131. " Trusted Brothers. " *

The pope and his guards soon left placing a kiss on Zephyr cheeks signifying family status. It was all too unbelievable.

I almost forgot about my happy feelings and they were less than 30 minute ago.

Now what?

We waived them off promised to see them tomorrow night. He wanted his new little brother inside the Apostles palace and invite every noble including the puppet king and family to attend ..a celebration in his name.

" Lord Zephyr we thank you for indulging His holiness and us alongside with him."

Father smiled a winner's smile. As the architect of this he landed in a very favourable position as the man introduced him and responsible for this little extension of our trip.

Damn you.. I could be leaving in a few hours if not for your hungry interference.

" Please..it was my pleasure." - Zephyr smiled politely and then turned to me. " Carlos how did it go? "

I woken up by his clear voice. " It went well..she signed. "

I pulled out the wrinkled paper, handed to him.

Reading it his smile grew. " I'm happy for you Em. "

" Than..

" How wonderful indeed. Carlitos unfortunately her parents will arrive sometimes tomorrow so we can't avoid them on Zephyr celebration. But don't you worry. I handled it. Make sure they seated far away from us."

She looked uncharacteristically enthusiastic.

I haven't see her this happy or excited for a long time.

" I'll will leave it to you Ma..Zephyr let us retire you must be chuffed. "

" Hmm..Rico, I must rely on you and your good taste for clothes and such..sorry about the inconvenience. "

Father hushed him. " Don't you worry my boy. It shall be done..Julia, let's send for Shilian and his sister. " - he called for the most expansive tailors and my mother went immediately to make sure they arrived in time.

" Now go you two..rest and enjoy being home. "

I walked away behind Zephyr pretty confident he meant those words mostly for him.

At least thanks this littl development my divorce meant nothing now. The Anolas were only important in certain circles but this guy?..He was important in all of them.

Once far from the main castle. " How did that happen!? "

He peeked back shaking his head.

" I was ambushed while looking for food..this damn place is like a maze and your mother ... it's like she knew where, I was exactly. This whole place is just spooky if you ask me. "

He walked along nonchalantly..does Lylly have to live this?

" I meant you and..

" We touched the clouds.."

He did mention touching God..so he took the Pope flying. It explains somethings.

" ..after that he was kind and loving like a long lost big brother, your father by the way.. " - he stopped suddenly and shook head again but this time with some amusement. " I can almost respect his cunning mind. These people are easy to please thank God.." - he snorted not even hearing how ridiculous what he was saying.

Touching the clouds? The pope of a nation acting as a long lost family member? Easy..?

I saved the other questions on the account of the cold and waited until we both sat down comfortably in the golden house.

He was only in a black sweater, matching pants and boots, playing with his necklace he treasured very, very much.. the Revel brothers made fun of it before they knew him and found themselves very close to ..touching God.

" Forgive me, my love... " - he closed his eyes asking Lylly for forgiveness a thousand mile away.

He snapped open his eyes. " Go.."

" What now? "

It was the most important question after all. Does he plan something?

" We will spend a lovely night and leave the next morning.. don't look at me like that. " - he put away his necklace and pointed at the bag. " Give it..I'm starving and only had that dreadful wine. "

I handed the our bag over and waited until be was munching on mazzepan he loved so much. Lylly made sure he had plenty.

" I had no choice..you told me not to offend these mans names in front of people. What, I'm supposed to do when you father shoves him in my face? "

I leaned back somewhat relieved. Victim of circumstance.

" I'm sorry..but, I did..

" I know..warned me. It might be useful to have a powerful ' Brother ' like him, he might be a monster and comes from a whole line of them but.." - he layed down the couch with his feet hanging and made himself comfortable. "..nevertheless he has an army of fanatics and worshippers who do anything he commands. That's useful.."

True enough having someone like that as a ' brother ' is preferable than being his enemy.

" Still you played the part very well..fooled them all. How does someone pretend like that? "

I found his performance theatre worthy.

He was as friendly and easygoing when he was home surrounded by our family.

" I told you...pleasing them is easy. A few flattering words, then show them something they never saw and they become fans. After that is just careful repeat of the same things just in smaller doses. "

Cold, calculating..he understood what was needed and when.

He disliked these people as much as I do but also saw opportunity in them and had the means to exploit it.

In times of war..having the spiritual leader of a nation at your back and call is handy.

But again it was only achievable if we talk about Zephyr.

His looks, charms, power and soft spoken, easy going character allowed to befriend and if necessary use others by manipulation or if he must violence to his benefit.

Family is all...his way of life was easy to understand and to fell in love with the senses of belonging those words carried.

It might sound empty or naive ideology for some but if someone like Zephyr meant it..you never feel fear again as long as he consider you such.

I layed down myself slowly exhaling the nervous breath held since I saw those archers surrounding my families castle. " I'm glad you think ahead. But,

I doubt Viego will help us against them. He moves to marry the Kings daughter to secure peace forever. Soon Dharma and Insatel will be uniting as one "

" Who said we need his help? I said he will be useful..he mentioned something about an that engagement and how urgent it is before Karta attacks them instead, they need a strong alliance. "

I sat up smelling something. " So you do have a plan? "

" Chensler has two blessed with him right? The fire guy and the healer? "

I got confused..I told him about those details months ago . " Yes..the fire guy is strong opponent by nature of his blessing and women is just as talented as Viego with healing. As long as you not dead she'll bring you back."

Those two are the main reasons why some sort of direct assault would never work on that cockroach.

He was well protected and and kept alive as long as he was breathing. They never left his side.

" We just need him to leave, Tetra right? Don't you think his son's engagement party held here in Dharma? Would be enough to make him move?"

" Why would he agree to held it here? "

" What if the church demands it? Just like here..in Insatel their presence is large enough even if not by force. "

" That's sounds great.." - I felt the sarcasm coming because he didn't knew the priest of Ehlite at home and how corrupt their first acolyte was. " ..why would the church demanded it? Viego hates them..and the first acolyte."

They both believe themselves the one closest to Ehlite and refuse to acknowledge one another.

His smiled though..confidant as ever.

" Leave that to me. Let us bring the faithful of two nations together and rejoice. " - he put his hand together and turned his head towards me. " Uniting them should be easy..since first acolyte Levian is already a .. ' trusted brother' of mine."

" Y-you..him!..h-how do you got so close him!? "

He looked back up the ceiling adorned with gold flowers. " I told you...pleasing them is easy. "