I spent the rest of the morning letting my five-year-old train me. Arnold and even Demelza joined in. Kicking was fun, but incredibly stamina-consuming. I could practically see Ilianna lose respect for me in real time. My heavy panting did make her laugh, though, so I took it as a win.
We also helped Eli with her chores. She didn't strictly need to do it now that Lucian, like the rest, had agreed not to fight Emet, but she was always earnest. As we laughed and only lightly worked, I kept my eyes on the river, searching for the perfect, secluded spot for Zephyr and me later.
As time went on, I grew more nervous, the good kind. Demelza asked Eleanor some probing questions.
"So, now that your big sister is finally on the right path..." Demelza wasn't training, enjoying the sun with her little boy. "...how are you going to handle it when young Lucian proposes at the winter festival?"
"I skipped them for a few years," Eli answered without hesitation.
"Why is that? I thought you would be eager to have a double wedding with your sister."
I knew why, since she'd told me after Zephyr's naming celebration. "Lucian and I are great together. But I will follow the trail my sister left for me and wait." She picked the petals from a flower and let the wind carry them away. "Besides, I have a feeling my brother-in-law will be a wealthy man one day. So there's no need to hurry."
I was glad she decided to wait. As long as she was happy, that's all that mattered.
"I believe you're right. A man of his skills—there are always ways to earn more coin," Demelza agreed, lying down on the grass and letting little Arnold crawl all over her. "My Alexander sure got lucky that day, you know, when he tried to kill him. He gained a reliable brother."
"Lylly sure found someone special," Eli added.
Both Demelza and my sister looked at me happily, with the tiniest hint of envy in their eyes. I had to turn around so they didn't see my enormous smile.
Soon after, we took the children home, and I helped Mom make a few sandwiches. I helped cut the lettuce. But if Zephyr loved them, I fully intended to take all the credit. It was sad, but I'd rather not have him know I was a terrible cook.
Eleanor brought food made by Lucian's mother to take to him, and Alexander and his family tagged along too. The poor guy was so bored that he helped out with the remaining animals.
The training yard had expanded quite a bit. It was no longer just a flat field. With the help of so many students, they had put up a wooden gate around the fighting area and cut down the greenery around it in a wide circle.
Zephyr was inside, sparring with some men I'd seen him train before. He expertly sidestepped or ducked every kick with a smile, clearly teaching while fighting. He blocked a kick with his left leg, then performed a powerful kick with his right that landed on his opponent's mid-section and pushed him several feet away and up in the air. The man looked like he was flying for a second.
"This is the front kick. There will be many techniques in the future that may look cooler or feel more powerful. That is wrong," he turned to those sitting around, then walked toward the fallen man. "The front kick is by far the most powerful, and in many situations, the most useful kick."
He explained as he helped up the poor devil, who almost turned into a bird. He sat him among his peers and performed it again, this time step-by-step.
"First, raise the knee of the kicking leg to your waist. Then, by exerting your body's weight, push it forward aimed at the target's stomach. It not only pushes the opponent away, creating space for your next move, but it can also incapacitate them with enough force behind it."
By Ehlite, he looked sexy teaching all these men, most of whom were likely older than him. The way he spoke told of his experience, and the way he moved showed his skill. He told them to come back Monday morning; for tomorrow, he would be busy.
The others went to eat with their wives and kids, as usual. It looked like all his students had returned to learn, meaning his words had gotten through to them. Granny was right.
Ilianna ran into his arms the second he jumped out of the fighting ring. She had become less violent with other kids after Zephyr talked to her. I had been asking her for days before that, but she never listened to me.
"You look happy, my love." He greeted Alexander and his family and then kissed me on the cheek.
"It's because I am. Zephyr, come! I made you sandwiches!" I pulled him toward our basket, which was filled with them.
Demelza looked at me with narrowed eyes, but I didn't care. I made him food...
He sat with Anna in his lap and shared some sandwiches with her. "Sweetheart, this is delicious... I can't remember you ever making food before." He looked suspicious as he tasted it.
"Hmm... first time, but you can get used to it."
He looked at me with appreciation. I wanted to stay, but I had a job to do.
"Demelza, would you help me a little?" I got up from the tree trunk I used as a chair and hoped she remembered our plan.
She seamlessly stood up and kissed her husband. "Of course, we'll be right back. Let's go."
She led me into the house. It was smaller than ours, but it only needed to house three. She took me into their bedroom and opened the chest in front of the bed. Soon, she put several tiny pieces of fabric on the bed.
"Pick one, and it's yours."
"They're very... revealing, huh?" I picked one up and examined it, my face burning.
She looked at me with a playful expression. "Tell me, is there anything you don't want him to see?"
"Of course not... ohh. I suppose you're right."
She giggled, and I heard footsteps behind me. I almost jumped on the bed to hide the bathing suits. I didn't want Zephyr to see me so nervous about something simple as swimming. Luckily, it was only Eleanor.
"I came to offer assistance if needed. Lylly, what are you doing?" she peeked inside the room, watching me frozen with my hand pointed forward.
"Nothing... thanks for the help. I thought you were Zephyr..." I fixed my position, and just to be safe, I checked behind her.
"He's busy enjoying Mother's sandwiches. You sold them well as your own creation."
I didn't care about her trying to shame me. "Oh well... adult problems. You'll have them one day, too, I'm sure."
We spent fifteen minutes debating which one to choose. I ended up listening to myself and went with a black one. It would go nicely with my hair. I tried it on.
"I can't believe how well it fits. You look sexy, Lylly. Zephyr won't know what hit him," Demelza turned me left and right, admiring the fit.
I checked myself in their mirror. Okay, it wasn't bad... I always loved my legs. My face looked like a tomato. I changed out of my first bathing suit—I never felt the need or had the money to have them before. Besides, I only ever bathed in the river when I was sure nobody was around.
Outside, the atmosphere was loud and jovial. Zephyr was done with the sandwiches and watched with Alexander as Ilianna performed a near-identical kick to her father's.
"I can't believe how much she's learned, brother. She will be a warrior when grown," Alexander was quick to praise her.
"Thanks, Alex. I hope she gets to be whatever she wants."
How could someone so young be such a good father already? Watching his happy smile as Ilianna kept practicing... I felt my stomach full of butterflies.
I went straight to him and took his hand. "Let's go... you look exhausted, Zephyr. Demelza, watch Anna, will you?" I asked, without looking at her.
"Of course. Have fun!"
He smiled with anticipation, and we locked hands.
"Yeah, I feel exhausted. Lead the way, love."