We finished our fourth glass, killing the bottle, when an elderly man stepped forward with about two dozen others.
"Lord Z-zephyr... my name is Aneas White. First of all, I'd like to thank you... s-saving us, giving us our freedom. May the Great God bless you and your family."
The man's voice was small; it was surprising he spoke up instead of the younger men or women behind him. Zephyr smiled kindly at them. "Don't mention it. Please go on."
The old man shared some nervous glances with the others, but seeing them nod, he turned back to Zephyr.
"We decided to stay. Some of us have family still lost, while others..." He looked toward the people standing furthest away. "...They have trust issues."
I tallied the number: twenty-four, twenty-eight, thirty-four people. A lot more had decided to stay than I thought. Zephyr looked at those standing behind Aneas, who shared distrustful looks and avoided his gaze.
He sighed.
"Very well. As promised, the clothes are yours." He stood up, momentarily frightening some of them, but reached into his pouch and took out his coin purse. "I'll give you all a silver coin each and wish you good luck."
Aneas took the small fortune and bowed deeply. "Thank you, great Lord. We are forever grateful."
"Go in peace." He wore a sad smile.
They left, some giving thanks individually, others saying goodbyes to those who had chosen to stay.
"Don't take it personally, Zeph. Even seeing kindness up close, for some, it's hard to believe."
"I'm not blaming them." He was all smiles, his cheeks slightly red—he still couldn't hold his liquor.
We turned toward the remaining group. An elderly lady, of similar age to Vistellia, stepped forward.
"Great Lord—"
"Zephyr, please." He put his hands up. He could never stand it when people addressed him with such formal reverence.
She smiled timidly but nodded. "As you wish, Zephyr... Kmm... me and my people wish to leave for this village of yours, if you'll have us."
She bowed as much as her age allowed, with the others following. About fifty adults and twenty children—seventy people in total—did the same.
He stepped forward and gently touched the woman's shoulder, smiling kindly. I bet she reminded him of Vistellia, too. "...Can you tell me your name, dear lady?"
She was taken aback, a noble-looking lad calling her "lady."
"S-simone Alan."
"Hmm, Simone. Nice to meet you, and everyone else. The answer is obviously yes. We would love to have you. All of you."
The people exchanged happy looks. They were a long way from home, but now all had the promise of a better future.
"People, next thing: a list of things you might need. This man here..." He reached out and pulled me next to him. "...His name is Carlos, pfft, Julius Em—a noble of this land, you see, and family of mine." He snickered at my middle name, given to me by my great-grandfather.
"His expertly trained soldiers will accompany you toward your new home, with frequent visits from me. I'll explain later." He saw their confused looks; after all, they knew he was Blessed but not his specific ability. "In the meantime, spend tonight in peace. The ladies over there will show you to some of the many... many rooms this wonderful joke—khmm—castle has to offer. Settle in and rest assured no one will harm you. You all have my word."
After one more unnecessary jab, however truthful, the servants led them away. Simone and some others, who must have been her family, were the last to leave.
Once they were gone, he turned to me. "Busy, busy... Here's the plan for tonight and tomorrow."
I smiled at how energetic he was and listened patiently.
"I need you to go get the mask and everything else you want. We'll load most of it with the wagons tomorrow. You decide on security and then find me after dinner. Bring your cousin."
Check. Check. And yes, Heimy check. Yes, Grandmother, yes. Ughh, Ehlite.
He waited for my head to stop bobbing and went on.
"I'll go and talk to your father and make sure the provisions and wagons are all ready tomorrow morning."
He paced back and forth, thinking aloud.
"Then I'll head into the shopping district with your lady mother, buy some souvenirs before we forget them in all the crazy. Then we meet here and head to the other ridiculously large castle..."
"Apostles Palace."
"...Whatever. We celebrate. Well, me... the rest are just words."
It sounded ridiculous, but nothing was ever simple with him.
"Right. I'll go now. Can't wait to leave and see Seline. Also, don't get any jewelry." I stopped him before he turned to find Father. "I'll take care of that."
He smiled and walked away. "Don't empty your family vault too much."
"Just what's needed."
I made my own list. Let's go grab some empty potato sacks.
~
The family vault was built entirely underground. I wasn't exactly sure how long or deep it was, but it required extraordinary engineering skills that only a few today possessed.
"Lord Em."
The guards bowed. I waited until they used their two keys while I pulled out my own. Once all three turned, a distinct smell of stale air and mildew hit our faces.
"Thanks, boys. I won't be long."
I stepped inside and let my torch light some strategically placed sconces to eliminate the darkness. It was the same as I left it: mountains of gold and rare jewels, pendants, rings, necklaces, and every other accessory I could think of. It would have been a beautiful sight, but I knew the history of these items... and they weren't beautiful.
I made my way further in, lighting the torches, revealing the entire space. The vault was fully revealed, large enough to house a lifetime of blood and disgrace. It fit well with the treasures.
I headed toward the dusty displays in the back and lifted the glass top of the one I needed.
The Mask of the Ancient.
It was made of a material for which we didn't have a name, but it was almost indestructible. Flat, with two small holes on each side. Three black lines ran vertically on the white mask, its mouth twisted in a disturbing smile.
It always creeped me out, and to this day, Zephyr hadn't told me why he wanted this and this alone.
I tried it on, looking through its slits and breathing comfortably. It didn't bruise my cheeks; it was smooth and rather nice on the skin. Well, whatever he wanted... personally, that smile on it was like a monster's, but it was his choice.
I grabbed a few bracelets, a few handfuls of gold chains, pendants, and gemstones, and thought about rings as I shoved some fistfuls in the sack. No, not these. For Seline, it will be grandmother's when I pick up Heimy. Offering one to Zephyr would be pointless since he never wanted jewelry of any kind. Maybe for Ciren and Ilianna, the girls probably liked some. Let's take a few more just in case.
I threw in some gold coins—nice to have cash on you.
I picked up some long gold slabs, expertly crafted from gold my family stole from a long-forgotten people. I just wished I could forget them as I slid them inside the sack. Some diamonds, which Zephyr found "useless and dull"—the man had no taste. Lylly and the girls would love these.
I also grabbed some papers, drawings, and scrolls—blueprints, recipes, history, nonsense, which meant nothing to me or anyone. Dead languages, but Ciren loved these. Maps of fantasy lands surrounding Longinus—that will be framed in our house with Seline.
I filled four empty brown sacks that had previously housed vegetables and was ready to leave, but spotted a pair of silver daggers with large sapphires in the pommels. I didn't have any use for them, having my own pair barely used... but why not. Zephyr hated jewelry and lavishly made trinkets. He might like some weapons.
I picked them up as well, placing them carefully inside.
I walked out, happy if I never saw this tomb ever again.
Time for soldiers' detail tomorrow, then Granny and Heimy. Busy, busy...