"After we're done, Zeph, let's head out so we make the north-most town of Uitla by nightfall. From there, it's just a few hours the next day," Carlos leaned forward to face him.
"We also need more layers," Zephyr looked at himself and shook his head. "Otherwise, we need to make frequent stops. I would kill for something waterproof."
"We can do research when we arrive using my family's library."
"Using my family library... shut up! Can't stop, won't stop bragging."
"How dare yo—"
"Alright, boys," Mother put her hands up and then pointed to the side, seeing the elders coming in single file. "You can discuss it on the road. It's about to start."
The few council members who still played active roles were really just three out of ten: Granny Vistellia, her replacement Menir, who already took over some of the weddings, and a kind old lady called Myma, whose role dealing with sacrifices and tributes was now thankfully moot.
It was easy to get along in Emet, not hurting or stealing from others, if the alternative was a frightening army of fanatics able to kill you with nothing but a few well-placed kicks. We were united and hoped to remain so.
Menir shared some nervous looks with Granny and then stood up to address the full house.
"Welcome all," he put his hands forward, a gesture that reminded me of Granny. He looked sweaty, which was understandable considering the reason we gathered. "Our meeting today concerns the future... umm... leadership of Emet village."
He looked back at Granny and the other council members, who were only there for show now, and they waived him to continue.
Zephyr narrowed his eyes and searched for the elders' gaze, who suddenly found other things—like the ceiling, their shoes, or their hands—much more interesting.
"Without further w-wait... let's hear the n-name of the council's..."
Zephyr stood up, walked forward, and tapped him out. Menir walked back to his seat, visibly relieved.
Zephyr turned to the first row of people and smiled kindly, which was a bad sign right from the get-go.
"Clever stuff... you knew!?" Interestingly, he zoomed in on Carlos, who just shook his head in denial.
"I see..." After confirming it, he addressed the crowd. "Thank you for your... vote of confidence. I'll promise to do my best and live up to it."
Even those not close to him were shocked. His family was more shocked than others. I was honestly ready for hours of speeches and riveting stories to finally convince him, but he just accepted it, cutting off all the political maneuvering.
After the people's brains allowed them to react, they all cheered and shouted, surrounding their new leader. He shook a lot of hands and hugged a lot of others, so we had time to talk it over... sort of.
"So... this is interesting."
"It's freaking terrifying, is what it is."
"Explain yourself, Carlitos."
"I will travel with him near the clouds for days..."
"Oh... okay."
"No, seriously... Lylly, say something!"
I listened to them but kept my eyes on him. He didn't act or play games. He probably saw this coming a mile away and prepared long ago.
"Dad knew," Anna stated.
"She is right... big brother knew," Ciren confirmed.
We looked at the girls sitting in the very middle of the row. I caressed Anna's head. "He told you, Princess?"
"Hmm... he said he will bring sovereigns for me."
"It's souvenirs, Ili... and he said he'll bring me some too."
We looked back to the man who smiled at the two girls who joined him soon after, sitting on the table as he took a seat at the middle chair of the now empty table.
It took some time, but all found themselves sitting again, and we waited for the now table of three: the leader and the two children.
"With this out the way," he specifically gave me a condescending smile. "As some of you might know, I'll be leaving with our friend Carlos for his homeland in just a few hours."
He tapped Ciren's shoulder, who handed him some papers. "Thank you, Master..."
He read its content to himself and then told us his plans for security.
"Once gone, Alexander, as deputy leader, will take charge for defense and assign those manning the wall."
Alexander stood up and asked with a small but confident smile, "You sure...?"
"Of course I am. Lucian!?"
Lucian stood up as well. "Yes?"
"You will take over training. You will create your own style of approach, take what you already learned... now build on it."
"I won't let you down, Big Brother." He bowed with a serious expression, gaining another title: Master Lucian.
"I know you won't. Revels? I need you to take over the archers and retrain them into your image. Now, I know..." he put his hand up before they could say something. "...You might leave at any given time and... blah blah... my god it's boring... it doesn't matter! You will do it or sleep in the forest, deal?"
They nodded unceremoniously, and he moved on.
"Dear sister, Demelza... you will take over the tavern with the help of Seline, will you?"
Demelza was shocked. "U-until you come back?"
"No. Take over with Mother for good. I think you two will be great at it. I trust you two completely."
"Hmm... thank you, Brother."
"I'll do my best, Son."
"Lylly, you will stick close to those two playing hard to get and soak up everything you can from them with the others who pick up the bow."
He finally told me my priorities, which were more or less my thoughts. "Understood."
He raised himself and walked to the front of the table, sitting up between the two girls and addressing all.
"People, we faced the last few months together and accomplished more, and faster than, I ever thought possible... yet our hardest days are still ahead."
He gave a grim reminder that once the snow melted, our fates would be tied once again to external forces we cannot control.
"Yet now more than ever, I believe we will be able to face those days. After all," he smiled at Nifa and Cintia, who sat with us. "...our family is still growing steadily, and hopefully, it will continue to do so."
The girls locked hands with each other and laughed happily, being considered family after such a short stay, and not just by him—by all of us.
"Remember, people... Better, every day."
The people's leader spoke for the first time, reminding us once again that his mind and his actions are still as unpredictable as ever.