>The guests went back home.
>Amira personally supervised them embarking. With three of you nearby.
>Today, everyone once again were cheerful and informal. Amira even exchanged jokes with some of the closer relatives. You and colts too got many good wishes and fertility related jokes.
>You are pretty sure though, that some, for example Alqua, still remained in the Palace.
>During the dinnertime Amira took a break. You three had a nice dinner.
>After you finished with the dinner, Ajmal went back to Gulzar and Alharara. Ahmed went to the library, to read some more poetry.
>You consider what should you do.
>Amira wasn't going anywhere, continuing to lay on her side. You think for a moment and decide that you do not want to return to your room as well.
"Can I stay here with you, Amira?"
>She flicks her ear.
>"If you want to, suit yourself, dear."
>You sit near some thick bush, lean on it and look up, admiring vast blue sky above. You just begin to think about where your home world possibly can be, when you hear surprised grunt.
>You look to the side and there stands Alqua. Since you sat behind the bush she probably hasn't noticed you at first.
>Amira quickly stands and nuzzles her.
>"I wanted to tell a few things, but perhaps you are occupied." The old mare says.
>"No, please do, grandma." Amira looks at you, with a hint of apology.
>You get that.
"If my lady allows, I would go to the fountain, to refresh myself a bit."
>You stand and bow.
>"Fetch me some too, dear." Says Amira, surprisingly enough and gives you her bowl, holding it with her teeth.
>So, she wants you to return? Interesting. You take the bowl and go, turning around the hedge.
>You approach the fountain, take a few sips, fill the bowl and contemplate if you should go back. After all, Amira let you know she expects you back. But is it wise to interrupt whatever the conversation you were asked to go away from? You wait a couple of minutes and then decide to slowly return. Approaching the picnic spot you overhear the words and stop.
>"...Warrior families were completely in tow with it. The most prominent landowners too."
>That's Amira speaking.
>"The amount of seething was still pretty high." Alqua answers.
>"What is important they understood they are in minority. Lands were sitting idle, growing with weeds, because those idiots do not know how the land should be tended."
>"True that. But the problem being, we cant keep griffins in check without the growth and we can't just grow tall indefinitely. They still paid the taxes." Alqua states.
>"This has an unfortunate consequences of over-urbanization and Earth Kind losing connection to their land usually. And Unicorns becoming hoarders instead of warriors." Amira stomps.
>"The states grow on wealth."
>"The pile of gold grows. Even you, who is much stronger than me, cannot make a seed sprout on gold! We need more people and we need to feed them. We can import something additional but we need the bulk of fodder to sustain the population readily available! And we need population that can do something, not just collect coins and exchange them!"
>Alqua sighs. "Dear, the Middle Lands."
>"Grandma, they almost wiped out each other before Equestria had shown up. Imperivm of Roam was a cruel and heretical joke in my opinion. You know what they practiced openly! I don't want to say that word. When cities grow untended-"
>"That would take Equestrian Princess to tend cities like gardens." Alqua interjects. Apparently only she can get away with something like interrupting the Ruling Mother.
>"Precisely. But we still can do some trimming here and there."
>There is a pause. Then Amira speaks up, in hushed tone.
>"Grandma, you do know that some used external coinage to be able to measure the amount of added wealth properly?"
>"Whose coinage?" Alqua's tone becomes alert.
>"We are investigating that."
>"You know, Ami," Alqua says after a much longer pause, "I'm glad back then other electors voted for you."
>Amira laughs.
>"Grandma, I know well you voted for me too, despite how hard you're trying to pretend otherwise."
>"I'm not pretending. It was my point in debates, to let everyone imagine what would it be if it turns out we are wrong."
>"You always do that. And I'm always thankful to you for that."
>Alqua lets out a hoarse, hearty laugh.
>Since they are silent after that, you approach and exit from the bush, presenting the bowl to Amira with a bow.
>"Alright, I'll go supervise how they load our things on the cart. Later, Amira."
>Amira hugs her by the neck. "Later, grandma."
>Alqua walks away.
>Amira sips from the bowl. Then speaks. "Anon, do you ever pay attention, from where the wind blows?"
>Huh?
"The wind, my lady?"
>"Thank Goddess you didn't get dropped in Zebrican savannah."
>Huh??
>Amira laughs some more. And decides to change topic.
>"So, how do you like our stay in the ancestral halls overall?"
>You bow.
"That is rather fascinating. Especially I like the garden and that the palace seems more lively."
'Except for the gym.' You add to yourself, without voicing it.
"I wouldn't reject also a tour to the ancient citadel though."
>Amira sighs.
>"Sorry, dear. We will have to visit it another time. I'm glad you took liking of our home, but we need to return to Dameascus."
"As my lady wishes."
>"And since I considered what have you asked me, I wanted to tell you, that I'm also taking Haakim with us."
>"I want you to pay attention to him, while attending paperwork. With your suspicious attitude and analytical approach you will have a good influence on him."
>You bow, slightly puzzled. So, Haakim has a role in her plans as well?
>Bit she continues.
>"He is dutiful colt, but oftentimes he just does what he's told to do, without making conclusions of his own. That is of course good for a stallion, but may play against him if he would find himself in a situation, where there nobody to issue an order."