IT HAD BEEN EIGHT days since Les, Klein, their men, and the refugees came to Norsewood and three since that important meeting, which resulted in Les having to pinch himself when he was alone to ensure he hadn't been dreaming regarding the aid offered by Lord and Lady Norsewood. In fact, he was pinching himself now as he people-watched in the common room of the quarantine center. It was his favorite pastime as of late when he wasn't busy in the greenhouse and learning all that he could from Kent Ingram and his men working in the agriculture department.
In an armchair, luxurious and comfortable, he observed the adults chitchatting and drinking that dark bitter drink called coffee, certainly not his thing but definitely Klein's who downed at least three mugs a day, and the children playing, reading what was called a comic, a form of book with pictures and not many words, and watching what was called movies with moving pictures that seemed so lifelike. Once again, Les couldn't believe how much the people around him had changed. All had been starving and most on the brink of death, and mentally, they had been broken and saw no hope for the future, but now...
He marveled at the sight before him in astonishment, feeling a lump of emotion overwhelming him. Now look at them, he thought. They were healthy and lively. Soon, the citizens of Wodria would be like this, too. In only a couple more days, he and his men would be on their way to their homeland on an airship, one of the two newly created ones he could see across the field through the window. They were certainly magnificent aircraft fit for royalty.
Les still felt a bit dazed at the thought that they'd be riding that beautiful thing home, bringing with them aid, the much-needed food supplies.
"I heard nearly all the civilians have already registered as Norsewood citizens," Klein, who was sitting to his right on the sofa and reading a thick manual that looked exceptionally complex with the drawings and writings, said.
"I'm not surprised," Les said. He knew his life would be more fulfilling living here, too, with the opportunities and the perks of being employed by the lord of the land.
Once again, those who had already become Norsewood citizens discussed their status cards and their blessings and affinities, and some had already had their mana awakened. The children were already registered in Norsewood's school system and the adults in the vocational courses they were interested in.
After the first announcement, Les often wondered what he was blessed with. Undoubtedly, it had to be something to do with agriculture because he felt so drawn to it. He felt joy every time he was in the greenhouse, as did Klein when he was in the blacksmith department.
In the afternoon, once lunch came to an end, Les watched the new Norsewood citizens make their exodus from the quarantine center. People were smiling, their cheeks flushing and eyes sparkling, as they chatted and laughed. A sense of delight and excitement was bursting in the air as they- in the form of a thick, long crowd of at least five hundred-marched toward the lodge, their new home. These were the ones who were already well enough to move. There were still a few hundred that would need to wait until it was their turn when they were healthy enough to leave the center. Indeed, Les was envious of the new citizens. He wished to move into the lodge as well, but alas, for now, he had a home and a family to return to in Wodria.
While the center was in a chaotic state of exhilaration with the citizens transfer, Les started making his way toward the greenhouse, only to be called by one of his men, stopping him short.
"Les! We are being summoned."
"We are? What for, do you know?" Les asked.
The elf smiled, his eyes twinkling. "We're being taken to the airship. I
heard Lady Quinn will be giving us a tour."
