The first two weeks of October were gone and the promised rain arrived with a fury it always did.

The village were soaking and I loved it.

The walls around the village were progressing well considering the hindrances.

Training ate up most of my time.

After each day Alexander and Lucian spared with me if, I promised to send Zephyr away so they won't get beat up after every strike.

Plus he kissed those blue and green bruises away nightly it worked better than the ointment granny gave for them.

Learning the basics were hard but, Zephyr's training helped.

Swordsmanship of the rapier required speed and the forward stab we worked relied on footwork. With its design it was THE way to kill your opponent.

I felt myself getting better and my morning runs were a breeze now.

My love bought me the most beautiful belt which also doubled as new home for my sword, I was debating naming her but, since Alexander's new Alma he recently named ..after his old one.

I couldn't do it.

There was no sheaths needed just extreme caution while carrying it, it was proven by a few cuts we all received while being careless..

It was trial and error..

Ilianna joined her mother late afternoon and her eyes changed toward me completely.

She was amazed how much I had improved. Her eyes of approval and admiration spurred me on.

I noticed some other changes Zephyr loved too.

My abs started to show and my arms become more toned.

I looked pretty good and my stamina improved..I could finally keep up with him in bed.

Which made each morning and night..and the occasional wild ones in the rain which, turned out we loved, my training were going really well.

More good news.

Carlos spent time here more and more, most of it with mother, they become closer in realtime in front of us.

Zephyr said they had a fight with his wife when he was gone for two days even with the note.

Soon enough Yelena went home to Dharma for a celebration of sorts they called the festival of light..only her family observed since they made it up..pretentious traditions and pretentious name.

Probably boring.

Carlos was here once again he and Ciren basically had their own room now.. Her brother, brought great news...well not for him.

" Unfortunately Karta returned home. The rains were too much. " - he was sipping some of my mother's tea in her house.

He loved the place even though it could fit inside his dining hall.

Zephyr tapped his shoulder with a sad expression understood what that meant. " Spring then? "

" Looks like it. Unless something happens in the meantime. " - he looked sad but, also someone who accepted it. " As long as you got my back Zeph, one day my dream will become a reality. "

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He toasted him with the tea with a grateful smile. Zephyr reaches with his own cup and smiled proudly.

" I know you deep down feel relived..all those soliders spared another winter. " - he understood him better that even he thought. " You're a good man brother..I'm glad we've meet. "

We all smiled at this exchange while the outside the rain were bombarded the top with constant background music. I looked up and nodded proudly my thoughts on extra insulation was on the money.

" Dear sister?.. Zeph tells me how you soon master the humble rapier. "

I smiled at his polite words. " Far from it..it's only been a few weeks. But, I do feel the benefits of training. "

I fluttered my eyes at Zephyr who smiled in his cup.

Mother and Demelza shared some knowing looks watching us.

Zephyr noticed and looked at me with narrowed eyes.

I raised my own cup and sipped my hot tea.

I didn't tell them my love, calm down...well not everything.

" Is Anna still with the Kelsey boy? " - I changed the subject quickly.

He didn't immediately took the bait.

He did become more tolerant of the boy, his father Vincent and mother Shien become friends of ours. I even planned a dinner with them sometime.

I liked Shien, she was fun and bubbly with almost the same hair like mine.

He looked outside the window holding the rain at bay. " I pick her up soon just before dinner..and Sir Dog. "

" Ohh..she promoted him? Adorable. " - Mother was over the moons.

What would be ^adorable^.. if he stop making inside the house.

Unlike other well trained dogs, ours is spoiled rotten by the forest princess.

I spent half my day walking the yappy little idiot or cleaning after him. I suppose we spoiled her owner rotten as well. I plan to dump those duties on Zephyr once winter comes.

I picked some chocolate from the table which became a mainstay in the house.

I couldn't stand the mazzepan taste, Zephyr eat it with everything and always carrying some as well the tasteless idiot.

No diamonds without its flaws.

" The artist will arrive before your wedding ain't she big brother? " - Lucian playing with my sisters blonde locks in my favourite rockin chair asked something important for a change.

That's right, our Wold–Astoria family will have our first family portrait.

Best thing?

It's an actual artist who was blessed herself.

Her blessing able capture you as you are and paint it on almost any surface and apparently many others, Carlos was very secretive but, mother spilled it.

She was invited not just to paint us on canvas or paper no no...well that too.. but..She was able paint building, objects, flowers, animals, even nature. Trees, leaves, bushes etc..

She made a portrait Carlos showed and it really looked like him. She was incredibly talented.

I couldn't wait.

" Correct...Lady..something or other will come soon arriving from the North before the snow does.. "

Carlos frowned at his inability to remember names unimportant for him.

He kept calling his wife Lady Em..not out of courtesy but, because he didn't care to remember the name Yelena. Mother appreciated his insistence on either miss pronouncing or just plain calling her Lady Em.

" It's Lady Nifa. " - Carlos had a bone to pick about the artist. " Nifa Borea and I'll have you know that she and her wi..

" Ohh...Shushhh!..I know it already. Kings and queens etc...etc.. We are very honoured you little fish. " - he stood and messed up the probably ten-fifteen year older man's hair.

Seeing him pouting and mother satisfied smile was also a nice portrait.

I walked him outside and stopped at out brand new porch he and his students built under a weekend.

It was desolate now but comes summer, I'll plan to put all sorts of flowers and furniture to enjoy it from the shade.

The rain was a constant friend, if anything it made me reminded of his night time pounding as our window was right next to the bed or getting soaked in the forest or the field..or the mountain he took me when I mention the Pen and how I never saw it..

It was magnificent..the Pen and it's history.

Anyway...the rain was a strange aphrodisiac.

" You turned me into a strange woman.. " - I talked to him but, kept my eyes on the dark grey clouds.

I felt his hands on my ass and he guided mine on his bulding pants..he knew perfectly well, why I became wet in the rain..Hmm.

I played with it a little while leaning back on his mouth. He pressed at my side while put his finger in my mouth.

We teased each other for a while.. but he had to leave.

" Fueh...we can't walk outside without almost.."

" Well then stop with the sexual innuendos..uhh the rain.. please turn me into a strange women..Oyy.." - he avoided my punch with actual effort now which made me satisfied.

" Twisting my words to fit your perversions!? "

I kept up my assault until we draw the others outside.

" I thought you two long gone.. why the fight now? "

Mother got used to seeing me doing my best trying to hurt my future husband and failing for months now.

" I envy your spontaneous relationship brother..it's truly special. " - Carlos watched me missing and getting spun around, landing on his arm.

"" Right? ""