140. New Plans, Better Ones. *

We walked home after sending a sleepy Gilly home with a carriage promised to check in with her before we go, in just a few hours.

" Nicely done.. again.."

" Yeah...ahhhhh.." - he was yawning in his new uniform. " ..thanks.. again. "

" I can't believe you allowed those soliders to be violated for their armour. "

He looked exactly like a holy archer now.

He played with the half cape. " This is one of the best gift, I've received..and it's not my fault the first ones pants and boots didn't fit me. That ridiculous suit was uncomfortable.."

Once mentioned he likes them, Viego called for a full setup but got impatient and ordered the soliders to give up their armour.

Two poor souls shared the shame and lost their top and bottom half respectively in private and Zephyr walked back in with them.

He tried some moves in them even now.." We will steal this exact design, it's light, comfortable and 100% made for footwork. "

His looked like a dancer of some kind changing stances hands up and down for balance.

" Its easy enough..we just kidnap some blacksmith here and they teach it to Olaf.."

" We make this priority.."

My joke will cause some poor blacksmith some very scary experience, If the artisans can't figure it out at home.

" Still...Viego, down. How you going deal with First acolyte Levitan? "

" His cooperation is assured..mostly. "

" When you're going tell me? "

" When, it's done. Once home, and pleasing my wife for a few days .. I will secure his approval one way or another and the reunification date will be set once Viego own envoys who join our future people for a while reach Malai in some weeks time.

One way or another huh?.. he will bribe, sweet talk or possibly go as far as I did and hurt him, if he have too.

He stopped moving and smiled looking up the slowly changing colours of night to day.

" What about you? " - he still looked at the moons.

I didn't need to ask. " Now, I'm free...and can finally pursue her. "

" Tchtch..stop with long courting nonsense...Seline has waited enough. If you're not official in a week..

I take some of your manhood.."

Cocky, unreasonable..bloody right.

" I know.. her affections are clear as a summer waterfall..it was me who was hesitant. It's time to set things right. "

He tapped my shoulder as walked towards my family house. " I'm proud, you had more resolve than, I thought. This trip turned out just the thing for all of us.."

" Won't Lylly be mad for us staying a day? "

" She would be mad anyway for some reason..God, I miss her. "

We walked passed the saluting guard who looked fresh, probably just started their shifts.

" Is there a point sleeping..I mean the new residents will be up in just a few hours.. "

I walked inside the gold house behind him and saw the sun rising on the horizon.

" Not much..we should eat. I feel a little nauseous. "

" You didn't eat anything? " - I waved to the closest guard outside and took of my jacket.

He layed down armour and all. Never tried one but he loves it..I should get a set before leaving.

" I was entertaining high society..they kept offering drinks. You all a bunch of alcoholics. "

" What else to do for fun in this world? "

He smiled but soon enough it changed into frustration. " It's called roleplaying Em and I haven't done any for too long. "

He never told details but sometime traumatised by whatever they are doing at night. Well for one thing there is no one more satisfied then he is in the morning.

I wonder what kind of play they doing.

Soon the servant girls who made sure to always stay near Welma and silent one Sien arrived bowing politely.

" Evening ladies. Please inform the chefs to start early and cook everything this nation founds delicious..no chocolate on anything. "

" Right away, Lord Em. "

" Finally! " - he undone some of his top armour underneath a tight white leather covering his chest.

" I'm really curious about the selection. "

I took a seat and poured some water for the both of us. " Nothing to ponder there...I'll have the same chefs in my household. "

" Yay.."

He had no taste.

——

We ate like animals.

Soups, a whole roasted chicken , steamed and raw vegetables, cheese, bread, eggs.

It helped us sober up and by the end we ate enough for five.

Gathered our small things and the five sacks filled to the brim. " By the way here the mask."

I fished it out from the bottom and handed over to his new owner. " Nice..she's gonna love this. "

" Anna? "

" Lylly. "

I smiled turning back towards the door. Of course it wasn't even for himself.

Lylly will love this ..like anything he gets her.

Outside the cold was ever present. How I wish for mother spring to arrive.

10 brand new wagons and the 40 horses were all waiting. Some of the people feed the animals and waived nervously towards us.

" Good..your father is sure generous. "

I seeing all that.." Generous my ass. You have no idea how much gold and support you secured him yesterday. Sitting at the same table as the the Pope, royal family and the saint..a river of wealth and influence."

" Hmm..the saint. She looked like any other woman. So did the queen and the princess..what's their name? "

Beautiful desirable women and he cared less than me. " The queen is Katarina Cortez and her daughter called Isabella. The saint who is the Pope wife is Yolanda Anjou Aragona. "

" All these idiotic titles..Saint, the Faithful the Arse hole, the Great...useless. " - he helped me put the sacks down near the entrance and placed the mask inside his armour.

" Aye..let's go and visit Gilly before we leave. "

He turned around until found the lady from yesterday Simone.

" How was your night lady Simone? "

She bowed a little and joined by two man, must be her sons or in laws. " It was a long time since we slept in such luxury...some it was the first time. Lord, your people are ready. "

" Thank you..let us do a final check then step inside wagons..make sure the women and children are all in there immediately. "

" Understood Lord. "

" Carlos you mentioned something about soliders staying as well? "

" 50 or so.. most are here, I can see. " - I saw our uniform ever outstanding and soon be changed completely.

" I'll have words with them first. The they can go..no point waiting. " - he took a weary look at the bags and sacks we filled, decided to carry them.

I signalled the captain with three gold stripes on the front and he appeared saluting. " Lords.."

" Sebastian is it? " - I waited until he confirmed it.

" Gather all who decided to come and stay..any decided on escorting alone? "

" Indeed, I shall bring them with the others. "

He ran to gather them.

Soon in long orderly lines, with along the 50 soliders, behind them another 50 or so civilians, must be their families.

In a separate line around two dozen or so.

Zephyr stepped forward.