We walked towards the other room where I retrieved the water I would be using for my bath from among the many clay pots stored there, along with fruits and, presumably, everyone's tulga neatly arranged on each side.
"Your mother assigned Fifi the task of filling up all the clay pots with water as her punishment for putting your life in danger. In fact, she made it Fifi's responsibility from now on, so we don't have to worry about fetching water from the well anymore," Fiona explained as she grabbed her clay pot for bathing and led the way.
To my surprise, Grandma Ingrid was already at the door, holding it open for us to pass through before closing it and following behind. Although it wasn't a great distance, the thick bushes surrounding us, resembling a natural fence, made it apparent that we'd be taking our baths in the forest – a situation that didn't catch me entirely off guard.
"We've claimed this spot as our own for now, so no one else will use it until we move to the new hut," Fiona expressed as she began to undress for her bath, exposing her naked broad hips and small plump breasts.
Despite the tempting sight in front of me, I reminded myself of the important meeting ahead.
Within fifteen minutes, we were done with our baths and returned to the hut, placing our clay pots back in the room. Once I was about to leave for the meeting, I made eye contact with Grandma Ingrid, who had followed us silently. "When I get back, we need to have a serious talk," I said firmly, giving her a quick peck on the lips before rushing off towards the direction of the tree house.
Navigating my way to the meeting location was a piece of cake, given that the Village Chief and I had personally strolled there before.
As I stepped onto the flat wooden platform of the tree house, preparing to grasp the rope just like the Village Chief had done before, a small tree nymph suddenly appeared, nearly startling me. Thankfully, I quickly recalled her name, "Good morning, Molya. How are you doing?" I greeted her with a smile.
Molya, however, frowned and questioned, "What are you doing here?" She scrutinized my body from head to toe, her gaze intense.
"I have a meeting with the Caretakers and the Village Chieftess," I responded calmly, holding her gaze.
Her eyes snapped wide open in surprise as she muttered, "Again." She furrowed her brows, "But they didn't inform me of anything like that." Then, fixing her gaze on me, she asked, "Are you lying? Because if you are....."
"Don't worry, I'm not," I responded, waving my hand gently to dismiss her concern. "Besides, I'll be here until they arrive, so you can confirm by then."
After scrutinizing me once more, she nodded in understanding and promptly disappeared into the tree. In the blink of an eye, she reappeared above me, grabbing the rope and pulling the platform I was on upwards.
Just as I was about to step off the platform, Moyla emerged from the wooden structure below and warned, "I'll be watching you." She then descended back down, as if trying to create some tense atmosphere.
Ignoring her slightly cute but subtle threat, I proceeded to the door and took a seat beside it, patiently waiting for the others to arrive.
….......…
Three hours later
As time passed, Orion couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief when he spotted Moyla making her way up to pull the rope, indicating that someone else was coming up.
Curious to see who it was, he carefully observed the figure ascending before their face came into full view. Upon recognizing the Caretakers, he stood up to greet them.
Orion couldn't help but be impressed by Moyla's strength, despite her small size. Then again, he reminded himself that she was a tree nymph, and their abilities were known to be extraordinary.
"Oh, it appears you've managed to arrive before us and on time," Caretaker Ivor remarked, scrutinizing Orion from head to toe, a hint of approval in his expression. "Good.... good... It's commendable to see that you possess some discipline." He flashed a smile.
Even though they had received the message from the Village Chieftess only last night about Orion's participation in today's meeting, they had already prepared for his presence, so they all readily agreed to attend.
Caretaker Ivor suddenly narrowed his eyes, focusing on Orion intently, and asked, "Since you're here, it means you have a plan on how to deal with the newborns under Anara's care, doesn't it?"
Orion's eyes shifted between the three women before finally settling on Mrs Shani, who surprisingly held a baby in her arms, radiating the brightest smile he had ever seen on her since their first meeting.
He then redirected his attention to the elderly man before him. "Yes," he replied confidently, "Although it might sound rather unbelievable at first, it's the best and only option we have for now."
Caretaker Naida was the first to react, her eyes widening instinctively at Orion's words, wondering what kind of plan he had managed to come up with that could address such a serious matter in such a short time.
Caretaker Ivor's eyes also widened, and a slow grin spread across his face. He understood that Orion's serious expression meant that the plan he had come up with must be as good as the last one, given how composed Orion looked, reminiscent of their previous meeting. He couldn't wait to hear what the young man had in store.
"Very well," Caretaker Ivor said, nodding his head in understanding. He walked forward and lifted the wooden locks of their meeting tree house, pushing the door open. "Let's go inside and commence the meeting."
As the Caretakers stepped into the tree house, Orion trailed behind them, observing as they each settled into their seats after pulling the thick curtains to cover the entrance.
Realizing there was no platform for him, Orion was about to sit on the ground, but Caretaker Ivor quickly called for Molya, clapping his hands and summoning her. He instructed her to bring a wooden platform for Orion to sit on.
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