Hearthglen

by Daniel Schinhofen

  Ryann looked at Ida, “Will you want more?”

  “Vegetables only,” Ida said.

  Nodding, Ryann took a small bit of salad and the rest of the meat, and Ida took the last of the salad for herself. Sean watched the interaction, understanding the clearly defined structure the women were using for pecking order, but didn’t say anything.

  Once they were all done, Fiona smiled at Ryann. “Since you’re cooking tomorrow, dishes are yours tonight.”

  Ryann gathered up the dishes without complaint and headed for the kitchen. Sean went after her, summoning hot water into the wash basin and handing her his cutlery to be washed, leery of continuing to use utensils that hadn’t been washed for so long.

  “You going to wait for me, Sean?” Ryann asked when he went to leave the kitchen.

  “I’ll be in the main room. I’ll do some Shaping while I wait.”

  “I’ll hurry,” Ryann said.

  When Ryann was ready, Sean gave Myna and Fiona kisses before following the blonde out the door. As they walked down the street, Ryann spoke in a hushed tone, “Sean, is everyone in your world as kind and caring as you are?

  “No,” Sean replied. “We had moments that made this world look like a loving and nurturing place; slavery was rife across most of our history. But, we were moving toward equality. Sometimes it went a bit too far the other way, but most people seemed to try, at least in the part of the world that I was from.”

  “Why are you so kind, then? You see everyone as a person. You love someone with strong Moonbound blood, you’ve disregarded Shame, and have offered a Messenger Fairy a deal that would make them equal to us.”

  “It’s just who I am,” Sean replied with a shrug. “I can’t explain it. Partially the way I was raised, partially knowing what my world went through, and partially because I hate people who shove others down just because they’re stronger.”

  “I see,” Ryann said, after a moment of silence. “Thank you.”

  “No problem. There’s no need for thanks.”

  “I meant thank you for giving me a chance,” Ryann told him. “I should have ended up before the magistrate to be hung or forced into a Life Bond as a menial. Instead, you’ve given me power and Talents most would kill their lovers for, and you do it without coercion… I can see why Myna and Fiona love you.”

  Getting a little uncomfortable with the conversation, Sean laughed nervously. “You’re welcome, Ryann. Honestly, I heard and saw your horror that you might have gotten me killed. That weighed heavily in your favor. I’ve been glad to have you with us, you’re part of our group. I’ll be sad when the year ends, but I’ll be happy that you’ll be able to grow even further. Goodness knows, at some point, being near me is going to cause harm to the people I care for.”

  They walked into the inn and Sean nodded toward the table of Shapers. Most of those seated at that table glared at him, but Gertihs nodded back as unobtrusively as he could and Silvertouch smiled at him. Watercaller and Stoneeyes kept their expressions neutral, watching Sean with interest. He went past the table and was headed for the smiths when his way was blocked by a large man.

  Sean tried to step around, but the man moved with him, planting himself firmly in front of Sean. Sean craned his next back to look up at the tall, wide-chested man. “Mind if I go around you?”

  “You are the one making the new hair clips?”

  “I’ll handle this, Sean,” Ryann said, touching his shoulder. “This is obviously my task.”

  Sean hesitated a moment before stepping back, “See if he can be reasoned with first,” Sean told Ryann quietly. Giving the man a professional smile, Sean answered his question. “I’m the Shaper who made them, yes.”

  “I want one for my wife. She has not stopped speaking of them,” the man said.

  “We’re out right now, but more are being made and will be ready soon,” Sean said from behind Ryann. Sean tried to ignore the comments he heard from parts of the room about him hiding behind a woman.

  “No, I need one tonight,” the large man rumbled, frowning.

  “MacDougal has told you there are none for sale,” Ryann said firmly.

  “You have one,” the man growled, eyeing the copper piece in Ryann’s hair. “I’ll take that one.”

  “No, you will not,” Ryann said firmly.

  Sean touched her shoulder, “Wait, Ryann. That one would cost a bronze. Do you have that kind of coin?”

  Lips pulling back in a snarl, the man shook his head. “That’s theft. It’s not worth that much.”

  “Supply and demand plus the materials says otherwise,” Sean replied with a shrug.

  The big man looked around, realizing that he was being watched by everyone. With a snort, he went to stomp past them, “We’ll talk later, Shaper.”

  “The wooden ones will be ready by Fiveday,” Sean said, stepping sideways to miss the swinging shoulder of the brute. “Have a good night.”

  Shaking his head, Sean headed for the smiths’ table. He was still ignoring the whispered comments about him being a coward, though his hands were clenched.

  “Thought there might be a fight there for a minute,” Joseph said calmly. “Glad you didn’t tangle with Angusson: he’s one of the strongest men in the city. He does a lot of the heavy deliveries in the city, so you’ll likely be seeing him again.”

  “Joy,” Sean sighed.

  “He wasn’t wrong,” Knox coughed. “There’s been a lot of talk about those hair clips of yours. Your name is starting to circulate throughout the city. My sister asked me who the new Shaper was today. She choked when I said I knew you and would be drinking with you tonight, then demanded I get her a clip.”

  Sean chuckled, “Sounds about normal. No offense to Sam or Ryann, but most women do love to have the latest fashion trend.”

  “That’s the truth,” Joseph laughed. “The missus was asking if I could see my way to asking for one.”

  “I’ve fielded a few questions about mine as well,” Sam said, lightly touching the clip in her hair. “Making the wooden ones for those of lesser means and selling them today was devious. When you open shop, you’re going to get a lot of business, at least until the new shine wears off.”

  “I’ll just have to find a way to keep things fresh, then,” Sean chuckled.

  “What can I get you, sir?” the barmaid asked from behind Sean, her voice low and throaty. A shiver ran down Sean’s spine.

  “Gods damn,” Sean exhaled. “Um, let me go with something light tonight... a hard cider.”

  “A hot hard cider for me,” Ryann said.

  “We’ll all take refills,” Sam said, handing over a coin.

  “I’ll be right back with them,” the maid said before swaying away from the table.

  “You know, MacDougal,” Avery chuckled, “we’ve been coming here for years, and she’s never once been that friendly to any of us.”

  “I’d say she might even want more than just hair clips,” Knox snickered.

  Rolling his eyes, Sean shook his head, “Yeah, no. I’m happy with my two wives.”

  “Where do you keep them?” Avery asked with a chuckle.

  Distracted by the question, Sean didn’t see Ryann’s fleeting sadness. “Most of you have met them: Fiona and Myna are my Life Bonded, as well as my wives.”

  Ryann’s jaw fell, more shocked than anyone else at the table. Before she could speak, the barmaid returned with their drinks. Ryann stared blankly at the mug set in front of her as she tried to get her brain functioning again.

  “Your hard cider, sir,” the maid said, bending more than necessary. “Would you happen to be the one selling the hair clips?” she asked with a smile and a knowing look.

  “Yeah, I’m the one who makes them,” Sean said, pulling his eyes away from the ample cleavage she was showing.

  “When might you have more for sale, sir?”

  “We should have more by Fiveday,” Sean replied, sipping his cider.

  “Would it be possible to put in an order w
ith you?” the maid asked hopefully.

  “Not at this time,” Sean said. “Though if you come by the shop on Fiveday, you’ll have a chance at getting some.”

  “I see,” the maid sighed with disappointment. “I guess we’ll just have to try.”

  “I didn’t know they were your wives,” Sam said. “I thought they were just your Life Bonded. It makes sense why they came with you to dinner.”

  Those who had previously met Fiona and Myna were visibly reevaluating their encounter with the women. “I know it’s unusual and didn’t want to make things difficult for you before we had an Agreement in place,” Sean said.

  “Can’t fault you,” Sam said. “Your family is welcome in my home, as I’ve said before.”

  “Thank you, Sam,” Sean said.

  “You’re all welcome at my home, as well,” Joseph added.

  The conversation turned to less controversial subjects, and the tone at the table was upbeat. The maid came back twice more before the smiths called it a night. Ryann had stayed silent and seemed to be in thought while her eyes roved the darkness on their way home.

  Chapter Twelve

  Sean and Ida were in the sitting room after breakfast the next morning. Sean told her, “We know you can feel the metal and Shape it some. The fine control will come with time and practice, so don’t feel the need to rush. Plus, if you slow down and take your time, it doesn’t take as much energy, since you’re not forcing the metal as much.”

  “I’m just going to Shape until I grow tired?” Ida sked.

  “To start with. I want you to get a good feel for your current limits. Later, I’ll be channeling energy through you the entire time while you work. I want to see you make an item from start to finish.”

  “Yes sir,” Ida said eagerly, picking up the first bar of copper. “I was able to get through a full bar before I had to stop yesterday.”

  Ryann sat in the corner with her bronze blades in her lap. Taking her time, she started to sharpen the edges while she listened to Sean and Ida talk. She was amazed at how fast she was getting these blades finished. She realized she would need to get sheaths made for them, but would likely have to wait for her next day off to make the arrangements.

  The three of them were absorbed in what they were doing, so they were all surprised when Myna came into the room with a kettle of tea and some cups. “I figured you might like something to drink during your break,” Myna said.

  “How long?” Sean asked.

  “It’s been over an hour since you started working,” Myna replied, pouring the tea for them. “How is it going?”

  “I was about to stop,” Ida admitted, looking a bit worn. “I got through two bars of copper.”

  “I can see that,” Myna smiled, “and Master has turned them all into clips already. Should I take these to the front?”

  “Please,” Sean said, sipping at the mint tea. “How are you and Fiona doing?”

  “We’ve been very productive,” Myna smiled. “We’ll easily have fifty clips by the end of the day if we can continue at our current pace.”

  “Myna, will you look at these for me?” Ryann asked.

  Going over to Ryann, Myna picked up the two blades and examined them before making a few test swings. “They are serviceable, though I prefer straighter edges. They’re weighted nicely. You should do well with them.”

  Ryann nodded, “Thank you.”

  “Tomorrow night, I’ll be handing Ida’s combat training to Master, and we’ll work on yours.”

  “I’ll do my best,” Ryann said.

  “Any sign of the coal supplier?” Sean asked.

  “Not as of yet, but we’re working in the shop, so we’ll be on hand when they do show up,” Myna said as she went to the door. “If you need anything, just call for us, Master.”

  Shaking his head, Sean chuckled. “Yes, dear.”

  When Myna left, Ryann got to her feet. “Sean, would it be okay if I ran an errand?”

  “What’s up?” Sean asked.

  “I want to see about getting sheaths made for these,” Ryann said, her blades in hand.

  “I need to go out for a bit later,” Sean said, not wanting to give away the surprise of getting her armor. “Can it wait until then?”

  Ryann nodded, “Yes. I’ll go help the other two with the wooden clips, then, if that’s okay?”

  “That would be great,” Sean said. “Have fun.”

  “I will. Shaping is a joy,” Ryann said and left the room.

  “Okay Ida, it’s time to have you work an entire piece, start to finish. You ready?”

  “Yes. I’m very excited.”

  “Okay. We’ll do a bronze kitchen knife to start with. I’ll keep you filled, so just take your time with the Shaping.”

  Ida picked up the bronze bar and rested it in her lap. “I understand, sir.”

  Sean looked at Ida with his Mage Sight and saw the fog inside her had become thicker over the last two days. Smiling because he knew she was rapidly approaching the power levels of some of the other Shapers in town, he wondered what she would do once the year was over. She could easily be a Shaper as a smith if she was able to keep the energy.

  Pulling his eyes down, Sean watched as Ida’s hands slowly moved over the bar and began Shaping it. The impurities and flaws in the metal gleamed like red LEDs to his Sight, even through Ida’s energy. Ever so slowly, the bar began to thin and lengthen while she worked.

  I should see about introducing her to Mage Sight so she can see the flaws. She’s bound to never reveal our secrets, so it’ll be okay for her to know. It makes Shaping so much easier when you can see the impurities and fix them.

  Time ticked by as Ida worked, with Sean watching her while he fed her energy. Sighing and setting the completed blade on the table, Ida looked to Sean for approval. Dropping Mage Sight, Sean picked up the knife to examine it.

  The handle was shaped like a wolf, its legs tucked up as if sleeping. The knife blade was razor sharp, but reinforced to hold its edge longer than normal. Nodding, he set it back on the table.

  “That is excellent work, Ida.”

  Smiling widely, Ida’s cheeks heated. “You think so?”

  “How long would it have taken to smith that?”

  “The blade itself? Half a day, at least,” Ida replied. “The handle would have taken much longer.”

  “You made that knife in far less time, but how much of that time was getting the blade to the right shape to start with?”

  “About half?”

  “Okay, let’s find out,” Sean said, picking up another small bar of bronze. “I’ll give you the blank. You finish it, and I want more detail than the first one.”

  Ida’s eyes gleamed and she nodded eagerly, “Yes, sir.”

  Before Sean could Shape the bar, Myna entered the room. “Master, the supplier is here.”

  “We’ll pick this… Myna, can you Shape this bronze into a knife blank? Ida is going to replicate the finished one and add more detail to the handle.”

  “Of course. I’ll sit with her,” Myna said, going to his side. “Fiona is keeping them company in the front.”

  “Do your best, Ida. I’ll be back once I’m done,” Sean said, giving his seat to Myna.

  “I will,” Ida replied.

  When Sean left the room, Myna pulled her legs up under her, curling comfortably into the chair. An almost inaudible purr came from her when she picked up the bar of bronze. “Okay Ida, let’s see how much you wish to be noticed by Master.”

  In the front room of the shop, Sean found an attractive young woman speaking to Fiona. “Sorry for the delay. I was teaching my apprentice.”

  “I understand, sir,” the woman said, her voice smooth and professional, without any noticeable accent. “I’m the contact for the coal supply. My name is Eve Blackhand.”

  “Sean MacDougal,” Sean introduced himself. “Fiona is one of my wives and my Life Bonded. She’ll likely handle most business matters for me in the future.”

 
; Eve’s eyes went to the band at Fiona’s neck and nodded. “If that is your preference, MacDougal. How much coal were you looking for?”

  “About a third of what the regular smiths get from you, probably” Sean said. “I’m just going to dabble at smithing.”

  “You need to get the forge heated first, correct?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You’ll need a half load at least to start with, then,” Eve said with a smile. “I understand you’re a Shaper and not really a smith. Your apprentice was a smith, so you’re wanting to keep her hand in practice, right?”