We were greeted at the village entrance, and through the gathering crowds, I saw Zephyr and Ilianna waving at me with happy little smiles. By Ehlite, I missed them so much. It had only been two days, but I suddenly teared up.
I nearly pushed people out of my way, but soon I was lifted high by steady hands. I arrived in his arms, towering above the rest for a few short seconds. I didn't want him to let go, but even more, I wanted to hold them.
Tiny arms hugged my stomach. I picked up Ilianna and held her close. I felt so at peace it was hard not to float above the ground. Zephyr hugged both of us, his arms wrapping all the way around me, and I promised silently never to leave them for so long again.
"You lot actually look like a real family now," Granny said, standing a few feet away with a happy, knowing smile.
Zephyr looked at Granny, then gave her and Eli quick hugs. "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 in the field with everyone else, recounting what had happened and showing off what we had brought. Alexander and his family were nearby, and Zephyr's students were all close.
Alexander began telling everyone about the army recruiting and the great benefits, growing more and more heated as he went on. The potential recruits sat patiently, listening to all the reasons why they should join right now. He became quite scary, and I saw Demelza watching him with great concern, tears beginning to form in her eyes.
"Brother, this may not happen again. We have to go and do our best now," Alexander urged, looking only at Zephyr, knowing if he agreed, the rest would follow. "Your skillset is wasted here. Seeing you in combat... it's like you are home, brother. There 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 HONOUR!!"
People around us started clapping for the idiot. His wife, sitting right next to me, eyed him with a look of horror.
Everyone waited for my Zephyr to talk, but he remained silent for a long time. Is he actually thinking about it? I saw him look at Demelza, and for a second, I saw raw anger flash in his eyes.
I squeezed his hand, which I had refused to let go of since we sat down. He looked at me, smiled, then lifted my hand and kissed it before releasing it and walking toward Alexander.
He rested his hand on Alexander's shoulder.
"What do you say, Zephyr? Let us go right now! Hell with Emet!" Alexander was ready to jump on a horse.
I only saw Zephyr's profile, but I watched his smile disappear. He pushed Alexander just enough for him to stumble back, then took one step back himself and landed a picture-perfect kick on Alexander's face as he lost his balance.
Alexander went down a few feet away and didn't get up. When Zephyr turned around, I saw a new expression on his face: all-consuming anger.
"Anyone else yearning for glory?" His voice was low, which only made him scarier. "Is there anyone, aside from my big brother, who needs convincing otherwise?"
No one dared to move, including myself. Slowly, those who had been cheering sat down. After confirming all fighting spirit was gone, he turned to Demelza.
"I'm sorry, Demelza." His anger evaporated like a lie, and he returned to his usual self. "There is 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. "He is 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 at her son, who was resting with his 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 toward Alexander, who was still not moving but breathing. Right.
"You two bring Alexander to our house," I said, pointing at two shaking students. "Granny, please check upon him and make sure... he survives." I turned to the rest. "Eli, you and Mother, please take Arnold and Ilianna home. Demelza, you should stay with Alex in our house."
"Won't we be a bother?" Demelza asked, looking at her husband, who was now being tended to by capable hands.
Granny was already checking on Alexander. Two of Zephyr's students stood by, waiting for the 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 of the men, unsure what to do, still watched Zephyr with a mix of fear and admiration. He searched for someone and stopped when he found Lucian. Their eyes locked, and Lucian quickly ran up to him.
"Zephyr..."
"I need you to gather all those who want to participate in the sacrifice and bring the council to the town hall." He squeezed Lucian's shoulder and looked toward the village. "Come find me and Vistellia when everyone is there."
Lucian just nodded quickly and took off 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 to live in this world. Do those who 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 mean nothing when you lie dying somewhere far from home. All alone."
He let his words take hold of them.
"Those of you who stay, come tomorrow for your training. The rest... no more words. Now go."
He was in command in seconds. It made my body feel like it was on fire watching him like that—the lengths he was willing to go for those he considered family, to keep them from their worst impulses. He might have 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.
He knew exactly what was wrong with me, judging by that smile.
"I'm fine, thank you very much, idiot," I couldn't help but smile back. "Why do you want to talk to the council?"
He didn't answer, just kept his smile and walked over to Granny, who was just about finishing up with Alexander. He knelt beside her.
"Vistellia, what's your assessment?"
"He has no broken bones, just got kicked hard in the head..." She carefully turned his head, checking his 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's chest, feeling his steady breathing. "I couldn't just let him walk away like that. His damn pride and his insatiable desire for glory were clouding his mind. I've seen it before, but this time, I can't stay by his side, protecting him. My promise to his wife to keep him safe would have 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 toward our house.
"I'm not sure how much they actually heard." He seemed genuinely worried for the men who now looked to him for leadership.
At this point, it was just us three left on the fields. Granny walked up to him and took one of his arms.
"I think you'll 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.