Chapter 15: Toast
"First, I want to thank you for joining my guild. I promise you won’t regret it. I also want to thank Manaia for the great job she’s done keeping this clan united. Let’s give her a big round of applause, please!"
All the village women applauded thunderously for 30 seconds for Manaia, whose eyes were filled with tears, clenching her teeth to keep from crying.
"I want to tell you that I have plans for all of you, so don’t worry about the future and leave everything in my hands. Let’s leave the work for tomorrow, and for today, let’s just enjoy the moment. Cheers, everyone!"
I raised a glass of wine that Zyra had brought me and started the banquet with a toast. Everyone raised their glasses, except the girls and boys, who had fruit juice for the occasion.
"You did excellent, Jax, but tell me, what plans do you have and how can I help you achieve your goals?"
"Have some meat, you took too little, and for today, stop worrying. Things will get better little by little, but I know you’ve worked too hard. Today, leave all your worries in my hands; tomorrow will be a new day."
Reluctantly, Manaia stopped asking questions while taking more food. We sat at the head table with her apprentices Zela, Lyra, and Leila, as well as the guards Zyra and Vira.
"Guild leader, thank you very much for deciding to help us. We are very grateful to you; please accept this toast in your honor."
Leila took her glass and was about to take a big sip before I stopped her glass. My action caused her to make a sad face, and large tears formed in her eyes.
"Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t stop you because I reject your toast, but because I don’t like how you refer to me. My name is Jax, so there’s no need for titles. Feel free to call me Jax, and I gladly accept your toast."