We did a pit stop for the special peppers before heading for Uitla.
For others, this trip would be suicide.
We landed inside the Lentila's Forest, right on the border edge. We entered without announcing ourselves or paying the fee.
The pepper itself grew around the foot of Mount Shanzel, in the shadow of the city of Nerio. In the shade, the cold didn't stick, allowing the vegetable to flourish.
"Are you sure? I mean, people can just take them? No problem?"
He looked skeptical as I filled a small sack. I didn't have space on my body to tie a lot more.
"What do you mean, just take them? We're God knows how high, and the terrain leading here requires climbing part of the mountain. It's not exactly easy."
I knew some people died trying to get these. The danger and, well, the illegality of it all made them very expensive. Lentila authorities didn't look kindly on thieves. Their legendary Queen picked the peppers and put them on the country's banners. They were considered sacred and sold only to Lentila nobility. Those idiots thought the pepper had mystical qualities. Guarding it, however, was impossible.
Troops couldn't make camp, much less survive here. Soldiers placed further down, standing by known entrances, was the most they could do.
"Okay then. I hope we can plant the damn things. Some exotic plants Lylly brought died before they could ever grow and bear fruit."
He knelt down and picked some blood-red peppers, putting them into his own sack next to the coins.
The forest all the way up here was the most peaceful place I had ever been. It made me wonder how beautiful and calming it must be in the summer.
"What about those yellow fruit ones? With the divine juice?" I remembered them from last summer; they were delicious and filling.
"They were replanted ten miles from their original habitat. Manata said they'd be growing fruit in a year or so."
We picked our fill and then some.
"If these peppers are so amazing, if not all that spicy, how come only the manky bartender sells them at that Inn?" he asked after a few minutes.
Savage. These peppers were the fire god Tuz's fingers, according to some people.
"Uitla is perfectly placed ten miles from three nations. It's cold as balls, but they're also the only ones in possession of it. Merchants from Lentila stop there first. Malai hardly had any over the years I've been there."
And when they were available, they cost as much as a horse for a single dried and carefully de-seeded pepper. Lentila had laws against selling them with the seeds. Those people guarded their fruit and vegetables like they were gold. I suppose some cost as much. Rare things will always cost more.
~
[SWOOSH]
The Cold Horse was as unfriendly as we left it.
It was dark outside, but it was only late afternoon, so there were more people on the streets and inside here as well.
"Peril! The usual, if you have it!" I asked with a smile.
The man was so unpleasant yet made delicious food. He grumbled as if we paid in promises and left for the back. A young girl, Eleanor's age, took his place behind the bar.
She nodded toward me and turned to Zephyr. "Haven't seen someone like you around here."
He looked up with his signature smile. "No one has, darling."
"Hmm, hehe. Anything I can get you?" she asked, as if she hadn't heard his boast a few seconds ago.
"Just tea. Thank you."
She wobbled away like a drunkard.
"Lylly one day will kill you," I took off my coat and stretched my back. "Jealousy is a hell of a thing, Zeph."
He furrowed his eyes, shaking his head. "She knows I'll never see others as her. She is the one."
Yeah. All the same.
Look at what happened in Dharma just a few days ago. He managed to charm and influence, making a deep impression on almost all the women who had a hand in running the country.
The blonde barmaid returned with two steaming hot teas and bowed before leaving. She stood ten feet away, making eyes over here while cleaning glasses.
"It's done. We are almost home. I wonder how mad they are?"
He looked stressed hearing me but tapped his bags. "I bought enough strange toys, sweets, and jewelry to appease them. What did you bring?"
I had told him about the jewelry, but whatever. He kicked my sack, causing people to look over, hearing the sound of coin. Hope nobody is an idiot.
"Well, you're not the only one returned with presents. Rings, bracelets, the diamonds you hate—"
"Bloody useless. Why is there no color?"
"—food recipes, blueprints for buildings also." I ignored his taste and talked about something now feasible with so many people. "...The stone quarry a few miles away could help us build better houses, roads, bridges. It's endless."
"Alright. More work it is... in spring." He nodded.
He never talked about it, but working the way he did was already legendary. People talked about his endless stamina and inspiring work ethic. Building almost fifty houses was one thing, but to build them that fast and that well was an amazing feat. It demonstrated what I saw the first time Seline took me around.
Emet village was united and happy, far removed from the horrors of the world, and it was all thanks to him. Honestly, everyone told me he didn't even try. He just gently guided them. A leader, and yet he never once mentioned it, not even in our time here.
"So soon after their wedding, others in your position would take time to rest... spend time with the family."
He looked confused. "I'm always with my family. That's the rest."
I acknowledged his heart by raising a glass of sweet tea.
"Let us drink to our family. May all of us find joy in this world."
"To our family, brother. "
~
Emet now actually looked like a small city from above. The walls and towers were small, but they really made the difference.
[SWOOSH]
( THUD. )
We landed near the Sen River. I had learned enough and rolled with him before springing back up, shaking my arms and legs, spilling some of our contents around.
I threw the sacks on the ground and groaned loudly. "Damn it. My back is killing me—"
He looked at me, bent over, with burning fire in his eyes. "My bad. Next time, I'll do better."
Oh shit.
"No! No, no! Khmm, damn! We are home!" I quickly picked up the missing things, mostly papers and some peppers.
There was no fanfare since we were almost a day late, and it was late at night. Landing inside without anyone noticing anything proved once again he could infiltrate even a place perfectly aware of his power, not to mention small, with ease.
We had only stopped once all day, just to eat something, and he grabbed me until we saw the village. I looked toward Seline's house, but it was dark.
"Come, I'll bet you anything they're worried sick and all at your house."
He smiled and got his second wind.
We made our way to a well-lit, beautiful house. I mean, it was wood, but I promised myself I'd make mine with Seline the exact same way, down to the last stud.
One thing was different. "I guess Lylly changed its color to black, huh?" I asked once confirmed.
The place now blended in with the night. If not for the torches lit outside and the light through the window, it would be perfect camouflage.
"Or... Anna did. We're truly home, Em." His smile spread.
"Thank God."
Now, what had happened to them?