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Shaking my head in amazement at how Lyra had single-handedly shifted the conversation's dynamics, igniting everyone's spirits, and how my mom and Reena had expertly steered it back to the original topic with a different tone, it was hard not to be somewhat impressed. Particularly Lyra, who had initiated this whole torrent of events.
And catching her sly wink aimed at me, I couldn't help but conclude that it was all very much intentional.
"Ahem!" I cleared my throat, drawing their attention back to me, "You can all lower your hands now," and one by one, their hands descended. Just as I was about to resume speaking, "Knock!! Knockk!!!" the resounding sound of knuckles rapping against the door reverberated, followed by a booming voice, "Is everyone ready?"
Upon hearing the warrior's voice, I realized that we didn't have enough time to keep talking. I looked at all of my women and said, "Given the limited time we have, let's begin moving, everyone." The women nodded in agreement and, one by one, stood up from their seats, proceeding to the adjacent room. Each woman emerged holding a clay pot filled with Kalna fruits and a bundled sack of cloth, presumably their tulga, all wrapped together.
Observing Gina struggling under a load much larger than her frame, I rose from my seat and walked towards her. "Let me help," I offered, extending my hands to take the weight off her. As she handed over the hefty bundle of two sacks of clothes, probably both hers and mine, along with a collection of Kalna fruits nestled within, I positioned the load against my chest and supported it with both hands, as I was not accustomed to balancing things on my head.
Even with her insistence on carrying it herself, I managed to persuade her to let me help.
Given that we were uncertain about the duration of the route to our new hut, I wanted to prevent her from falling behind or struggling to catch up with us.
Seeing everyone ready and carrying their belongings, with those who had less helping others, I turned to lead the way to the door. After pushing it open for everyone to pass through, I closed it behind us.
I then faced the guards who had positioned themselves on either side of the doorway, patiently waiting.
"We're prepared to leave," I informed them. Both guards simultaneously nodded their heads, and one turned to say, "Follow us. We'll guide you to your new hut."
The woman guard took the lead, while the man slowed his steps, making sure he protected us from behind. As we progressed, we entered what I assumed was Caretaker Shani's section of the farm, having left the production hub about thirty minutes ago. Now, we were heading deeper into the farm, likely approaching Overseer Anara's section.
After an hour and ten minutes, we stopped in front of a large wooden hut, easily three times the size of both the huts we had used in the production hub and our regular hut in the village.
Even though we had covered the distance in an hour and forty minutes, despite walking at an incredible pace, we were all visibly exhausted. As we stood there, ready to finally collapse onto our mats and catch some rest – well, all except me due to my physique – I gazed at the large hut before us. It was nestled amidst towering trees and lush bushes, with a small cleared area that resembled a wide yard.
I couldn't help but think that the trek was worth it, and I was certain the women shared my sentiment. They began placing their belongings on the ground in front of them, taking the opportunity to stretch.
Just as I was preparing to lead the way towards the hut, the guard abruptly extended her arm, halting me. "There's someone else here," she stated, her gaze narrowing as she scanned the surroundings.
I was on the verge of asking whether they might be the tree nymphs we had encountered earlier, considering our remote location within the farm, when I turned my head to the side. I could see a few of them perched on lofty branches, observing us from above.
However, before I could say anything, the guard suddenly let out a loud scream, "ARE YOU AWARE THAT THIS PLACE IS OFF-LIMIT BY THE ORDER OF THE VILLAGE CHIEF HIMSELF? IF NOT, THEN COME OUT BEFORE I SEARCH FOR YOU MYSELF. MY GIFT CAN HELP ME PICK UP THE DISTINCT SMELL OF ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING, SO YOU BETTER DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND COME OUT. LET ME ESCORT YOU BACK TO THE VILLAGE, OR ALLOW ME TO SEARCH FOR YOU AND FACE THE CONSEQUENCES!!"
Instantly, the other guard abandoned his position at the back and hastened to stand beside his companion.
Hearing the mention of her gift, I thought it best to remain silent. I watched as the woman nodded discreetly at the man, seemingly communicating without words.
He returned the firm nod, poised to step forward and likely search our surroundings. Meanwhile, the woman chose to head in the opposite direction, her movements more subtle.
But then, a commanding voice boomed through the area, putting an abrupt halt to the growing uneasiness, "It's alright!! I am coming out." We all redirected our attention to the source of the voice, focusing on a man emerging from the back of one of the trees on the opposite side, near the grassy yard of the large hut.
As the moonlight bathed him in its glow, his rugged, muscular frame and scarred face became clearly visible, revealing his identity to everyone present.
"LEADER!!" The guards' simultaneous cries rang out as they sprinted forward, leaving us behind as they hurried to greet the man. While they rushed to his side, the women and I remained behind. I found myself standing at the forefront, my expression stunned as I gazed upon the man before me.
'What the hell?' I thought, almost saying it out loud.
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