Chapter 182: Food vs drama...she chose food.
There was silence and exchange of opinion filled gazes.
Sunshine didn’t flinch.
She scooped a spoonful of butter rice and fed it to Castiel. Then, she dabbed her lips with a tissue and reached for the wine. She smiled before taking a sip and closed her eyes as the rich wine she once couldn’t afford smoothly went down her throat.
She placed the glass down and reached for the fork, intending to take some butter rice and a small piece of meatball. A smile curled on her lips again--not meant for anyone, just anticipation of the bite she was about to take.
Richard raised his voice like Hadrian. "Didn’t we settle the matters to do with those traitors long ago? I hope nobody here has any problems with the decision my son and daughter-in-law made. They showed mercy by letting the children in and that is enough."
A fork clattered. Avenn’s mother stood up, red faced. She ran off, soft sobs coming from her.
Sunshine raised her eyebrow. This was Rowena all over again. She watched the Quinns curiously, taking another bite of food. In her eyes, this was entertainment, a free play that she had not auditioned for.
A few nodded in reluctant agreement, some more Quinns murmured in their support. But Rori’s voice cut through, trembling yet firm. "Still, they are family, and they have learned their lesson. You do not throw a child away because they stole sugar. You discipline them not just shrug them off."
Hades shifted uncomfortably, watching the divide in the room widen. Before the argument could escalate, his deep voice rumbled from across the room. "That is why I took in their children."
The table froze; all eyes turned to him. He leaned forward, gaze steady, "It is also why I gave them food and clothes before taking them to a safe place on the base next door. If anyone here wants to live with them, just pack up and move over there too. I am not holding you hostage."
Sunshine made small moaning sounds of enjoyment. Those mushroom Tartlets were to die for.
Lisha laughed and quickly masked the laugh behind a sudden need to cough.
But she was not the only one that was amused by Sunshine’s determination to enjoy her meal despite all the drama around her.
"And Damien?" Warren asked. "I heard there were only a few parts of him left, I missed to see him drowning in misery." He chuckled decisively.
Sunshine reached for the wine again, licking her lips. She was already wondering what to add to her plate for a second helping.
As for the Quinns that were unhappy with how she chose to handle things, they could boil and stew in their own sauces. She had more butter rice to eat. It had a toasted almond-like taste which made her almost drool again. It called for her attention more than anything else.
Castiel leaned to her side and opened his mouth. She took a fork and fed him a bite of a meatball. He moaned like her, just louder and more comically.
"I heard about Damien too," Richard cleared his throat to call for attention.
Hades took his eyes away from his wife and looked at his relatives. His jaw tightened, and his hand curled into a fist against the table. "Damien shot and killed the chief of the stone village and other elders." Hades said. "He slaughtered them just to take control. I am sure that Avenn and the others knew about his intentions. Even though they did not participate in the murders, they were accomplices in a way. They are lucky that Morris chose his people over revenge and brought them here for a trade."
Gasps rose at once.
Rori made the sign of the cross. Richard put his arms around her.
Hadrian slammed the table. "Now you can see why we did not let them in. We will not be associated with cold, cruel murderers. Damien’s ambition is a sickness; they should have killed him already."
"I think they are going to do just that." Hades said, eyes still cold with anger. "The villagers could be moving here and they know I don’t want Damien. He made his bed so he should lay in it. I hope that this brings the end to the subject of the traitorous Quinns."
After what he had just shared, the subject was ended. Rori even apologized for having suggested that they bring them in just because they had suffered and maybe changed their ways.
She knew that if they could kill that village chief for control, it was not impossible for them to kill Hades for the same reasons.
Damien’s father excused himself.
Grandpa Quinn followed him and did some of the relatives. They knew he would be grieving the possible death of his son while blaming himself for his actions.
Within a minute, only Rori, Hades, Sunshine and Lisha remained at the table. Others had gone off to think or comfort those in need of consoling.
Lisha actually left because she had a date. But she was not planning to share that with her family.
"I guess more food for me then." Sunshine said.
Castiel, the little foodie who was learning from Sunshine clapped his hands.
Rori laughed and Ariel decided to start bringing the dessert out of the fridge.
****
The morning was still heavy with darkness when Morris and his men finished packing things onto the carts and carriages. His body was stiff from the cold yet his spirit relentless with the weight of leadership.
Around him, the villagers who had chosen to follow were already gathering.
Mothers had bundled their children, men carried sacks slung over shoulders and the elders, faces etched with grief whispered prayers to the mountain god.
Some refused to go, and they were watching those who would be leaving with sad faces or neutral ones. To live with outsiders was to abandon their ways. They could not do that.
Others had no more family left. Their loved ones were buried around. They could not let that go.
They all had reasons which they had given the night before. But they had all allowed their children to go.
Morris had made appeals and explained what was coming and their odds of survival. But they had not been moved.
Despite this he made one last appeal before the journey to a new life begun. Morris stood before them, his breath turning to pale mist in the morning chill. He searched their faces one last time, hoping against hope that they would change their minds.
"Are you certain?" He asked, voice raw. "This is not easy, but we have to survive. The fortress is safety. We will return here when mother nature is not angry anymore."
The oldest chief, his back bent but his gaze steady, shook his head. "These are our lands. The mountain god has watched over us before, and he will again. To abandon our lands now would be betrayal. Go Morris. May the mountain god watch over you as well."
The villagers that stayed behind began singing a low song. One of farewell. One of sorrow. Tears streamed down weathered cheeks. The younger ones, who were leaving their fathers or mothers cried.
The song followed Morris and his people, long after they left, echoing like lament carried by the wind.