Chapter Eleven. *

We were greeted at the village entrance.

I saw Zephyr and Ilianna waived at me from the crowds with a happy little smile. By Ehlite I missed them so much. It's only been two days but for some reason, I teared up.

I almost pushed people in front of me. But I did arrived in his arms.

I felt being lifted with steady hands and for few seconds, I towered above the rest.

I didn't want him let go but more wanted greet him.

I felt my stomach being hugged with tiny hands. I picked up Ilianna and held her in my arms. I felt so at peace it was hard not float above the ground. Zephyr hugged the both of us. His arms reached all around me and, I promised never to leave them for so long.

" You lot actually looks like a real family now." - granny stood a few feet and gave us a happy little smile.

Zephyr looked at granny then give her and Eli a quick hug.

" I'm glad my family is safe. Meaning all of you." - he let go and stepped back. " How was the famous Malai?"

We spent the next hour sitting on that field with everyone else and told all that what happened and what we brought.

Alexander and his family were also near. Zephyr students all close by.

Alexander told them about the army recruiting and all that great benefits one by one. He looked more heated up as he was going on and on.

After hearing all that the potential recruits sat and patiently listening to all the reasons why they should be joining right now.

He got pretty scary and I saw Demelza looking towards him with great concern listening to his words.

" Brother this may not happen again. We have to go and do our best now. If all of us arrive with your leadership we can climb the ranks." - he looked at him and only him, once agreed the rest are basically already in.

" Your skillset is wasted, seeing you in combat.. it's like you home brother. Their is freedom, in your eyes. It's our time to fight! " - he stood further away and addressed everyone. " IF WE LIVE WE EARN GLORY AND EVEN IF WE DIE, WE DIE WITH HONOR!!"

People around us clapping for this idiot.

It was a passionate speech. His wife sitting right me eyeing him with horrified look and teary eyed.

Everyone waited for my Zephyr to talk but he went silent for a long time ..is he actually thinking about it?

I saw him looking at Demelza and for a second.. I saw anger in his eyes.

I squeezed his hand which, I refused to let go since we sat down.

He looked at me and just smiled amused. He lifted my hand and kissed it before letting it go and walked to Alexander.

He rested his hand on his shoulder.

" What do you say Zephyr? Let us go right now!! Hell with Emet! "- he looked ready to jump on a horse.

I only saw his profile but did saw his smile disappear.

He pushed Alexander just enough for him to stumble back. He took one step back on his own and landed picture perfect kick on Alexander face as he was middle of losing his balance.

He went down a few feet away and didn't got up. When he turned around. I saw a new expression of his.

All consuming anger.

" Any one else yearning for glory? " - his voice kept low but, that just made him even scarier. " Is there any aside from my big brother who needs convincing otherwise? "

No one dared to even move including myself.

Slowly those cheering previously sat down. After confirming all fighting spirit gone he turned to Demelza.

" I'm sorry Demelza. " - his anger evaporated like a lie and returned to his usual self. " It's no talking him out of it..p-please forgi.."

Demelza lifted her hand and cupped his face.

" Thank you. Maybe now he will see reason. " - she looked at her unconscious husband. " His single minded. He might not change his..."

" I won't let him die Dem. I promise he will see his son get married. Even if I personally have to watch over him. - he reassured her and looked her son, who rested with mother." ..you and little Arnold are part of my family too. I won't let my foolish brother kill himself."

Her tears kept falling but after hearing Zephyr she cheered up a little.

" I will leave him to you then. Thank you."

He looked at me then nodded towards Alexander still not moving but breathing. Right...

" You two bring Alexander in our house. Granny please check upon him and make sure...he survive. - I pointed at two shaking idiots, then turned to the rest. " Eli, you and mother please take Arnold and Ilianna home. Demelza you two should stay with Alex in our house."

" Won't we be a bother?" - looking at her husband direction now looked after by capable hands.

Granny was already checking on Alexander. Two of Zephyr students stood by waiting for word to lift him.

Mother sat next to Demelza and hugged her tightly.

" You're family..perish that thought. Now come, let's go take the children home."

Mother took Demelza by the arm and walked off with Eli.

The rest not told what to do, still watching Zephyr with both fear and admiration. He was searching for someone and stopped when he found Lucian.

I saw them locking eyes and Lucian quickly run up to him.

" Zephyr.."

" I need you to gather all those who wants to participate in the sacrifice and bring the council to the town hall." - he squeezed Lucian shoulder and looked towards the village. " Come find me and Vistellia when everyone is there."

He just nodded quickly and took if in a sprint.

Zephyr turned to those still frozen to the ground.

" I want you to go home..and take a good long look at, how you want live in this world those still want to join some pointless war and leave? " - he spared a look for each, scanning their faces. "..do so. But remember this. All your dreams of glory and adulation means nothing !...When you lie dying somewhere far from home. All alone."

He let his words took hold on them.

" Those of you who stays..come tomorrow for your training. The rest..no more furher words. Now go."

He was in command in seconds. It made my body felt like it was on fire watching him like that. The length he is willing to go for those he considered family. To keep them from their worst impulses.

He might've looked scary to some but for me he was never more attractive. My legs almost gave out when he walked to me.

" You okay? ..you seem..fidgety."

Jerk..look at that smile he knew exactly what was wrong with me.

" I'm fine thank you very much..idiot. " - I couldn't help but smile. " Why you want to talk the council for? "

He didn't answer just kept his smile and walked over to granny, who was just about finishing up with Alexander and knelt beside him.

" Vistellia, what's your assessment? "

" He has no broken bones, just got kicked hard in the head..." - she carefully turned his head, checked for breathing. " ..he should be up and about tomorrow at the latest. That was...not what I expected you to do."

He rested his hand on Alexander chest feeling his breathing.

" I couldn't just let him... walk away like that. His damn pride and his insatiable desire for glory clouding his mind. " - he looked at his face with a sad smile. " I saw it before.. but, this time I can't stay by his side protecting him, my promise to his wife to, keep him safe would've been for nothing."

" Don't get me wrong.. it was sudden but it was the right thing to do. " - she looked at the people walking off in the distance with their families. " You probably saved those other fools too."

He looked at those still visible walking away.

His two students lifted Alexander and walked slowly to our house direction.

" I'm not sure how much they actually heard."

He seemed worried for those almost all older man who looked for him now for leadership.

This point it was just us three left on the fields. Granny walked up to him took one of the his arm.

" I think you be surprised tomorrow son. Now let us go and eat something. We still need to attend the meeting you called."

I grabbed his hand and walked beside them. Finally we headed home. Our home.