153. Us and our Ancestors. *

I skipped today afternoon training.

Our regiment remains the same.

Zephyr reorganised everyone else but, left us at the aloof and silent twins who moved out and officially residing at Demelza and Alexander old house. Made it theirs...with a lot of arrow heads and ...well arrows. They sure had a singular mind.

Instead, I walked to the tavern left the kids at home who wanted see the training. I wanted to check in on a very busy Setil, Miri, Moritz and Stuart who kept it running on the weekends.

" Hello Lylly! "

" Mrs Astoria .."

I took a seat at the bar. " Hey girls..get me some apple cider. "

Setil went to the back.

" How come you alone? "

" How come your not singing? "

Miri pointed at her throat. " It hurts, Vistellia said I should rest it and gave me these. "

She showed some yellow candies granny made when handed some recipes that Petra read for her who couldn't fight, so Ciren taught her like she did with Zephyr.

The recipes were for medicine and among them were these little droplets.

Melted sugar, lemon, honey and mint leaves added as a paste let the mixture drop into a tray and let it cool.

It was candy that helped soothe throat pains.

I took one and popped into my mouth. " Carlos family might be twisted a little but their ancestors were sure smart people. "

" Well..they have like 100s of years of written history passed down. Make me wonder what our ancestors knew but, couldn't pass it on. " - she took one as well and let it naturally melt away in her mouth.

Our ancestors..

" They were probably busy..dealing with a less than ideal world. Sacrifices and stupid man not to mention various lord's who wanted their share of everything. "

" Tori was no different. " - Setil heard the last bit and placed some steaming cups in front of us. " Our grandfather may he rest in peace, used tell us stories how life used to be. The village never really prospered. "

" How could we? Each year more and more people died. If not the sacrifice or the feudal lord's men than it was diseases or disasters..like that summer when it didn't rain? "

I remembered that summer Miri mentioned.

80 days no rain. We weren't that bad off considering the placement of the village near the river Sen but all the same people still felt it.

Tori had the Lime like a few miles away but carried enough water for the crops must've been impossible.

We were overheard by some elders who had little else to do than adding to their tabs here.

Thanks to their fearless leader they could get pished all week than do a favour for him and clean it.

Most payed but he didn't really care as if he had a fortune hidden somewhere.

" I remember those days..before Lord Zephyr arrived most us were ready to give up. " - the grumpy grandpa who was quite loaded already took over. "..now we can live the rest of our lives in comfort..I mean, don't you remember how we spent last winter!? "

Not just him but all remembered a much harsher time..

Even if, Emet village must've been a little better off..it was scary times all the same.

Not enough food, firewood, or any help from others who suffered from the same shortage.

Each winter people died and the cemetery filled. The last buried there was poor Rick Mantis who gave his life last years sacrifice.

Those memories felt from an entirely different life.

I felt pride swelling in my chest.

Thanks to him..all changed in a relatively short amount of time.

" TO LEADER ZEPHYR!!! "

"""""" CHEERS!!! """"""

We there raised our cup toasting my husband who even now was off securing peace.

Yes, it's not his main goal but it will happen all the same thanks to him.

Time bought for us to prepare for inevitable war. Except it will be of our making.

Our lifes will change soon again..but the important things won't.

He won't let them.

——

" Lylly!! "

We were at our second cup of cider when Lucian bursts through the door.

He looked a little out of breath.

" What wrong? "

" There are a band of performers asking for entrance. "

We all perked up a little. " What kind of performers?"

" ..the travelling kind? Dancers and such. I came fast, couldn't found Alexander. "

I gathered myself and finished the cup.

" Lead the way..Assistant master Lucian. "

" HEY!..It's master Lucian.fueh.we don't have time!! "

He turned to the door then turned around only to turn again his brown cloak flopping about.

I followed the master outside and all the way to the gate standing imposing.

On the outside there were 5 wagons filled but only 3 on horse on back as security.

" This here is Lylly Wold Astoria, our leaders wife. "

Good boy that Lucian...smart.

The man on horseback jumped down. He looked to be on his 50s brown hair and bent posture.

His smiled kindly and took off his beaten up hat.

" Dear lady my name is Ceron Monroe..we are the Monroe entertainment company. We travel these lands offering our stories and tricks to all..

" Yes,yes..come inside. The cold must've bother those children. "

I stopped the man who wanted a long monologue explaining the many reasons we should let them in but the children shivering in the first wagon looked miserable. Especially the little girl in the front and a skinny women hugging her smiled nervously.

He was extremely surprised looking behind but very happy.

" Let's talk in our tavern..my husband is away but you can of course stay. Our..soliders will escort you and your people. Come, come. "

I turned towards Lucian standing over eager and scanning the wagons.

" Lucian..let them stay inside the main hall for the time and talk to mother and Miranda let the them know they will need food and..well who knows what else."

He looked hesitant. " Are you sure we shouldn't wait for Zephyr? "

" What did you say!? As if, I'm unable to make decisions without him? Huh!? "

" No that's not it..Fuehh..Fine..Lady Astoria. "

He will pay for that condescending tone at the end there.

The gates swung open and let the performance artists inside, after more than 10 years since the last one left a much small village.

Soliders in similar robes as Lucian with swords lead them towards the stables to rest their horses and the wagons were stopped near the river next to mothers house.

I went inside the tavern where now most of family waited.

" Did you let them in? "

Eli..

" Of course I did. They were children and women with them. Their ..the owner or something be escorted here soon. "

" Will you let them stay? " - Demelza who looked disheveled leaned forward enough for me smell their training on her.

" Don't be absurd of course, I will. They can stay and well..we'll see. I cut the man off before he could tell me anything..."

Soon the said man and the two others were escorted inside.