142. Home.*

We did a pit stop for the special peppers before heading for Uitla.

For others this trip is a suicide..

Us landed in Lentila forest on the very edge of the border. We entered without announcing ourself or payed the fee.

The pepper itself grown around the foot of the mountain Shanzel the city of Nerio build in its shadow. In shade of it the cold didn't stick and it allowed the vegetable to flourish.

" Are you sure ?..I mean people can just take them? "

He looked sceptical when, I already filed a small sack. I didn't have space on my body to tie a lot more.

" What do you mean just take them? We up God knows how high and the terrain leading here requires climbing some of the mountain. "

I knew some died trying to get these. The danger and well..illegality of it all, made it very expensive.

Lentila authorities didn't look kindly on thiefs. Their legendary Queen picked the peppers and put it on the country banners. It was considered sacred and sold for only Lentila's nobility.

Guarding it however was impossible.

Troops can't make camp much less survive here. Soliders placed futher down and stood by known entrance is.

" Okay then.. I hope we can plant the damn things..some exotic plants Lylly brought, died before they could ever grow and bear fruit. "

He knelt down and picked some blood red peppers putting into his own sack next to the coins.

The forest all the way up here was the most peaceful place, I ever been. I wondered how beautiful and calming in the summer.

" What about those yellow one? With the divine juice ? " - I remembered them from last summer they were delicious and filling.

" They were replanted from 10 miles of their original habitat..Manata said they've be growing fruit in a year or so. "

We picked our fill and then some.

" If these peppers are so amazing if not all that spicy.. how come only the manky bartender sells them at that Inn? "

Savage .. these peppers are the fire God Tuz fingers..according to some Queen.

" Uitla is perfectly placed 10 miles from 3 nations, cold as balls but also the only ones in possession of it. Merchants from Lentila stop there first. Malai hardly had any over the years, I've been there. "

And when they were they cost as much as a horse for a for single dried and carefully de seeded pepper.

Lentila had laws against selling them with it. Those people guarded their fruit and vegetables like they were gold..I suppose some cost as much. Rare things will always cost more.

——

[SWOOSH]

The cold horse was as unfriendly as we left it.

It was dark outside but only late afternoon so they were more people on the streets and inside here as well.

" Peril..the usual, if you have it! "

The man was so unpleasant yet made delicious food.

He grumbled like we payed in promises and left for the back. A young girl Eleanor age or so took his place behind the bar.

She nodded towards me and turned to Zephyr.

" Haven't seen someone like you around here.. "

He looked up with his signature smile. " No has darling.."

" Hmm..hehe.. anything I can get you. "

" Just tea ..thank you."

She wobbled away like a drunkard.

" Lylly one day will kill you.." - I took off my coat and stretched my back. " ..jealousy is a hell of thing Zeph. "

He furrowed his eyes shaking his head. " She knows, I'll never see others as her. She is the one. "

Yeah..all the same.

Look at what happened in Dharma just a few days.

He managed to charm, influence, otherwise make a deep impression of almost all the women running the country.

The blonde barmaid returned with two steaming hot teas and bowed before leaving...10 feet away making eyes over here cleaning glasses.

" It's done...we almost home. I wonder how mad are they? "

He looked stressed hearing me but tapped his bags. " I bought enough strange toys, sweets and jewellery to appease them. What did you bring? "

I told him about jewellery but whatever..

He kicked my sack having the people make eyes hearing the sounds of coin. Hope nobody is an idiot.

" Well your not the only one returned with presents.

Rings, bracelets the diamonds you hate..

" Bloody useless..why no colour? "

"..food recipes, blueprints for buildings also. " - I ignored his taste and talked about something now feasible with so many people. " ..the stone quarry a few miles away could help us build better houses, roads, bridges..it's endless. "

" Alright..more work it is..in spring" - he never talked about it but working the way he did was now legendary and the man talked about his endless stamina and inspiring work ethic.

Building almost 50 house was one thing but to build them that fast and that well was an amazing feat.

It demonstrated what I saw the first time taken around by Seline.

This village was united and happy far removed from the horrors of the world and it was all thanks to him.

Honestly, all told he didn't even tried.

Just gently guided them. Leader and yet not once mentioned it. Not to anyone in our time there.

" So soon after their weddings others in your position would take time to rest ..spend time with the family."

He looked confused. " I'm always with my family. That's the rest. "

I acknowledged his heart by raising a glass of sweet tea.

" Let us drink to our family..may all of us find joy in this world. "

" To our family.."

——

Emet now actually looked like a small city from above.

The walls and towers small as they were really made the difference.

[SWOOSH]

( THUD. )

We landed near the river Sen.

I learned enough and rolled with him before springing back up shaking my arms and legs spilling some of our contents around.

I threw the sacks on the ground and groaned loudly.

" Damn it..my back is killing me..

He looked at me bent over with burning fire in his eyes.

" My ..bad.. next time, I'll do better. "

Oh shit..." No!..no,no..khmm, damn!..We are home." - I quickly picked up the missing things mostly papers and some peppers.

There was no fanfare since we were almost a day late and it was late at night.

Landed inside without anyone noticed anything. Proved once again he can infiltrate even a place perfectly aware of his power not to mention small with ease.

We stopped once all day. Just to eat something and he grabbed me until we saw the village.

I looked towards Seline house but it was dark.

" Come, I'll bet anything they worried sick and all, at your house. "

He smiled and got his second wind.

We made our way to a well lit beautiful house. I mean it was wood but I'll promised to make mine with Seline the exact same way. Down to the last stud.

One thing was different.

" I guess Lylly changed it's colour to black huh? "

The place now blended in with the night. If not for the torches lit outside and the light through the window it would be the perfect camouflage.

" Or..Anna. We're home Em.."

" Thank God.."

Now what happened to them?