The next few days passed in peace and harmony.
Ilianna decided never to marry and concentrate on her training. Zephyr was supportive. My motherly talk with her went very well.
Life returned to our usual routine. Zephyr went to train himself and those who wanted to learn. More or less every able-bodied man. Even a few wives of his students, including his future wife... me.
Training was... hard.
He had difficulty seeing me getting hurt, so he left my training mostly to Lucian and Alex. They taught me basics and didn't hold back. Zephyr hated that too. They got beaten swiftly and took it easy on me as they would with Anna.
I soon felt better and more confident, but I also received private advice from the master after I used my... feminine wiles to get it out of him. He told me an effective training plan with early morning runs and well... more runs. I needed to build my foundation first, and my current self was far from the average.
His own ability training became a show for the whole village. He listened to children's and others' requests, and entertainment became an everyday thing.
He looked majestic, appearing in the sky like a bird falling... then steps, and on the ground, landing with grace. Seeing his smile at me while doing it made me, well, horny and set my skin on fire, but I also hated seeing him falling without wings.
The first time he did it without telling me what was going to happen, my heart almost stopped. He soon calmed me down... in private... But we didn't do just naughty stuff all the time.
He also explained his ability, which he understood a lot better now. Anything in his eyesight is a single step.
That was the best way he could explain. He felt heat in his feet and appeared wherever in his eyesight he wished, usually with some wind and a loud sound accompanying his arrival and disappearance. It drained him badly at first and he could only do a few steps a day. He soon learned to control it better, and it consumed less of his stamina each day.
He continued to spoil me and our daughter, and we spent time with our family on picnics and outings in the lazy summer afternoons. Our days were peaceful and almost like a fairytale.
One morning during breakfast.
"Ohh, Zephyr, I forgot. Before we left Emet's body." He pulled out a large black claw. I completely forgot about it. "I took this from him to commemorate your victory over the beast."
Alexander handed him the Emet claw. He took it, uninterested, and soon handed it to me. It was heavier than it looked and incredibly sharp. It was the size of a small sword. It was hard to imagine a being with these instead of nails.
"Thank you, Alex... I don't know what to do with it." I couldn't help but smile; it was a priceless piece, and he didn't care one bit. He turned to me for help. "Any ideas, love?"
I put the thing down on the table and tried to think of ways to use it. I looked at our daughter practicing her kicks some distance from us.
"Didn't you want some daggers made for Anna?" I looked back and wiped some juice off his chin. "I know it's very early, but why not use this as material for it?"
"Uhhh... Divine daggers for a five-year-old. I bet kings never had such luxury."
He smiled at Alexander. He was probably right... divine beasts were hard to kill, and even if it happened, it was too far away. The continent of Longinus was vast. And besides, not all blessings paired well with fighting.
"Fine, talk to Olaf and see if he can even smelt it. If it's possible, use enough for two small daggers," he looked at the ladies in the room, resting his gaze on me. "...Use the rest for jewelry. Necklaces for the ladies of our family. And one for an engagement ring for my fiancée."
I looked at him quickly. He smiled and pulled me into his embrace. He caressed my back and kissed my lips gently.
"...What say you, my future wife? Divine ring... too much, right?"
Hmm... He was willing to give me something invaluable. I would have loved my ring even if it was made out of wood. But, I did admit... I felt really special. It was...
"It's perfect... but why don't you commission something for yourself?" I kissed him lightly and poked his nose. "That material is one of a kind. Are you sure?"
He gave me a disarming smile and reached in his shirt, pulling out the necklace I gave him. "This... this is one of a kind. The only other jewelry I'll ever wear is my wedding ring."
It made my eyes watery and my heart race. He cared so much. He loved my gift. My happiness felt like I managed to cheat the world lately. He made every day a little better. I kissed him softly, but with all my love.
Yes, our days were magical. So, of course, soon enough, the rain came.
——
Not one week after he returned from the sacrifice, representatives from Tori village arrived in the early morning.
I knew of the place but not much of its people or history. About a day's ride away, and just like us, they named their village after the divine monster that resided near them. That was more or less it.
"It was inevitable, my son." Granny, who gave us the news, stepped away as she patted his shoulder. "When you're ready, they'll wait in the main hall."
Granny left us alone in front of our half-built house. Zephyr worked with his brother and students, like a lot of them.
"Well, that was fast..."
His look was one of quiet acceptance. He turned to me after what I said. "Inevitable... all right then. Let's hear them out." He clapped his hands and got ready.
"You know what they came for. They didn't make the trip to congratulate us on our engagement, Zephyr." I was annoyed, even though I knew very well it was coming. "...I don't even care... just hurry back. Our home takes priority."
"What are you saying?... You're coming too." He pretended to be confused and gave me a sneaky smile.
"Huh?... Really??"
He smiled still and took my hand.
"I'll be back soon, guys..." He turned to the others nearby, mostly telling those words to Alexander and Lucian.
We arrived at the main hall hand in hand, just like I had envisioned it a few weeks ago.
Inside were Granny with two other council members. Sitting in front of them were five people from Tori village. They all stood up when seeing us.
"Leader Metill, this is the one." Granny and the other two followed our guests and introduced us. "Zephyr Astoria and his fiancée, my granddaughter Lylly Wold."
Zephyr simply nodded towards them and gently guided me to the empty seats next to Granny.
"Honorable Blessed. My name is Metill Emil. I'm here with my children to congratulate you on your victory over Emet the Lion King." The man named Metill bowed while seated, and after looking at me: "And please, let us also congratulate you on your engagement to this lovely lady."
He bowed politely towards me, and his four children followed him. Zephyr stared with the expression, 'You see?'
...Ugh... fine, they did congratulate us.
"It's my pleasure to meet you, Leader Emil. We thank you." He turned back with a polite smile and went straight to the point. "Tell us why have you made the... what I'm sure was a long trip?"
Leader Emil looked to be in his 50s and a tall man. He seemed tired, but with kind eyes and a shaved head. His children, as he said, were two young men sharing features with him and two young ladies, Eleanor's age or close. They all smiled politely and made fearful yet excited glances at Zephyr.
"Honorable one. We're here to formally request your help, with our sacrifice in two days' time." He stood up and bowed for the third time. "We ask you to help us kill the divine beast, Tori."
There it was. Are they going to keep their heads down until Zephyr agrees?
"Leader Metill, we would lie if we said we didn't anticipate this in advance." After exchanging a quick look with Zephyr, Granny went and said the same thing I thought. "But, Zephyr here only just found out about his own blessing just a handful of days ago. Why would he risk his life so soon, or at all? And for another village?"
Tell him, Granny! The other elders nodded along furiously. It was true, why should he go and risk his life for these people?
"Well... Lady Vistellia. Tori village is willing to offer its allegiance to Zephyr Astoria and with him, Emet village."
They were the first who offered such a thing.