Hearthglen

by Daniel Schinhofen

“Wait,” one of the Bonded men called out, “why aren’t you interviewing us?”

  Raising a single brow, Sean gave the man a wintry smile. “I’m the Shaper. If I don’t Shape, how can I employ anyone?” People nodded their heads at his logic. “Before you go back to be interviewed, I need a moment with my wife.”

  Myna came out of the back at that moment and Sean’s smile became warm. “Myna, you’re in charge of the shop while Fiona interviews everyone.” Stopping next to her and kissing her cheek provoked a few surprised murmurs. “If you can’t handle my other wife being who she is, you should leave,” he said, his words cold.

  Fiona followed him through the door and shut it behind her to cut them off from view, her lips trembling with suppressed laughter. “Most of them seemed shocked, but a few didn’t seem to mind at all.”

  “There are two that should be immediately rejected. They’re tied to someone else,” Sean told her. Giving their descriptions to Fiona, he sighed tiredly. “If any of the rest seem to be okay with Myna…”

  “I’ll move them to the top of my list,” Fiona said when he paused.

  “Thank you, dear.”

  “Of course.” Collecting a kiss, she put her hand on the door handle. “Is there anything else?”

  “I’m going to see how much Ida can walk me through blacksmithing with a cold forge. Once you’re done with interviews, let me know.”

  “As you wish, husband.”

  ~ * ~ * ~

  Ida was sitting on the anvil while Sean repeated back to her the various lessons she had given him regarding blacksmithing tools and their uses when Venn came to find him.

  “Sir, Fiona wishes to speak with you. She has three final candidates and wants your opinion,” Venn told him.

  “Okay,” Sean said, putting one of the hammers he had been holding away. He headed for the back door, with Ida following him. “Get your things ready. We’ll go to the bathhouse once this is done.”

  “Right away,” Ida said, breaking away from him to head up the stairs.

  Fiona was alone in the sitting room when he got there. “I thought you had the final three you wanted my opinion on?”

  “I do. They’re out in the front room with Myna,” Fiona said. “All of them seem to be on the up and up, and I didn’t see anything off with Mage Sight, but I wanted you to see and hear them.”

  “Okay,” Sean said, taking the seat next to Fiona across the table from three empty chairs.

  “Ven, if you would, please?” Fiona asked.

  A silver streak crossed the room toward the door, “Yes, miss.”

  Sean blinked when the Fairy vanished as it reached the closed door. “How the hell?”

  “Fairies can briefly pass through walls and doors in the execution of their duties,” Fiona giggled. “I was curious how you’d react.”

  “I guess that explains how they got inside to tell us they would take the job.”

  The door opened and Myna led three people in. Once they were seated, she moved the last chair in the room over by Sean’s other side and sat down. Sean took a moment to look over the three people.

  A middle-aged woman was sitting closest to the door. Her clothing was good, but Sean could see some thin spots on her dress. Noticing his gaze on her, she sat upright and gave him a hopeful smile. Sean could see small scars on her hands as she clasped them together in her lap. Giving her a polite smile back, he looked to the next person.

  A man in ill-fitting, but well-made, clothing sat in the middle. His thinning hair had been plastered down over the growing bald spot. Eyes devoid of warmth met Sean’s, and a professional smile settled on the man’s lips. Sean nodded a greeting in return, then looked over the last person.

  The young woman was nervous, her eyes darting between Sean, Fiona, and Myna. A few small tears at the hem of her pants and shirt cuffs were visible as she shifted slightly. Muted hope shone in her eyes, but every time she glanced toward the other two candidates, it dwindled a bit more.

  “Thank you for coming today,” Fiona said. “You three are the ones left after the first interview. I’m just going to ask you a single question, but my husband or Myna might follow up. I will remind you all that the position comes with a harsh Agreement of silence.” When no one made a move to leave, Fiona nodded. “Okay. Why do you think we should hire you over the other two?”

  The older woman shifted a little before she spoke. “I’ve been an able worker all my life, never shirked a day of work. I can handle many things, not just the counter, if needed.”

  Sean shifted to his Mage Sight. He could see the empty outline of a person with no energy, so he shut his Sight off and nodded. “What jobs have you held before?”

  “I’ve been a farmer for most of my life,” the woman sighed, as if the admission was going to cost her.

  “Why do you want this job more than a different job?” Myna asked softly.

  Eyes flickering to Myna, the woman looked down. “I’m hoping to save up to pay off my husband’s magistrate Bond.”

  Fiona waited a moment before nodding, but the woman didn’t elaborate. “Thank you, Maridis, for your honesty.” Turning her gaze to the man, Fiona gave him a polite smile. “It is the same question, Lamar.”

  The man touched his combover and cleared his throat. “I’ve held a few positions running stalls before. I’m fairly certain that, of the three of us, I’m the only one who has experience with commerce.”

  “Why don’t you still hold those jobs?” Sean asked, seeing the same lack of energy in Lamar.

  “The people I worked for no longer needed my services,” Lamar said, but his eyes shifted down and to the side as he answered.

  “Have you always done the best for your employer?” Myna asked.

  “The best I could,” Lamar replied, again not meeting anyone’s eyes when he answered.

  “Very well,” Fiona said, then turned to look at the young woman who seemed to have all but given up hope. “Chastity, your turn.”

  “I have no reason to be picked over the other two. I used to help my mother with weaving, but that’s all I’ve ever done.”

  “What happened?” Sean asked.

  Chastity winced, before exhaling a deep breath. “She was brought before the magistrate shortly after Lord Sharpeyes took over as Lord of the city. Currently, she is Bonded to Paul Weaver, which has left me and my brother trying to find a way to support ourselves and pay our mother’s Bond price.”

  “What was the charge?” Myna asked.

  “I don’t know,” Chastity replied. “She was arrested and Bonded in the same day.”

  “What is your brother doing for work?” Sean asked.

  “He joined the guard yesterday,” Chastity replied. “He’ll be fine, but he won’t be able to help either mother or me.”

  When no one else asked any other questions, Fiona nodded. “Thank you. Please follow Ven to the front room. We’ll be out shortly.”

  Ven hovered by the door while the three people stood up and marched out without a word. When Chastity shut the door behind her, Fiona looked at Sean expectantly.

  “Lamar is right out,” Sean said. “Which leaves just the other two as our options. None of them had an inkling of energy.”

  “I think we should hire Chastity,” Myna said. “She’s young and doesn’t have any notions as to what she should be doing.”

  “I’m on the fence between them,” Fiona sighed.

  Sean took a moment before he answered. “We have a maid coming?”

  “Yes,” Fiona replied curiously.

  “No reason not to hire them both, right?”

  “Always wanting to help others,” Myna murmured, leaning over to kiss his cheek.

  “We could…” Fiona began, her eyes gazing into the distance as she trailed off.

  “Fiona?”

  “Sorry, dear. I think we can, at least partially. We can hire Chastity to work the shop; she’s young, and if we help build her up, she’ll shine for us. Maridis could man a booth in the gener
al market once a tenday, on Tenday perhaps? It wouldn’t fix her troubles, but it would give her a bit more of a push.”

  “Do it,” Sean said, kissing her cheek, “and thank you. Once you’ve told them, we’ll be heading off to the bathhouse. You can take her Agreement, right?”

  “I’ll handle it. She’ll have to share a room with… the maid,” Fiona said, clearly trying to avoid speaking a name.

  “You’re keeping who the maid is close to your chest,” Sean stated.

  “Please trust me, dear.”

  “Fine. Go arrange things with Maridis and Chastity. Myna and I will get what we need for the bathhouse, including clothes for you.”

  “I’ll join you soon,” Fiona said.

  “That should fill all the spots we need, right?” Sean asked after Fiona had gone.

  “As far as I’m aware, Master.”

  “Come on then, kitty. Let’s go get you bathed,” Sean chuckled.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The next morning as he got out of bed, Sean thought back on the baths the previous night. Ryann and Ida had been watching him, trying to be circumspect, but even he had noticed. Where was all this attention a few years ago? I never even had a woman really love me like James did, yet here I am with two women I call my wives and two more that are eyeing me like a prime cut of beef. Maybe it has to do with something the Tuatha Dé Danann did? That would make the most sense, but why doesn’t it show on my status screen?

  Thinking about his status brought the glowing character screen to his mind’s eye. Brow furrowing as he looked at it, Sean added that to the growing list of questions he had for Morrigan if he ever got the chance to talk to her again.

  Sean Aragorn MacDougal

  Human?

  Age: 33

  Gifts:

  Metal Bones, Viney Muscles, Mithril Blood, Magic Bond, Mending Body, Death Ward, Linguist, Hunter’s Blood, Infinite Possibilities

  Spells:

  Summon Water

  Talents:

  Shaper- (Wood and Metal)

  Mage Sight

  Camouflage

  Targeter

  Bonded:

  Fiona Mithrilsoul- Life Bonded

  Myna Mooncaller- Life Bonded

  Ryann Cullin- One-year Bond

  Ida Bronzeshield- One-year Bond

  Ven- Ten-year Bond

  Venn- Ten-year Bond

  Hans Tackett- One-year Bond

  Derrin Werrick- One-year Bond

  Chester Knox- One-year Bond

  Maddox Gralik- One-year Bond

  Jeno Botrel- One-year Bond

  Closing the screen with a thought, he finished getting dressed. A little over thirty days in this world and I have two Life Bonded and almost a dozen more Bonded. What fucking rabbit hole am I going down? I’m apparently starting to accept this convention, but I’m definitely planning on overturning others.

  Sean came out of his thoughts when he opened the door and found Myna standing there. “Morning, my silly kitty,” Sean murmured, sweeping her into his arms and kissing her.

  She let out a contented purr as she pressed against him, returning the kiss. “After last night, you still want more?” Myna asked with a heated look after the kiss broke.

  “Not at the moment. I just wanted to kiss you,” Sean murmured and gently kissed her neck. “Time for breakfast?”

  “Yes,” Myna sighed, resting her head against his chest.

  “Myna, answer a question for me honestly,” Sean said as he let her go. “Do Ryann and Ida intend to try and push for more than the one-year Bond they have with me?”

  Myna met his eyes, seeing the conflict inside him. “If Fiona and myself allowed for others, would it be so bad?”

  Brow furrowing, Sean tried to untangle his emotions. “I don’t know. It was hard enough for me to get to where I am now. Even more…” Exhaling hard, he shook his head.

  “Neither of them will try anything,” Myna said, softly touching his cheek. “Don’t worry that they’ll press; they will not. They fear you’d send them away if they tried. Just let it be for now, Master. Your feelings may change in time one way or the other, but neither is Life Bonded to you…” Myna’s trailed off.

  “Right,” Sean said, not noticing Myna’s thoughtful expression. “Let’s go have some breakfast and see what today brings.”

  Taking his seat at the table, Sean frowned. Fiona, Myna, Ryann, Ida and both Fairies were seated already and there was another chair still. “Who’s cooking breakfast?”

  “Chastity,” Fiona told him as she poured him some black tea. “She knows someone who handles eggs and had them bring some by. We’ll be having eggs at least once a tenday now.”

  “Oh, that’s nice,” Sean smiled.

  “I thought you might like that,” Fiona said.

  “Breakfast,” Chastity announced, coming from the kitchen carrying a tray. She put it in front of Sean, then took the last empty chair. “Thank you again for giving me this chance, sir.”

  “Just call me Sean, please,” Sean told her, “and you’re welcome. It looks and smells wonderful.”

  Breakfast was a large pan of scrambled eggs, with bits of ham, cheese, and vegetables mixed in. It reminded Sean of a Denver omelet as he took a portion and passed the serving spoon to Fiona. As the serving spoon went around the table, Sean was surprised when the Fairies waited until Chastity took hers before getting some for themselves.

  They are working out the hierarchy themselves. Just stay out of it, at least for now. Fiona knows how you view things. She’ll intervene if needed, and if not, then you can get involved.

  Sean smiled at Chastity after his first bite. “It’s good. Thank you.”

  Bowing her head, Chastity replied, “You’re welcome, Sean.”

  The others at the table echoed Sean’s compliment as they took their first bites. When they were almost done, there was a knock on the door. Myna was the first one out of her chair, heading to answer.

  A minute later, she was back. “Master, there’s a man here with a delivery from Silvertouch.”

  “Must be the copper to make the pipes,” Sean said, standing up, his plate empty. “Ida, when you finish, join me outside, but don’t rush.”

  Ida, who had begun to pick up her plate to shovel food into her mouth, set it back down on the table. “I’ll be right out, sir.”

  Sean left the room to find the large man he had encountered at the inn standing there. “Angusson, right?”

  Brow furrowing, the man’s lip pulled back into a sneer. “Shaper. Where do you want this delivery?”

  “The smithy around back,” Sean replied, taken slightly aback by the man’s attitude.

  Stomping down the stairs, Angusson grumbled about arrogant assholes. Watching the man go, Sean snorted and shut the door. As he headed down the back stairs, Ida caught up with him. “The delivery man dislikes me,” Sean told her.

  “Who’s the delivery man?” Ida asked as they crossed the yard.

  “The gate be shut, Shaper,” Angusson said loudly.

  Sean opened it, “I was coming.”

  Angusson glanced at Ida, his sneer lessening a bit before he turned back to Sean. “Where?”

  “Ida, please show Angusson where we want the special copper.”

  Ida hesitated, then motioned for Angusson and the two men with him to follow her. As they went past, Sean stepped aside right before an elbow went through the spot where he had just been standing. Eyebrow going up, Sean watched Angusson keep walking after missing him with the clearly deliberate attempt.

  Following them, Sean felt a cold smile come to him. Ida pointed to the empty rack set up for the copper and stepped aside for the workers. They each grabbed a couple of billets, carrying them to the rack with obvious effort. Sean bent down and picked up double what the others had, following them and waiting as they set theirs down.

  “Here, Angusson,” Sean said, holding the billets out to him.

  With a snort, Angusson reached out for the billets. Sean let
him have them, watching the big man strain as he hefted them. The other two quickly helped out, so Sean went and retrieved more. He was back just as the three men got the first large set put away, and waited patiently for the workers to take the next load.

  Angusson was a little slower on taking them, but still reached out for them. Handing them off with a smile, Sean went back for the last few while the three men strained under the weight. Coming back with the last of the billets, Sean met Angusson’s eyes.

  “I’m not like the other Shapers, Angusson. I don’t mind a little hard work.”

  Giving Sean a newly respectful nod, Angusson reached for the last of the billets. “I see. Maybe what I was told about you was wrong.”