We let Eleanor walk Veila back and promised to keep the girl's secret from everyone. Eli looked suspicious but left after I promised to tell her later.
"I almost forgot about that creepy tree."
"I know, but it sounds harmless enough—"
"That's not the problem, Dem," I stood up and paced around while thinking. "Why would he send them in the first place? Why pay them in gold for something that costs twenty bronze coins?"
"Calm down. It's pointless to worry. We don't know his intentions, and he didn't tell them either."
I forced myself to listen to the wise words. "Hmm, you're right." I was still nervous but also curious what had happened in Malai. "Let's go and find out about his visit."
We put the fire out and ran in the cold and now dark toward our house.
Inside was almost empty, other than the Martell Boreas twins and Mother, who were talking to one another.
"Hey, did you meet Zephyr along the way?" asked Nifa.
"Huh?"
"He left ten minutes ago to meet the performers properly in the hall," answered Cintia.
We missed each other.
"What did he say?"
We sat down and decided to get the information right away. Nifa took the lead. "Well, the reunification is practically done. First Acolyte Levitan agreed, but... his friends needed convincing."
Well done, my love.
"Carlos must be happy."
Demelza reached over to shake my mother's hand a little.
"He was. Now all that's needed is for the Dharma delegation to reach the city. Although," she looked over at a guilty-looking Cintia, "someone let it slip that a little princess needs to be rescued to another one."
She meant the princess of Dharma, Isabella, I think—to ano... oh no.
"You explained it in detail to my six-year-old!?"
Cintia tried to hide, but not even Nifa played guardian. "I just told her little Isabella's story. It's not my fault she is smarter than the average... and her father can always just say no."
She knew.
"Yes, that's what he's famous for." My little sister had a lot of fun.
Demelza felt the same way. Well, we all did, but Cintia wanted to actively do something about saving the sixteen-year-old from a lifetime of horror she would endure once married to Chensler's disgusting son, Jin, who could be her father.
"Well, good job, Martell. So he agreed, then what happened?" I asked.
"Nothing. He promised to save her. But it will have to wait until the date will probably be set after the reunification in a few weeks' time."
The now permanent blue-haired Nifa comforted her wife with gentle head pats.
Mother appreciated some of her own soup, and her tolerance for spice rivaled my husband's. She asked me between bites, "So, how is the future-telling girl? Is she real or a con artist?"
"We don't know. She said she would do readings after settling in. We should go as well," I said, getting up. I made a pointed look toward Demelza, which was seen by all.
"Why?"
"Well, if she reads Zephyr's future, I want to be there, don't you?" I said, getting up.
They all agreed, and we left our black-as-night house behind.
~
Inside the main hall was... a bit of a party.
"How? They left like, like, lik—"
"Shhhh."
Nifa needed calming as the people were doing cartwheels, back flips, and catching one another; some danced with incredible grace.
The little girl I saw peeking out from the wagon, all cold and miserable, now laughed in my husband's arms along with Anna as he was spinning and dancing to some strange music. It was pipes sticking out of a large bag, and the man playing had quite the fun himself. It was making the strangest sounds, but not unpleasant.
Carlos was sitting in the back, talking with Ceron and his sons, who rhythmically clapped along with the music.
We went toward Alexander, Lucian, and Eleanor, who were in conversation with two ladies holding small knives.
"...No, I'm not that brave. It's not that I don't trust you," Alexander scratched his head, looking nervously at the lightly-dressed duo.
"We won't take offense. Not all men have that kind of bravery without proof first."
"Hello?"
Dame Demelza went and grabbed her husband's arm, being jealous for probably no reason. He was like Zephyr—a one-woman type.
I was busy watching my own husband enjoying himself, dancing well—not with grace, but having a lot of fun with the little kids dancing around him. I waved a little, catching his eye, and he sent a little kiss.
Meanwhile, the twins introduced themselves. "Aim and Mia Monroe."
"Hello all, we are the most accurate knife throwers in all of Insatel." The ladies did a coordinated bow by the time I refocused my eyes on them.
"I'm Eleanor Wold, assistant master and part creator of the Astoria-Wold style martial arts."
Oh, Ehlite... look at Lucian! It was like getting kicked squarely in the nuts.
I was close to laughing but held myself back and quickly turned aside just to be safe.
"Did I hear that correctly? You created your own style of fighting? So young, too."
My sister beamed hearing the compliment. "Well, it's more like I added my style to it. The entire village learned it from my brother-in-law." She pointed at the man who was sitting down now.
He was with a different little woman, Ciren this time, who enjoyed her place with the adults as my Anna played with the new kids, quickly making new friends with the still-mystery girl.
"Ah, Lord Zephyr," one of the performers said dreamily. I didn't like her look, but it was the same with her sister and the rest of the performer ladies. "He is a man without equal. He turned all our awkwardness into frivolity in just a few minutes."
I saw Veila sitting near him and exchanging a few words.
"Excuse me, but I want to hear that." I pointed at the reason, and we made haste there. He might get his future read.
I walked ahead and just heard the rest following, carefully navigating not to disturb a man throwing and catching apples—not three, but five, six, six of them! Incredible talent, for sure.
He saw me coming and patted the place next to him while a narrow-eyed little Ciren smiled victoriously. She was more like an Astoria than an Em—sneaky like us. Unlike her brother, Lucian, who offered his seat to my mother, introducing her to the Monroes.
I took a seat and shared some looks with Veila as the others settled in a large circle around us.
"So, Ms. Monroe, tell me. How does your Blessing work?"
She fidgeted a little, standing before his ice-blue eyes that were dangerous to look into too long. I spoke from experience—they hypnotized you in just a few seconds.
"I—I can see... imagine a picture, Lord, of your future that contains everything that will happen," she took the pencil her uncle offered and drew a large square. "...Now, imagine that it breaks into... thousands of pieces. I can see one or some of them, but not the whole."
She drew lots of lines, creating a lot of small squares and coloring a few black. She probably had to explain many times, because it was crystal clear to understand, even though it sounded absolutely insane.
Zephyr smiled kindly at her. His eyes were ever calculating.