The next morning, I still felt a little red in the face, remembering Zephyr teasing me. He had been sweet, though, sending a dozen of his students as additional security for the wagons, clearly worried about our safety.
Alexander came along with Dilip, Menir, and another man from the council. We had a rather large party. En route, we met people from nearby villages also heading to Malai. Some shared our predicament, having to sacrifice heavily each year to keep the divine monsters docile. By the time we continued, we were over a hundred travelers banded together for safety.
I shared a wagon with Eleanor, Granny, and about half a dozen other women from our village. Liz came along, having left her baby home with her husband, Norman, who, along with Zephyr, would head up that mountain in a few days. I wondered if my face carried the same tired worry as hers lately.
I didn't ask why Norman wanted to go; it was considered rude to question those willing to fight Emet. Only those in a close relationship—family or a wife—would know the actual reason. But unlike Liz, I was certain my Zephyr would return. Maybe that's why my fear wasn't so crippling.
The ride was pleasant. After just a day of camping without incident, we arrived in record time. The city guards checked everyone for weapons and, after our names were recorded and a bronze coin paid each, we were let in.
Malai was home to almost a million people—a number I couldn't even imagine.
We started by eating. This time, not only did the others have money, but I did too. Before I left, Zephyr had pressed a pouch full of bronze coins into my hand. When I tried to refuse, he threatened to throw the pouch into the Sen River, which embarrassed me so much I barely heard him when he told me to buy whatever I wanted.
We bought jam-filled buns for everyone in our security party as a thank you for their protection. We bought so much for ourselves that I felt sick from overeating. We picked up all sorts of things: linens, farm tools, spices, and a great deal of salt and vegetable powders that made soup rich and delicious. I bought seeds to plant, and several new dresses for myself—dresses I liked, and ones I hoped Zephyr would too. With coins still left, I bought a dress for every woman in my family.
It was impossibly hard to find something acceptable for Ilianna. She hated clothes that restricted her movement or left no space for her future daggers. Yes, Zephyr had already decided her future weapon. I ended up choosing something comfortable she could train in. Finally, I just needed something for Zephyr.
I soon decided on a necklace: a smooth, blue stone shaped like a triangle, nearly as beautiful as his eyes. With this, my pouch felt considerably lighter. Spending money was very easy... and very fun.
"This city is always beautiful and packed with all sorts of characters... I wish Master Zephyr came," I overheard one of Zephyr's students say to Alexander.
"I know what you mean. He would love these sword works. This winter, we'll make sure to bring him and everyone else. We'll enjoy our time here as brothers," Alexander replied.
Their thoughts mirrored my own, except for the part where Zephyr would come along with Alexander instead of his family. We would have so much fun. The city was even more beautiful when snow fell. I could just imagine ourselves, with Ilianna, walking around and laughing. Only three more months.
In a large circle at the town center, soldiers in colorful uniforms—uniforms I was sure served no practical purpose—were shouting the King's latest propaganda.
"THE KARTA KINGDOM AGGRESSION ESCALATES. YOUR HOMELAND REQUIRES SOLDIERS TO DEFEND ITS LANDS AND ITS KING! THOSE WHO WISH TO JOIN, HEAR THE LIST OF BENEFITS, SUCH AS TRAINING WITH THE FIRST GUARDIAN! BLES—"
"For Ehlite, he is loud," Granny reached over and tapped my shoulder. "Let's go back to our wagon. I want to leave for home as soon as we can."
I agreed with Granny and was ready to leave. If Zephyr were here, we might stay at the local inn, but with no coins left and him dozens of miles away, heading home, and fast, was the best plan.
We had only gone a few minutes when Granny noticed Alexander was missing.
"That idiot probably stayed to hear the end of that speech," I said, looking behind us at the crowd, which was now swelling to double its size. "Let's wait until he arrives."
Of course, he had stayed to listen. I bet he wouldn't stop preaching about joining the army back home, and how this was their chance for glory and to defend against the vicious Karta invaders.
Soon enough, Alexander arrived, his eyes bright with a fanatical light, recounting all the life-changing benefits and the glory that awaited those who joined.
I honestly felt bad for Demelza. She was too good for this uncaring brute so willing to leave his family for uncertainty and the tiniest chance of glory no one even cared about. He better stay away from Zephyr, or even Lucian, who respected him greatly. If the fight against Emet in a few days went well, Alexander's fever might encourage people in the village to join in on his newest stupidity.
"Alright, people, let's go home. We have a long journey ahead of us," Granny said, listening politely but clearly sharing my impatience. "Alexander, get your head out of the clouds and gather yourself and Zephyr's students."
"Yes, Vistellia. I'm sorry, getting carried away here," he apologized, though the fanatical light hadn't dimmed. "Lads, let's push and make it home to our families."
And with that, our visit to Malai came to an end.
On our way back, I confessed my fears to Granny, who, along with Eli, did her best to calm them.
"Lylly, he would never just abandon his daughter for something so moronic," Granny patted my hand from her seat. "If not for his friendship with the man, he never even would have considered joining the sacrifice."
"Granny is right, sister," Eli nodded. "You know well enough that no amount of benefits or glory will ever just make him leave now. He is a father."
Their words were true, and I knew it. Our relationship hadn't progressed too far yet—I really wanted to change that after the sacrifice—but his bond with Ilianna was that of an actual father and daughter. I had personally never seen a more doting father in my life. And that was a good thing.
He would never just leave her. Not for money or glory. He had something that would forever tie him to Emet village. Soon, I wanted him to have more.