Apparently, the majority agreed and were ready to leave, aside from a few families who didn't want to leave their lands and for a far more idiotic reason.
"The Hues and Locks are old families, tied to this land since the founding of Tori," Moritz explained, accepting the food we offered, which he ate gratefully. "They worshipped her as a protector of these lands. Even though she did nothing but slaughter them. They don't wanna leave."
We used to have these unhinged people in Emet as well. Those who prayed to him and some even willingly sacrificed their own to appease his non-existent moods. Soon, the ones who remained died out, and no other took up their beliefs.
In the absence of Zephyr, Alexander took charge.
"We wait for my little brother. He went to take a look and secure the surroundings." He didn't look worried one bit as he stoked the fire. "I'm sure he fixes it. In the meantime, please don't worry."
We made small portions for the children, who sat in a small circle, some of them exhausted from the workout. They ate with full smiles. It was a nice feeling helping them. I felt Alexander was right. Once Zephyr returned, he would talk to those reluctant into leaving and change their minds with just a few words.
Time passed, and after all plates were finished, I started to get nervous. Zephyr wasn't back yet. With his ability, scouting this small village should be long done by now, even with some light exploration.
I was on my feet, walking back and forth. More time passed, and the villagers came out to greet the rest of us and give their thanks. Among them was an old man being helped by someone.
It took considerable time, even with help, to get close enough. "Where is Lord Zephyr? I want to talk to him."
"Elder, please, it's not the time..." The elder Emil boy, Moritz, hopped up, trying to explain.
"Moritz, when you are as old as me, you understand it's always time if it might be your last!"
The younger Emil brother, Manata, who visibly worshipped my Zephyr, looked annoyed.
"Old man Hue, Master Zephyr is out there right now, securing our village as we speak!" He pointed in a random direction. "Once he arrives, I'm sure he will be happy to listen to what you have to say."
The man, Mr. Hue, seemed to calm down already when seeing the people mingle and the children playing. He nodded and took a seat near our wagon; his people surrounded him.
I kept my eyes on the distance. Where is he?
"Should we go, Lylly?" Alex already grabbed his sword and looked ready. "I don't believe there is anything wrong, but still..."
I wanted to tell Alex to go and check the surroundings, but then.
"Hey..!"
Zephyr walked back... soaked. His shirt hanging loose around him, and he carried two large pieces of wood on his back. He smiled, looking our direction.
My heart felt lighter seeing his smile and no visible injuries. Why is he carrying wood?
We walked closer and saw him missing some of his shirt on his back, but otherwise, he looked fine.
"Where the hell were yo—" I walked around him to see.
I noticed his back as he put the wood down. He was bleeding, soaking what was left of his white shirt in a long red pattern dripping down his back.
"What happened!!?"
He looked suspicious even before he talked. "She attacked me... you know. It was like, whoa! Scary, my love."
"...Please don't tell me." I stepped back and checked the 'wood' he dropped.
It wasn't wood at all. They were giant, brown snake fangs. Each was almost as big as Ilianna and looked a lot heavier. He did it.
"Turn around, let me see your wounds."
"My love..."
"Do... it... now."
He probably wanted to let me know he was fine, and thanks to seeing him looking fine, I decided not to kill him. He had some bruises on his back that bled, but nothing super bad or deep; he had plenty of room for improvement right next to them.
He just needed more cleaning. "Demelza, bring some hot water and clean cloth."
"I'll do the boiling, Dem."
"S-sure..." Demelza sped past the elderly and inside the wagon, while Eli went to fill a pot with water.
Our own people surrounded him, demanding a story I also wanted to hear. But before anything, Ilianna pushed herself through the crowd.
"Dad... you're wet again. Why are you always wet?"
He picked her up and placed her on his knee.
"I swam with the local animals. A great bunch, but they went on and on... self-obsessed if you ask me, princess."
She grabbed his cheeks with her small hands. She missed the atmosphere thanks to Zephyr's silly story.
"Is that really what happened? They never swim with me."
He gently pulled his face away while smiling at her with pretended sadness. "It's 'cause they don't like you that much, princess... They have a mind of their own..."
I covered my eyes in frustration... his unpredictable nature sometimes gave me a headache. I couldn't have her see his back and the blood.
"OK OK. Sweetheart?" I knelt in front of her. "Why don't you gather some flowers with Aunt Eleanor for your father. She'll show you which one he likes the most."
She looked at her father first, but once he nodded, she jumped off and went with Eli to gather some flowers.
We brought plenty of Granny's ointments for the trip, but after seeing his injuries were light and having made me so angry, I decided against it. Maybe once I'm calmer.
Meanwhile, he already started to recount his story of the event.
"I noticed her too late... she knocked me away to a tree pretty hard. It knocks the air right out of you for sure. But, I was gone fast, whoosh, and high above her on the trees. She sure was... Massive."
Everyone was waiting breathless for him to continue. He laughed, seeing those expressions.
"It was ea... without difficulty." He saw my raised eyebrows and changed his tune. "Nothing dangerous after stabbing her eyes... she tried to flee, but because of her size, it was e— not hard to track her from above and keeping up."
He almost said "easy" there a few times and kept glancing in my direction... seeing how much fun he had just retelling it. Ughh, he really does make me...
"I pretty much just stabbed once more in the head. She was dead. I obviously couldn't carry her, so just the fangs..." he pointed at the large fangs near us. "The rest of the remains are about an hour walk from here, to the East. Emet's body was gone, less than a day after he died. If you want to claim it, you have to go now."
He looked at the Emil brothers. "Us, Master Zephyr?" They looked behind themselves first and then back.
He smiled at their behavior. "She tormented your people, so they should have it. Go gather some of them to carry... she is big but definitely dead." He pointed behind him at the fang again. If her main weapon here wasn't proof, I don't know what is.
The brothers bowed to him in thanks, then quickly moved and organized some of their men. Zephyr asked Lucian to take six more from ours, and they left.
Demelza handed me some hot water and the cloth, and I cleaned his back. It had some bizarre shapes on his already scarred back. It did seem like he hit a tree, but I had a suspicion that the tree part was the only truth in his story.
As I was still cleaning, I began to probe. "So, remind me, my love... How did you run into her again..?"
He stiffened under my hands, and I knew... I knew I was right.
"I... yeah, I just looked around, checked for safety, enjoyed the vistas, and out of nowhere this invisible dick just." He talked fast to those in front of him and then turned his head toward me. "She... ambushed me, love! I barely got away in one piece. I mean, look at this shirt of your father's..."
I caressed one of my favorite scars, the one Eleanor did when we found him. "It's funny, not two minutes ago you said it was... without difficulty?... or your real thoughts, EASY!!?"
I pinched his back and didn't even hear his screaming. Those from Tori village still there left in a hurry once they met my gaze. Only Demelza and Alex stayed in anticipation of a show.
"You searched for HER!!?? Ughh, I can't believe you." His back wasn't enough, so I went for his hair and pulled. "You sought her out!?"
He struggled but got free and pushed his messy hair behind, putting his hands up in the air.
"My love... life is all about chances, and I figured maybe... if the stories were true, then maybe she would be out looking for food and th— Stop! STOP Lylly!!"
I learned how to hit and kick from the best.