Sighing heavily, Hosea pushed himself to his feet and paced around his dimly lit room. The weak glow of a single candle threw soft shadows across the walls.
"Did you go to the city?" he whispered.
"Or are you with your friends?" he murmured again, closing his eyes with a slow exhale. A wave of dizziness made him sink onto the bed. He slipped his legs under the covers and drifted into a deep sleep.
At dawn, the gentle chorus of birds woke Yara. Her body still felt weighed down, and the cold air seeping through the cracks of the makeshift shelter pricked her skin. She staggered to her feet, gripping a wooden post to steady herself.
After stretching her chest and gathering her wallet and bag, she stepped outside to the rising morning light.
"This way should be north," she murmured, adjusting her headscarf as she eyed the narrow path cutting through the area. She began walking in that direction. The wind sliced through her, forcing her to clench her teeth against the sting.
Meanwhile, at the border, Phinehas was still tangled in arguments with the third-party handler who was in charge processing approvals faster.
"The goods are too many to clear at once," the man insisted. After a long back and forth in the cramped office, Phinehas finally agreed to split the goods in half and move them twice a week.
With that, half the shipment was approved.
"Are we heading to Laoni?" the driver asked as they set off.
Phinehas instructed him to drive to the northern city instead.
Back in Laoni, the town buzzed with shock over the two charges brought against Yara.
"Such a quiet girl," some said in disbelief, while others scoffed.
Later that afternoon, Madam Salome visited the monastery to see the priest. It had been a long time since their last encounter.
She dressed in a green floral dress, round toe shoes, and a soft vanilla scent. Her nails shone bright white, and she held her purse neatly in her lap as she waited in the reception.
After a few minutes, the priest arrived. A smile flickered across his face when he saw her. He walked over cheerfully and greeted her, avoiding any physical contact. They moved to a quieter corner and sat down.
"Is Hosea well?" the priest asked, his gaze lingering on her dress.
"Yes. He told me you said you wanted to speak with me." Salome cleared her throat and attempted a small smile as she looked away.
The priest blinked, tilting his head. His attempt at a smile looked strained.
"Uh… mm… uh…" he muttered, tugging at his ear.
She turned back to him, her eyes bright.
"What did you want to tell me?" she pressed.
He chuckled lightly and glanced around.
"Well… he's getting older, and he hasn't found a wife yet. That's all that concerns me." He tapped his knee and clasped his hands.
"I think he likes that Yara, even if she's not quite… refined. We can teach her our values." Salome lifted her chin as her eyes met Yakim's.
"No," Yakim replied sharply.
"Is something wrong with her?" she asked, fanning herself, her lips tightly pursed.
"You and I both know that girl's mind isn't right. She'll ruin Hosea." Disdain pulled at his features.
Salome let out a soft laugh and leaned closer, her eyes narrowing.
"Like you ruined me?" Her lower lip curled inward as she breathed through her mouth.
"Didn't I leave you with everything I had? Don't I still provide for you?" he whispered. "All I want is a good daughter in law."
"I don't think we have anything left to discuss," she said flatly, still fanning herself.
"I don't approve of that girl. I can find someone better for him if you stop manipulating him." Yakim pulled out a small bottle of alcohol wrapped in a handkerchief.
"He's a grown man. Nearly a grandfather," she snapped.
He slipped the bottle toward her, glancing around.
"Here put that sweet liquor you always make in this and send me some," he said with a wink.
Salome frowned but tried to hide it behind a strained grin.
"And my son is still young," Yakim added as he rose. She stood too.
"You can talk to him yourself." With that, she walked away without looking back.
Around noon, Egen and Zera met in Lode's office. Walda stayed home with Asha and the children.
A stack of documents lay on the desk. Egen reviewed them carefully while Lode pointed out where he needed to sign. Once done, the papers were returned to the shelf.
"What about Zayun?" Lode asked, leaning back.
"He's always been close to Yara. She'll look after him." Zera lifted her eyes to Egen, then back to Lode.
"And why didn't you tell her that Lelvin left her nothing?" Lode asked, his brows knitting.
"She knew," Zera said with a smirk. "She just didn't want to accept it." She slid an envelope across the table. Lode took it and placed it in his drawer.
They stood and left the office, leaving him behind.
"Mother… does Yara really have the gift of an oracle, or is she just delusional?" Egen asked.
"She's neither an oracle nor delusional. She's just… not normal," Zera replied, quickening her pace. Egen hurried after her.
At home, Asha was still asleep, the children playing around the room. Walda had fed them and sent them back.
She sank into one of the cushioned chairs and exhaled. Her gaze drifted to the ceiling as the world softened around her. The sounds faded into a distant hum. A small crease formed between her brows as she curled her tongue against her teeth.
"Why do you give everything to Egen, Mother?" Walda whispered.
"Am I not your daughter?" Bitterness tightened her voice.
"Or do you see your past fears in us?"
After a long silence, Walda rose quietly. She walked to Asha's room and gently turned the key to lock it. Then she went to the front door and locked it as well, before finally heading toward Zera's room.