"Please listen carefully. I'll require some thirty men willing to escort my friend's new purchase."
I had called a battalion of men to ensure we had enough volunteers.
"Those willing will be well compensated, not just by me, but by Zephyr as well. This is a very important mission for him, meaning it's a very important mission for me!"
The soldiers reacted in different ways. Some nodded, others were barely paying attention, and yet some, especially those in the front rows, were brimming with excitement.
"The journey is a cold and dangerous one, but it will be supervised by Zephyr. For those who know about his ability, you understand how easy such a thing is for him. Also..."
I swept my gaze over the men assembled before me. I genuinely wanted some of these people to have a better life. The village needed men who knew how to fight, and adding them to my own people back in Malai would be a significant boost for Emet.
"Once you arrive, you'll be given a choice: to stay. To start new lives amongst great people. Are there any volunteers?"
The sheer amount of hands reaching for the sky was far more than I had anticipated. But I had offered, and I would take responsibility.
"Good. Those who've decided, be ready by tomorrow morning. Bring your families and say your goodbyes. Those who wish to tag along just for security? Do the same. Be here tomorrow. Dismissed!"
They left in an orderly manner, and I turned toward our head butler.
"Hilfred, I need you to organize some clothes for tonight's celebration, then find Zephyr and offer your help. He'll need assistance with the freedmen."
"As you wish, young Lord."
I made my way to the stables, counting along the way. One hundred and sixty-some current residents, plus the seventy we were bringing... fifty soldiers, plus my own household with their families. The population would nearly triple in just a few weeks. We would manage.
~
My grandmother lived about an hour away. I needed to make haste, get the ring, and bring Heimy back to make it by the afternoon.
Irina Fedoriva 'Gilly' Em, the richest woman in Dharma. Her estate was smaller than ours but infinitely more stylish. If I weren't pressed for time, I would have loved for Zephyr to spend time with her.
"Julius? Are you back!? When?"
"Gilly, you look lovely."
She was sitting in her comfortable armchair, caressing little Jack in her lap, a trusted if somewhat ugly dog. She had a little more grey hair than the last time I saw her, but her eyes were sharp as ever. Tall, like all the women in my family. Proud, but neither arrogant nor morally bankrupt like her son and his wife.
I kissed her cheek and made myself comfortable while her paid maids—she detested slavery—brought me lavender honey tea.
"Tell me... did you rescue Juan?"
Gilly was the only person in my family who truly believed me.
"I didn't... yet. But I found allies to help me."
She took a few deep breaths and waved the maids away.
"That ally of yours must be extraordinary to offer any assistance. So why did you come back? Surely not for the celebration of that foreign Child of Ehlite? Dreadful obligation parties like this will be the death of me."
She lived disinterested in the comings and goings of the world unless it directly involved her family.
"He is my ally, named Zephyr Astoria. I entrusted him with my dream." I finished my tea quickly, wishing the maid had stayed so I could ask for more.
Gilly looked intrigued.
"Well, I'll see him for myself tonight. Alright then, I'll give—why you came?"
I held up two fingers. "One: I want Heimy to meet Zephyr before we leave. And second: Gilly, I divorced Yelena. It's done."
"Good for you! I couldn't stand the woman!" She let me know exactly how she felt, as she did with everyone. There was no need to fear deception with her; what you saw was what you got. "Tell me, who is she? The one?"
"I believe so. Her name is Seline, and she is Zephyr's mother-in-law. He married her eldest daughter," I explained.
"I want to meet her, obviously," she stated.
"Obviously, Gilly. But first, I need the yellow ring."
She smiled brightly. "Nora!"
The damn lunatic made me jump.
Nora, a timid but shapely woman, ran inside, stumbling slightly before regaining her posture unnaturally fast.
"Lady Irina... I'm here."
Gilly shot me a look, but who cared? "Bring me my engagement ring from the vault."
Nora looked at me the entire time but ran away to fulfill her orders.
"Your gaze is injuring my help, as always. Are you sure this time?"
"I am. And thank you for saying no when I asked for it for the Anolas." I sighed, thinking back. If not for her, that snake would have worn the Sun Ring of Em.
"Well, you do look different... happier." She scanned me and released poor Jack, who promptly ran away. "I find myself looking forward to meeting this man who has affected your destiny: Zephyr."
"You won't be disappointed."
Nora returned with heavy footsteps and handed Gilly a small red metal box.
"Thank you, Nora dear. That's all now."
She pouted a little but took her shapely figure away.
"What!?" I met Gilly's narrowed eyes. "I appreciate beauty in all its forms."
"That Seline must be a saint of Ehlite to put up with this... Anyway, here." She grumbled and handed me the box.
I took it but didn't open it yet. "Gilly, where is Heimy?"
He was clearly away, but the location was the question.
"I sent him away to Liben, down south. The weather is much more forgiving, and he enjoys the ocean air."
Damn it. Maybe if we had time, we could go before tomorrow.
I nodded and opened the box to reveal the Sun Ring of Em: a large, pear-shaped yellow diamond surrounded by dozens of tiny ones. It was otherworldly. It would be a perfect match for Seline's golden hair. I would have to finesse things myself, but this summer would be magical.
"Gilly, thanks for this. I'll see you at tonight's celebration."
"Yes. Make sure to pick me up with that man... What? Might as well go together."
That meant an extra hour of travel, but how could I possibly argue after she gave me something priceless?
"Alright, we'll pick you up. I guess we can go with a carriage."
"Of course, we're going with horse-drawn carriages. How else would we go?" she asked, as if talking to Jack.
"I don't have time, Gilly. We'll see you tonight."