" ..see? How can anyone not envy your ability, Zeph? "
" Hey, you helped.. too. "
He waived him off and leaned back on the tree.
We walked away from the crowd with Alexander and Demelza, my sister and Lucian. Our princess, Ciren and even mother.
Down by the river where he first kissed me. In fact, he and I were laying on the ground where it actually happened.
Alexander quickly pointed out. " I think we all envy such an ability, Carlos. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't. "
I saw Anna and Ciren playing down the river.
Unfortunately it was too cold for a swim for them at least. It was well into the night, but only a few headed home. Most we could still hear even from somewhat far away. The celebration was still going strong.
The conversation was light and friendly.
I decided once again that we should spend more time like this. But, with the October rain soon upon us, it will be inside walls until spring. Winter picnics never be a thing for a reason.
Lucian and Alex were pretty much only interested in one thing.
" Carlos, tell us how Karta and its people are? Can they beat the King and his armies? "
He was close to the inside and learned a lot about our neighbours from the north. He was also willing to share that information with the group present.
" Karta has a different view of life. Most of them don't even acknowledge Ehlite as a God. They believe that Ehlite was just a man, a strong one, and from a long forgotten time but not a God."
" What do they believe then? They must have blessed amongst them like all. " I asked from perfect comfort, having my hair played with.
" I'm not sure. Maybe a different God or nothing at all. They do respect strength.." he looked at Zephyr with a smile.
" ..and they smelled weakness in Insatel, so decided to try and pay back generations of subjugation and cruelty against their people. "
We listened to him, giving us a rare insight of a nation from the far north. Those snow-covered mountain peaks .. I saw them about an hour ago.
Carlos went on.
" They will lose. Their style of fighting prohibits them. They wish for open battles. Large plains with plenty of space so their superior strength could prevail. "
He used a stick to draw and demonstrate the imaginary battle on the ground.
" But it makes them vulnerable from ambushes and guerilla tactics. Which I know.. will be the method of choice dealing with them."
He looked at Zephyr.
" Once their army reached us and war begins in earnest, the king will meet them. He won't fight the cockroach he is, but he will be there.."
On that day, Zephyr will leave us and head for Tetra the capital to the far south.
" If I may..why won't they, the Kartians, I mean. Change and adapt seem like something their king or generals would take care of over time. "
Carlos gave Mother a nice smile before answering.
" They believe in honour. They consider those tactics a cowardly act. But they are useful for labour and taxes. So previous Kings long recognized they worth more alive. " he had an appreciative smile thinking of those honourable warriors.
" Every few decades, the fighting restart. And, of course, the church spurs them on." He added with a frown.
" They dislike their beliefs about Ehlite, huh? "
Zephyr asked while playing with my stomach.
" Indeed.. fanatical bunch with all sort of insane beliefs of their own. Better to stay clear from them."
The church of Ehlite, those blue robed, arrogant men with their bonfires and laws.
" What beliefs? "
Carlos took a swig straight from a bottle and explained.
" They believe of a land mass far away the other side of the sea. One day, they destroy us all. " he smiled and talked in a theatrical manner, handing back the bottle to my mother. " But you already confirmed it's nonsense when you showed me."
" It's true. Nothing but water ..forever. The continent of Longinus looks like a piece of brown and green rock on it. There is nothing else as far as the eye can see."
It was true. I saw it myself, day or night, above the clouds or under. It's just endless blue water. Wait..
" We should go! " I turned and climbed up on him until we were an inch away.
" Where to my love? "
" To the sea. You can take us one by one and spend the day there. Hmm? "
Everyone was super into it, and now we just needed the most important person to agree.
And that person kissed me softly and, like always, with everything I could ever dream of, he agreed to make it a reality.
" Tomorrow? "
I smiled as the others celebrated my idea.
" Carlos, you obviously come, right? " he asked his friend quickly.
" Oh.. I. maybe I should check on Yelena ..
Zephyr raised an eyebrow. " Are you healer, maybe? "
" No."
" Then stop being dramatic. She is not dying, but she ..just feeling unwell. Besides.. "
He looked around as Ciren was listening with hope in her eyes.
" Will you be some heartless monsters and take your little sister away from a fun day spent with her uncle and his family? "
Carlos smiled, defeated, checking his little sister face full of excitement and hope.
" Very well. We should spend tomorrow night here as well. Can you drop a note to Yelena Zeph? "
" Leave it to me." He nodded.
Our day at the sea was planned.
Once settled, we walked back to the thinned out crowd. Now, only those left who were hopelessly drunk or still hungry, and those already sleeping on our lawn.
Most of the alcohol was gone, and once inside, we saw... they tore the sweets table apart.. There was nothing left.
I was very disappointed. " I can't believe they eat it all.. I didn't even try the new ones you bought. "
" Don't worry. I'll bring some before we leave for the sea. " he consoled and spoiled me with a single sentence.
" You're so good to me. "
He played around my lips with his finger, and I quickly sucked on it, turning him on.
" Well.. you're the one who asked for Peach Jam. It's the least I could do."
I licked for a little more before he stole my lips.. soon I'm gonna dip you in it and have my fill.
" Peach jam? My family has a wondrous recipe if you..
" Stop before you ruin this Em.. for heaven's sake, some things don't need improvement."
I walked away from the bickering couple. One of them is my future husband.
" There is going to be so much cleaning.." Demelza was shaking her head looking at the crime scene.
" Well, we leave it for the day after tomorrow. I can't believe I get to see the sea! " My sister jumped up and down.
I felt the same way she did. All that cleaning can wait until we return. Demelza turned to me a little shy.
" Lylly me and Alex..
" The room is yours for good. I told you you don't need to ask. " I hugged her side.
She smiled, hugging me back, then took her husband, who carried little Arnold and said goodnight.
" Carlos, you and Ciren have a room .. or if you want, you can sleep in Anna's. Sweetheart it up to you."
Carlos picked up little Ciren and discussed where she wanted to sleep.
Zephyr followed behind them, taking Anna.
I wanted to join them, so I turned to the others.
" I assume you want to stay the night? "