173. Blessed Springtime. *

March arrived and the snow finally disappeared. The trees became alive and the smell of nature which got suffocated for months returned, delighted us all.

As someone who loved snow more than others, I was just as happy as the rest seeing the ground again, the river flowing, the animals returned and birds singing more and more.

Zephyr was away to escort our new residents who were just a day away.

The houses needed some final touches but we helped with the cleaning and Carlos soliders and maids, stable boy etc..enjoyed it well enough.

Most of the people included all the soliders now worked on the Monroe company houses who put off entertainment until they were settled. With the 50 well trained soliders added it sped up the building exponentially.

We were all extremely excited waiting in the morning of their arrival.

The village done what it could for them we just hoped it will show. Food, drinks were set up enough for an army, Zephyr left them coins and set them up well but all the same inside and in front of the tavern were dozens of tables filled with cold and hot foods, drinks of all kinds.

Outside our backyard we had some shooting practice.

" I bet they be distrustful first. " - said mother.

She appreciated Carlos caresses while we were finishing up with our training.

" It can't be helped..but they all chose to come, Zeph offered it to them and believe or not about 30 or so stayed behind knowing what they know. " - he told us with disbelief.

Carlos being the only one there that day plus being a long time resident of Dharma had a better understanding than anyone else.

Zephyr told me how inhumane he found the slave markets and how disturbing and despicable to own one another in this world.

I knew Malai had them but never went there and never wanted to...Zephyr admit it himself. We can't save everyone..let's save those we're able.

Talking about the city.

" I talked to your head maid last night, Isa .. and she told me about that killer and the new curfew. " - I said to Carlos.

" The locals named him Night since people only disappeared then but yes..curfews, soliders roaming the streets, businesses getting ruined and people losing faith in Mai to catch him. "

It sounded so strange..people disappeared that was normal..but the quality of them and amount was scary. No coin or protection kept those souls alive.

" If he is such a problem why the Lord just ask you to deal with him? "

Carlos turned around and answered to Demelza.

" He doesn't trust me..or he knows the person. " - he answered.

""" What? """

With sad smile he explained. " I'm not going into details but, he is a depraved man who enjoys all kinds of unsavoury things..one of his confidant might be taking his opponents of the map one by one."

That sounded simple enough to be believable.

" Or..he might be absolutely clean of this..that's the thing. No one knows. But, it won't be long before the people fears reach a boiling point. "

" What do mean? " - I asked.

At this point we all just listened to him enjoyed the rising temperatures.

" It's easy to destabilise a population with fear. The people will take heads eventually if, they can't take the killers. " - he explained how things work in a large society.

I could just imagine being afraid to leave your house at night, living in constant fear unable to lead a normal life.

Yes people would start looking for someone to blame.

" It matters not.." - he smiled and pulled my mother in for a big kiss. " We live far removed from those horrors. "

He was right of course. Emet had very skilled defenders and with the new people we pushing almost 400 residents or more.

We went in and mother joined Miranda making lunch while we waited with already hungry eyes.

Luckily the wagons filled with supplies came back yesterday, they were late because of the excess security in Malai and sheer amount of what they brought.

Our pantry was filled along with many others not to mention the tavern which suffered shortages for a few weeks now.

Ciren helped granny with a lot of things. With her she could have her recipes and secret put on paper for prosperity.

She fit right in..her blonde hair was now seemed permanent and Zephyr was right about mine.

My shoot improved and got my confidence back.

Now hitting moving targets wasn't just happening randomly.

" If it goes like this I bet we have to start more classes. " - Saam tried his best to arouse his brother's interest.

" Why? " - asked Fipna, he didn't sound enthusiastic. But did talked more and more lately.

" The residents coming today...also Emet bound to expand..we should start charging people. "

Fipna perked up a little but looked at the three of us.

" It's fine..in fact we insist. " - I shared some quick looks with Dem and Eli. " Right? "

After conforming with them all was left is actually price others could afford. I had an idea.

" We pay. Me and Zephyr..the coin is a disturbing amount and we have no idea what we do with it..it's pointless. " - I veered off at he end.

Turns out bronze,silver, gold...having sex on coins only sounded great in theory, in reality it was a cold and uncomfortable experience..also a nightmare to gather them.

" So...yeah." - I ignored the poking of Demelza who also tried it but unlike me, loved it. " So just tell me and I'll pay you. "

" Very generous, thank you Lylly. Will..Zephyr be .."

He let the words hung there.

" He wanted to bury some and melt some, gave some away anyway most of his ideas are useless. " - I said listing my husband ideas for the gold.

We had no ...real ideas what to spend it on.

We both had some, like the great one mine, to hire professionals actors and send for builder from Malai to teach the company so they could put on an even better show .. and there was his, of seeing how far we can throw them...

I admit it was fun chuking them away but..it was altogether wasteful and maybe a little insane..he was lazy to find them all..but it gave me and idea for the children competitions which we were struggled with.

It was The Founders Keepers.

We hide some valuable things around the entire village for children to search and find...toys, candies, and why not some coins as well?

I haven't the time to tell anyone since it happened this morning while admired the now evergreen scenery.

By the time lunch was eaten Alexander came in.

" They're here..come you have to see this..its like a real army. "

It was time. Let meet our new neighbour's.