176. The Pen.

The Pen.

It was built by our incredibly smart and strong-willed woman who faced a much harsher world but figured it out, and it became an important part of life for decades.

" It was right here.." Alexander pointed a spot looking like any other. " He splashed like an egg crushed beyond belief. "

He tried his best to recreate the scene, but even with his arm flailing, it was still a poor representation.

It was mid day, and Zephyr decided to help the wagon, escorted by Moritz and Lucian after dropping us off.

" I still can't believe their bodies just evaporate after getting killed.. " Carlos knelt down, touching the ground. " ..I wonder where it goes? "

" Anna sweetheart, don't go far, don't make your father angry!! " I shouted after her.

She was slowly getting closer to the tree line with Ciren.

" I won't!! " she ignored me.

Willful girl.

( CLAP, CLAP )

" Alright.." Mother pointed towards the middle of the Pen. " We make up the tents in the middle over there. Get them up..NOW! "

Alexander and Carlos went and joined Stuart, Metill, and Manata.

Mother turned towards us.

" Good.. Eli, Nifa, and Lylly will gather wood while Miranda, Demelza, and I will start prep for cooking..Cintia dear, stay close to the children, and make sure they don't wonder off. Saam and Fipna will light torches around the pen. It's awful dark at night."

She gave jobs to everyone except granny, Setil, and Miri.

Vistellia Wold stood our looks.

" I'm the oldest and done my share, the girls helping plan...shoo shoo..your husband and others will be here in an hour and have a great deal of fun with this, if 20 people couldn't set up a CAMP. "

Her last words reached the man, and they quickly picked up their pace.

She was right, so we all scattered.

" It's much more relaxing here than, I thought.."

Nifa wasn't used to physical work and stood there with 4 pieces of wood waiting for us farm girls do the heavy lifting.

" ..considering how many awful deaths must have accrued here over the decades... "

The place did have a serene atmosphere..not at all what I thought... with bones scattered and trees and nature bearing the evidence of the carnage that took place in the past.

" That's nice and all, but you're not serious with that? " Eli narrowed her eyes, seeing the motionless Nifa holding those sad sticks.

" What? We just need enough to start the fire..the men will gather the rest once the tents are up. " she was busy watching Cintia giving herself cat ears and a tail, making the girls very happy.

" Have your merchant friends got your letter?" - I asked.

" Hopefully, yes..it's a lucrative idea for everyone involved. " Nifa turned back to us, and as a show of solidarity, she picked up two more sticks. " ..they are smart people, should be here sometime this spring. "

" I hope some of the food stalls will take up camp in Emet.. freshly made jam buns every day.. chocolates, sweet pies..

" Still a glutton, huh? " Hearing Eli made me remember how she used to be lost deciding what to buy from the little coin we had.

She was right, though. There was something about those ready to eat treats ..

" Your mother makes twice the cakes, sweets, and chocolate. How she isn't get bored with it is a mystery. " Nifa spoke the truth.

As the one who ate the most, I was a bit fed up, too.

Would've loved a trip to Malai and sample new things but had a feeling the city and its people had more important things on their minds than new and delicious sweets after all a serial killer is on the loose.

" Lylly..what did you bring from the big house this morning?...you seemed excited. " my sister asked.

Had to smile remembering Isa giving me a cheeky smile this morning and did run into Lovely as well.. she changed in a good way, much more talkative, and not once mentioned my husband or why I need a maid outfit for a week.

" It's none of your business, Eleanor. Let's take this back, Nifa is right. If we need more, we send others.."

My neck has hurt since night, but I bet his neck is in pain as well...hehehe.

Mother and the ladies were unpacking and place started to look like a campsite.

The food was well on its way by the time a lone wagon pulled up with Zephyr and Moritz on the front seat and Lucian riding on a single horse.

" I can't believe this... you had hours! I expected more.. for some reason. " he jumped down the still moving wagon and shook his head, seeing still only 5 tents standing.

The wagon slowed down, and Petra was helped down, holding her stomach. " It's fine if one less..we can just sleep inside the wagon, can't we darling? "

Moritz admired the Pen and had been woke up by a well placed pebble hitting him, courtesy of Lucian.

" Ouch!..oh.. yesyes, it's more comfortable anyway. "

Petra started pouting like he insulted her. Hormones.

" Your aloofness is annoying.." she pressed through her teeth.

We helped unloading the supplies for the weekend all the blankets and pillows, food, sweets, weapons, because we all wanted to have some fun up here, a cask of whiskey and 3 of the same filled with ale. Twenty bottles of wine and 4 barrels of clean water.

It didn't take long with extra help to the tents to stand, and I pulled my husband inside for some good news and some bad.

" I'll have it.. but.. Anna is sleeping with us. "

Just as though he didn't think this through, his perverted smile spread.

" It's..fine and warm outside, after everyone is sleeping.." he pulled me down on the blankets so thick it made the cold ground feel like a bed. " ..you serve me. "

I was willing..if.. my hands wandered and cupped his ass.

" Are you...? "

" No.. no,no,NO. We agreed to only do it if I want ..do you as well..and I'm fine. " he rolled away to the far end of the tent with his delicious bottom well covered.

We did agree..and for some reason, he was barely interested even though I knew for a fact he liked it.

" How come you don't want it!? " I asked.

" How come you want it? " he answered.

I enjoyed the power I had over him.

" I have my reasons. "

" ..and I have mine. " he slithered down like a snake towards the exit. It was funny. " ..can we go eat now? ..deranged women. "

He dared to call me deranged with my maid outfit hidden under the pillows he demanded yesterday?