"..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 a thing 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 hear even somewhat far away.

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 is Karta and its people? Can they beat the King and his armies? "

He was close to the inside and learned a lot about our neighbour's from the north.

" Karta has a different view of life. Most of them don't even acknowledge Ehlite as 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 smelt 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.

" 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. Won't fight the cockroach but, he will be there.."

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

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 seems like something their King or generals would take care of."

Carlos gave mother a nice smile before answered.

" They believe in honor. They consider those tactics a cowards act. But they are useful for labor and taxes. So previous Kings long recognized they worth more alive. " - he had a appreciative smile thinking of those honorable warriors. " Every few decades the fighting restart. And of course the church spurs them on."

" They dislike their belief 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 man 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 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 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 thing 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 the my idea.

" Carlos you obviously coming right? "

" Oh..I. maybe I should check on Yelena. "

He raised and eyebrow. "Are you healer maybe? "

" No."

" Then stop being dramatic. She is not dying..just feeling unwell. Besides.. "

He looked around as Ciren listening with hope in her eyes.

" Will you be some heartless monsters and take your little sister away from a fun day spent her uncle and his family? "

He smiled defeated once checking her little 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."

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 tried 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. "

I finger played around my lips 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 being 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 they did. All that cleaning can wait until we returned.

" Lylly me and Alex.."

" The room is yours I told, you don't need to ask. "

She smiled and 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? "