Eleanor informed everyone about the meeting with the help of her still-just-boyfriend, Lucian, who, despite the time spent together, hadn't formally asked for her hand yet. Mother might get there first.
The now proud soldier numbers pushed around seventy-five, including the women who joined late. I deserved to take some credit, being the only one, along with my daughter, who actually trained in the months leading up to this point.
Other than the soldiers, our family was all there, almost reaching the capacity of the tavern.
"People, thank you all for coming. It's late, so I'll be brief. In about two weeks' time, seventy-plus new residents will arrive from Dharma. They've fallen on hard times... They were slaves." We all waited patiently until the murmurs stopped.
"I myself purchased them, and those coming decided to accept my offer to live here. Now, I know this will be a challenge. But no harassment, different treatment, or anything that I myself find intolerable will be punished severely."
The soldiers around gulped, seeing him so serious.
"Don't think this is harsh or unwarranted. The same words were told to the soldiers who decided to escort them here. The same words will be told to anyone deciding to join us in the future. The soldiers... Carlos?" he said, handing the floor to Carlos.
The man himself got up and addressed the crowd. "I asked my own family's soldiers if they desired a better life. They did. All of them are well-trained and well-warned, just like everyone. I hope we can all get along and accept each other in time."
He kept it brief and sat back down.
"Thank you. I suppose we all make our peace with the changes coming. But these people, dear friends, they know little other than abuse and inhuman treatment most of their lives." Zephyr got up and walked to the front of the table. "I want them to have homes, dreams, a community. The project a lot of you asked about before... is living quarters for them," he explained.
With the people getting a more comprehensive view of the new building craze, a lot of them nodded along when they understood.
"The work is long and cold... but there is also good news." He nodded toward Lucian and Manata, who held large sacks. "I want to give each and every one in the village a gold coin. Hush now."
He held his arms up and quieted the stunned crowd.
"Take them. All who refuse will get their ass kicked by me. This is nothing... a little thank you. Not for the work we are about to do, but the work and love I myself received since my arrival. The same will be given to each new resident of this village," he said, sweeping the room with a grateful smile.
The proud men and women gathered had never held wealth like that. Before his arrival, the annual coin they made was a few silvers each, if that. Some admired the large golden coins, placing it in their palms, weighing it, smelling it, rubbing it, and such.
"Put those away and pay attention!" Deputy Leader Alexander redirected the crowd's attention to my husband, who shot a grateful smile toward his big brother.
"Now, with that out the way, I'll give over to a lady you all love... and use her services." He saw some unnatural colors in the crowd. The plain black and brown gave way for blondes, redheads, and suspicious shades of blue, like their leader's hair.
Nifa waved at her loyal customers and stood up.
"Soon spring arrives, and since our little peaceful hamlet will soon double in size, and that will continue to rise in the future," she looked at a confused Zephyr already sat back down. "I want to invite a few trusted individuals who understand business and can help us expand."
The people loved that. With the tavern and Olaf's smithy being the only actual establishments, people still had very little to do or had the opportunity to make more coin consistently since Malai was the place to sell their products or services.
"Excellent idea, Lady Nifa." Milo from the front row stood up and spurred the people even further.
"Maybe we can have something like Jardone?"
"I'd love to open my own shop and sell my accessories."
"A proper weapon shop, and little Penelope can sell her clothes."
"Maybe Lady Vistellia can sell her ointments and remedies."
"Maybe a theatre! The Monroe company could help with the stories, and some of us can act it out alongside them," said Moritz, looking for equally enthusiastic people in the crowd.
With universal approval, her idea passed. Moritz showed an unexpected passion we never knew existed.
"Alright, on to the next point on the agenda. You all know about the stone quarry a mile or so near the mountain," Zephyr started. I remembered the place. We never had the manpower or the know-how to mine it ourselves. "This year, we will start to mine it and use what's gained to build roads, new buildings, and, most importantly... another wall around the one already in place."
The people were super loyal, but even they got spooked about the amount of work that was to come.
Zephyr laughed at the despondent crowd. "Take it easy, people. It's not something we need to worry about now; it's just something we need in the future. We have a lot on our plates." He walked ahead again, hopping on top of the table.
"Once the houses are finished, with help from all of us, we can welcome our new residents with something I believe you will all enjoy." he said with a large smile.
The crowd patiently waited, his smile spreading, seeing them holding their breaths.
"A friendly competition, of course. The very first Martial Tournament of Emet!" he announced, sending the room into a buzzing hive.
Even at our own table, we didn't know about this. The Monroe sisters' display must have given him some ideas. The mostly battle-ready soldiers loved it and already proclaimed victory over some of their friends.
"Zeph, that's a brilliant idea." Carlos was already up from his seat with the rest of the men, and Eli was among them as well.
"It gets better..." he said, turning back to the crowd. He lifted his hands, quieting the hyped future participants.
"The tournament will be as follows," he counted on his fingers.
"A one-on-one, no weapons allowed."
"A two-on-two, with similar rules—martial arts only, friends."
"An archery competition, both advanced and novice."
"A display of talents; anything our people consider one will be judged by a qualified trio of my choosing."
"For our weapons enthusiasts, a simulated war with a chaotic game of CAPTURE, my own creation, and last but not least..." he looked at Mother particularly.
"...A cooking competition, to finally, once and for all, crown the best and celebrate the least appreciated artists of our beautiful home."
How does he come up with these new and wonderful things?
"The games will span over a ten-day period and culminate in a grand celebration marking our new annual tradition," he continued. He let another round of murmurs die down.
"Those who come in third or second of each group will receive lots of gold as compensation. The champions will receive whatever they wish. As long as it is within my powers, I will fulfill those requests," he said with a serious expression.
The silence was deafening. The prizes of gold were already good enough, but the champions would receive so much more.
Brilliantly thought out and planned, my love. Well done.