Life Bonds

by Daniel Schinhofen

  Back in their room, Fiona and Myna made a bed out of their blankets for Ryann in the far corner of the room. While they were setting that up, the maid brought them their meal of stew and wine.

  The stew was saltier than Sean cared for, but it was helped by the wine. Once they were done eating, Myna set the tray outside the room. After he made sure the door was shut, Sean looked around. “What do we need here before we leave?”

  “We can’t sell any hair clips, but we might be able to unload another saddle or two,” Fiona told him. “We can replace the feed for the horses and refresh our food and spices. Maybe see about getting a slightly larger tent, and a few more blankets as well.”

  “Okay, make that the list of things to do tomorrow,” Sean yawned.

  “You’ve had a long day, Master,” Myna said, urging him toward the bed. “Come retire for the night.”

  Ryann went to her blankets. “You got us here, Sean. I’m thankful for that. I think that storm is going to claim lives if it continues.”

  “I’m glad we made it, too,” Sean yawned. Myna pushed him to the bed and started to undress him. “I can do it, Myna.”

  “So can I, Master,” Myna said softly, kissing his nose. “We couldn’t help you all day. Let us do what we can now.”

  Shaking his head, he let her have her way. Fiona blew the lantern out once Myna and Sean were situated and joined them. “Good night, Ryann, Kitty, and Master,” Fiona murmured.

  “Goodnight, Pointy and Ryann. Obviously you as well, Master,” Myna said, kissing Sean’s chest.

  “You two…” Ryann’s sigh was audible to the room, earning stifled giggles from the two.

  “Goodnight, to you all,” Sean mumbled as sleep reached up to drag him down into its clutches.

  ~ * ~ * ~

  Sean ran from the people chasing him. Chest heaving and lungs burning, his feet caught a tree root and sent him sprawling forward. His left arm broke as he tried to cushion his fall. Screaming in pain, he looked behind him as he struggled to his feet. The dark shapes were getting closer, and he knew he had to go. Staggering away, he glanced at his broken arm and saw porcelain white bone shoved through his skin. Dark red blood pumped from the wound with each beat of his heart.

  “You killed us, MacDougal... Did you think that your crimes would go unpunished?” the whisper sent a chill down Sean’s spine.

  “You think you’re special because you can stop my magic?” another voice floated around him. “Without your blade, you’re as pathetic as you always were.”

  “Sean…help…me,” the voice came from ahead of him. Ducking under a low branch, he found Myna. Her chest was shredded as she leaned against a tree, one hand raised in a pleading gesture. “Don’t leave me to die…Sean.”

  Stumbling, he fell to his knees next to her. “Myna…what happened?”

  “The Moonbound…” Myna whispered, slumping lifelessly.

  “Myna…” Sean shook his head and focused on trying to bring her back to life again.

  “Do you think yourself worthy of even an animal such as her?” Whelan’s voice boomed just before his large foot sent Sean flying away from Myna’s body. “I’ll finish what I started,” Whelan growled as he stomped toward Sean.

  Struggling to his feet as his left arm bled even more, Sean stumbled back against a tree. “You’re dead…”

  “As dead as the others,” Whelan spat.

  Sean saw the shadow figures now visible as they advanced on him: the dead guards, Whelan’s other hunters, the thug from Oaklake, and a skinned Canine Moonbound.

  “You killed us all,” the voices echoed. “You killed us and will pay by joining us…”

  Sean’s eyes darted wildly around, looking for escape. “No... I need to go. Fiona needs me.”

  Whelan’s laugh brought Sean’s eyes back to him. Dangling from Whelan’s hands was Fiona’s broken body, torn in half just as Whelan had threatened in Oakwood. Jaw falling and knees buckling, Sean felt his will to live slip away.

  “Sean,” Fiona called to him.

  Blinking, he looked at her lifeless eyes. “Fiona?”

  “Wake up, Sean,” Fiona called to him. “You’re having a nightmare, wake up.”

  “Sean,” Myna’s corpse said, “you need to wake.”

  He bolted upright in the bed, his body covered in a sheen of sweat. Sean panted as his eyes darted around the dark room. Both women pressed into him, whispering softly that everything was okay. Heart rate finally dropping, Sean was able to push the nightmare away.

  “Sorry,” Sean finally managed to say.

  “You worried us,” Myna said softly. “You’ve been twitching in your sleep for a few minutes, and we were unable to wake you.”

  “You were talking about the dead and not being able to save us,” Fiona whispered from his other side.

  “Whelan and the others I’ve killed were chasing me,” Sean told them. “It all felt so real.”

  “It’s not uncommon to have nightmares about those you kill,” Ryann said from her pile of blankets. “My father used to have similar nightmares.”

  “Do they get easier to deal with?” Sean asked.

  “I don’t know, but I hope so,” Ryann replied.

  “So do I, Ryann,” Sean sighed. “Sorry for waking you.”

  “Let us help you get back to sleep, Master,” Myna said as she eased Sean back down.

  “Not sure I want to,” Sean mumbled, but didn’t fight her.

  “Then let us hold you. It will help us, too,” Fiona added, curling herself against his side.

  Sean lay awake in the dark. Eventually, both Fiona and Myna fell asleep holding him. Looking at the ceiling, Sean chewed his bottom lip as he thought about the nightmare and what it meant for him.

  Is this what you went through, Dad? I heard the sounds of your nightmares when I was younger. I remember Mom crying as she tried to wake you. You were still having them twenty years after you were out of the service, so I’ll likely have them for years, too. I can’t recall you ever complaining about them or letting them slow you down, Dad. I’ll still try to emulate you… Gods know that you were a man to admire.

  With those thoughts, Sean was able to find a bit of solace. Sleep claimed him again some time later.

  Chapter Forty-one

  Sean managed to pry his eyes open to the sounds of soft voices and the smell of fruit. “Morning,” he yawned as he sat up.

  “Morning, Master,” Myna smiled. “Did you sleep okay once we went back to sleep?”

  “Slept alright. I don’t recall any other dreams,” Sean said.

  “You were sleeping well when we left to get food,” Fiona added. “We’re glad you were able to get more rest.”

  “Thank you for helping me,” Sean said.

  “The nightmares shouldn’t happen often if my father was an example to go by,” Ryann chimed in.

  “I’m thinking you’re right,” Sean nodded. “My father was a warrior for most of his life, and I can recall him having similar nightmares. They seemed very sporadic.”

  “We have breakfast,” Fiona said, coming to the bed with a bowl in her hands. “It’s just frumenty, but it has lots of berries.”

  Scooting back so he was resting against the wall, Sean took the bowl and gave Fiona a kiss. “Thanks.” The scent of mixed berries was much stronger once he had the bowl in front of him. Taking the first bite, Sean was surprised at just how many berries had gone into the simple dish. It seemed almost half jam in consistency and flavor.

  “The innkeeper said they were using the last of the old berries before they went bad,” Myna said, seeing his surprise.

  “I’m not going to complain,” Sean said as he took another bite.

  Fiona grabbed two cups from the table and sat on the bed with him. Sipping hers, she handed him his cup whenever he wanted a drink. Myna sat in the lone chair, watching them with a smile.

  When he had finished eating, Sean gave the bowl to Fiona, who put it outside the door. “Is it still storming?”
<
br />   “Yes,” Myna nodded. “I checked when we got breakfast. The maid let me know that the chamber pots are collected just short of midday so the mage can clean them.”

  “We still need to take care of buying and selling, as well,” Fiona said. “I don’t think anyone we need to deal with is going to be doing business today.”

  Rubbing his chin, Sean nodded. “The storm is causing a lot of problems.”

  “There’s also the fact that if we stay in the room, it will attract attention from the others. If we go downstairs, though... well, we’ve had problems before,” Ryann added.

  “Damned if you do, damned if you don’t,” Sean sighed. “Let’s mingle for a bit and hope we don’t regret it.” It took Sean a minute to get dressed; the others were up and ready to go. Buckling his sword belt on, he motioned to the door. “I’m ready.”

  Ryann took the lead, with Fiona and Sean after her, and Myna bringing up the rear. Ryann paused briefly at the bottom of the stairs. Sean paused as well, taking in the room before he followed Ryann. He could see the dismissive looks directed behind him as he crossed the room.

  Ryann took one of the few open tables, set in the middle of the room. After he took his seat, all three women did the same. Sean saw one of the barmaids come their way, with a few glasses on her tray that she dropped off with other customers on her way to them.

  “What’ll y’all be having?”

  “Something hot,” Sean said.

  “Hot cider?” Ryann asked Sean.

  “That’ll work.”

  “Four, please,” Ryann said.

  “Be back in a few,” the maid said, going towards another table for another drink order.

  “That will be a change, and a welcome one,” Fiona smiled.

  “I agree,” Sean nodded. “It was a good choice, Ryann.”

  Ryann gave him a nod, her eyes scanning the room. “I thought something other than tea would be refreshing.”

  “Mind if I join you for a moment?” a man sitting at a nearby table asked pleasantly.

  All four set of eyes went to the innocuous looking man. Sean shrugged. “Feel free.”

  “Thank you.” The man shifted over to their table with his chair, leaving the three obvious guards at his table. “I’m Lionel Williams. I work for MacLenn Merchants.”

  “MacDougal. I’m a crafter,” Sean said. “What can I do for you, Williams?”

  Lionel chuckled. “I wanted to speak to the person who gave Cedran the tweak last night. He was put out that he had to wait for his bath, and because of what he called ‘the idiot who doesn’t know what good money’s worth.’ It was a hard thing to keep my face steady.”

  Before Sean could reply, the barmaid set four steaming mugs before them, the scent of apple and spices filling the space. “It’s been deducted from your tab, sir.” she smiled before heading off.

  “Hot cider is a good idea. It will help warm you after that long cold ride yesterday,” Lionel nodded. “Though if you don’t have any spirits in it, it might lose the extra kick it could have.”

  “I’m sure it’ll hit the spot regardless,” Sean said.

  “It’s said you came from Merits,” Lionel smiled. “How was the road?”

  “Cold and snowy,” Sean answered him flatly. “Other than the storm, it was a quiet trip.”

  “That bodes well for me, as long as it stays that way,” Lionel chuckled.

  “Was there anything else you needed?” Sean asked. Lionel’s overly friendly attitude was starting to grate on him.

  “Not unless you want more fur clothing. I’m taking a shipment down to Holden. Most of the shipment is spoken for, but I have a few extra pieces if the price is right.”

  “We’re good,” Sean said.

  “Ah well, it was worth the try,” Lionel shrugged. “Can I just ask about the item your Bonded is wearing in her hair? Where did you get it?”

  Sean’s lips ticked up. “It’s a hair clip, crafted by me. I’d sell you some, but I made a deal which prohibits me from selling more before Hearthglen.”

  “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Lionel sighed. “Any chance I could get you to wager one? If the deal you made was to sell, then having one as a stake in a game of chance should be fine.”

  Sean set his partially emptied mug down. “True. I’m not sure I want to lose one, though.”

  “You misunderstand me, MacDougal. I meant a real wager, not a sham. I’d put up fair value for the hair clip.”

  “What kind of game were you thinking of?” Sean asked.

  “I’m open to ideas, so you know it’s a fair game,” Lionel smiled. “I’d need a good look at the clip to make sure I have fair value in the pot.”

  “Fiona, let him see the clip,” Sean said, feeling a chance to earn some money.

  Fiona pulled the bronze clip free and placed it before Lionel, who picked it up and intently looked it over. After a minute, Lionel gave it back to Fiona. “That is very well made. I’d almost think it was Shaped, with the lack of tool marks.”

  Sean just smiled enigmatically, sipping his cider as he waited for Lionel to state a price. When Sean didn’t reply, Lionel tapped the table with a single finger for a moment, before pulling a silver piece from his pouch.

  “A silver is the high end of what I think it’s worth,” Lionel sighed. “If it had some gems and was made of silver, it would fetch a high price. Lady Alina Greenlimb would love an item like that, or even one made of gold or mithril. This one would still garner some interest from some of her friends, I think.”

  Sean filed the information away, setting his empty mug aside. “The silver against the clip?”

  “Yes. Depending on what you pick, of course,” Lionel said, his smile sliding from friendly to professional.

  Sean considered his options for a single bet game. He didn’t trust Lionel to play fair, so he needed a game that Lionel likely wouldn’t be able to rig. Eyes falling on the odd dart board across the room, he smiled. “I have a game for you: blind shot.”

  Lionel’s brow drew down. “What is this game?”

  “You have three men, and I have three Bonded,” Sean said. “Each will throw a single dart at the board while facing away from it. Whichever team has the best score after all three wins the pot.”

  Lips pursed, Lionel looked hard at the three women, then back at his men, who all wore smirks. “I’d hate to win in such a manner,” Lionel said. “I don’t know if your Bonded have had as much practice as my men.”

  “It’s partially skill,” Sean admitted. “It’s also partially luck. How often have your men thrown at a target they’re not looking at?”

  “Not often, I’d wager,” Lionel said. “If that’s what you wish to do, I won’t stop you.” With Lionel’s acceptance, a small pulse of energy passed between Sean and Lionel, cementing the bet.

  The inn had gone hushed during the wagering, and Sean realized that everyone had been eavesdropping on them. “It seems we have an audience as well, so neither of us can claim we didn’t agree to this friendly wager,” Sean said.

  “So be it,” Lionel smiled. “Richard, you’ve heard the wager.”

  “We’ll let the women go first,” Richard asked, eyeing Ryann with a grin.

  “We decline,” Ryann said standing. “I’d rather play from behind.”

  “I’d rather play with yours,” one of the others muttered as he got to his feet, his voice soft enough that only Fiona, Myna, and Sean heard him.

  Onlookers began wagering on the outcome, and Sean’s smile grew as he watched the six contestants go to the board. There were a handful of darts to choose from, and all the men took their time selecting theirs. Ryann looked over the remaining darts, then handed one each to Fiona and Myna. The betting began to heavily favor the men when people in the room noticed what happened.

  Sean shook his head. “I think I might have made a mistake; seems no one likes my chances.”

  “I did try to warn you,” Lionel chuckled.

  “I have two silver o
n my Bonded. Anyone want to give me the ten-to-one odds I’m hearing?” Sean asked loudly. The entire room went silent, as all eyes went to Sean.

  From the stairs, a sneering voice spoke up, “I’ll give you twenty-to-one,” the entire room focused on Cedran standing at the bottom of the stairs with a single guard behind him, “if you believe in them that much.”

  “Done,” Sean said, and a weightier pulse of energy settled onto him.

  “Master...” Myna said, eyes wide.