51. Enjoying those Games...*

We left with a lot of bags drawing the attention of those women who knew the shop and it's ..stunning art.

I felt little butterflies in my stomach and couldn't stop my ear to ear smile.

Demelza had a similar smile. " You sure forget about your anger huh Lylly?"

"..not at all. But a lady needs to eat."

" You are talking about food?"

" What else Eli? Now common, he might be back at the Inn."

I smiled with Demelza and walked ahead to the Jobil Inn.

It was clear and reasonably priced, close to the gate so always nice and busy. The innkeeper was a nice middle aged woman name Rosemarie.

Inside was lively as ever.

It was sunset already and the people finished with work, all wanted their well deserved drink.

Alexander with Lucian and the Emils brothers occupied a table and having a deep conversation. No Zephyr though..

We took some empty chairs and took a seat next to them. Soon enough Rosemarie came over to greet us.

" Welcome girls I was afraid this oaf here came alone. How you been? " - she turned directly to us with a serious expression. " Alex told me about the road."

I said my hello absent minded, checking for the door everytime it opened. While other confirmed the story.

" Ohh Lylly? " - she tapped my shoulders to draw my attention to her. " I heard how you managed to find someone. Alexander said his name is Zephyr but that's all. Who is he? "

" Well.."

I heard the door swing and looked again. It was Zephyr wet haired and ..carrying some guy who looked unconscious. Why is he always wet for some reason ?

Rosemarie mistook him for trouble makers and was quick to shoo them out. " Whooa! whoa this is a decent establishment please take corpses elsewhere."

Alexander still nursing his drink spoke before I had a chance. " Rose that is Zephyr Astoria..my brother I told you about, and Lylly's fiancee."

Zephyr wanted to wave but, he had trouble with the unconscious man so he just nodded.

" Lovely to meet you ma'am..Alex!! Little help here?"

He finished his ale first, but helped putting the man in a sitting position his back to a wall.

He was mumbling something.

" Mmm I'm..it's me!. The only worthy one..finally it's me..I won.it.touch, lost YET !! "

He opened his at eyes shouting, see Zephyr tapped his face a few times satisfied and went back to sleep with a smile.

I stepped behind him. " My love..? What's going on?"

" This is Carlos .."

He looked down at man with a little beard and long black hair...and smiled happily for some strange reason.

" ..he says we rivals for life." he laughed amused, shrugging his shoulders.

He clearly liked that..drunk?

Idiot.

Well he looks unharmed and in good mood so I guess, it went well?

I waited for him to be seated at properly greet Rosemarie, keep extended the conversation about nonsense like her age, and how the Inn looked.

He doing this on purpose!!

No one asked him anything just listening to his mundane conversation like some great story.

THEY'RE RE ALL USELESS.

..when he asked about her dress then.. I lost my patience.

" Zephyr!! Who is that guy? And what happened!!?"

He looked at me with narrowed eyes and a condescending smile then turned away.. This is giving me a headache.

He turned too Alexander. " Where is everyone else..my kid for one?"

" She is with Vistellia and her grandmother. They stayed in the room with Metill and his daughters. " -

Alex finally asked the question. " Brother..what happened?"

I felt angry now.

He kept punishing me? Ughh ..I need to calm down. I wanna hear it and if I start a fight now, then won't get to... I sat near them and listened to his story.

He took the ale Rosemarie brought, she stayed near to hear what is my new fiancee doing carrying drunk strangers around for.

He checked on the still sleeping guy first and took a sip or ale. " I meet the feudal Lord..he is a cockroach for sure. He offered me work as his personal guardian along with...Carlos who also has a blessing. "

We all looked again at the snoring guy sleeping soundly. He? Ehlite is truly random with his blessings.

" I turned him down, the Lord. He didn't like my answer at first that's when..Haha.. this guy appeared and challenged me. He is crazy talented creating water. It was an amazing fight .. " - we were ready for details but, .." He lost. That's when Sakarai told me that his doors are always open. He also forgo the annual tribute for Emet as ..to say thank you for showing my ability. I was ready to leave but, this guy he kept on challenging me to other..stranger things."

He looked at his fellow blessed with appreciation and amusement. He went on with his story.

" We ended up drinking. He had some rare bottles ..been savings them forever. " - turned out his meeting was done early on. " The idiot challenged me who can empty it first...he won easily..I couldn't get 2 gulps of the thing. "

He looked like he had bad memories and his entire body shook." It felt like drinking fire. He downed his bottle like water...and finished mine along the way here. He wanted to drink some more.."

Oh is that it!??

Manata asked another question on our minds.

" Master Zephyr did you say, no tribute for Emet village? That's glorious news!! "- he raised his glass with a happy smile.

He looked at the Emil brothers with a doubtful expression.

" We'll see..." - his eyes went to the man named Carlos and sighed. " Anyway, I'm gonna take him back too his mansion. He looked fine when we left...then the heat hit him and well ..yeah. I'm be back in a few steps. "

I saw him picking his new friend up and laid across his shoulder.

" Zephyr!?!..I won the drink!! " - the was strangely aware who picked him up without opening his eyes.

He smiled looking at his happy expression. " I know you did buddy...if you hear me, take a deep breath. "

With all customers watching he stepped and was gone, the wind pushing the door out.

The customers went into a frenzy, some ran outside, others checked the ceiling there were those who started praying.

Even the bar maid was astonished. " By Ehlite!!..what was that..where did he go?"

Rosemarie directed her question mainly at me but, I let someone else explain it.

I was still annoyed, he was acting like a child. Haven't directed a word towards me ...too long, just too long.

After this is solved, we never do the silent treatment ever again.

He arrived back soon. This time calmly walking in.

Those still reeling from what happened were all seated and give him fearful glances.

He noticed the atmosphere but, ignored it.

Walked close leaning in and I unconsciously extended my neck to kiss him, finally..but he missed my head entirely.

Reached my ears and I felt his tongue licking my earlobe. I nearly jumped out of my chair but, I composed myself quickly.

He took his ale and sat down behind me and started talking to Alexander.

" I took him back and left with the his guards..." - once emptied his glass he looked around and noticed the food some patrons had in front of them.

Gave me suspect smile.

Then turned to the owner. " I'm starving. Is there anything dear Rosemarie you would recommend to a hungry new customer ?"

" If you like mushrooms hon. I can make some of my gratin for you?" - she was charmed like most who interacted with him in an instant.

That silly smile gave it away.

Alexander pulled his ale away from his mouth the third time since, I we came in and slapped the table hard enough to shaking everything.

" Umm.. you gotta try that little brother. It's amazing! "

" Sound delicious.. I'll take one sweetheart and bring some to my brothers here also. "- he gave her his best smile.

" Coming right up.." - she practically ran away to personally cook their meals.

I looked his laughing profile and all my anger dissolved like it was never there.

Damn you..

Occasionally he looked at me smiling with his eyebrows raised as if waiting for something.

Damn you again..

What cards can I play? I looked, until I found my weapon of choice.

I just gave my charming smile to him and turned to Dem.

" Demelza?..Let's go and try on some of the underwear we bought. "

" Good idea..ohh noo!.. you are? you okay?? "

I smiled victorious, when Zephyr choked and sprayed his ale in cone with the following coughing and making wide eyes at me.

" Brother calm down..it won't run away. There there..." - Alexander patted his back snaking his head.

He endured it and looked at both Alex and me annoyed. This time it was me who raised an eyebrow.

Something to say my love?

He didn't but, his eyes shined playfully.

I was beginning to enjoy this little battle of wills.

You beg for me tonight...even, if the whole damn Inn hears it.