63. The Next Step. *

" As some of you might have heard it. We had a little accident on route to Malai. Metill Emil was attacked. My dealing with the situation lead to the Feudal Lord, Mai Sakarai turn his attention towards me."

He paused to let some of those whom hearing it the first, some time to digest it. He continued once the murmurs died down.

" We meet. I turned down his offer being his to command. It was sudden and out of nowhere, he had no time to prepare or to even think. - he quieted down and gathered his thoughts.

" He is an ambitious man, and my refusal, will have consequences! Either way.. his eyes for as long as I'm here, will now be fixed on Emet village."

No one said word and the loudest noises came from the one child allowed in the meeting. Mine.

Ilianna played with her gold chain, occasionally stealing the attention from her father. Who went on.

" He assured me of his good intentions and even forgo, the annual tribute the village had to endure long, before he was born. But those close to him confirmed what my eyes saw. "

Zephyr leaned back and looked into the air accepting what's to come. " If he can't secure my allegiance, then he will kill me and with me..those close to me."

He squeezed my hand hard but, I didn't mind. I saw the anger in his eyes. It was there..and one day, will suffocate those around him.

Except his own.

" For that reason, I want propose a vote. Lord Mai wants me alone. My family.. " - he looked at me and our daughter first. " Already decided to stay with me."

He looked around seeing Alexander and Demelza, Lucian and Eli, mother.. smiling along with the rest of us.

" The rest, I'll ask you to chose with care. The vote will be about whether to fight with us..or live without us.." - he stood up and turned his voice up so even those outside might hear it.

" Understand, if the majority wants to spare themselves and their families the agony of war...of fighting a may unwinnable battle! I will take my family with me and found new homes."

I looked into the crowd to scan the faces.

They seemed all deep into their own thoughts. Some of his students eyes were full of determination and hung on his every word.

" Please..once again!!..If you decide you still want us here. Then you signing up for battle! " - he made sure it was a 100% clear. " I can't promise anything..but I'll give it my all. Now..those of you..

" FIGHT!"

One man. I didn't even see who, cut him off and soon enough everyone joined in the loud shouting.

""" FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! .."""

The people continued the chant as I leaned close to him.

" I told you my love, they will fight for us. Now for those, try to harm us.."

He turned his gaze from them to me. I kissed him once and bit his lip strong enough to draw some blood.

"..kill them all."

---

We spent the remainder of the meeting talking about the weeks to come.

" ..unfortunately our trainings will have to be suspended. We must pull together and finish, putting our people into homes of their own."

Those from Tori looked grateful.

The village tried to make their time in this temporary place as comfortable as they could. But as someone moving into her dream home tomorrow, I understand the need, of ones own space.

" Once that finished...we work on a wall 20 feet high around not just our immediate lands but those yet uninhabited. " - his eyes were sharp and fixed on our future. " Once the winter snow melted, we plan to seek allies from other villages, suffering the life you all endured until now. "

Some had questions that needed answers.

" What if we found no allies..?

" What if the Lord armies arrive before winter?

" What if the King brings his own blessed to help his brother? "

" I understand your concerns. I believe we have time until he strikes, but even if does come, we will know well in advance. We already have allies among those trusted and close to him."

" Then why not just ask..your spy to end him big brother? Why wait? "

Lucian actually had a question that turned everyone head towards him in confusion. He also avoided mentioning the spys name.

I looked him myself but, saw more than those watching him some distance away.

I saw his hand clenched so hard it knuckles turned white. His eyes looked lost as if being somewhere else.

He blinked, and he was back.

" I have to ask all you to trust me. I may not be able tell you the reason, why it can't be done now, but hopefully soon..that option will be available to us. " - he didn't told them like he didn't tell us why Carlos playing the loyal guardian. " In the meantime, let's concentrate on one thing at the time."

He managed to quite them down, he might not believe it but these people all trusted him with their life.

His presence in their lifes altered their destiny, made it better. I Lylly Wold probably the one affected the most.

Even now..can't you see it my love?

How all these people some twice your age looking at you with a light in their eyes? That light didn't exist until you arrived. Setting everyone's life ablaze along ours.

He looked mature and intimidating. Watching his muscles running from his arm to .. ughh it's been a while.

Too long!!

He must've sensed my frustration and turned to me. He smiled while wetting his lips, it made the other 80 or so around us blurry.

I felt his hand on my thigh squeezes it.

Damn you..

I turned away and drunk some water, I saw Eli disapproving look and wiped my face, most importantly my mind from anything naughty.

I'm not even gonna look at him.

" Tomorrow I'll be unavailable. But we plan to hold a celebration for all, in our new home after your own stands..." - he announced something happy too and we stood up. " I'd like to thank each and every one of you. You showed courage and fortitude. No fear. Go home and rest well my friends, the days ahead will be without such luxury."

The people came up and shook his hand and bowed to me and Anna.

The council looked relived someone with actually leadership, stood up and took decisions off their hands and conscious.

Soon we walked out with our family.

It was late but since their fathers and mothers were with us, all the kids were out playing. Ilianna asked me not Zephyr if she can join them.

" Of course you can princess. But don't stay too late..oh and don't kick them sweetheart. Have fun."

I watched nervously as she ran away.

She always ran around alone, hell she lived in the forest before meeting Zephyr. Yet lately, I feel more uncomfortable the longer she's not with us.

" You nailed it Mommy. Good job."

I felt his arms gently pulling me close.

" I hope she be alright.."

" She will be..I'll have people watching her all the time...and the rest of the ..the children. "

" Of course my love...either way. Good job Dad."

Of course there was no need to worry. Zephyr leaving our daughter without protection?...Absurd.