Life Bonds

by Daniel Schinhofen

  All three women huddled close to the fire while they ate. Sean let his cool some, while the others all dug in. After a couple of minutes, he poured tea for them and finally began eating. Catching Fiona’s eye, he gave her a smile and swallowed. “Wonderful, as normal.”

  The rest of the meal was quiet, as everyone was focused on their food and drink. Ryann scraped her bowl clean while staring into the fire. “Myna, would you stake your life that knowing what Sean can do is worth an Agreement on a person’s life?”

  “Yes,” Myna said simply and without hesitation, then went back to the last of her meal.

  Ryann fidgeted while Fiona started to clean the dishes. Obviously lost in her thoughts, Ryann only nodded when they asked if she was coming with them and climbed into the wagon. All the canvas was packed onto the cart; if they washed it, the material could prove useful. They pushed the trash into the latrine pit and covered it over, then finally got rolling. Fiona joined Ryann in the back while Myna took the driver's seat. Sean went around to the front of the cart to help guide the horses back along the narrow trail away from the camp.

  As he was helping the horses back down the overgrown trail, Sean glanced back at the wagon occasionally. Myna gave him a smile every time. Each smile was beautiful, and made Sean question why he kept putting her off.

  It’s gotta be the Bond, Sean thought. Even a week ago, I wouldn’t have had the thoughts I keep having now. Both Myna and Fiona seem to have embraced the idea, so why do I keep fighting it? Shaking his head, Sean chewed his lower lip as his thoughts chased themselves in a circle.

  Once they’d gotten back to the main road, Sean got onto the driver’s bench. “Why don’t you go bundle up in the back? We’ll get more warm clothes in Holden so you two aren’t as cold as you are now.”

  “They might have a tailor who has at least some heavy coats ready,” Myna handed him the reins. “We had them back in—”

  “I know,” Sean said, putting his arm around her when she stopped speaking.

  “He’s familiar with the Moonbound?” Ryann’s soft voice carried easily to both of them.

  “Why not? She’s his Life Bonded, after all, as am I,” Fiona replied.

  “Just… most would never let anything like that be seen, even if they did care for one of them in such a way,” Ryann whispered.

  “Myna is worth more than most people could ever hope to be,” Fiona said icily. “It makes me think you might not be compatible with our group after all.”

  Ryann and Fiona lapsed into silence and Myna sighed as she leaned into Sean’s side more. “I had hopes for her, too,” Myna murmured.

  Sean kissed the top of Myna’s head. “If she doesn’t understand how wonderful you are, then she doesn’t need to be with us.”

  “Thank you,” Myna whispered, giving him a quick squeeze before letting him go and clambering into the back of the wagon.

  Sean felt a bit of sorrow for her. He’d never had to deal with the sort of prejudice and discrimination that she’d grown up with. Lost in his thoughts as he held the reins, Sean wondered if he could deal with the contempt and hatred that would be leveled at Myna almost everywhere they went.

  About an hour down the road, Sean sat up straight when he saw another wagon coming toward them. Two men in chainmail rode ahead of the wagon on horseback, and Sean made sure to edge the wagon over to make sure there was plenty of room for the two wagons to pass.

  As they got closer, Sean gave the men a level gaze, sizing them up like they did to him. The driver of the other wagon was what really caught Sean’s attention; a Moonbound with large rabbit ears. Sean blinked, but didn’t know why he was surprised, considering the other two Moonbound he had encountered. The driver didn’t look at him, though the bands on her neck and wrists were easily visible even through the thick white fur that covered her body. She wore little clothing otherwise, just enough to cover the important bits.

  “Myna, I have questions about the driver of the oncoming wagon,” Sean said softly as he nodded to the two guards.

  Myna’s head poked out from behind him and she looked at the other driver. Climbing onto the seat with him, she frowned at the two rearguards smirking at the pair of them. Once the wagon was past, Myna sighed.

  “She is Moonbound, Master. What else did you wish to know?”

  “The fur?”

  “She is not fully Moonbound, since she has a human face,” Myna said. “She is quite likely the product of a first-generation union, though. Only the first sired are prone to having fur, unless the blood is refreshed down the line.”

  “Why was she alone?” Sean asked.

  “Her Holder, or another, was probably in their enclosed wagon,” Myna said. “Or she could be a well-known Bonded and does deals for her Holder.”

  “Hmm, so if I make a name for myself, people won’t cause as many issues for you if we find a place to settle in?”

  “It would draw attention to you, though,” Myna said softly. “I can deal with the comments and scorn, as long as you and Fiona are with me.”

  “I’m not sure that I can,” Sean told her. “I’ve never been good with bullies, and what happens to the Moonbound and their descendants makes me sick.”

  “Your heart is good. It’s yet another reason to love you, Master,” Myna said as she nuzzled her head against him.

  “You’re going to resist calling me by my name as often as you can, aren’t you?” Sean asked with a hint of exasperation.

  “Yes,” Myna said. “I find that I like calling you Master. Something about it makes my inner beast happy.”

  Sean took a moment to consider her words, then sighed, “Fine. If it makes you happy, I will learn to accept it.”

  A deep purr came from her as she stayed snuggled up with him. Sean smiled at how easily he was swayed from his earlier stance by one of the women he loved… One of the women I love… Huh, how easily that thought seems to be natural and right.

  The grey sky made it impossible to see the sun, so Sean pulled the wagon over when he guessed that it was midday. “Guess it’s a good time to rest the horses for a bit,” Sean said, looking up at the clouds. “Myna, how long until we reach Holden?”

  “We’re only a few hours away,” Ryann said. “The horses should be fine.”

  “She is correct, Master,” Myna agreed.

  “Then I guess we keep going,” Sean said, giving the reins a light flick. “Ryann, any decision on the offer?”

  Ryann climbed onto the driver's bench beside him, switching with Myna since there wasn’t room for three of them. “I’ve been thinking about it, and Holden will not be a good place for me. Most of the town knows that I’m Bonded to Oriv. There will be talk if I show up with you and am not Bonded. Some of Oriv’s friends might try to cause trouble if they see me, as well. Is the offer still available?”

  “Yes, but we’re going to need the oath, too,” Sean said. “Are you willing to enter that Agreement?”

  “I’ve watched your Bonded Shape both metal and wood, and I’m sure that your Agreements will be upheld fairly. I promise not to disclose any of your or your Bonded’s secrets, on my life. In return, any Bond we enter at any point means that I will be allowed access to Talents and energy equal to that of your Life Bonded.” Ryann suddenly looked a little puzzled as to why she had stated it that way, but didn’t try to change what she had said.

  “I accept this Agreement,” Sean said, and felt a heavy weight settling over him. “Now about the previous Bond—do you agree to the conditions that Fiona outlined?”

  “One year of service from me as your bodyguard. In return for one silver, my own bedding, and food equal to your other Bonded. You will not make any advances at me, nor will you withhold what is mine to coerce me into unfair trades. If at any time I wish to break the deal, I must pay back twice what I have received in coin from you and give you at least one full day’s notice.”

  “I accept your Bond,” Sean said, and a small pulse of energy flowed from him to her.

&nbs
p; Ryann looked at her left wrist, which now had a thick, black band. “Well, that’s that. Would you prefer sir or Sean?”

  “Sean, please,” Sean said.

  “Here is your pay,” Fiona said with a smile, holding out a silver coin.

  Ryann blinked, not expecting to be paid in full right away. “Thank you, Fiona.”

  “Have you hit her with everything yet?” Fiona asked with a smirk.

  “I was going to have her climb into the back with both of you,” Sean said.

  Ryann looked at them, puzzled. “Why?”

  “They both are accustomed to having access to abilities and energy. You’re not, and certainly not at the level we’re all at,” Sean said. “I wanted make sure you don’t fall off the wagon.”

  Ryann frowned, but did as he suggested, looking at the other two with a wary expression as they grinned at her. “Okay…?”

  Sean felt the Bond to Ryann and slowly began to send her energy and access to the Talents he had. Ryann’s gasp was mostly expected, but her sudden grunt and breathless moan wasn’t. Glancing back, he caught sight of Ryann arched as if in the throes of a mind-blowing orgasm. “Ooops,” Sean said, dialing it back to what felt to him like the barest trickle.

  Fiona snickered, “She isn’t used to any of this, Master, you can’t go giving her too much at once.”

  “She’ll be fine shortly,” Myna said, brushing Ryann’s hair back from her face. “She’s just never been so full of life before. I’m glad you slowly added to us.”

  “I haven’t,” Sean sighed. “I just gave you both all you could hold. I haven’t tried to expand that any.”

  “We’ve been gaining more energy ever since the Life Bonds,” Fiona said. “Maybe you’re doing it innately. But you basically flooded her unaccustomed body with energy. I’ve seen this done before, and it always ends like this. Just ease off a little and don’t think about it. I’m sure you’ll start expanding her as you have us.”

  Sean rubbed at his face with a hand. “You make that sound lewd as fuck.”

  “I’m going to be very interested in seeing what she can do with her Talent, now that she has access to so much more energy,” Myna murmured. “You’ll be the perfect marksman, won’t you, Ryann?”

  Sean frowned at Myna’s tone—she sounded decidedly possessive, like someone talking to a new pet. Pushing that image from his mind, Sean wondered what Holden would look like, and hoped they would finally have a few days of peace and quiet.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  The stone walls of Holden came into view as the trees fell away on either side of the road. The ground had been purposely cleared for about half a mile out from the walls as far as he could see from his seat in the wagon. “First stone walls I’ve seen,” Sean murmured.

  “They get more common the closer to the center you get,” Myna said, climbing up onto the seat next to him, “or when the village or town deals with a quarry. May I take the reins, Master?”

  Eye twitching, Sean handed over the reins, then glanced behind him. “Is Ryann okay now?”

  “Hmm, I feel fine,” Ryann said, her voice a touch languid.

  Sean frowned. “Fiona, the time I shoved energy into you, you sounded like you were in pain, not in bliss.”

  “You were using that energy to heal me,” Fiona told him. “It was painful to have my body repairing itself that fast.”

  “I guess that makes sense,” Sean muttered.

  Ryann sat up, staring at Sean with wide eyes full of mixed emotions, then at the walls of Holden. “Oh, I’ve been out for a while, I guess.” Shaking her head, she picked up her crossbow. “Sean, you need to sit back here, and I’ll take the seat next to the driver.”

  Fiona nodded in approval. “Already ready to work.”

  Sean climbed into the back with a shrug. “Far be it for me to question you all, when you know what you’re doing.”

  “Thank you,” Ryann said as she climbed up next to Myna and looked at her crossbow and quarrels. “You did something to my crossbow?”

  “Improved it some while you were out,” Myna replied. “Since you’re going to stay with us, it makes sense that your equipment be as good as possible. We can see about getting you a better one in town.”

  Ryann shook her head. “This is going to take some getting used to.”

  “Welcome to our group,” Myna said softly.

  “It’s really going to take some getting used to,” Ryann repeated as a light snow began falling. “We also made it just in time, it seems.”

  “Master, are we going to stay longer than a tenday?” Fiona asked.

  “I wouldn’t think so,” Sean said. “Is there any reason why we would want to?”

  “I’m not sure how far you wish to travel before we try to find a place to stay for a longer time,” Fiona said.

  “Not here,” Sean said quickly. “I feel like it’s too close. We should head west, maybe far west.”

  Ryann glanced back at them. “It is wilder to the west. The beasts that way are more prone to attacking travelers.”

  “We’ll be fine,” Myna said simply. “Master, your last name. Did you wish to keep using it, or do you wish to take on something similar to our names?”

  Sean chewed his lip. “I don’t know, Myna.”

  “I don’t think his last name is going to be an issue,” Fiona said slowly. “He also never went to an academy, and has no one he can point to as family who did. It’s probably best to use his real name.” She picked up an empty scabbard next to her. “You should also Shape your weapon so it fits into this. The metal will draw a lot of attention, otherwise.”

  Uncovering Dark Cutter, Sean quickly Shaped it down into a sword sized for the scabbard. With a wry twist to his lips, he left the blade wooden with a metal core, since he could easily change it whenever he needed to. “Done, and that was a good point. Thank you, Fiona.”

  “I do the best I can for you… Master,” Fiona smirked.

  “I’m going to have that drummed into me, it seems,” Sean sighed. “I give up, but please call me Sean when you can. Ryann already knows my name.”

  Ryann snickered. “You are so odd for a Holder.”

  Myna slowed the wagon as they approached the gates. One of the guards held a hand up as they neared. Pulling the wagon to a stop and setting the brake, she gave both guards a polite nod. “Is there a problem, gentlemen?”

  “Just the standard questions,” the bored guard said. “Who are you, what is your business in Holden, and where are you planning on staying?”

  “I’m Myna, Life Bonded to Sean MacDougal. We are hoping to resupply for our trip, maybe sell off some knick-knacks. If you know of an inn that is clean and safe, we will stay there,” Myna said with a polite smile.

  “Nice to see a Holder who knows how to keep his Bonded polite,” one of the guards muttered under his breath, not intending the comment to be heard. He nodded and spoke up louder, “I need your Holder to affirm your statement, and I’d suggest the Swan Song to stay at. It’s not the best inn, but it’s a damned sight better than the Drunken Fool.”

  Sean stood up in the back so he could see the guards and make sure they saw him, “I affirm my Bonded’s words.”

  “What kind of knick-knacks are you selling?” the second guard asked curiously.

  “Simple wooden items,” Sean replied. “Plates, goblets, and the like, made by Shaping.”

  “Ahh, never would have thought of a Feline Moonbound for a Shaper,” the second guard snorted. “Maybe the animals are learning to be civilized.”

  Sean’s polite smile froze in place. “Are we free to go?”

  “Head straight down to the main square and take a right. The Swan Song will be on the left when you reach the merchant square,” the first guard said, stepping aside for them.

  “Mind the laws while inside the walls, too,” the second guard said.

  “I’m a big believer that laws are necessary,” Sean said with a nod, before he sat back down and hid himself from view. />
  Myna flicked the reins to get the horses moving onto the cobbled streets. She guided the horses carefully, keeping them at a slow walk; even though many people were giving them reasonable room, she didn’t want to have an accident.

  Sean took in the view from the back of the wagon. The roofs were all steeply sloped, designed to shed snow. The buildings themselves were all built of stone, even the taller ones.

  “The town seems prosperous,” Sean commented.

  “It’s been here for a long time now,” Fiona said. “The taller buildings are warehouses for merchants that deal with the various villages around Holden.”