171. Allegiances. *

" That's good news. Now you can control the flow of information. "

Metill was right.

This meant, I could report back what we want them to hear.

" Let's go to the tavern and see what's happening. " - said Lylly.

She left the house without conforming it with anybody.

" Thank you dear Vistellia.. I'm already feeling brand new. " - I stood up finishing my tea.

" Well stay new son..I'm going back to bed. "

She tapped Metill shoulder and left.

" Let's go who knows what's happening already? "

Seline pulled me away.

Indeed. Zeph can turn things upside down under a few minutes.

Same with the new residents the Monroe's.

They were all enchanted by a handsome father and daughter duo with matching hair.

Their nervousness slowly dissolved with just a few simple interactions.

Inside the tavern most of my people were drinking something or other.

Zephyr sitting at bar in his pyjamas being smothered by his wife in a large blue robe wrapped around them both.

" Hello there..no don't worry.. " - he put up his hand before I could say anything. " Headley already told me the highlights. "

We took a seat next to them and reached over for a bottle of whisky.

It was early but why not. The kitchen was just getting ready and Stuart and Lucian were serving since the others all slept.

" Here.." - handed him a cup and a letter. " ..it's from that cockroach also some coin...on the top of your ten other chest filled with gold. "

He smiled as Lylly took the cup and filled with tea before handing back to him. " How nice...the cockroach think he is clever. "

He winced drinking it even with the tea. " It's a good thing...although. " - he looked at the soliders enjoying a drink and some even slept. " We might need to get clever with the housing, running out of space inside the wall."

I had ideas.

" With this many joining in we might just finish the big houses in a few days. They can take the extra rooms. Wait..what about the Monroe's?"

Lylly answered. " They will soon chose lands and start laying down the foundation when it's done. They want do it themselves. "

In that case the space should be enough.

The work went well. Metill was very good foreman, effective and careful.

The two giant barns now had over half the small but homey little apartments ready. Over a hundred being built incase needed and now it will be.

" Most of them have a family left back in Dharma so they probably leave with the 20 or escort who will come with the others."

" It's fine.." - he was sleepy and rested on Lylly. " they can stay as long as they want. "

" Alright that's it..we going back home. You lot can handle this. " - Lylly watched him all this time, his feet specially. " Don't bother us until it's dark. He needs to rest..you're sick. "

He looked fine to me.

" I was tired...not sick last night. Plus I told you..okay? I'm not comfortable sleeping with the insane..Alright..byebye.."

Lylly had enough and pulled him out the tavern by his hair.

" Is he sick? " - I asked Seline.

She was behind the bar cleaning up the left over whisky show casing her must better tolerance.

" He is playing with her..she saw his shadows moving now he is convinced she lost her mind. The way she told us yesterday night was partly responsible me almost killing you." - she said with a big smile.

Seeing her cleaning and smiling in her morning large jacket on was adorable.

Thank God for this mission.

I touched my jacket packet and felt the letter ...well word. I'll talk to him after they done having make up sex.

——

Cooking well over for a hundred was a different experience but something, I came to enjoy.

Seline never happier when others eat her cooking.

" Taste this my love. " - she offered.

Is there a more beautiful sight than the love of your life offers you a spoon of delicious food?

" Hmm..delicious as always. "

" You think they like it? Your people? " - she asked a little nervous.

They will or else...

" Of course they will." - I assured her.

The giant pot of soup should be enough to feed an army.

Speaking of which, is something that truly holding back Karta last year. Feeding tens of thousands in the winter was impossible. Can't carry enough, can't hunt enough.

By the time those still up and not snoring in the back got some soup, bread.

Lylly Wold Astoria came in looking very happy.

" He is on his way...Ceron and his people found lands, wanted to speak to him. Soup smells delicious mom. " - she said smelling the air.

" Thanks sweetheart have some. "

While she had her soup, I went outside and waited for him.

[SWOOSH]

He appeared out of nowhere as the wind picked up.

" Why you outside? " - he asked.

I walked closer and took his shoulder.

" Come we need to talk. "

He nodded and came if somewhat confused.

We arrived at the Revels new house and walked all the way to the tree line.

" Alright..what is it? Would you like us to walk up the mountain maybe? "

I gave over a letter and without context let him read it.

His eyebrows raised, his smile spread.." I see, he made his decision. "

He tore the paper into bits as he walked slowly back. " Come, I tell you on the way. " - he said over his shoulder.

We walked slowly and he throw the unrecognizable letter piece in the snow.

" Memphis Lane is a smart one. He understood my intentions after just meeting a few times. " - he started.

" You told him something? "

" Course not..but he knew why, I didn't knelt. He warned me, much like you. We spent some time together and he promised to send word if Mai plans something against me .."

" So that's why the letter...and what does it mean? " - I asked.

" Servian Elex was a famous ancestor of his. " - he smiled as he recalled the memory. " ..he was a hero of capturing the heart of the rebellion in Tetra almost 50 years ago..except he did it from the inside, by betraying his own people. "

He stopped and waited with a smile.. but, I had nothing.

Zephyr sighed in disappointment. " He warned me that you're a damn spy! Wanted to tell me in a secret way, in case you open it...which you did. "

Ohh...well that was clever. I had nothing just like anyone else who would've read it but, it told everything to Zephyr with a single word.

" He is smart..and has different loyalties. You sure made an impression. " - I said.

There was a thin line between confidence and arrogance but he walked that line with ease.

" I always do..w-why the look? Is there more? Tell me Em.. "

I took a deep breath..