the creep didn't lose his composure. He took off his coat, lowered his centre of gravity, and waited for my husband to move.
Zephyr took off like an arrow. Despite the cold and slick ground, he ran as if it was on summer ground, sure-footed, losing none of his speed. He closed the distance, and five feet away, he made the all-too-obvious front kick. Marcus, however, was ready. He caught Zephyr's leg, locking it under his arm, and slammed his elbow into my husband's face, knocking him back a step.
Zephyr touched his mouth, seeing the smear of red blood on his hand.
"Hahaha..."
He lifted the tense atmosphere with good-natured laughter. I bet some people thought he might break the rules and unleash his Blessing after getting struck. Despite the cold, he took off his jacket and did a few practice kicks as he measured his opponent's height and range.
Marcus looked happy as well. He laughed with the people and seemed more relaxed now, warming himself, hopping around, showing great footwork. Their white breaths were the only thing that indicated the cold around them.
They clashed again. This time, both arrived at the same time, exchanging blows. Zephyr dodged his dagger and blocked his hits and kicks that were similar to his own.
"It looks like they almost evenly matched," whispered young Lucian, totally absorbed.
Carlos smiled at the scene. "You are wrong, young Lucian. Zeph indulges himself. He could finish this fight whenever he wished. He pulls his punches because it's fun for him."
With my limited training and, well, talent, I couldn't see what Carlos saw. For me, and I guessed the rest of the onlookers, it looked perfectly even... until:
"Stop!... I yield."
Marcus put up his hand, signalling surrender. My love looked disappointed for a second, but it changed instantly to an appreciative smile. He offered his hand in friendship.
"That was great, Marcus... but you held back, friend. You could have pressed your advantage."
Marcus smiled widely. "It's not disrespecting you, Lord, I assure you. It's more like self-preservation. As a wanderer, I can't afford to go all out in case you know..."
Zephyr nodded, understanding. "I took no offence. In fact, I enjoyed myself very much. Thank you, Marcus."
"Those should be my words. I suppose your Blessing might be too much for the current me. Could I see it? Experience it?"
"Sure," Zephyr said.
He stepped beside him and put his hand on the man's shoulder. "Don't panic no matter what happens, and... take a deep breath."
Marcus followed his instructions, and then:
[SWOOSH]
Everyone looked up, but saw nothing.
"Boy... Big brother must've taken him to the clouds," Lucian muttered. He and a bunch of others scanned the night sky constantly.
A few minutes later...
[SWOOSH]
They arrived back, both covered in a fine layer of light snow.
We all rushed the laughing couple.
"Master, did you jump to the sky?" Manata asked breathlessly.
Zephyr shook his head to Manata's question and pointed towards the massive mountain, formerly home to Emet. "We were right up on the top peak."
"Lord Zephyr showed me the most wonderful animal pen and mentioned it's heroic women's tale who built it," Marcus confirmed, his eyes wide with genuine awe this time.
We all smiled, knowing exactly where they were—the place where the Blessed and the unblessed can meet.
I picked up his jacket, annoyed that he'd gone up the mountain in a shirt. "Ahh.. my wife. How did I ever get so lucky," he said, pulling me in.
I put his jacket around his shoulders and heated him and myself up with a few kisses. "Good job, husband."
He shrugged and signalled the crowds to follow us back inside the warm tavern.
Carlos, however, watched them go with a thoughtful expression. "He will be a decent ally... or a fearful enemy."
I looked behind him at Marcus, who was surrounded by a dozen people asking him questions, but who still only watched Zephyr's back. He must have sensed my gaze, though, because he saw me and smiled kindly before turning back to the others.
He was creepy. Why were those eyes shining with almost fanatical madness when looking at my husband?