Chapter 73: Day 95

"Welcome back, my Lord!" Zoë exclaimed. "Success?"

"Everything went according to plan," Matthias replied. "This was, most likely, my last trip, given the expense both in the cost of crystals and coin, so I brought back a number of additional items."

"What did you bring, if I may ask?"

"Books, tools, and supplies, as well as some gifts for Lilia. I also brought you something to say 'thank you'; two things, actually."

He unzipped a side pocket of the backpack and extracted two items — a Snickers bar and a necklace with a Z charm that had lightning bolts as serifs.

"Snick-ers?" she asked.

"It's a candy bar — a sweet. Let me put the necklace on you."

Zoë held her long tresses aside, and Matthias put the necklace around her neck, then fastened the clasp.

"Thank you," she said, fingering the charm. "It's beautiful."

"Tear open the package and try the candy," Matthias suggested.

Zoë did as he suggested, tearing open the wrapper. She looked suspiciously at the Snickers bar, sniffed it, then touched her tongue to it.

"You bite off a bit and chew it," Matthias advised.

"What is it made of?"

"Chocolate, nuts, and caramel. I promise it's good."

Zoë took a bit, chewed, and smiled, then ate the rest of the candy bar.

"I like it!" she declared. "It's strange, but very good."

"I'm glad you liked it. Shall we go upstairs?"

"Perhaps we could enjoy each other first?" she suggested, slipping off her robes.

"Perhaps we could!" Matthias agreed.

🎲🎲🎲

"What do you intend to do?" Lisette asked Michael when they got out of bed.

"Give Sierra's offer due consideration. Owning land with free title makes it an attractive opportunity."

"It does, as does the pretty girl to whom the land belongs! Given your many years of service in the Army, I very much understand the desire to own land and be able to pass it on to your children. And I am positive you enjoyed investigating her suitability for that purpose!"

Michael couldn't help but laugh.

"I will not deny that! You are truly not upset?"

"I am not. Do what is best for you, Michael, and so long as you have freedom, you are welcome in my bed."

"An offer only a great fool would refuse, and I am not a great fool!"

"On a different topic — are you enjoying your work?"

"Yes, though, as I've said, it's less demanding than what I was doing, but with my years, that's fine by me. Count Matthias is a good man and worthy of my loyalty."

"Indeed, he is. Let's have breakfast so we can begin our day."

🎲🎲🎲

After breakfast, Milos and Karla rode to Nelson's farm and concluded the purchase agreement. Once the contract was signed, they met with the men Nelson employed and promised to retain them. The challenge would be finding someone with appropriate knowledge and skills to manage the farm, but Milos was confident he could find someone in Fulham or Haven, or perhaps in Dal Valley. He and Karla discussed it, and in the end, they decided to send word to Milos' uncle asking for the names of men suitable for the task.

"Nelson, would you be willing to manage the farm until I can hire someone?" Milos inquired.

"I am sure we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement," Nelson replied.

They negotiated a fee and a deal for Nelson and his wife to remain in the house until Milos located and hired an overseer for the farm. Once that had been concluded, Milos and Karla mounted their horses.

"On our way back," Milos said, "I want to stop and check on the parolee. We've heard no complaints, but showing my face will reinforce the fact that I'm watching."

They rode to the farms with the disputed land and spoke to John, who said everything was fine. After a brief conversation, Milos and Karla went to see Gareth, the man on parole.